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What is the Difference between Functional Testing and UAT?

Functional testing is a black box type of testing and includes many important types of functional testing such as Smoke testing, sanity testing, system testing, unit testing, regression testing etc. It is mainly concerned and focused on ensuring that all the functions of a software application are strategically verified. User Acceptance Testing is focused on testing the product from a user’s viewpoint, as ultimately users would be using the software product or application post release of the product. User experience, usability, functionality and performance are the key parameters that are thoroughly checked in UAT. In this article, you will get to know about the differences between functional testing and UAT.

What is functional testing?

It is a testing method where the application’s basic functionalities are tested against a predetermined set of specifications. Functional tests measure whether the desired output is returned by the given input, regardless of any other details. Through the implementation of functional testing, there is a proper understanding as to whether the application is fully functional or not. Each function of the software application is properly tested using this testing method.

Proper input is provided and then the output is verified against the functional requirements. The source code of the application is focused and worked upon. Client/Server communication, Database, security, APIs and User Interface is checked using this testing method. This testing can be performed either manually or through automation. Error conditions, system accessibility, basic usability and mainline functions are some of the crucial functionalities that are tested through the functional testing method. Sample inputs are provided, resulting outputs are captured and then the expected outputs are verified to know whether they are in line with actual outputs or not.

 

What is User Acceptance Testing (UAT)? 

It is a testing method that verifies whether the product or application is built as per the user and business specific requirements or not. An end-user is given the responsibility to test the product in a real-time production environment and then provide valuable feedback and review about the software application. Based on the feedback provided, the team will make a strategic decision to further improve the quality of the product and thus improve its overall effectiveness in terms of functionality and performance.

This testing method focuses more on the level of user experience and usability a software product or application can provide. The product’s worth from a real-time market viewpoint is scrutinized and worked upon in this testing method. UAT is the final testing phase that is performed just before the product is released. The end-to-end business flow is validated through this testing method. The testing and development team, business analysts, business owners, project sponsors and various stakeholders are collaborated to bring the best out of this testing method. In certain scenarios, UAT is also known as “Beta testing” or “End-user testing.”

Differences between functional testing and UAT:

Functional Testing

User Acceptance Testing

All the functions of the software application are tested

User acceptance criteria is one of the important criterion that is tested

Unit testing, Integration testing, Interface testing,  regression testing etc., are some of the important types of functional testing

UAT doesn’t have any subtypes. It is one of the software testing types

Defined functions are checked to know whether it is working as expected

The user experience, usability and performance are checked to know whether it is in line with business requirements

It is a verification activity

It is a validation activity

The functionality of the software is validated against functional requirement specifications

The software is validated against customer expectations

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing functional testing or UAT for your specific project, then do get connected with a professionally acclaimed software testing services company that is in line with your project specific requirements.

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.

 

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