What is the primary goal of unit testing?

The primary goal of unit testing is to validate individual components or functions of software to ensure they work correctly. Unit testing involves isolating each part of the software (often referred to as a "unit") and testing it independently to confirm that it performs as expected. This process helps in identifying bugs at an early stage in the development cycle, ensuring that each part of the codebase is functioning correctly before it is integrated with other components.

By focusing on the smallest testable parts of the application, unit testing provides immediate feedback to developers when changes are made. This not only increases the reliability of the software but also facilitates easier debugging and enhances overall code quality. It is distinct from other types of testing which focus on broader functionalities or integrations, thereby emphasizing its role in confirming the correctness of individual parts.