Functional testing is a software testing approach that verifies whether an application’s features work according to defined requirements. Instead of examining internal code structure, it focuses on validating user-facing functionality such as form submissions, navigation flows, API responses, and business logic outcomes.
Functional testing helps ensure that each feature behaves correctly under expected conditions and across different scenarios. It is especially useful for identifying issues that directly impact user experience, such as incorrect validations, broken workflows, or unexpected outputs. By testing from the user’s perspective, teams can confirm that the software delivers the intended value.
With modern automation tools, functional testing can be efficiently integrated into development pipelines. Automated functional tests improve test coverage, reduce manual effort, and provide faster feedback, enabling teams to release stable and reliable software with confidence.