what is defect in software testing
In software testing, a defect refers to any error or bug in the system under test that causes it to behave differently than the expected or specified behavior. When the actual result of a test case deviates from the expected result, we consider it a defect. This could be due to issues in the software’s code, design, or logic.
For example, if a calculator app is expected to return the result ‘4’ when ‘2’ and ‘2’ are added together, but it instead returns ‘5’, this would be considered a defect.
The goal of software testing is to find and document these defects so they can be fixed before the software is released. Defects are usually logged into a defect tracking system with details such as:
- Description of the defect.
- Steps to reproduce the defect.
- Expected and actual outcomes.
- Severity and priority of the defect.
- Screen shots or other relevant information.
The process of finding, documenting, and tracking these defects is a critical part of ensuring software quality. It helps to prevent defective software from being delivered to end users, and it provides a way to manage the process of fixing issues and verifying that they have been resolved.
It’s worth noting that not all defects are created equal. Some may have a minor impact on the software’s functionality or usability, while others may be critical and prevent the software from functioning at all. The severity of a defect often determines its priority for being fixed.
