Understanding Bugs in Software Testing

The objective of QA activities at Q-Pros is to identify and detect defects in software and ensure that all requirements are fulfilled as desired by stakeholders. In this article, we will explore bugs/defects in software, the criteria for reporting them, the terminology used, and the reasons behind getting bugs.

Definition of "Bugs":

A bug refers to a defect that hinders an application from functioning as intended. Finding and fixing bugs is the primary objective of the entire testing process. Bugs can occur due to various types of mistakes made by developers during the development phase.

Types of Bugs:

Bugs can be categorized based on their cause as follows:

1. Coding Error: Bugs caused by mistakes in the coding phase (internal mistakes).
2. Design Error: Bugs resulting from mistakes made by designers, affecting functionality and behavior.
3. New Suggestion: This type of bug suggests an enhancement rather than a severe fix.
4. Documentation Issue: Ambiguities or misunderstandings in documentation leading to bugs and defects.
5. Hardware Problem: Bugs caused by hardware issues interfering with the software application.

Types of Bug Severity:

To prioritize QA efforts, bugs are classified based on their impact level into the following types:

1. Blocker: Blocks a specific function or test from being executed.
2. Critical: Causes a system crash and results in significant data loss.
3. Major: Causes a major abnormality in function.
4. Minor: Results in a small/minor loss of function.
5. Trivial: Requires UI enhancements.
6. Enhancement: Suggests a certain change or modification.

Using Jira as a Bug-Tracking Tool:

Jira is an open-source tool used for bug tracking, project management, and issue tracking in manual testing. It offers features for reporting, recording, and workflow management. Jira is particularly useful for projects involving multiple teams and levels of involvement.

Characteristics of a Valid Bug (Bug Criteria):

To consider a bug valid for reporting, it must meet certain criteria. A valid bug should be unique, having its own ID. It should also be reproducible, meaning multiple testers can encounter the same bug following the same steps. Additionally, the bug report should be clear and cohesive, facilitating communication between different teams for issue resolution.

Where Do Bugs Come From?

Bugs can emerge due to several reasons, with the top two factors being:

1. Poor Communication: Miscommunication during the development stages can lead to ambiguous requirements, resulting in post-production bugs.
2. Programmer's Mistake: Mistakes made by programmers during the coding phase can introduce bugs and defects into the software.

At Q-Pros, we offer various software testing approaches to ensure high-quality products for our clients. To learn more and request our services, visit our online test request page.