When people hear "software testing", they often think it's just about finding bugs. But testing is much more than that. It is a professional discipline with a clear purpose: to help build reliable, quality software. Let’s explore this in simple terms.
You’re building a bridge. Before cars can drive on it, someone must make sure it doesn’t collapse. That someone is the tester, and the software is the bridge. Testing isn’t just “does it work?” — it’s “does it work well, consistently, and safely under all conditions?”
According to ISTQB, software testing has several key objectives:
Yes — testing also prevents issues, not just finds them.
A key principle in ISTQB is that exhaustive testing is impossible. Why? Because there are too many combinations, paths, and scenarios. That’s why we focus testing on what matters most — risk-based testing.
In the 1970s, the role of tester began to be recognized as separate from developers. Over time, it became clear that having independent testers to evaluate quality was crucial. That led to the creation of testers, testing tools... and eventually the ISTQB.
A tester is not just someone who clicks around. A tester:
In modern teams, testers help from the very start (early testing).
Imagine an app to send money. A tester doesn’t just check the "send" button. They also check:
Testing is about predicting and preventing user-facing issues.
Software testing is a vital discipline in modern development. It’s not just about clicking buttons — it’s about ensuring a product works, is safe, and fulfills its purpose. Testers are the silent guardians of quality.