## What is Test Infrastructure? > "The organizational artifacts needed to perform testing, consisting of [[Test Environment]]s, [[Test Tools]], office environment and procedures." ([[[ISTQB]] Glossary](http://www.istqb.org)) Test Infrastructure refers to the set of hardware, software, and network resources required for the testing process. It includes tools used for test design, execution, and management, as well as environments where tests are run. The infrastructure also includes procedures or protocols followed during testing and the office environment where testing activities are performed. In other words, it is a framework that sets the foundation for testing processes and activities. It is designed to support the execution of tests from initial development to final production. A well-designed test infrastructure helps in improving the efficiency of testing processes, reducing errors, and ensuring that software products meet their quality standards before they are released into the market. ## Derived Concepts - [[Test Environment]]: This refers to the hardware and software configuration needed for testing. It includes systems on which the software is installed, other related software like databases or servers, network settings, etc. - [[Test Tools]]: These are applications or utilities used to carry out testing. They can be manual or automated tools that help in designing test cases, executing them, managing test data, reporting defects, etc. - [[Test Procedures]]: These are the guidelines or protocols that need to be followed during the testing process. They define how tests should be designed, executed and managed. - [[Office Environment]]: This refers to the physical or virtual space where testing activities are performed. It includes factors like workspace layout, equipment availability, noise levels, etc., which can impact the efficiency and effectiveness of testing. - [[Test Data Management]]: This involves the process of creating, maintaining and managing data needed for software testing. It is a crucial part of test infrastructure as it ensures that tests are performed under consistent and controlled conditions. - [[Test Automation Infrastructure]]: This refers to the framework and tools used for automated testing. It includes automation tools, scripting languages, test servers, etc., that help in automating repetitive tasks, reducing manual errors and speeding up the testing process. - [[Continuous Integration (CI)]] / [[Continuous Deployment (CD)]]: This is a part of modern test infrastructure where code changes are regularly built, tested, and deployed to ensure that software is always in a releasable state.