What is the difference between functional testing and unit testing in Software Testing?

Functional testing and unit testing are two important types of testing in software development that serve different purposes. Here are the key differences between them:

Functional Testing:

Functional testing is a type of testing where the behavior of a software application is tested against the functional requirements. It is done from the end-user's perspective and focuses on verifying that the software meets the specified requirements.

• Tests the entire application to ensure all functions work as expected
• Performed after integration testing and before system testing
• Tests the software against functional specifications
• Helps ensure the software meets the user's requirements

Unit Testing:

Unit testing is a type of testing where individual units or components of a software application are tested in isolation. It is done by developers during the development phase to verify that each unit functions as intended.

• Tests individual units/components of the software in isolation
• Performed by developers before integration testing
• Verifies the correctness of the code at a granular level
• Helps ensure that each unit works as expected independently

In summary, functional testing focuses on the overall functionality of the software application, while unit testing focuses on testing individual units or components of the software code. Both types of testing are essential for ensuring the quality and reliability of a software product.