Integration testing is the phase in software testing in which individual software modules are combined and tested as a group. Read complete guide of integration testing types and tools here.

1. Integration testing is one of the methodologies of software testing where individual
components or units of code are tested to validate interactions among different software
project modules. In this process, these system components are either tested as a single
group or organized iteratively. The main purpose of this testing method is to expand the
process and validate the integration of the modules with other groups. Integration testing is
performed when all the units operate in accordance with their specifications defined.
In Software testing, it is important that every system component gets integrated with the
different application modules. Though each of the software modules is unit tested, there are
critical chances for the modules to have defects, and this calls the need for Integration
testing to come into place.
Some of the main situations when Integration testing should be taken up:
- When any new changes are made to the application requirements, then this may require
integration testing as the new changes may not be unit tested
- Integration testing becomes necessary to understand the logic implemented by the
developer against the requirements
- When modules interact with APIs and third-party tools, then to validate these interactions
and know the response, integration testing becomes essential
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WHY SHOULD INTEGRATION TESTING BE TAKEN UP?
With integration testing, most of the test cases are written at the early stage and thus helps
to perform execution on every build. This testing process tackles the bugs related to
exception handling and validates the performance, functionality, and reliability of the
integrated modules.
Some of the other benefits include:
- Simplifies the integration among different application modules
- Enhances the code coverage and improves the reliability of the tests
- Identifies system-level issues such as integration mistakes, broken database and helps to
resolve them at the earliest
- Assures in interacting with other third-party tools and APIs
- Bugs are identified and resolved at the early stage
- Improves the overall development and production time
Integration testing is classified into different testing approaches, some of them
are
Big Bang Integration Testing
In this approach, almost all of the units or major units are combined together to perform
integration testing in one attempt. Usually, this method is practiced when teams have entire
software in their bundle.
Incremental Testing
In this testing approach, a minimum of two modules that are logically related are tested.
Then, the related modules are summed up to perform testing and achieve proper functioning.
This process is continued until the modules are addressed and tested.
Top-down Integration Testing
In this testing approach, the teams test the top-level units first and then perform step-by-step
testing of lower-level units.
Bottom-up Integration Testing
In this testing approach, the testing starts from the lower units of the application and then it
gradually moves up one-by-one, i.e. the testing is practiced from the bottom of the control
parts.
Hybrid/Sandwich Integration Testing
This approach is also known as hybrid integration as it is a combination based on bottom-up
and top-down approaches. This approach overcomes many other limitations and helps to
achieve the benefits of both the approaches with its three layers – the main target layer, the
layer below the target layer, and the layer above the target layer.
Steps to Perform Integration Testing
1. Prepare an effective integration test plan and identify unit interfaces: Before planning to
perform integration testing, it is necessary for the teams to prepare a test plan strategy. This
helps them to perform testing that is in flow. Simultaneously, the developers have to identify
and document test cases and test data.
2. Identify critical modules to test on priority: In this step, it is essential to study the
application’s architecture design. This will help to identify the critical modules that need
integration testing on a priority basis and also have an understanding of other modules.
3. Examine the interfaces: While designing the test cases and test scenarios, it is essential
to gather information related to integration test templates. Interfaces have to be reconciled,
i.e. when one-unit X transfer’s data to another unit Y, then there should be a clear indication
that the data has been transferred from unit X. If there is no indication among these
interfaces, then these need to be examined and fixed before moving further for integration
testing.
4. Demonstrate the Integration test conditions: In order to process the integration testing for
each program unit, test conditions should be prepared. Once the conditions are listed, these
have to be documented, so that they can be used while performing integration tests.
5. Choose an automation tool and execute the tests: When the test scripts and test
conditions are prepared, choose an automation tool for integration testing. Execute the test
cases and if there are any defects identified, report the defects for re-testing.
6. Re-test to Validate for Completeness of Integration tests: For the test cases that reported
Protractor : This is an open-source automation framework known as an E2E testing
framework. Protractor is preferred for applications that are based on Angular and AngularJS.
The tool’s WebDriverJS uses specific drivers and native browser to validate the application
interaction. A few of its other characteristics include:
• This tool is specifically used for integration testing
• This tool helps to run instances of the applications
• Helps to write end-to-end test suites
• Runs tests from the user point of view
Rational Integration Tester : This tool helps to provide a scripting free environment and helps
to avoid the bugs related to integration testing within the iterative agile development
process. It provides many features such as the creation of code-free and reusable stubs and
also reduces the risks of any failure. A few of its other characteristics include:
• Helps to reduce test cycle time as integration testing is performed at the early stage
• This tool helps in reducing the development time as integration testing is performed
earlier than functional and regression testing
TESSY : This tool helps to perform integration and unit testing for embedded software. With
its Classification Tree Editor (CTE), teams can easily specify the test cases. Also, this tool
helps in identifying the application’s code coverage. A few of its other characteristics
include:
• Helps in generating test reports for the results of test execution
• Supports C and C++ programming languages
• Supports in providing code coverage even without an additional effort
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS BUSINESSES GET WITH
INTEGRATION TESTING?
WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT INTEGRATION TESTING
APPROACHES BUSINESSES SHOULD KNOW?
WHAT ARE THE TOOLS TO CONSIDER
FOR INTEGRATION TESTING?
WHAT IS
INTEGRATION
TESTING?
Big Bang
Integration Testing
Top-down
Integration Testing
Hybrid/Sandwich
Integration Testing
Incremental
Testing
Bottom-up
Integration Testing
Protractor TESSY
Rational
Integration
Tester
LDRA
CONCLUSION
Enterprises are effectively validating that before the applications are set to release they are
tested with proper software testing practices. Integration testing is one of the key software
testing practices in the software development life cycle. In this methodology, software
modules are integrated and tested to build a complete system and assures to develop
software that is assured with functionality, reliability, and performance.