Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST) Practice Test

What is the purpose of error handling in testing?

1. To ensure data transfers between systems

2. To compare old and new systems

3. To prevent or detect and correct errors

4. To validate system performance

The correct answer is: To prevent or detect and correct errors

The purpose of error handling in testing is to prevent, detect, and correct errors within a software system. Effective error handling allows testers to identify scenarios where the software might fail or produce incorrect results due to unexpected inputs or conditions. By implementing robust error handling mechanisms, testers can ensure that the software responds gracefully to errors, providing useful feedback to users and maintaining system integrity. Error handling also contributes to the overall reliability and usability of the application. It ensures that errors do not lead to data loss or crashes, and helps maintain a seamless user experience. This is vital in software development, as it enhances the quality of the software product and minimizes the risk of defects reaching the end-users. While other options relate to important aspects of software testing—such as data transfer, system validation, and performance comparison—they do not specifically address the core focus of error handling, which is fundamentally about managing and mitigating errors within the software environment.