Which term refers to a fault that has been fixed but not yet validated?

The term that refers to a fault that has been fixed but not yet validated is a defect. In software testing terminology, a defect is understood as a coding error or issue identified during testing that causes the application to perform unexpectedly. Once the development team addresses this issue and applies a fix, it is still considered a defect until testing has confirmed that the fix operates as intended and resolves the identified problem.

This validation step is crucial because it ensures that the repair is effective and maintains the overall integrity of the application. Only after this validation process can the issue be deemed completely resolved.