What is the primary goal of non-functional testing?

The primary goal of non-functional testing is to assess system performance and usability. This type of testing focuses on how well the system operates under various conditions, including performance metrics like speed, reliability, and scalability, as well as user experience aspects such as ease of use and accessibility. Non-functional testing helps ensure that the application not only functions properly from a features standpoint but also meets user expectations and performance criteria that are critical for user satisfaction and system efficiency.

In contrast, verifying specific features pertains more to functional testing, which is concerned with the application's behavior and ensures it meets defined requirements. Identifying code defects is also aligned with functional testing, focusing on the internal workings of the software. Ensuring all paths have been executed is closely related to the testing of code coverage, which is typically part of the functional testing realm rather than non-functional testing. Thus, the correct choice identifies the unique focus of non-functional testing in the software development lifecycle.