Validation and verification are two essential processes in software testing that help ensure the quality and correctness of software products. Although these terms are related, they have distinct meanings and objectives in the software development lifecycle.

1. Verification:

– Verification is the process of evaluating whether the software product meets the specified requirements and adheres to the design specifications.

– It focuses on the right product development and ensuring that the software is being built correctly.

– Verification activities include reviews, walkthroughs, and inspections to identify defects early in the development process.

– It typically involves static testing techniques where the code is not executed, such as code reviews, requirements analysis, and design reviews.

2. Validation:

– Validation is the process of evaluating the software to ensure that it meets the customer’s needs and expectations.

– It focuses on building the right product and ensuring that the software fulfills its intended purpose in the real-world environment.

– Validation activities involve dynamic testing techniques where the software is executed to check its behavior against the requirements.

– This includes activities such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing to validate that the software functions correctly and satisfies user needs.

In summary, verification is about ensuring that the software is being developed correctly according to the requirements and design, while validation is about ensuring that the software meets the customer’s needs and expectations in the real-world context. Both verification and validation are crucial components of software testing, working together to deliver high-quality software products that are both correct and fit for purpose.