Every software team uses the words “error,” “defect,” and “bug,” often interchangeably. But there’s real power in knowing exactly what each term means—and when it applies 1. Mistakes by Phase Phase What You Find What It’s Called Requirements & Design A mistake in the design or plan that doesn’t meet what stakeholders want. Defect Coding A coding or logic mistake in source code Error Testing & Execution An observable malfunction occurring during software execution or testing. Bug 🐞 1.1 Defect A defect is any flaw or mismatch in your requirements or design artifacts. It exists before any code runs. Example: You document “Users must enter a 4-digit PIN,” but stakeholders actually needed 6 digits. That spec mismatch is a defect . 1.2 Error An error is a mistake made while coding —a typo, wrong opera...
Mapping the future of test engineering