What is the purpose of integration testing?

The purpose of integration testing is fundamentally focused on evaluating the interactions and data flow between integrated components or systems. This testing phase occurs after unit testing, where individual components have been verified in isolation, ensuring that they function properly on their own.

During integration testing, the primary goal is to identify issues that can arise when components are combined, such as interface mismatches, communication errors, and other integration points that may affect the overall system behavior. This phase helps clarify whether the integrated components work together as intended, thereby addressing the complexities that emerge from their interaction.

This process is crucial for validating that the different modules or services successfully interact and meet the specified requirements when combined, which makes option B the correct choice. Additional testing phases like system testing and acceptance testing focus on broader aspects such as overall system functionality, performance, and compliance with requirements, which is beyond the specific aim of integration testing.