The word-soup comprising defects, bugs, failures, errors, mistakes and incidents is often used interchangeably to generally imply issues with the software. However, use of these terms in Software testing has different meanings. Description from the certification glossary has been incorporated as needed, to maintain consistency of definitions.
Defect / bug: A flaw in a component or system that can cause the component or system to fail to perform its required function. Defect refers to something that is wrong with the program, design, requirements, specifications or other documentation. A defect, if encountered during execution, may cause a failure of the component or system.
Error / mistake: A human action that produces an incorrect result. Errors are incorrect things that people do. People make errors while software has defects. For example, when engineers make errors that result in defects, it is called as injecting defects.
Failure: Deviation of the component or system from its expected delivery, service, or result.
Incident: Any event occurring that requires investigation.
Defect / bug: A flaw in a component or system that can cause the component or system to fail to perform its required function. Defect refers to something that is wrong with the program, design, requirements, specifications or other documentation. A defect, if encountered during execution, may cause a failure of the component or system.
Error / mistake: A human action that produces an incorrect result. Errors are incorrect things that people do. People make errors while software has defects. For example, when engineers make errors that result in defects, it is called as injecting defects.
Failure: Deviation of the component or system from its expected delivery, service, or result.
Incident: Any event occurring that requires investigation.
