Testing Vs. Debugging: Know the Differences Between Testing and Debugging
Both of these are used to find errors in a system/ software/ application/ tool and then rectify them accordingly. But there are various differences between testing and debugging. Testing is the process using which we find errors and bugs. Debugging is the process using which we correct the bugs that we found during the testing process. Read ahead to know more differences between testing and debugging.
What is Testing?
It is basically a process using which we verify and validate that an application or software is free of bugs, meets all the technical requirements, abides by all the requirements of development and designing, and meets all the user requirements. Testing ensures that the intended software/ application meets these requirements efficiently and effectively and handles all of the boundary cases and exceptional cases.
What is Debugging?
It is basically a process using which we fix any bug present in a software or application. In this, we first identify, then analyze, and then remove the errors. Debugging begins after the intended software fails in proper execution. Here, we conclude the problem by solving it and testing the software successfully. This process is considered to be extremely tedious and complex because we need to identify and resolve errors present in every stage of debugging.
Differences Between Testing and Debugging
Let us talk about the differences present between Testing and Debugging.
| Parameters | Testing | Debugging |
| Basics | It is the process using which we find errors and bugs. | It is the process using which we correct the bugs that we found during the testing process. |
| Code Failure | We can identify the failure of any implemented code using this process. | We use this process to provide the code failure with an absolution. |
| Errors | Errors get displayed in this process. | Errors get deducted and dissolved in this process. |
| Performer | A tester performs testing on any given software or application. | Either a developer or a programmer performs this step of debugging in an application or software. |
| Design Knowledge | One does not need any design knowledge to perform testing. | Design knowledge is a prerequisite to debugging. |
| Insiders and Outsiders | Both- insiders and outsiders can perform testing. | Only an insider can perform debugging. No outsider can perform it on the intended software. |
| Mode of Operation | The process of testing can be both- automated as well as manual. | The process of debugging must always be manual since we are fixing the available errors and bugs. We cannot debug a system/ software/ application on auto-pilot. |
| Basis of Operation | The process of testing is based on various levels of testing- system testing, integration testing, unit testing, etc. | The process of debugging is based on various types of bugs present in a system. |
| SDLC | It is a stage of SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle). | It’s not at all an aspect of the SDLC. It rather occurs as a consequence of the process of testing. |
| Moment of Initiation | This process can begin after we have completed writing the code. | This process can begin after the execution of the test case and the identification of errors. |
| Steps | This process consists of both- validation as well as verification of the errors. | This process seeks to match the available symptoms with the cause. Only then it leads to the correction of the errors. |
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