> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://qatesting.gitbook.io/qa/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://qatesting.gitbook.io/qa/manual-testing/overview.md).

# Overview

## What is Software Testing?

Software testing is the <mark style="background-color:yellow;">process of evaluating a software system</mark> to validate that it is working as per requirements and to find and prevent defects.&#x20;

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1573496773905-f5b17e717f05?crop=entropy&#x26;cs=srgb&#x26;fm=jpg&#x26;ixid=M3wxOTcwMjR8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxzb2Z0d2FyZSUyMHRlc3Rpbmd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNjg5NjU3MjY4fDA&#x26;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&#x26;q=85" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

### It involves various activities such as:

* Planning and control
* Choosing test conditions
* Designing and executing test cases
* Checking results
* Evaluating exit criteria
* Reporting on the test process and system under test
* Finalizing activities after testing, including reviewing documents and conducting static analysis

<mark style="background-color:green;">The goal of software testing is to gain confidence about the level of quality of the software system.</mark> By thoroughly testing the system, we can ensure that it meets the requirements and specifications, and functions as expected.&#x20;

{% hint style="success" %}
This helps to **detect and prevent defects early** in the development process, reducing the overall cost of development and improving the quality of the final product.
{% endhint %}

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="https://824924021-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjEG2NepZQd4awmKtG6qY%2Fuploads%2FX6h7KHroIkiCK61kDdY9%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=406c06c1-12e3-4e15-a887-4ac4c77ae0ef" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>