What is referred to as the process of running a test to produce actual results?

The process of running a test to produce actual results is known as test execution. During this phase, testers apply the test cases that have been previously designed in order to validate the functionality of the software. The primary goal of test execution is to determine if the software behaves as expected, which involves interacting with the application, capturing outputs, and comparing them against the expected outcomes.

Test execution encompasses a variety of activities, including setting up the test environment, preparing necessary test data, and primarily, running the tests to observe the actual results. This step is crucial in the overall testing process because it generates the information needed to evaluate the quality of the software product.

In contrast, test design involves creating the test cases based on requirements and specifications, while test data preparation focuses on gathering and setting up the data necessary for conducting the tests. Test estimation involves analyzing the scope and complexity of testing efforts to determine the time and resources needed, which occurs before any testing is executed. Therefore, the correct answer highlights a key phase in the testing lifecycle dedicated to the practical aspect of obtaining results from tests.