What is testing?

If you ask someone what a vet is, or what an accountant is, you will receive a reply almost immediately. "That’s easy! A vet looks after sick animals and an accountant looks after the accounts".

If, however, you ask someone what testing is or even what a test is, the first response you will get could be silence.

Testing is not necessarily something that is easy to define. It is ascertaining:

• whether a system works as expected;
• whether a system works and conform to the requirements;
• whether a system works when a user enters inputs incorrectly and pushes the wrong buttons at the wrong time;
• that a system works as specified, but also quick enough to be useful and 'friendly'.

So, the answer to the question "what is testing?" is all the above!

According to the Glossary of terms used in Software Testing, testing is:

"The process consisting of all lifecycle activities, both static and dynamic, concerned with planning, preparation and evaluation of a component or system and related work product to determine that they satisfy specified requirements, to demonstrate that they are fit for purpose and to detect defects."

Software systems are an integral part of life, from business applications (e.g., banking) to consumer products (e.g., cars). More and more organisations are placing a major emphasis on software systems to be more efficient, competitive, and able to provide their customers’ needs.

A growing percentage of business budgets are allocated to developing, implementing and maintaining these computer systems. If businesses are unable to provide a service due to not having the required technology, then there is a high likelihood that their customers will take their business elsewhere.

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