Updated April 19, 2023
Difference Between Component Testing vs Unit Testing
The following article provides an outline for Component Testing vs Unit Testing. Component Testing is a form of black box testing in which each component’s usability is analysed. Component Testing is also known as Module Testing. Including the usability test, behavioural assessment is also performed for each individual component. Each component needs to be in an independent state to conduct component testing and should also be in a controllable state. Each part of the application should be easily understandable by the user. Component testing checks for errors and verifies the working of the separately testable programs and modules. For component testing, there is a test testing plan and test strategy. Also, there is a test scenario for each component that will be later divided in test cases. Component testing also verifies functional or specific non-functional characteristics of system components. It may involve testing resource behaviour for e.g. performance testing, determining memory leaks, structural testing, etc.
Unit Testing is the technique in software testing individual applications, modules that indicate the execution of the programme according to the specification. Unit Testing is a form of white box software testing in which individual software units are tested to determine whether or not they are eligible for use. These software unit includes a group of computer programme usage procedures, modules, as well as operating procedures. Error Detection is easy in unit testing as it is done after each development step. For the modules being evaluated, a driver function is responsible for creating method calls. The component which uses a strategy is imitated as the stub. The original substitute for the misplaced approaches is these stubs.
Head to Head Comparison Between Component Testing vs Unit Testing (Infographics)
Below are the top 8 differences between Component Testing vs Unit Testing:
Key Difference Between Component Testing vs Unit Testing
Let us discuss some of the major key differences between Component Testing vs Unit Testing:
- The main difference between component testing and unit testing is that the component testing is performed by testers on the other hand the Unit testing is executed by SDET professionals or developers. Component testing is performed at the application level whereas unit testing is done at a granular level.
- It is examined in unit testing whether the piece of code or individual program is executed as defined. In component testing, each software object is independently evaluated with or without separation from other device objects or components.
- In component testing, testing is done by validating use cases and test requirements whereas Unit testing is tested against design documents.
- Component testing is a type of black box testing while unit testing is a type of white box testing.
- Component testing is performed once the unit testing is performed while before the component testing. In component testing, tester does not have knowledge about the internal architecture of the software. On the other hand, while doing unit testing, developers know the internal architecture of the software.
- Error detection is a bit difficult in component testing as compared to unit testing and it is performed only after the whole software is developed. Whereas unit testing is done after each development step. Hence component testing is important for finding the errors and bugs. In order to make sure that each component of an application works efficiently, it is recommended to conduct the component test before proceeding with the unit testing.
Component Testing vs Unit Testing Comparison Table
Let’s discuss the top comparison between Component Testing vs Unit Testing:
| Sr. No | Component Testing | Unit Testing |
| 1 | In this testing, each object or component of the software is tested separately. | In this type of testing, individual modules or programs for program execution. |
| 2 | It validates use cases and test requirements. | It is tested against design documents. |
| 3 | It is performed once the unit testing is performed. | It is performed before the component testing. |
| 4 | In component testing, tester do not have knowledge about the internal architecture of the software. | In Unit testing, developers knows the internal architecture of the software. |
| 5 | Error detection is bit difficult as compared to unit testing. | Error detection is easy in unit testing. |
| 6 | Component testing is performed only after the whole software is developed. | Unit testing is done after each development step. |
| 7 | It is done at application level. | Unit testing is done at a granular level. |
| 8 | It is a type of black box testing. | It is a type of white box testing. |
Conclusion
In this article we have seen key differences between Component Testing and Unit Testing. Component testing is just much like unit testing, but it is conducted at a higher level of the context of the application and integration. If the Component testing is done correctly then there are fewer bugs in the next stage hence it is conducted before unit testing which tests the programs.
Recommended Articles
This is a guide to Component Testing vs Unit Testing. Here we discuss the key differences with infographics and comparison table respectively. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –
