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Program Mutation

Program mutation is a technique used in software testing where small changes, called mutations, are deliberately made to a program’s code. These changes simulate potential errors or bugs to see if existing tests can detect them. If a test fails to notice the mutation, it indicates that the test suite may need improvement. Think of it as testing the strength of your testing process by introducing controlled errors to ensure it can catch real issues effectively. It's a valuable method for improving software reliability through proactive quality checks.