When a defect is detected and fixed, what is the process called to confirm that the original defect has been successfully removed?

The process of confirming that an originally detected defect has been successfully removed is known as confirmation testing. Confirmation testing, also referred to as re-testing, involves executing a set of tests specifically focusing on the areas of the software that were affected by the defect to ensure that the fix works as intended and that the defect no longer exists. This type of testing is crucial because it verifies that the corrective measures taken have been effective and that the application behaves as expected post-fix.

In the context of software development and quality assurance, confirmation testing helps provide confidence that the software is now free of the previously identified issue. It's important to note that this is distinct from other types of testing that focus on ensuring the overall quality and functionality of the software.

For clarity regarding other options, regression testing involves re-running previously conducted tests to confirm that recent changes haven’t introduced new defects. Maintenance testing is a broader term that encompasses various testing activities applied during the maintenance phase of software. However, these do not specifically target the verification of the removal of a particular defect as confirmation testing does.