What is the primary purpose of acceptance testing?

The primary purpose of acceptance testing is to confirm that the system meets user expectations. This type of testing is typically carried out at the end of the software development lifecycle, often before the product is deployed to end users. It involves validating the software against user requirements and expectations to determine if it is ready for production and provides the necessary functionality and quality that users expect.

During acceptance testing, stakeholders or end users execute tests to ensure that the system performs its intended tasks and fulfills their needs. This is a crucial step in the development process since it helps ensure customer satisfaction and minimizes the risk of releasing a product that does not align with user expectations. Successful acceptance testing indicates that the software is fit for use, whereas failing tests would suggest further work is needed before deployment.

Other options focus on different aspects of software testing, such as identifying bugs, assessing performance, or ensuring compliance with coding standards, which, while important in their own right, do not capture the primary goal of acceptance testing. This distinct focus on user validation is what sets acceptance testing apart in the software development lifecycle.