In software development, what is the purpose of the testing stage?

The purpose of the testing stage in software development is primarily to identify and fix bugs. During this phase, the software is rigorously examined in various scenarios to ensure it behaves as expected. This process helps developers catch errors and unexpected behaviors before the software is deployed or delivered to users.

Testing can involve different types of evaluation, such as unit testing, integration testing, and system testing, all aimed at ensuring the software meets its specifications, works correctly, and provides a good user experience. By identifying bugs early, developers can address issues more efficiently, improving the overall quality and reliability of the software product.

While evaluating system performance and gathering system requirements are crucial parts of the software development lifecycle, they serve different purposes. In contrast, designing system architecture is focused on the structural framework of the software, not its functionality or error reduction. Hence, the testing stage is distinctively geared towards ensuring the software is free of defects and operates as intended.