In software testing for mission computers, which statement best describes verification vs validation?

In software testing for mission computers, which statement best describes verification vs validation?

• A. Verification checks if product is built right; validation checks if it meets user needs.
• B. Verification checks user needs; validation checks implementation details.
• C. Verification and validation are identical.
• D. Verification checks if system is robust; validation checks performance.

Answer: (A)

Distinguishing verification from validation: verification is about building the product right—it checks that the system is developed according to the design and requirements, with correct implementations, proper interfaces, and proper integration. Validation is about building the right product—it's about ensuring the system actually fulfills the user’s needs and mission objectives when used in its intended context. In practice for a mission computer, verification involves activities like reviews, inspections, and tests that confirm the software and hardware meet specifications, design intents, and standards. Validation involves testing the system in realistic scenarios or environments to prove it supports the operator’s tasks and the mission requirements. So the statement that verification checks if the product is built right and validation checks if it meets user needs correctly captures the intended distinction. The other options either swap the roles, treat them as identical, or focus on aspects like robustness or performance that aren’t the fundamental definitions.

Distinguishing verification from validation: verification is about building the product right—it checks that the system is developed according to the design and requirements, with correct implementations, proper interfaces, and proper integration. Validation is about building the right product—it's about ensuring the system actually fulfills the user’s needs and mission objectives when used in its intended context.

In practice for a mission computer, verification involves activities like reviews, inspections, and tests that confirm the software and hardware meet specifications, design intents, and standards. Validation involves testing the system in realistic scenarios or environments to prove it supports the operator’s tasks and the mission requirements.

So the statement that verification checks if the product is built right and validation checks if it meets user needs correctly captures the intended distinction. The other options either swap the roles, treat them as identical, or focus on aspects like robustness or performance that aren’t the fundamental definitions.