What is the purpose of functional testing?

The purpose of functional testing is to validate that the software meets the specified requirements. This type of testing focuses on verifying that the features and functionalities of the application behave according to the defined requirements and specifications. It's essential for ensuring that the software performs its intended functions correctly from the end user’s perspective.

Functional testing involves checking the software against functional requirements, often derived from user documentation or business requirements. It examines inputs, outputs, and the various use cases to ensure that all expected functionalities work as intended, without delving into the performance or internal workings of the system. This approach is crucial for confirming that the software delivers the expected business value and meets user needs.

While other types of testing, such as performance testing or recovery testing, serve different purposes by focusing on aspects like system performance under load or ability to recover from failures, these are not the focus of functional testing. The primary aim is to ensure that the software operates correctly in line with user requirements.