False Positive

 A false positive in software testing is when a test incorrectly indicates the presence of a defect or issue in the software when there actually is none. This means the test result shows a problem that doesn't exist, leading to unnecessary investigation and troubleshooting.

Example:

Imagine you have a test that checks if a login feature works correctly. The test is supposed to verify that users can log in with valid credentials. If the test fails and reports that the login feature is broken, but in reality, the login feature works perfectly fine, this is a false positive.

Causes:

• Test Script Errors: The test script itself might have an error, causing it to fail even when the application works correctly.
• Environment Issues: Issues in the test environment, such as incorrect configurations or network problems, might lead to false positives.
• Timing Issues: Tests might run too quickly before the system has fully updated or responded, leading to incorrect failure reports.

Impact:

• Wasted Time: Developers and testers might spend time investigating non-existent issues.
• Decreased Trust: Frequent false positives can lead to a lack of trust in the test results, making it harder to rely on automated tests.

Mitigation:

• Test Validation: Regularly review and validate test scripts to ensure they are correct.
• Stable Environment: Maintain a stable and correctly configured test environment.
• Proper Timing: Ensure that tests account for necessary wait times and system responses.

Summary:

A false positive is a test result that wrongly indicates a defect in the software. It's like a false alarm that can cause unnecessary work and reduce confidence in testing processes.