简单来说软件质量保证是过程控制，软件质量控制是产品控制，软件测试是质量保证的手段。
软件质量保证由软件工程过程监控方法和质量保证方法组成。它由审核软件管理系统(软件系统基于此创建)的方法而实现。这些审核是基于一个或多个标准的，通常是ISO 9000.
Software quality assurance (SQA) consists of a means of monitoring the software engineering processes and methods used to ensure quality. It does this by means of audits of the quality management system under which the software system is created. These audits are backed by one or more standards, usually ISO 9000.
不同于软件质量控制包括需求文档评审和软件测试，软件质量保证围绕整个软件开发过程，它包括像软件设计，编码，源码控制，代码评审，需求变更，配置管理以及发行管理等。软件质量控制是产品控制，而软件质量保证则是过程控制。
It is distinct from software quality control which includes reviewing requirements documents, and software testing. SQA encompasses the entire software development process, which includes processes such as software design, coding, source code control, code reviews, change management, configuration management, and release management. Whereas software quality control is a control of products, software quality assurance is a control of processes.
软件质量保证是和产品制造业的质量保证相关的。尽管如此，软件和产品制造还是有很大不同。这些不同表现在加工的产品是实质的，而软件产品却是不可见的。所以软件的功能，益处和花费都不容易衡量。另外，一旦加工的产品走出装配线，从本质上来说就是一个完整的，已完成的产品。但是软件却并未结束，还有它的生命，增长，发展和质变过程，而不仅仅是生产出来的产品。因此，管理、监控和衡量软件的过程和方法像软件缺陷一样不是固定的，有时是难以琢磨的，这就意味着需要经常检查。
Software quality assurance is related to the practice of quality assurance in product manufacturing. There are, however, some notable differences between software and a manufactured product. These differences stem from the fact that the manufactured product is physical and can be seen whereas the software product is not visible. Therefore its function, benefit and costs are not as easily measured. What's more, when a manufactured product rolls off the assembly line, it is essentially a complete, finished product, whereas software is never finished. Software lives, grows, evolves, and metamorphoses, unlike its tangible counterparts. Therefore, the processes and methods to manage, monitor, and measure its ongoing quality are as fluid and sometimes elusive as are the defects that they are meant to keep in check.
软件质量控制(也被称作软件验证和确认)由软件工程产品质量控制的方法组成。由软件系统的一系列测试方法完成。这些测试可以是单元测试，集成测试或者系统测试。当然也包括单独代码的形式验证，文档和代码的评审。
Software Quality Control (also known as Verification and Validation (software)) consists of a means of controlling the quality of software engineering products. It does this by means of tests of the software system. These tests can be unit tests, integration tests, or system tests. It also includes the formal proof of individual pieces of code, and the review of documents and code.
