Stubs And Drivers
Stubs and drivers are software testing components used in integration testing to simulate the behavior of missing or incomplete modules. A stub is a dummy module that replaces a called module, returning predefined responses to test the calling module, while a driver is a dummy module that calls the module under test, providing inputs and handling outputs. They enable developers to test individual modules in isolation when other dependent modules are not yet available, facilitating incremental development and testing.
Developers should use stubs and drivers during integration testing in large or complex software projects where modules are developed independently or asynchronously. They are particularly useful in top-down or bottom-up integration approaches to verify module interactions without waiting for all components to be complete, reducing dependencies and allowing early detection of interface errors. This methodology is essential in agile or iterative development environments to maintain testing momentum and ensure modular reliability.