Testing
========

Overview
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The testing phase is concerned with unit, regression, use testing of a software release.

Stages
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Testing is generally divided into these major test types:

* feature testing - whether specific features work as designed,
* bugfix testing - whether a bugfix has indeed fixed the associated bug,
* integration testing - whether all products work together as a whole,
* regresson - whether new bugs have appeared due to other changes, or old bugs reappeared,
* usability - whether the software meets useability standards,
* compatibility - whether the software works on all platforms and can be upgraded from the previous version, and
* performance - whether the software meets performance standards.

As a module, feature, or other portion of the whole moves through testing, it goes through these subphases:

* general correctness,
* internal (aka alpha) testing, and
* external (aka beta) testing, 
* final release testing. 

Once all portions have gone through testing, the product as a whole is ready for the release process.