Definitions

Validation checks that the artefact architecture satisfies or fits the advised acceptance (high-level checking), i.e. the software meets the user requirement. This is done through activating testing and added forms of review.

According to the Capability Maturity Archetypal (CMMI-SW v1.1),

Verification: The action of evaluating software to actuate whether the articles of a accustomed development appearance amuse the altitude imposed at the alpha of that phase. IEEE-STD-610.

Validation: The action of evaluating software during or at the end of the development action to actuate whether it satisfies defined requirements. IEEE-STD-610

In added words, validation ensures that the artefact in fact meets the user's needs, and that the blueprint were actual in the aboriginal place, while analysis is ensuring that the artefact has been congenital according to the requirements and architecture specifications. Validation ensures that "you congenital the appropriate thing". Analysis ensures that "you congenital it right". Validation confirms that the product, as provided, will accomplish its advised use.

From testing perspective:

Fault – amiss or missing action in the code.

Failure – the appearance of a accountability during execution.

Malfunction – according to its blueprint the arrangement does not accommodated its defined functionality.

Within the clay and simulation community, the definitions of validation, analysis and accreditation are similar:

Validation is the action of free the amount to which a model, simulation, or alliance of models and simulations, and their associated abstracts are authentic representations of the absolute apple from the angle of the advised use(s).1

Accreditation is the academic acceptance that a archetypal or simulation is adequate to be acclimated for a specific purpose.1

Verification is the action of free that a computer model, simulation, or alliance of models and simulations implementations and their associated abstracts accurately represents the developer's conceptual description and specifications.1