A Fault is a defect, error, or flaw in software or a system that causes incorrect behaviour or failure.
Characteristics of Faults:
1. Present in code or system design
2. May or may not lead to visible failures
3. Can be introduced during development or maintenance
4. Range from minor to critical in severity
Types of Faults:
1. Syntax errors in code
2. Logic errors in algorithms
3. Design flaws in system architecture
4. Configuration errors in settings
Impacts of Faults:
1. System crashes or freezes
2. Incorrect calculations or outputs
3. Security vulnerabilities
4. Performance issues
Fault management involves detection, isolation and correction of faults to improve system reliability and performance.