When expected and actual behaviors don’t match during software testing, it’s caused by a technical glitch or bug. Bug fixing changes the code causing the issue, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the problem’s been fixed. Many times, it’s just a workaround until a more permanent solution is found and implemented.
Bug Fixing - What is a Software Bug?
They spark chaos, shut down businesses, and even help hackers (almost) hijack a major bank system. Software bugs are programming errors that can occur at any stage of the development process, from program design to testing and actual use.
No matter how talented or experienced a development team is, bugs are an inevitable part of the process. Which means bug fixing is inescapable, too. And because unfixed bugs hide even more bugs, fixing them as soon as they appear is critical to keeping a project on track.
Software bugs come in two flavors: progression and regression.
- Progression bugs are found in just-developed new features or functionality. They can be caused by anything from lack of understanding a feature to poor grooming. For instance, a developer might not perform adequate testing.
- Regression bugs are introduced in existing features that previously worked to spec. They can happen, for example, when developers make changes to the code, not realizing the side effects that could occur.
In agile development, bugs are classified by the moment they’re identified in production or development and are then assigned a priority:
- High-priority bugs affect a product’s core functionalities, like when a website is completely down. Making it the first bug to be addressed.
- Medium-priority bugs typically have available workarounds. For instance, if a website is not properly linking to blog posts. Definitely not ideal but not a high priority—though, of course, it must eventually be fixed.
- Low-priority bugs are relatively cosmetic, with no critical functionality. These could be small design factors on a website.
Classifying bugs helps developers sort defects quickly and decide which ones go on the team’s sprint and which are added to the product backlog.
How to Document Bug Fixing Found in the QA Process
Bugs are sometimes discovered by product managers, developers, or users. However, more often than not, they’re identified by the quality assurance or QA team during automated testing. Catching bugs as early as possible ensures owners are satisfied with the development process and users enjoy the software or app without disruption.
Bug fixing is the development team’s responsibility, whether it’s the product creators or someone else who recognizes the issue. Writing a good bug report increases the chances of getting bugs fixed, so it’s essential to develop protocols for writing effective reports.
But report best practices include providing crucial details like:
- A unique bug number.
- A title that explains what’s wrong.
- The bug environment, so it can be reproduced.
- The steps necessary to reproduce the bug.
- The expected and actual results.
- Any available proof, such as images and videos.
- The bug’s severity and impact on the system’s functionality.
No matter what, don’t delay creating a bug report, as the longer you wait, the more likely you’ll forget some steps to reproduce the bug.
Bug fixing is an integral—and unavoidable—part of the software development process. Zibtek’s corrective software or bug fixing process is designed to make the task easier for the development team. Attention to detail, clear communication, and a well-defined debugging strategy help our teams win the unending battle against bugs.
If you have further questions, reach out to our experienced team to see how we can help.
