Bug Life Cycle 101: Everything You Need to Know
Software testing is a crucial aspect of software development, as it helps to identify and eliminate bugs or defects in the software. A bug, also known as a defect, is any error or flaw in the software that prevents it from functioning as expected. To manage bugs effectively, software testing teams follow a bug life cycle process. In this article, we will discuss the bug life cycle in software testing.
In software development, bugs are inevitable. No matter how much effort is put into ensuring a bug-free code, errors can still slip through the cracks. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the bug life cycle stages so that they can be identified, tracked, and resolved in a timely and efficient manner.
Here are the bug life cycle stages, step by step:
Stage 1: Bug Discovery
The first stage of the bug life cycle is the discovery of the bug. A bug can be discovered by various means, such as through manual testing or automated testing. Once a bug is discovered, it is documented in a bug report, which contains information about the bug, such as its severity, steps to reproduce it, and the environment in which it was found.
Stage 2: Bug Report Verification
After a bug has been reported, the next stage is to verify the bug report. In this stage, the tester verifies that the bug can be reproduced and that the information in the bug report is accurate. If the bug cannot be reproduced, it is marked as “Cannot Reproduce,” and the bug report is closed. If the bug is reproducible, it is moved to the next stage.
Stage 3: Bug Triage
In the bug triage stage, the bug is evaluated by the development team to determine its severity and priority. The development team determines the severity of the bug based on its impact on the application and its users. The priority of the bug is determined based on its severity and the development team’s current workload.
Stage 4: Bug Assignment
After the bug has been triaged, it is assigned to a developer who will be responsible for fixing it. The developer will review the bug report and determine what code changes are necessary to fix the bug. If the bug is a complex one, the developer may need to consult with other developers or the project manager to determine the best approach to fix the bug.
Stage 5: Bug Fixing
In the bug fixing stage, the developer makes the necessary code changes to fix the bug. Once the code changes have been made, the developer will perform unit testing to ensure that the bug has been fixed. If the bug has not been fixed, the developer will continue to make code changes until the bug has been resolved.
Stage 6: Bug Testing
After the developer has fixed the bug, the application is tested to ensure that the bug has been resolved. In this stage, the tester will follow the steps to reproduce the bug and verify that it no longer exists. If the bug has been fixed, the tester will mark the bug as “Fixed.” If the bug still exists, it will be reopened, and the developer will continue to work on a fix.
Stage 7: Bug Closure
The final stage of the bug life cycle is bug closure. In this stage, the bug report is closed if the bug has been fixed and verified. If the bug has not been fixed, it remains open, and the cycle continues until the bug has been resolved.
Conclusion
The bug life cycle is a process that a bug goes through from its discovery to its resolution. Each stage of the bug life cycle is essential for ensuring that bugs are fixed and that the application is functioning correctly. By following the bug life cycle stages step by step, software development teams can ensure that their applications are bug-free and provide a seamless user experience.
