Unit Testing Overview: What Is a Software Component?

November 27 10:00 2012 by Nataliia Vasylyna Print This Article

To one of the stated types belong unit testing, which is testing of separate software components. But what actually are software components? And are these notions the same for software developers and software testers?

We got used to treating software components and software modules as one and the same notion, however due to the development of the so-called component-based software engineering, these two terms acquire slightly different meanings.

Let us try to understand what “software component” means.

Generally speaking, a software component is a composing unit that provides access to its services with the help of interfaces. Software component can be deployed independently and can be used by third parties.

However, there still exist numerous definitions that focus on various aspects.

On Which Aspects Do All of the Existing Definitions of a Software Component Focus?

Reusability of modules, i.e. an independent unit can be reused by third parties. The focus here is put on the ability of the components to be reused. This is very important for conducting unit testing.
Reusability of components, which are reused by third parties based on the specification and interface of the given units. Here the focus is on quality production. It is important for software developers and project managers.
Bondability of building blocks, that emphasize that the units are created in order to serve as building parts for certain models. This idea is of the highest priority for modern technology.