Difference between acceptance test and system test

Question

In practice, what is the difference between acceptance testing and system testing? And how to do them?

Answer 1

Validation Test

• The software is mounted as a package and the validation of it is performed through a series of tests black box
• purpose:
  • demonstrate compliance with functional and performance requirements
  • check that the documentation is correct
• two possibilities:
  • accepted
  • not entirely in accordance with the requirements: negotiate with the user
• includes the Acceptance Test: performed by the user himself
• in the case of software developed for multiple users:
  • alpha test: carried out by the user in the developer environment
  • beta test: carried out by the user in his own environment

System test

• considers the software within its wider environment (all aspects of interaction with it, such as other hardware, software, people, etc.)
• corresponds to a series of tests that aims to verify that all elements of the system have been properly integrated and perform their functions correctly
  • safety test: aims to verify that all protection mechanisms really protect software from improper access.
  • stress test: aims to confront the programs with abnormal situations of frequency, volume or resources in quantity.
  • performance test: aims to test the system’s response time and is generally applied to real-time systems

Unitary Test

• focuses on the module
• uses the structural testing technique
• can be performed in parallel for several modules
• aspects considered Generally, a program is not a single module, but formed of several modules that for the purpose of unit testing should be tested separately

Integration test

• the structure of the program is constructed in a systematic way, performing at the same time tests to detect interface errors
• Although modules, after unit testing, work properly in isolation, integration testing is necessary as when put together various unexpected situations can happen

^{Source: Summary of Software Engineering Class.}

How to do them will depend on various variables, such as, type of technology, project control environment, approval team, technical training, among other factors.