What is the goal of software testing?

The goal of software testing is to verify that the software meets specified requirements. This process involves evaluating the software to ensure it functions correctly and fulfills the needs set forth during the development phase. By systematically testing features, functionalities, and performance, testers can identify defects and ensure that the software behaves as expected in various scenarios.

Focusing on requirements allows teams to validate that the development aligns with user expectations, specifications, and regulatory standards. This is crucial for delivering a product that not only works properly but also fulfills its intended purpose, thus ensuring customer satisfaction and reducing the likelihood of issues post-release.

Increasing the size of the codebase, accelerating the software release cycle, or expanding the user interface functionality are not primary goals of software testing. While these factors may be relevant to a development team's overall objectives, they do not directly address the fundamental purpose of testing, which is to ensure quality and requirement compliance.