Which type of environment is designed to isolate untested code from operational systems?

A sandbox environment is specifically designed to provide a safe space for running untested code without any risk to operational systems. This isolation is crucial because it allows developers to experiment, debug, and test new functionalities in a controlled setting where potential errors, bugs, or harmful code do not affect the live production systems.

By utilizing a sandbox, teams can ensure that any issues that arise during testing do not interfere with the stability and security of the production environment. It allows for thorough testing that helps identify vulnerabilities or problems early in the development process, ensuring that only stable and secure code is deployed into production.

The other environments mentioned serve different purposes. A production environment is for live applications, meaning any changes here could affect end-users. A development environment is where new features are created but may not provide the isolation needed to mitigate risks associated with untested code. A testing environment is intended for validating code that is already developed or modified, but it typically does not isolate untested code as effectively as a sandbox can.