What does 'bug tracking' refer to?

Bug tracking refers to the systematic process of recording, managing, and resolving bugs or defects found in software during its development and maintenance. It involves documenting the details of each bug, such as its nature, severity, status, and the steps needed to reproduce it. This process helps development teams prioritize issues, track their progress, and ensure that all reported bugs are addressed in a timely manner, ultimately contributing to the overall quality of the software.

In contrast, the monitoring of code changes primarily relates to version control and source code management, which focuses on tracking modifications rather than bugs. Conducting user testing deals with gathering feedback from end-users to evaluate the usability and functionality of the software, but it does not specifically address the management of identified defects. Evaluating system performance involves assessing how well a system operates under various conditions but does not encompass the process of tracking and resolving bugs. Thus, bug tracking is distinctly centered on the identification and resolution of defects within a software product.