Quality Assurance (QA) and software testing are often used interchangeably, yet they represent distinct, albeit related, concepts within the software development lifecycle. One focuses on preventing defects, while the other concentrates on detecting them. An example of a QA activity would be establishing coding standards to minimize the introduction of errors. Conversely, software testing involves executing code with the intent of finding bugs.
Understanding the distinction is critical for project success. Effective QA reduces the overall cost of development by minimizing the number of defects that make it into the testing phase. Thorough software testing ensures that the delivered product meets requirements and functions as intended, leading to greater user satisfaction and reduced risk of post-release issues. Historically, these roles were often combined, but the increasing complexity of software development has led to a specialization of these functions.