What process follows successful unit testing in software development?

Successful unit testing in software development is focused on verifying that individual components or modules of the software work as intended. Once unit testing has confirmed the functionality of each unit, the next logical step is integration testing. This process involves combining multiple units and testing them as a group to ensure that they work together correctly. Integration testing checks for issues that may arise from the interaction between different units, such as interface mismatches and data flow problems.

By conducting integration testing after unit testing, developers can identify and address any defects that may not have been evident when units were tested in isolation. This progression from unit testing to integration testing is a fundamental practice in software development, allowing teams to build upon the foundation of verified individual components to ensure the overall system's functionality and robustness.

The subsequent options, while important stages in the software development life cycle, occur after integration testing. For instance, user acceptance testing evaluates the software from the end-user's perspective, while maintenance testing addresses issues that arise after the software has been deployed. Each phase has its specific purpose and occurs in a sequence that builds upon the previous stages, ensuring a comprehensive approach to software quality assurance.