System Testing Vs End-to-End Testing

 

Aspect	System Testing	End-to-End Testing
Focus	Validates the behavior and functionality of the entire system or application.	Tests the entire workflow or business process from start to finish.
Scope	Typically involves testing the software application in a controlled environment.	Encompasses the entire system, including all subsystems, interfaces, and external dependencies.
Integration	May involve testing integration between different modules or components within the system.	Focuses explicitly on testing the integration and interaction between all system components.
Testing Depth	May include various types of testing, such as functional, performance, usability, and reliability testing.	Involves comprehensive testing of the entire system, including functional, integration, and user acceptance testing.
Testing Environment	Often conducted in a controlled testing environment resembling the production environment.	Requires a realistic environment that mimics the production environment as closely as possible.
User Perspective	Primarily focuses on validating the system's behavior and functionality based on technical specifications.	Emphasizes testing from the user's perspective, ensuring the system meets user expectations.
Test Cases	Test cases focus on verifying the functionality and behavior of individual components or modules within the system.	Test cases validate the entire workflow or business process, including user interactions and integrations with external systems.
Dependencies	Tests may be conducted with simulated or representative data, with limited dependencies on external systems.	Tests involve dependencies on all subsystems, databases, APIs, and external systems.
Execution Environment	Typically involves controlled test environments with specific configurations and test data.	May require realistic environments to simulate real-world scenarios and interactions.
Integration Testing	Integration testing may be part of system testing to verify interactions between components.	End-to-end testing explicitly focuses on integration testing across all system components.
System Components	Focuses on testing individual components or modules within the system.	Tests the entire system, including all subsystems, interfaces, and external dependencies.
User Experience	User experience may not be the primary focus; testing is based on technical specifications.	Emphasizes testing from the user's perspective to ensure a seamless experience throughout the workflow.
Business Process	Does not explicitly test the entire business process but focuses on system functionality.	Tests the entire business process, including interactions between different system components.
Depth of Validation	Validates the system's functionality and behavior based on specified requirements.	Ensures the entire workflow or business process functions correctly, considering real-world scenarios.
Simulated Environment	Testing may occur in simulated environments, with limited dependencies on external systems.	Requires realistic environments to simulate real-world interactions and dependencies.
Testing Effort	Effort may vary depending on the complexity of the system and the depth of testing required.	Often requires extensive testing efforts to validate all aspects of the end-to-end workflow.
Test Execution Time	Test execution time may be shorter compared to end-to-end testing due to focused scope.	Test execution time may be longer due to comprehensive testing of the entire workflow.
Test Data Dependencies	Tests may be conducted with synthetic or mock data to simulate various scenarios.	Relies on real or representative data to validate the entire workflow accurately.
Coverage Scope	Coverage may be limited to specific system functionalities or components.	Encompasses the entire system and all interactions, providing comprehensive coverage.