<!--
    @file term.html
    @filepath glossary-templates/term.html
    @version 1.0.0
    @updated 2026-02-19 09:30:00 AM CDT
    @author Greg Paskal / Claude
    @company MissionWares®

    @description HTML template for individual glossary term pages.
      Edit this file to change the layout/content of ALL term pages.
      Run `python3 generate-glossary.py` to regenerate after changes.

    @placeholders (filled by generate-glossary.py):
      root cause — ISTQB Definition | Lexicon for ISTQB        - "boundary value analysis — ISTQB Definition | Lexicon for ISTQB"
      ISTQB definition of root cause: A source of a defect such that if it is removed, the occurrence of the defect type is decreased or removed. Used in CTFL.  - Truncated description for search engines
      https://istqb.missionwares.com/glossary/root-cause.html     - Full canonical URL for this term page
      root cause — ISTQB Definition          - Open Graph title
      ISTQB definition of root cause: A source of a defect such that if it is removed, the occurrence of the defect type is decreased or removed. Used in CTFL.    - Open Graph description
      https://istqb.missionwares.com/glossary/root-cause.html            - Open Graph URL
      https://istqb.missionwares.com          - Site root (https://istqb.missionwares.com)
      root-cause           - Slug ID (e.g., "boundary-value-analysis")
      root cause         - Display name (e.g., "boundary value analysis")
      {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "DefinedTerm",
    "name": "root cause",
    "description": "A source of a defect such that if it is removed, the occurrence of the defect type is decreased or removed.",
    "inDefinedTermSet": {
        "@type": "DefinedTermSet",
        "name": "ISTQB Glossary",
        "url": "https://istqb.missionwares.com/glossary/"
    },
    "url": "https://istqb.missionwares.com/glossary/root-cause.html",
    "author": {
        "@type": "Person",
        "name": "Greg Paskal",
        "jobTitle": "QA Professional & Founder",
        "url": "https://missionwares.com",
        "worksFor": {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "name": "MissionWares",
            "url": "https://missionwares.com"
        }
    },
    "publisher": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "MissionWares",
        "url": "https://missionwares.com"
    }
}           - Full JSON-LD structured data block
      /**
 * @file glossary.css
 * @filepath glossary-templates/glossary.css
 * @version 1.0.0
 * @updated 2026-02-19 09:30:00 AM CDT
 * @author Greg Paskal / Claude
 * @company MissionWares®
 *
 * @description Shared styles for all static glossary pages.
 *   Edit this file to change the look of all 671+ term pages.
 *   Run `python3 generate-glossary.py` to regenerate after changes.
 *
 * @palette
 *   Cyan:   #00ccff (primary accent, quick take)
 *   Purple: #a855f7 / #c084fc (secondary accent, look closer)
 *   Green:  #22c55e (tertiary accent, bottom line)
 *   Dark:   #0a0e17 (background)
 *   Slate:  #111827 (card background)
 *   Text:   #e8ecf4 (primary), #cbd5e1 (secondary), #8b95a8 (muted)
 */

/* ═══ Reset ═══════════════════════════════════════════════ */
*, *::before, *::after { margin: 0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; }

body {
    font-family: 'DM Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, sans-serif;
    background: #0a0e17;
    color: #e8ecf4;
    min-height: 100vh;
}

/* ═══ Header ══════════════════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-header {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(0,204,255,0.08), rgba(168,85,247,0.08));
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(168,85,247,0.15);
    padding: 16px 24px;
}
.gl-header-inner {
    max-width: 800px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between;
}
.gl-header a {
    color: #c084fc;
    text-decoration: none;
    font-weight: 600;
    font-size: 15px;
}
.gl-header a:hover { color: #e0e7ff; }
.gl-home {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 18px;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #00ccff, #a855f7);
    -webkit-background-clip: text;
    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
    background-clip: text;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 1px;
}

/* ═══ Main Content ════════════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-main {
    max-width: 800px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 40px 24px 60px;
}

/* ═══ Breadcrumb ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-breadcrumb { font-size: 13px; color: #8b95a8; margin-bottom: 24px; }
.gl-breadcrumb a { color: #8b95a8; text-decoration: none; }
.gl-breadcrumb a:hover { color: #c084fc; }

/* ═══ Term Title ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
h1 {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 2rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #00ccff, #a855f7);
    -webkit-background-clip: text;
    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
    background-clip: text;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
    line-height: 1.2;
}

/* ═══ Curriculum Badges ═══════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-badges { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 8px; margin-bottom: 24px; }
.gl-badge {
    font-size: 12px;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 4px 12px;
    border-radius: 20px;
    background: rgba(168,85,247,0.12);
    border: 1px solid rgba(168,85,247,0.25);
    color: #c084fc;
}

/* ═══ Official Definition Card ════════════════════════════ */
.gl-definition {
    background: #111827;
    border: 1px solid rgba(168,85,247,0.15);
    border-radius: 14px;
    padding: 24px;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}
.gl-definition::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
    height: 3px;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, #00ccff, #a855f7);
}
.gl-definition h2 {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 14px;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: #8b95a8;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 1px;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.gl-definition p { font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.7; color: #e8ecf4; }

/* ═══ "3 Ways to Think About It" Perspective Cards ════════ */
.gl-perspectives { margin-bottom: 24px; }
.gl-perspectives h2 {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 14px;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: #00ccff;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 1px;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
}
.gl-perspective-cards { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 12px; }

.gl-pcard {
    position: relative;
    padding: 20px;
    border-radius: 14px;
    transition: transform 0.3s, box-shadow 0.3s;
    overflow: hidden;
}
.gl-pcard::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0; left: 0; bottom: 0;
    width: 3px;
}
.gl-pcard:hover { transform: translateX(4px); }

/* Card 1 — Cyan (The Quick Take) */
.gl-pcard-1 { background: rgba(0,204,255,0.06); border: 1px solid rgba(0,204,255,0.15); }
.gl-pcard-1::before { background: linear-gradient(180deg, #00ccff, #0099cc); }
.gl-pcard-1:hover { box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(0,204,255,0.12); }
.gl-pcard-1 .gl-pcard-label { color: #00ccff; }

/* Card 2 — Purple (Look Closer) */
.gl-pcard-2 { background: rgba(168,85,247,0.06); border: 1px solid rgba(168,85,247,0.15); }
.gl-pcard-2::before { background: linear-gradient(180deg, #a855f7, #7c3aed); }
.gl-pcard-2:hover { box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(168,85,247,0.12); }
.gl-pcard-2 .gl-pcard-label { color: #c084fc; }

/* Card 3 — Green (The Bottom Line) */
.gl-pcard-3 { background: rgba(34,197,94,0.06); border: 1px solid rgba(34,197,94,0.15); }
.gl-pcard-3::before { background: linear-gradient(180deg, #22c55e, #16a34a); }
.gl-pcard-3:hover { box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(34,197,94,0.12); }
.gl-pcard-3 .gl-pcard-label { color: #22c55e; }

.gl-pcard-icon { font-size: 20px; margin-bottom: 4px; }
.gl-pcard-label {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 11px;
    font-weight: 600;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 1.5px;
    margin-bottom: 8px;
}
.gl-pcard p { font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6; color: #cbd5e1; }

/* ═══ Call to Action ══════════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-cta {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    text-align: center;
    padding: 32px 24px;
    margin: 32px 0;
}
.gl-cta p { font-size: 15px; color: #8b95a8; margin-bottom: 16px; }
.gl-cta a {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 8px;
    padding: 14px 32px;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #00ccff, #a855f7);
    color: #0a0e17;
    font-weight: 600;
    font-size: 15px;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-radius: 12px;
    transition: all 0.3s;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(168,85,247,0.3);
}
.gl-cta a:hover {
    transform: translateY(-2px);
    box-shadow: 0 8px 30px rgba(168,85,247,0.5);
}

/* ═══ Prev / Next Navigation ═════════════════════════════ */
.gl-nav {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
    padding: 24px 0;
    border-top: 1px solid rgba(148,163,184,0.1);
    margin-top: 32px;
    gap: 12px;
}
.gl-nav-link { font-size: 14px; color: #8b95a8; text-decoration: none; }
.gl-nav-link:hover { color: #c084fc; }

/* ═══ Footer ══════════════════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-footer {
    text-align: center;
    padding: 24px;
    font-size: 12px;
    color: #5a6478;
    border-top: 1px solid rgba(148,163,184,0.08);
}
.gl-footer a { color: #5a6478; text-decoration: none; }
.gl-footer a:hover { color: #c084fc; }

/* ═══ Index Page Specific ═════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-hero { text-align: center; margin-bottom: 40px; }
.gl-hero h1 {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 2rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #00ccff, #a855f7);
    -webkit-background-clip: text;
    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
    background-clip: text;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.gl-hero p {
    font-size: 16px;
    color: #8b95a8;
    max-width: 600px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    line-height: 1.6;
}

.gl-letters {
    display: flex;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 6px;
    margin-bottom: 40px;
    position: sticky;
    top: 0;
    background: #0a0e17;
    padding: 12px 0;
    z-index: 10;
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(148,163,184,0.08);
}
.gl-letter-btn {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    padding: 6px 10px;
    border-radius: 8px;
    background: rgba(168,85,247,0.08);
    color: #c084fc;
    text-decoration: none;
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 700;
    font-size: 15px;
    transition: all 0.2s;
}
.gl-letter-btn:hover { background: rgba(168,85,247,0.2); }
.gl-letter-btn span { font-size: 10px; color: #8b95a8; font-weight: 500; }

.gl-letter-section { margin-bottom: 32px; }
.gl-letter-section h2 {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: #00ccff;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
    padding-bottom: 8px;
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,204,255,0.15);
}

.gl-term-list { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 2px; }
.gl-term-item {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    padding: 12px 16px;
    border-radius: 10px;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: background 0.2s;
}
.gl-term-item:hover { background: rgba(168,85,247,0.08); }
.gl-term-name { font-weight: 600; color: #e8ecf4; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 2px; }
.gl-term-preview { font-size: 13px; color: #8b95a8; line-height: 1.4; }

/* ═══ Desktop Enhancements ════════════════════════════════ */
@media (min-width: 768px) {
    h1 { font-size: 2.5rem; }
    .gl-definition p { font-size: 18px; }
    .gl-hero h1 { font-size: 2.5rem; }
    .gl-header-inner { max-width: 900px; }
    .gl-term-item {
        flex-direction: row;
        align-items: baseline;
        gap: 16px;
    }
    .gl-term-name { min-width: 280px; }
}
      - Contents of glossary.css (inlined)
      <span class="gl-badge">📗 CTFL</span>
 - HTML for curriculum badge chips
      A source of a defect such that if it is removed, the occurrence of the defect type is decreased or removed.        - Official ISTQB definition text
      <div class="gl-perspectives">
<h2>3 Ways to Think About It</h2>
<div class="gl-perspective-cards">
<div class="gl-pcard gl-pcard-1">
<div class="gl-pcard-icon">💡</div>
<div class="gl-pcard-label">The Quick Take</div>
<p>The underlying reason why a problem happened in the first place.</p>
</div>
<div class="gl-pcard gl-pcard-2">
<div class="gl-pcard-icon">🔍</div>
<div class="gl-pcard-label">Look Closer</div>
<p>The original source of a bug — not just what went wrong, but WHY it went wrong.</p>
</div>
<div class="gl-pcard gl-pcard-3">
<div class="gl-pcard-icon">🎯</div>
<div class="gl-pcard-label">The Bottom Line</div>
<p>Digging past the symptoms to find the real reason behind a failure.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
 - "3 Ways to Think About It" cards (or empty)
      root-cause              - URL slug for UTM tracking
      <div class="gl-nav"><a href="role-based-reviewing.html" class="gl-nav-link">← role-based reviewing</a><a href="index.html" class="gl-nav-link">All Terms</a><a href="root-cause-analysis.html" class="gl-nav-link">root cause analysis →</a></div>          - Previous / All Terms / Next navigation
-->
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <meta name="description" content="ISTQB definition of root cause: A source of a defect such that if it is removed, the occurrence of the defect type is decreased or removed. Used in CTFL.">
    <meta name="robots" content="index, follow">
    <meta name="author" content="MissionWares">
    <link rel="canonical" href="https://istqb.missionwares.com/glossary/root-cause.html">
    
    <title>root cause — ISTQB Definition | Lexicon for ISTQB</title>
    
    <!-- Open Graph -->
    <meta property="og:type" content="article">
    <meta property="og:title" content="root cause — ISTQB Definition">
    <meta property="og:description" content="ISTQB definition of root cause: A source of a defect such that if it is removed, the occurrence of the defect type is decreased or removed. Used in CTFL.">
    <meta property="og:url" content="https://istqb.missionwares.com/glossary/root-cause.html">
    <meta property="og:site_name" content="ISTQB Lexicon by MissionWares">
    <meta property="og:image" content="https://istqb.missionwares.com/og-image.jpg">
    
    <!-- Favicon -->
    <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="/favicon.svg">
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/apple-touch-icon.png">
    
    <!-- Google tag (gtag.js) -->
    <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-03MG1MRV7W"></script>
    <script>
      window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
      function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
      gtag('js', new Date());
      gtag('config', 'G-03MG1MRV7W');
      gtag('event', 'glossary_term_view', {
          term_id: 'root-cause',
          term_name: 'root cause',
          source: 'glossary_page'
      });
    </script>
    
    <!-- Structured Data -->
    <script type="application/ld+json">
    {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "DefinedTerm",
    "name": "root cause",
    "description": "A source of a defect such that if it is removed, the occurrence of the defect type is decreased or removed.",
    "inDefinedTermSet": {
        "@type": "DefinedTermSet",
        "name": "ISTQB Glossary",
        "url": "https://istqb.missionwares.com/glossary/"
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    "author": {
        "@type": "Person",
        "name": "Greg Paskal",
        "jobTitle": "QA Professional & Founder",
        "url": "https://missionwares.com",
        "worksFor": {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "name": "MissionWares",
            "url": "https://missionwares.com"
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    "publisher": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "MissionWares",
        "url": "https://missionwares.com"
    }
}
    </script>
    
    <!-- Fonts -->
    <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
    <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
    <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=DM+Sans:wght@400;500;600;700&family=Space+Grotesk:wght@500;600;700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">
    
    <style>
/**
 * @file glossary.css
 * @filepath glossary-templates/glossary.css
 * @version 1.0.0
 * @updated 2026-02-19 09:30:00 AM CDT
 * @author Greg Paskal / Claude
 * @company MissionWares®
 *
 * @description Shared styles for all static glossary pages.
 *   Edit this file to change the look of all 671+ term pages.
 *   Run `python3 generate-glossary.py` to regenerate after changes.
 *
 * @palette
 *   Cyan:   #00ccff (primary accent, quick take)
 *   Purple: #a855f7 / #c084fc (secondary accent, look closer)
 *   Green:  #22c55e (tertiary accent, bottom line)
 *   Dark:   #0a0e17 (background)
 *   Slate:  #111827 (card background)
 *   Text:   #e8ecf4 (primary), #cbd5e1 (secondary), #8b95a8 (muted)
 */

/* ═══ Reset ═══════════════════════════════════════════════ */
*, *::before, *::after { margin: 0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; }

body {
    font-family: 'DM Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, sans-serif;
    background: #0a0e17;
    color: #e8ecf4;
    min-height: 100vh;
}

/* ═══ Header ══════════════════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-header {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(0,204,255,0.08), rgba(168,85,247,0.08));
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(168,85,247,0.15);
    padding: 16px 24px;
}
.gl-header-inner {
    max-width: 800px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between;
}
.gl-header a {
    color: #c084fc;
    text-decoration: none;
    font-weight: 600;
    font-size: 15px;
}
.gl-header a:hover { color: #e0e7ff; }
.gl-home {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 18px;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #00ccff, #a855f7);
    -webkit-background-clip: text;
    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
    background-clip: text;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 1px;
}

/* ═══ Main Content ════════════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-main {
    max-width: 800px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 40px 24px 60px;
}

/* ═══ Breadcrumb ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-breadcrumb { font-size: 13px; color: #8b95a8; margin-bottom: 24px; }
.gl-breadcrumb a { color: #8b95a8; text-decoration: none; }
.gl-breadcrumb a:hover { color: #c084fc; }

/* ═══ Term Title ══════════════════════════════════════════ */
h1 {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 2rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #00ccff, #a855f7);
    -webkit-background-clip: text;
    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
    background-clip: text;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
    line-height: 1.2;
}

/* ═══ Curriculum Badges ═══════════════════════════════════ */
.gl-badges { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 8px; margin-bottom: 24px; }
.gl-badge {
    font-size: 12px;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 4px 12px;
    border-radius: 20px;
    background: rgba(168,85,247,0.12);
    border: 1px solid rgba(168,85,247,0.25);
    color: #c084fc;
}

/* ═══ Official Definition Card ════════════════════════════ */
.gl-definition {
    background: #111827;
    border: 1px solid rgba(168,85,247,0.15);
    border-radius: 14px;
    padding: 24px;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}
.gl-definition::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
    height: 3px;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, #00ccff, #a855f7);
}
.gl-definition h2 {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 14px;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: #8b95a8;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 1px;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.gl-definition p { font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.7; color: #e8ecf4; }

/* ═══ "3 Ways to Think About It" Perspective Cards ════════ */
.gl-perspectives { margin-bottom: 24px; }
.gl-perspectives h2 {
    font-family: 'Space Grotesk', sans-serif;
    font-size: 14px;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: #00ccff;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 1px;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
}
.gl-perspective-cards { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 12px; }

.gl-pcard {
    position: relative;
    padding: 20px;
    border-radius: 14px;
    transition: transform 0.3s, box-shadow 0.3s;
    overflow: hidden;
}
.gl-pcard::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0; left: 0; bottom: 0;
    width: 3px;
}
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        <h1>root cause</h1>
        
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            <span class="gl-badge">📗 CTFL</span>

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            <h2>Official ISTQB Definition</h2>
            <p>A source of a defect such that if it is removed, the occurrence of the defect type is decreased or removed.</p>
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<h2>3 Ways to Think About It</h2>
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<div class="gl-pcard-icon">💡</div>
<div class="gl-pcard-label">The Quick Take</div>
<p>The underlying reason why a problem happened in the first place.</p>
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<div class="gl-pcard-icon">🔍</div>
<div class="gl-pcard-label">Look Closer</div>
<p>The original source of a bug — not just what went wrong, but WHY it went wrong.</p>
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<div class="gl-pcard-icon">🎯</div>
<div class="gl-pcard-label">The Bottom Line</div>
<p>Digging past the symptoms to find the real reason behind a failure.</p>
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            <p>Practice this term with quizzes and arcade games</p>
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        <p>Created by <a href="https://missionwares.com">Greg Paskal</a>, QA professional and founder of <a href="https://missionwares.com">MissionWares®</a>.</p>
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