What type of testing involves executing the software of a component or system?

Dynamic testing is characterized by executing the software to validate its behavior and performance. This type of testing allows testers to observe the system's reactions in real-time, which is essential for identifying issues related to run-time behaviors, such as performance, memory leaks, and incorrect responses to user inputs. Through dynamic testing, various execution paths of the application are exercised, enabling the detection of defects that may not be evident from the code alone.

Static testing, in contrast, involves examining the code, requirements, or design documents without executing the software. This type of testing can uncover certain classes of defects early in the development process, but it doesn't provide insights into how the software behaves during execution.

Unit testing and integration testing are indeed forms of dynamic testing, but they are more specific in their focus. Unit testing involves testing individual components or modules in isolation, while integration testing assesses the interaction between various components or systems after they have been combined. While both are crucial parts of the overall testing strategy, the term "dynamic testing" broadly encompasses any execution of the software, making it the more appropriate choice in this context.