What statement accurately describes the relationship between errors, failures, and defects?

The provided answer describes the relationship between errors, defects, and failures quite effectively. In the context of software testing, an error is typically a mistake made by a developer during the coding process, which can lead to a defect in the software. This defect represents a flaw in the actual code or design that does not meet the intended requirements.

When the software is executed and the defect is encountered, it manifests as a failure. The failure is the observable outcome when the code does not perform as expected, often leading to incorrect results or system crashes. Therefore, the flow depicted in this answer—where an error results in a defect, which is then observed as a failure—accurately captures how these three elements are interconnected in the software development process.

This dynamic emphasizes the importance of identifying and correcting errors early in the development phase to prevent defects from progressing to the testing phase, thereby reducing the likelihood of failures in the production environment.