What is Software Testing

Software testing is a crucial process in the software development life cycle (SDLC) that aims to evaluate the quality, correctness, and reliability of software systems. It involves systematically verifying and validating software to ensure that it meets the specified requirements and performs as expected.

The primary goal of software testing is to identify defects, bugs, or errors in the software before it is released to end-users. By identifying and fixing these issues early in the development process, software testers help improve the overall quality and user experience of the software.

Software testing typically involves the following activities:

Test Planning: Test planning involves defining the objectives, scope, and approach of the testing process. It includes identifying test requirements, developing test strategies, and creating a detailed test plan.
Test Design: In this phase, test cases and test scenarios are designed based on the requirements and specifications of the software. Test design aims to ensure adequate coverage of the system's functionality and potential use cases.
Test Execution: Test cases are executed to assess the software's behavior and identify any defects. This can involve running the software manually or using automated testing tools. The results of the tests are recorded and analyzed for further investigation.
Defect Reporting: When defects are found during test execution, they are reported to the development team using a defect tracking system. The reports typically include detailed information about the defect, such as steps to reproduce it, severity, and priority.
Defect Retesting and Regression Testing: Once defects are fixed by the development team, testers retest the affected areas to ensure that the fixes are effective and do not introduce new issues. Regression testing is performed to ensure that changes made to the software do not impact existing functionalities.