What is a true statement about exhaustive testing?

Exhaustive testing refers to the approach where every possible input and every possible execution path within a software application are tested. While this concept may seem ideal, in practice, it is largely infeasible for non-trivial software due to the vast number of possible inputs and interactions that exist in complex systems.

When software applications grow in size and complexity, the number of potential test cases increases exponentially. Thus, while exhaustive testing theoretically ensures thorough verification of functionality, it is nearly impossible to achieve without consuming disproportionate amounts of time and resources. The only contexts where exhaustive testing might be feasible are very simple or trivial applications with limited input scenarios, where all possible cases can be monitored and executed.

This understanding highlights the significance of prioritizing testing strategies to maximize coverage while managing resources efficiently, which ultimately guides software testing practices in the industry.