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. This phase involves the actual implementation of the test cases that have been previously designed. During test execution, testers carry out the test steps defined in the test cases, using the application or system being tested under controlled conditions. The purpose of this step is to observe the behavior of the software, record the outcomes, and compare them against the expected results.

The importance of test execution lies in its role in identifying defects, verifying functionality, and ensuring that the system meets the specified requirements. By conducting test execution, testers can discover issues that might not have been apparent during the design phase, thereby providing valuable insights into the application’s performance and reliability.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of the testing process. Test design involves creating test cases based on requirements and specifications, while test data preparation pertains to the setup of data needed for the tests. Test estimation refers to assessing the effort and resources required for testing activities. Each of these plays a crucial role in the overall testing lifecycle, but they do not directly relate to the action of running the tests and generating actual results.