What type of testing is described as examining interfaces and interactions among systems?

Integration testing is focused on verifying the interactions and interfaces between different modules or systems once they are combined. The primary goal during this phase is to identify issues that may occur when these integrated components work together, which is critical because individual modules might work perfectly in isolation but could face problems in the context of the overall system. This type of testing ensures that data flow, communication, and integration points operate correctly, and it verifies that the various parts of the system interact as intended.

Integration testing specifically targets the points where systems meet—examining how well they communicate, share data, and respond to each other, thus preventing issues that may arise only when components are connected. This is vital in complex environments where multiple systems or modules need to work harmonously for the complete application to fulfill its requirements.

In contrast, other testing types serve different purposes: System testing evaluates the complete and integrated software product to check if it meets specified requirements, Acceptance testing ensures the system fulfills business needs and is ready for delivery, and Component testing focuses on verifying the functionality of individual modules in isolation. Each type plays an essential role in the software development lifecycle, but integration testing is uniquely positioned to address the critical interactions between components.