Test Data: The input data used for testing, such as sample users, products or orders.
Example
You create test users with different roles to check what each of them can access.
Why Test Data matters for IT interns
Good test data finds more bugs. Never use real customer data unless the company explicitly allows it.
Where you will hear it
You will hear this term in testing and quality discussions, from test planning to bug reports. If someone uses it and you are not sure what they mean in your project, it is completely fine to ask; every team uses terms a little differently.
Related terms
- Smoke Testing: A quick set of basic checks on a new build to confirm the most important functions work before deeper testing…
- Software Testing: Checking whether software works as expected by using it and comparing the actual results with the expected…
- Test Case: A specific, written check: the steps to follow, the input to use and the result you expect.
- Test Plan: A document describing what will be tested, how, by whom, in which environment and on what schedule.
- Test Scenario: A higher-level description of something to test, which usually contains several test cases.
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Final testing by business users or clients to confirm the software meets their needs before it goes live.
Previous term: Test Case | Next term: Test Plan
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Test Data?
The input data used for testing, such as sample users, products or orders.
What is an example of Test Data?
You create test users with different roles to check what each of them can access.
Why does Test Data matter for IT interns?
Good test data finds more bugs. Never use real customer data unless the company explicitly allows it.
Explore more internship terms
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About the author
Dhaivat has 16+ years of experience in the IT industry, working on AI and cloud technologies, project delivery, and engineering leadership. He has interviewed and mentored many interns, wrote The Lost Intern, and runs the non-commercial Career Impact Initiative, mentoring students for free.