Testing to determine the extent to which the software product is understood - easy to learn - easy to operate and attractive to the users under specified conditions. [After ISO 9126]

Hardware and software products installed at users' or customers' sites where the component or system under test will be used. The software may include operating systems - database management systems - and other applications.

A software tool used to carry out instrumentation.

Operational testing by potential and/or existing users/customers at an external site not otherwise involved with the developers - to determine whether or not a component or system satisfies the user/customer needs and fits within the business process

A variable (whether stored within a component or outside) that is read by a component.

A statement of test objectives - and possibly test ideas about how to test. Test charters are used in exploratory testing. See also exploratory testing. An informal test design technique where the tester actively controls the design of the tests as t

A flaw in a component or system that can cause the component or system to fail to perform its required function - e.g. an incorrect statement or data definition. A defect - if encountered during execution - may cause a failure of the component or sys

A step-by-step presentation by the author of a document in order to gather information and to establish a common understanding of its content. [Freedman and Weinberg - IEEE 1028] See also peer review. A review of a software work product by colleagues

A meeting at the end of a project during which the project team members evaluate the project and learn lessons that can be applied to the next project.

A tool that supports the recording of requirements - requirements attributes (e.g. priority - knowledge responsible) and annotation - and facilitates traceability through layers of requirements and requirements change management. Some requirements ma

Tests aimed at showing that a component or system does not work. Negative testing is related to the testers' attitude rather than a specific test approach or test design technique - e.g. testing with invalid input values or exceptions. [After Beizer]