What is system testing and what does it involve?

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What is system testing and what does it involve?

System testing is a crucial phase in the software development life cycle that focuses on evaluating the complete and integrated system to ensure that it meets the specified requirements. It involves testing the system as a whole, rather than individual components, to verify its functionality, performance, reliability, and compatibility.

System testing involves several key activities. Firstly, it requires the creation of test cases based on the system requirements and design specifications. These test cases are designed to cover various scenarios and functionalities of the system.

Next, the system is tested against these test cases to identify any defects or deviations from the expected behavior. This includes executing the test cases, recording the actual results, and comparing them with the expected results. Any discrepancies are considered as defects and are reported for further investigation and resolution.

System testing also involves testing the system's performance under different workloads and stress conditions to ensure it can handle the expected user load. This may include load testing, stress testing, and performance profiling to identify any bottlenecks or performance issues.

Additionally, system testing includes testing the system's compatibility with different hardware, software, and network configurations. This ensures that the system can function properly in various environments and with different combinations of components.

Furthermore, system testing may involve security testing to identify vulnerabilities and ensure that the system can withstand potential attacks or unauthorized access.

Overall, system testing aims to validate the system's functionality, performance, reliability, compatibility, and security, ensuring that it meets the specified requirements and is ready for deployment.