A deviation from the specified or expected behavior that is visible to end-users is called?

The term that refers to a deviation from the specified or expected behavior that is visible to end-users is known as a failure. A failure occurs when the software does not perform as intended in a live environment, causing an observable issue for users. This could manifest in various ways, such as incorrect output, system crashes, or other bugs that disrupt the normal functioning of the application.

In testing terminology, it’s crucial to distinguish between the various terms: while a fault is used to describe a defect in the code or system that may lead to a failure, it is not visible to users until it results in a failure. Similarly, an error often refers to a mistake made by a developer during the coding process. A defect encompasses any deviation from expected behavior overall, but it is often used interchangeably with fault. However, the specific context of end-user visibility clearly leads to the conclusion that the observable consequence of a fault is termed a failure.