What is the purpose of system testing?

The purpose of system testing is fundamentally to ensure that the software meets the specified requirements outlined during the planning and development phases of the project. This stage involves validating and verifying that the integrated system behaves as expected in a specific environment and that all functionalities perform correctly according to the requirements. This process confirms that the system is operational and ready for deployment, while also identifying any discrepancies or issues that need to be addressed before the software is released to end-users. System testing thus plays a crucial role in delivering a reliable, functional product that aligns with the initial specifications and user needs.