What type of testing determines whether a system satisfies the acceptance criteria?

Acceptance testing is a crucial phase in the software development lifecycle that specifically evaluates whether a system meets the defined acceptance criteria established by stakeholders. This type of testing focuses on verifying that the end product fulfills the functional requirements and quality standards necessary for release.

The main goal is to ensure that the users' needs and expectations are validated against the developed system. Acceptance testing is typically performed in the final stages of development, often involving end-users or stakeholders. By successfully completing acceptance testing, teams can confirm that the software not only functions correctly but also delivers the business value intended.

In contrast, exploratory testing involves simultaneous learning, test design, and execution, rather than directly determining compliance with acceptance criteria. Unit testing focuses on individual components or functions within the system to ensure they behave as expected, while integration testing checks interactions between components or systems rather than the overall acceptance of the product. Therefore, acceptance testing is definitively the type of testing that aligns with assessing whether a system fulfills its acceptance criteria.