What is the main goal of software testing?

The main goal of software testing is to determine if the system functions properly. This involves verifying that the software meets its specified requirements and identifying any defects or issues before the software is released to users. Testing assesses the behavior of the application under various conditions to ensure it behaves as expected and delivers the desired outcomes.

Effective software testing involves different methods, including unit tests, integration tests, system tests, and acceptance tests, to cover all aspects of functionality. By validating that the software works as intended, testing helps ensure reliability and performance, thereby enhancing user satisfaction and reducing the risk of failures in real-world scenarios.

While other goals like preventing bugs or creating documentation are important aspects of the software development lifecycle, they are not the primary focus of testing itself. Testing is fundamentally about evaluating the software's performance and correctness rather than preventing bugs or gathering user requirements.