Advanced – Non-Functional Testing
Contract Testing – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
A technique for verifying that two systems that communicate via an interface agree on the shape of the messages they exchange.
In simple words
Producer and consumer each publish and verify a shared contract so integrations don't silently break.
Exam tip
Pact and Spring Cloud Contract are common tools — replaces flaky end-to-end tests.
Related terms
- Contract TestingTest that each API consumer and provider still honor the shared schema — great for microservices.
- Microservices TestingTesting a system where dozens of small services talk over HTTP or messaging.
- Integration TestingAfter units work alone, you plug them together and check the seams — API calls, data hand-offs, contracts.
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