Integration Test
An integration test checks whether two or more parts of a system work together through their real connection points.
Another example
A backend test sends an API request to a real test database that already has sample orders. The endpoint must save one order and return the promised fields. Testing one data-mapping function with a fake store is a unit test instead.
Main parts
- 01participating components
- 02real interface
- 03cross-boundary assertion
Use it when
Use this term when correct behavior depends on real interfaces between your components or infrastructure.
Do not use it when
Do not make every edge case a slow integration test when a smaller test can prove it well.
Name used in code
component A ↔ real boundary B Before you ship
Check the environment and prepared test data (fixture). Define a result you can observe, failure and edge cases, isolation, stable inputs, useful error details, and cleanup. Set a time budget, owner, and flaky-test rule.
Outcome: Use Integration Test to gather repeatable evidence about this behavior or quality risk. User context: A backend test sends an API request to a real test database that already has sample orders. The endpoint must save one order and return the promised fields. Testing one data-mapping function with a fake store is a unit test instead. Validation approach: Integration Test. Why it fits: Use this term when correct behavior depends on real interfaces between your components or infrastructure. Do not use it when: Do not make every edge case a slow integration test when a smaller test can prove it well. Test requirements: Name the system and test environment. Define prepared test data, other inputs, and the result you can observe. Include failure and edge cases, allowed error, isolation, and cleanup. Test operations: Make failures easy to diagnose. Control random or changing inputs. Name an owner. Keep the test fast and simple enough for its release gate. Acceptance criteria: The test fails for the known bug and passes after the fix. It repeats in the target environment, gives useful evidence, and does not expose or change unrelated data. Evidence and limits (evidence boundary): It is official for that source. Other platforms or teams may use the term in another way. Unknowns to confirm: Release gate, environment, prepared test data, allowed error, time budget, owner, and flaky-test rule.
Check this request
Review the current use of Integration Test. Definition: An integration test checks whether two or more parts of a system work together through their real connection points. Release checks: Check the environment and prepared test data (fixture). Define a result you can observe, failure and edge cases, isolation, stable inputs, useful error details, and cleanup. Set a time budget, owner, and flaky-test rule. Before changing code, report the evidence you found, gaps, severity, and the smallest safe fix.