Testing Vs. Debugging
In the below table, we have listed some of the significant difference between testing and debugging:
| S.NO | Testing | Debugging |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | It is the implementation of the software with the intent of identifying the defects | The process of fixing and resolving the defects is known as debugging. |
| 2. | Testing can be performed either manually or with the help of some automation tools. | The debugging process cannot be automated. |
| 3. | A group of test engineers executes testing, and sometimes it can be performed by the developers. | Debugging is done by the developer or the programmer. |
| 4. | The test engineers perform manual and automated test cases on the application, and if they detect any bug or error, they can report back to the development team for fixing. | The developers will find, evaluates, and removes the software errors. |
| 5. | Programming knowledge is not required to perform the testing process. | Without having an understanding of the programming language, we cannot proceed with the debugging process. |
| 6. | Once the coding phase is done, we proceed with the testing process. | After the implementation of the test case, we can start the Debugging process. |
| 7. | Software Testing includes two or more activities such as validation and verification of the software. | Debugging tries to match indication with cause, hence leading to the error correction. |
| 8. | It is built on different testing levels such as Unit Testing, Integration Testing, System Testing, etc. | It is built on different kinds of bugs because there is no such level of debugging is possible. |
| 9. | Software testing is the presentation of defects. | It is a logical procedure. |
| 10. | Software testing is the vital phase of SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle). | It is not a part of SDLC because it occurs as a subset of testing. |
| 11. | Some advantages of software testing are as below:It can easily understand by the new test engineers or the beginner.The test engineer can interact with software as a real end-user to check the usability and user interface issues.It is used to test dynamically altering GUI designs.Testing is a cost-effective and time-saving process.Software testing delivers a consistence software.It will help us to execute the root cause analysis that will enhance the software’s productivity.The testing process also helps detect and fixing the bugs before the software becomes active, which significantly reduces the risk of failure. | Some advantages of debugging process are as follows:It supports the developer in minimizing the data.If the perform the debugging, we can report the error condition directly.During the debugging process, the developer can avoid complex one-use testing code thathelps the developer save time and energy.Debugging delivers maximum useful information of data structures and allows its informal understanding. |
| 12. | Software testing contains various type of testing methods, which are as follow:Black-box testingWhite-box testingGrey-box testingAnd some other type of testing types is as below:Unit testingIntegration TestingSystem TestingStress TestingPerformance TestingCompatibility TestingBeta TestingAlpha TestingSmoke TestingRegression TestingUser Acceptance Testing and so on. | Debugging involves a various type of approaches, which are as follows:InductionBrute ForceDeduction |
| 13. | The testing team can subcontract to the outside team as well. | Debugging cannot be subcontracted to an outside team because the inside development team only does it. |
| 14. | We can plan, design, and implement the testing process. | As compared to the testing process, the debugging process cannot be forced. |
