What is meant by the term 'debugging' in programming?

The term 'debugging' in programming specifically refers to the process of identifying, isolating, and fixing errors or bugs in the code. This is a crucial step in software development, as it ensures that the program functions as intended and meets the necessary specifications. Debugging involves analyzing the code to find mistakes that could lead to incorrect outputs, crashes, or other unintended behaviors.

While debugging is often conducted after the initial coding phase, it can be an ongoing process throughout the development lifecycle, especially as new features are added or existing code is altered. This makes it imperative for developers to engage in thorough debugging practices to maintain the quality and reliability of the software.

In contrast, adding new features, optimizing performance, and testing software are distinct activities. While each plays an important role in the overall development process, they do not specifically pertain to the identification and correction of errors, which is the essence of debugging.