Which type of coverage is considered a minimum level for most software products?

Decision (branch) coverage is considered a minimum level for most software products because it ensures that all possible branches of control structures (such as if statements) in the code are executed at least once during testing. This type of coverage not only checks whether the individual statements are executed but also verifies that each decision point can lead to both outcomes: true and false. This is crucial in identifying logical errors that might occur due to specific combinations of conditions impacting decision-making within the software.

By focusing on decision coverage, organizations can reasonably ensure that their software behaves as expected under various scenarios. This level of testing is often sufficient for catching a wide range of errors, making it a practical standard for software quality assurance. In many development environments and testing frameworks, achieving decision coverage is seen as a foundational practice that can provide a solid level of confidence in the correctness of the software being delivered.