Starting your journey in software testing? The world of QA (Quality Assurance) can seem overwhelming at first, but learning the common terminology is a great first step. Here are the top 10 must-know terms for every beginner:

1. Test Case

A test case is a set of actions or steps designed to verify a specific feature or functionality of an application.
Example: Check if the login works with valid credentials.

2. Bug / Defect

A bug (or defect) is an error or flaw in the software that causes it to produce incorrect or unexpected results.
Example: A “Submit” button doesn’t respond when clicked.

3. Test Plan

A test plan is a document that outlines the testing strategy, objectives, schedule, required resources, and deliverables. It guides the entire testing process.

4. Test Scenario

A test scenario describes a high-level situation or functionality to be tested. It can lead to multiple test cases.
Example: Test the checkout process on an e-commerce site.

5. Regression Testing

Regression testing ensures that new code changes haven’t broken existing features. It's done after updates or bug fixes.

6. Smoke Testing

Smoke testing is a quick round of basic tests to check if the major functions of an application work after a build. It’s often called a “build verification test.”

7. Functional Testing

Functional testing verifies that each feature works as expected according to the requirements.
Example: Ensuring the password reset feature sends an email.

8. Automation Testing

Automation testing uses tools and scripts to execute test cases automatically, making it faster and more reliable for repetitive tests.

9. Manual Testing

Manual testing involves human testers executing test cases without tools. It’s useful for UI, usability, and exploratory testing.

10. Test Data

Test data is the input used during testing to simulate real-world user actions. It includes usernames, passwords, IDs, etc.

Conclusion

These basic terms form the foundation of software testing. As you grow your skills, understanding these concepts will help you communicate clearly, write better test cases, and become more confident in real-world QA projects.

Top 10 Software Testing Terms Every Beginner Should Know