How is debugging different to testing?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks: How is debugging different to testing?

Option a: 'They are exactly the same!' This is incorrect because debugging and testing are distinct activities in software quality assurance; they have different goals and scopes.

Option b: 'Debugging creates errors while testing fixes errors.' This is false: debugging does not create errors by default; it investigates and resolves existing defects. Testing does not inherently fix defects either; it identifies them. The phrasing reverses roles and inaccurately assigns causation.

Option c: 'Debugging is searching for errors while testing is fixing errors.' Here the terms are misapplied. Debugging involves locating and understanding the cause of a defect and usually involves fixing it, while testing is the process of evaluating the software to find defects. The statement incorrectly claims testing fixes errors, which is misleading.

Option d: 'Testing is searching for errors while debugging is fixing errors.' This aligns with the common distinction between the two activities: testing is about finding defects (searching for errors) and debugging is the process of diagnosing and correcting those defects (fixing errors). The wording captures the practical separation of locating issues versus resolving them.

In summary, options a and b mischaracterize the relationship between testing and debugging, option c confuses the roles of testing and debugging, while option d accurately distinguishes between searching for errors and fixing them.

How is debugging different to testing?

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