What is a common testing method you might need to describe in TOPCIT?

Unit testing is a foundational testing method focused on verifying the functionality of individual components or pieces of code in a software application. It involves testing each unit, such as functions, methods, or classes, in isolation from the rest of the application to ensure they perform as expected. This type of testing is crucial because it allows developers to catch and fix bugs early in the development process, ultimately contributing to more robust and reliable software.

Unit tests are typically automated and executed frequently during development, often in conjunction with practices like continuous integration. By ensuring that each component works correctly, developers can incrementally build larger systems without fear that changes in one part of the code will inadvertently cause failures in another.

The emphasis on unit testing is critical in a structured testing approach like TOPCIT, where understanding software quality assurance processes is essential. Other testing methods, while important in their own contexts, serve different purposes and come into play at later stages in development or under different circumstances.