The execution environment (server, data, users) for testing software.
There can be several phases of testing, each could require different text environments. They could be hosted on the same or different servers, but often they may have different sets of data and possibly users.
Some frequent types of test environments include (these definitions will vary at different companies):
- Integration Test: First environment where individual programs are combined together to ensure interoperability
- System Test: Where complete sets of well-defined test cases are run to exercise all business requirements
- User Acceptance Test: Where end-users test out (new) functionality to ensure it meets their goals and data/results are valid
- Performance Test: Testing that stresses the system with high volumes of data and transactions.
