In the high-stakes realm of financial software, where even the slightest errors can lead to substantial consequences, ensuring quality is of utmost importance. Among the various testing methods available, end-to-end testing and integration testing stand out as the two most common techniques. Understanding the distinctions between these two methodologies is crucial for software development teams to validate their systems effectively.
In this blog post, we will delve into these differences while highlighting each approach's advantages.
The end-to-end (E2E) testing approach verifies the entire flow of a financial application, from initial user interaction to final output.
During end-to-end testing, testers mimic real-world user interactions by replicating live data, ensuring all steps necessary for completing a specific task are thoroughly assessed. For instance, a banking application would entail testing functionalities such as account login, term saving creation, loan creation, bill payments, and fund transfers. Such user flow involves the interaction of hundreds of components, including APIs, databases, networks, and third-party integrations. The E2E testing process can be broken down into:
In this scenario, we focus on the entire process of a client paying a bill through the banking app. Here are the potential test cases:
There are two different approaches to implementing end-to-end testing.
Horizontal
Horizontal end-to-end testing centers on replicating specific user pathways within an application. It encompasses all customer-facing aspects, including the app logic or user interface.
For instance, horizontal end-to-end testing might involve simulating the fund transfer process in a banking application. This entails verifying that users can seamlessly initiate a fund transfer, input recipient details accurately, authenticate the transaction securely, and receive confirmation of the completed transfer..
Vertical
The vertical end-to-end testing approach leans more towards the technical aspect, prioritizing testing in hierarchical layers. It systematically examines each layer of the application from top to bottom and is commonly employed to assess intricate computing systems that don't rely on interfaces, such as databases or API calls
Following unit testing and preceding end-to-end testing is integration testing, during which multiple modules are examined as a unified unit. Software typically consists of diverse modules crafted by separate developers. Each code unit may have been created with distinct requirements, functionalities, and limitations, and their integration could lead to unforeseen behaviors or errors.
Integration testing verifies the interfaces between modules, confirming the accurate data transmission and validating the proper functioning of modules when integrated.
The goal of integration testing is to progressively integrate all modules while ensuring their proper functionality without causing any disruptions to other modules' operations.
For an insurance application, here are potential integration test cases:
Integration testing can be conducted through various approaches, with the two most prevalent methods being the Big Bang and incremental approaches. In the Big Bang approach, all components are integrated simultaneously, and the entire system is tested comprehensively. Conversely, the incremental approach divides the software into manageable and logically connected modules, testing each subset before integrating them into the complete system.
The incremental approach is subdivided into two methodologies:
In the top-down approach, higher-level components of a software system are tested before the lower-level components. Developers frequently utilize stubs to mimic interfaces between the inaccessible or partially developed lower-level modules.
For example, the insurance application can consist of the following modules:
For an incremental approach, the following test cases can be delivered:
Test Case 1: Integrate and test Module U and Module B
Test Case 2: Integrate and test Modules U, B, and T
Test Case 3: Integrate and test Module U, B, T, and P
E2E testing |
Integration testing |
|
Focus |
Evaluate system behavior from the user’s viewpoint |
Ensures app components work well individually and together |
Cost |
Tend to be pricier due to the increased need for resources, such as personnel, equipment, and testing environments. |
Cheaper compared to end-to-end testing. |
Testing stage |
Conducted towards the end of the software development lifecycle, just prior to releases. |
After unit testing and prior E2E testing |
Scope |
Has a broader scope and addresses the complete tech stack |
Interaction between multiple modules or components |
Technique |
Black-box testing, usually employs user acceptance testing (UAT) |
White-box testing, usually deploys API testing |
Test environment |
Require a production-equivalent environment as they simulate real-world situations. This entails testing how your software interacts with external applications rather than solely focusing on an internal codebase, similar to an integration test. |
Concentrates on the interactions among various software modules or components within the same codebase. |
Data variations |
Require diverse data sets for testing various user scenarios |
Provides greater control over each test. You can have individual data sets for each test which makes it easier to update old tests or implement new data. |
Due to their variations in scope, focus, and methodology, E2E and integration testing can’t be interchanged. Instead, they complement each other by offering distinct levels of testing.
Integration testing is normally conducted initially to uncover any issues stemming from component interactions, ensuring seamless system functionality without integration bottlenecks. Meanwhile, End-to-End testing verifies whether the software meets real-world requirements and specifications.
Involving numerous APIs, modules, and systems, the two testing types have high complexity, making them ideal candidates for automation testing.
Although manual tests retain their importance, they are not exhaustive. Particularly in the case of large or complex systems, executing every test case and covering all scenarios may not be feasible. Moreover, ensuring a stable environment for end-to-end/integration testing presents challenges, as human error can easily disrupt testing scenarios with a single incorrect action.
Automated testing platforms can be a great solution for these challenges, allowing for more efficient, accurate, and stable E2E and integration tests.
While it's advisable to automate both end-to-end (E2E) and integration tests to expedite time to market, there are significant discrepancies in their execution.
In automated integration testing, you can guarantee consistent execution by initiating the test immediately after successfully assessing individual units or components. Additionally, it's suggested to:
End-to-end (E2E) tests present a distinct approach. Despite the significance of automation in streamlining testing processes, manual testing remains vital for comprehensive evaluation. Additionally, consider:
How KMS Solutions can help you level up your financial testing game
Despite the adoption of automated testing platforms, some financial institutions still find it difficult to leverage it to the fullest. This challenge arises from various factors, including skills gap, unsuitable tools, etc. This necessitates a tech partner with a proven track record in implementing automation testing for financial institutions to provide assistance.
With years of experience assisting financial companies in successfully transforming their testing processes, we excel in building a tailored strategy and suitable automation tools/frameworks that address their specific needs, regulations, budgets, and technical capabilities.
Our teams also specialize in developing test scripts for E2E and integration testing scenarios and provide comprehensive training sessions. Moreover, we’ve successfully helped many clients integrate automated testing into their CI/CD pipelines to facilitate faster feedback and deployment processes.
This enables our clients to accelerate software releases and achieve broader test coverage across complex systems, ultimately leading to improved software quality and reliability.
Read more about our clients’ stories here.
Want to have your testing process reviewed and enhanced? Book a meeting with our testing experts today!