Describe the process of system testing.

System testing is a crucial phase in the software development life cycle (SDLC) that aims to evaluate the overall functionality, performance, and reliability of a software system. It involves testing the system as a whole, rather than focusing on individual components or modules. The process of system testing can be described in the following steps:

1. Test Planning: The first step in system testing is to create a comprehensive test plan. This plan outlines the objectives, scope, and approach of the testing process. It includes defining test objectives, test scenarios, test cases, and test data.

2. Test Environment Setup: In this step, the testing team sets up the required test environment, including hardware, software, and network configurations. This ensures that the system is tested in an environment similar to the production environment.

3. Test Case Design: Test cases are designed based on the test scenarios identified in the test plan. Test cases cover various aspects of the system, including functional, non-functional, and performance requirements. Each test case specifies the input data, expected output, and the steps to be followed.

4. Test Execution: In this step, the test cases are executed on the system. The testing team follows the test scripts and performs the necessary actions to validate the system's behavior. The actual results are compared with the expected results to identify any discrepancies.

5. Defect Reporting and Tracking: During test execution, if any defects or issues are identified, they are reported in a defect tracking system. Each defect is assigned a unique identifier and is categorized based on its severity and priority. The development team then investigates and resolves the reported defects.

6. Regression Testing: After fixing the reported defects, regression testing is performed to ensure that the changes made do not introduce new defects or impact the existing functionality. It involves re-executing the previously executed test cases to validate the system's stability.

7. Test Completion and Reporting: Once all the test cases have been executed, the testing team prepares a test summary report. This report includes details about the test coverage, test results, defects found, and overall system quality. It also provides recommendations for further improvements.

8. Test Closure: The final step in the system testing process is test closure. It involves reviewing the entire testing process, identifying lessons learned, and documenting them for future reference. The test closure also includes archiving the test artifacts and releasing the test environment.

Overall, the process of system testing ensures that the software system meets the specified requirements, functions as intended, and is reliable and stable. It helps in identifying and fixing defects early in the development cycle, reducing the risk of issues in the production environment.