What is the term used for the environment where software is developed and tested?

The term "Development Environment" refers specifically to the setting where software developers write, modify, and test their code before it is moved to production. This environment is typically set up with the necessary tools, libraries, and configurations that cater to the software development lifecycle. It allows developers to create and experiment with code changes without affecting the live environment where end users operate.

In a development environment, programmers can perform various tasks, such as coding new features, debugging, and conducting unit tests to ensure individual components function as intended. This is crucial for maintaining code quality and facilitating collaborative development among team members.

While there are other environments mentioned, such as testing and production, each has a distinct purpose. The testing environment is where software is subjected to a variety of tests to verify its functionality and performance, while the production environment is the final deployment area where end users interact with the software. The staging environment serves as a pre-production setup for final verification before release but is not specifically tailored for the initial development phases. Hence, the development environment is the correct term for the phase where software is actively created and initially tested.