You must have heard of bugs, defects, failures or errors while doing programming. In the context of software development, a bug or an error is a flaw or error in a program that causes it to behave in unexpected ways.
A bug can cause a program to crash, produce incorrect results, or behave in a way that is different from what was intended.
In this article, we will look at Bug Life Cycle or Detect Life Cycle and its different states in order for it to be closed. We will also discuss the major differences between bugs, defects, errors, and failure.
So, grab your seat and let us get started with Bug Life Cycle.
What Is A Defect/Bug?
A defect or bug is a mistake or problem in a software program that causes it to not work the way it's supposed to. Just like how a spelling mistake in a sentence can change its meaning, a defect in a software program can make it behave in unexpected or incorrect ways. Bugs can range from small issues that don't have a big impact to serious problems that can crash the entire program. Software developers work to find and fix these bugs to make sure their programs work smoothly and do what they're intended to do.
What is a Defect/Bug Life Cycle?
The defect/bug life cycle is a process that describes the stages a software defect or bug goes through from the moment it's discovered until it's fixed and verified. It helps software development teams manage and track the process of identifying, addressing, and validating bugs in a systematic manner. Here's an overview of the typical stages in the defect/bug life cycle:
1. New: A bug is reported by a tester, user, or automated testing tool. It's categorized and assigned a unique identifier.
2. Open: The bug is acknowledged and assigned to a developer who will work on fixing it. The developer reviews the bug report and tries to reproduce the issue.
3. Assigned: The developer begins investigating the reported bug, trying to understand the root cause and how to fix it.
4. In Progress: The developer actively works on fixing the bug by modifying the code. This might involve making changes to correct the problem.
5. Fixed: The developer believes they have resolved the bug. They make the necessary code changes and may include comments explaining the solution.
6. Pending Retest: The fixed code is submitted for testing. The testing team is responsible for retesting the bug to confirm whether the issue has been resolved.
7. Retest: Testers retest the bug using the fixed code to verify whether the problem has indeed been resolved. If the bug is still present, it's reopened with appropriate details.
8. Verified: Once the tester confirms that the bug is fixed, it is marked as "Verified" or "Closed." The bug is considered resolved and is documented accordingly.
9. Closed: The bug is officially marked as closed and is removed from the active list of issues. The development team considers the issue resolved, and the bug is no longer actively worked on.
10. Reopened: If the bug resurfaces or isn't completely fixed, it can be reopened. This brings it back into the bug life cycle for further investigation and resolution.
States of Defects/Bug Life Cycle
Below is the mentioned Bug Life Cycle that a bug has to follow in order to be closed:
Let us discuss each one by one:
New
When a tester finds a bug and posts it for the very first time, then the status of the bug is “New”.
Assigned
Once the bug is assigned to the development Team, the status of the bug is “Assigned”.
Open
Once the development team status analyses and works on the bug fix, the status of “Open”.
Fixed
When the developer makes necessary changes in the code and verifies the change, the status will be changed to “Fixed”.
Test
If the defect is fixed and ready to test, then the status is “Test”.
Verified
If there is no bug detected while doing a retest in the software, then the bug is fixed, and the status assigned is “Verified”.
Closed
After verification, if the bug no longer exists then the status of the bug will be assigned as “Closed”.
Reopen
If the bug remains the same after the retest, then the tester changes the status to “Reopen”.
Duplicate
If the bug is repeated then the status is changed to “Duplicate”.
Deferred
In some cases, the status will be changed to “Deferred,” and it will be fixed in the next release.
Some of the cases are:
If the bug is found during the end of the release and it is minor or not important to fix immediately.
If the bug is not related to the current build.
If it is expected to get fixed in the next release.
Customer is thinking about changing the requirement.
Rejected
If the system is working according to specifications and the bug is just due to some misinterpretation, then the status is “Rejected”.
Other States of Bug Life Cycle
Below are the mentioned other states that a bug may undergo:
Cannot be fixed: In some cases, a bug cannot be fixed due to limitations in the software or hardware. The development team may need to find workarounds or other solutions to mitigate the impact of the bug.
Technology not supporting: In some cases, a bug may be caused by a limitation in the technology being used. For example, a bug may be caused by a hardware or software compatibility issue.
Root of the product issue: A bug may be caused by a fundamental flaw in the product design or architecture. Addressing such a bug may require significant changes to the product.
Not reproducible: If a bug cannot be reproduced, it can be difficult to identify and fix the underlying issue. The development team may need to work with the reporter to gather additional information or try to recreate the issue in a controlled environment.
Platform mismatch: A bug may occur when the software is run on a platform that it was not designed for. For example, a bug may occur when a Windows application is run on a Mac.
Data mismatch: A bug may occur when the software processes data that is formatted or structured in unexpected ways. This can occur when the data comes from an external source or when the user enters data in an unexpected format.
Let us now see the difference between a bug, error, defect, and failure.
Bug vs Error vs Defect vs Failure
Bug, error, defect, and failure are all terms used in software development to refer to different types of issues that can arise during the software development process.
Type
Bug
Error
Defect
Failure
Definition
A bug is a flaw or an error in the software code that causes unexpected behavior or incorrect results.
A mistake made by a developer during the software development process.
A defect is a deviation from the expected behavior or performance of the software caused by an error or a bug.
A failure is a situation where the software does not perform its intended function, resulting in an interruption of service or incorrect results.
Reason of Occurrence
It is typically caused by mistake made during the software development process, such as a syntax error, logical error, or a problem with data input or output.
It can occur at any stage of the SDLC, from requirements gathering to design, implementation, testing, and maintenance.
It can be caused by a bug, error, or other issues in the development process.
Failure occurs when the software does not behave as expected or does not meet the specified requirements.
Example
When you click on a button in an application, and it doesn't perform the intended function or it crashes the application, this can be considered a bug.
A developer accidentally introduces a typo into the code, causing the application to malfunction.
A feature of an application doesn't work as it was designed to, and users are unable to perform the intended tasks.
A web application that is designed to process credit card transactions fails to complete the transaction, resulting in lost revenue and frustrated customers.
Advantages of a Defect/Bug Life Cycle
The Defect/Bug Life Cycle has several advantages that help make software development smoother and more effective. Here's a simple explanation of its benefits:
Efficiency: Instead of randomly trying to fix bugs, the life cycle helps developers focus on one bug at a time. This makes their work more efficient, as they can dedicate their attention to each issue individually.
Continuous Improvement: Bugs can teach us valuable lessons. By following a cycle, teams can learn from their mistakes. This leads to better coding practices, improved communication, and a stronger product over time.
Quality Control: Just as you double-check your work before submitting it, the bug life cycle ensures that bugs are thoroughly tested and fixed. This improves the quality of the software and reduces the chances of releasing a flawed product.
Documentation: Like writing down important information, the bug life cycle documents every step of a bug's journey. This historical record helps in understanding past issues, solutions, and decisions made.
Customer Satisfaction: When bugs are handled consistently and professionally, it leads to a better product experience for users. A smooth bug-fixing process ensures that the software meets users' expectations and needs.
Reliability: Following the bug life cycle helps catch and fix problems before they become bigger issues. This makes the software more reliable and less likely to crash or cause problems for users.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the bug life cycle?
The bug life cycle is the process that software developers follow to investigate, fix, and test a bug in their code. It typically includes stages such as bug identification, reproduction, investigation, resolution, verification, and closure.
What is defect and bug?
A defect or bug refers to an error or flaw in a software program that causes it to behave incorrectly, produce unexpected results, or fail to work as intended. It disrupts the normal functioning of the software.
How do developers typically identify bugs in software?
Developers can identify bugs through a variety of methods, including manual testing, automated testing, code review, user feedback, and monitoring system logs and error reports.
What are some common causes of bugs in software?
A variety of factors, including human error, incomplete or incorrect requirements, poor coding practices, software complexity, compatibility issues, and environmental factors can cause bugs.
Conclusion
This article extensively discussed Defect or Bug Life Cycle and it's states. We have also discussed the other states that can be helpful for both the testers and developers.
We hope that this blog has helped you enhance your knowledge regarding Bug Life Cycle. Want more stuff? Coding Ninjas has you covered.
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