What distinguishes functional requirements from non-functional requirements?

Functional requirements are specifically designed to detail what a system should do, outlining the expected behavior and functionalities of that system. They describe the operations, inputs, outputs, and the interactions between the system and its users or other systems. This could include requirements such as user authentication, data processing tasks, and specific functionalities that must be present for the system to perform its intended functions.

In contrast, non-functional requirements focus on how a system performs those functions, addressing aspects such as performance, usability, reliability, and security. They provide criteria that can be used to evaluate the operation of a system rather than its specific behaviors or features.

By understanding this distinction, it's easier to identify how functional requirements are directly tied to the tasks and features that a system must achieve, while non-functional requirements complement them by defining the attributes and quality of those functionalities.