Software Testing is an investigation conducted to provide information about the quality of a software product or service. Common test techniques include the process of finding software errors or defects, and other ways of verifying that the software product is fit for customer or stakeholder use.

Software Testing is important to learn for anyone who wants to be part of a development team. It’s an essential part of the process of bringing software to market.

As mobile devices and cloud computing technologies continue to be produced, the demand for Software Testers grows accordingly. Learners can determine what kind of Software Tester they would like to be, whether they prefer to pursue roles as Functional Testers (who evaluate whether a program meets business objectives), Performance Testers (who evaluate how a program operates under extreme conditions), or Specialized Testers (who evaluate a select feature within a program). There are also myriad options for Software Testers in the technology industry, whether learners want to test security programs, image-processing programs, or a vast array of others.

Software Testing courses offered through Coursera equip learners with knowledge on the fundamental principles and processes of the field. Lessons include creating test cases and running them using an automated testing tool; writing and recognizing good test cases; describing the difference between verification and validation; being able to explain the goal of testing; learning appropriate test terminology in communication; and more.