Bug life cycle

What is Bug/Defect?

Simple Wikipedia definition of Bug is: “A computer bug is an error, flaw, mistake, failure, or fault in a computer program that prevents it from working correctly or produces an incorrect result. Bugs arise from mistakes and errors, made by people, in either a program’s source code or its design.”

Other definitions can be:
An unwanted and unintended property of a program or piece of hardware, especially one that causes it to malfunction.

or
A fault in a program, which causes the program to perform in an unintended or unanticipated manner.

Lastly the general definition of bug is: “failure to conform to specifications”.

If you want to detect and resolve the defect in early development stage, defect tracking and software development phases should start simultaneously.

We will discuss more on Writing effective bug report in another article. Let’s concentrate here on bug/defect life cycle.

Life cycle of Bug:

1) Log new defect
When tester logs any new bug the mandatory fields are:
Build version, Submit On, Product, Module, Severity, Synopsis and Description to Reproduce

In above list you can add some optional fields if you are using manual Bug submission template:
These Optional Fields are: Customer name, Browser, Operating system, File Attachments or screenshots.

The following fields remain either specified or blank:
If you have authority to add bug Status, Priority and ‘Assigned to’ fields them you can specify these fields. Otherwise Test manager will set status, Bug priority and assign the bug to respective module owner.

Look at the following Bug life cycle:

Bug life cycle

[Click on the image to view full size] Ref: Bugzilla bug life cycle

The figure is quite complicated but when you consider the significant steps in bug life cycle you will get quick idea of bug life.

On successful logging the bug is reviewed by Development or Test manager. Test manager can set the bug status as Open, can Assign the bug to developer or bug may be deferred until next release.

When bug gets assigned to developer and can start working on it. Developer can set bug status as won’t fix, Couldn’t reproduce, Need more information or ‘Fixed’.

If the bug status set by developer is either ‘Need more info’ or Fixed then QA responds with specific action. If bug is fixed then QA verifies the bug and can set the bug status as verified closed or Reopen.

Bug status description:
These are various stages of bug life cycle. The status caption may vary depending on the bug tracking system you are using.

1) New: When QA files new bug.

2) Deferred: If the bug is not related to current build or can not be fixed in this release or bug is not important to fix immediately then the project manager can set the bug status as deferred.

3) Assigned: ‘Assigned to’ field is set by project lead or manager and assigns bug to developer.

4) Resolved/Fixed: When developer makes necessary code changes and verifies the changes then he/she can make bug status as ‘Fixed’ and the bug is passed to testing team.

5) Could not reproduce: If developer is not able to reproduce the bug by the steps given in bug report by QA then developer can mark the bug as ‘CNR’. QA needs action to check if bug is reproduced and can assign to developer with detailed reproducing steps.

6) Need more information: If developer is not clear about the bug reproduce steps provided by QA to reproduce the bug, then he/she can mark it as “Need more information’. In this case QA needs to add detailed reproducing steps and assign bug back to dev for fix.

7) Reopen: If QA is not satisfy with the fix and if bug is still reproducible even after fix then QA can mark it as ‘Reopen’ so that developer can take appropriate action.

8 ) Closed: If bug is verified by the QA team and if the fix is ok and problem is solved then QA can mark bug as ‘Closed’.

9) Rejected/Invalid: Some times developer or team lead can mark the bug as Rejected or invalid if the system is working according to specifications and bug is just due to some misinterpretation.




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  • 65 comments ↓

    #1 Sheetal on 09.12.07 at 6:37 am

    Can you please provide any template for bug report?

    #2 sailasri on 09.12.07 at 8:44 am

    Can provide the list of free automation tools and their links to download

    #3 Sam on 09.13.07 at 4:14 pm

    Can you please provide Real time questions&Answers?

    #4 Sam on 09.13.07 at 4:15 pm

    Can you please provide Real time questions&Answers?
    What is Webapp and Desktop app &windows app ?

    #5 Naveen Pathak on 09.17.07 at 7:34 am

    Nice defination,
    but these all state can applied in a manual template, not in a generic tool like, Zera/BugZilla.

    #6 How to write a good bug report? Tips and Tricks on 09.18.07 at 7:18 am

    […] ← Bug life cycle […]

    #7 Bug life cycle - SURESHKUMAR.NET FORUMS on 09.18.07 at 11:25 am

    […] Bug life cycle A good article on Bug life cycle Bug life cycle with bug status __________________ Ask me your Software Testing Queries! […]

    #8 Trupti on 09.20.07 at 8:52 am

    can u pls post the real bug report??
    say for login screen..?

    #9 Vijay on 09.21.07 at 6:41 am

    @Sheetal: I have updated post with bug report template
    http://www.softwaretestinghelp.....ug-report/

    @sailasri : Here is the comprehensive list of all open source automation tools:
    http://www.opensourcetesting.org/functional.php

    @ Naveen and Trupti: You can see the bug report template in our article ‘How to write a bug report?’
    Most of the fields in bug report are bugzilla fields, if you want real bug report see below the simple bug reported in bugzilla:

    (Note that this is only a example bug report)

    Summary: In CTR(Click trough ratio) ‘Total’ row calculation is wrong

    Product: Example product

    Version: 1.0

    Platform: PC

    URL: http://example.com/stats/traffic.php

    OS/Version: Windows 2000

    Status: NEW

    Severity: Major

    Priority: P1

    Component: Publisher stats

    AssignedTo: developer@example.com

    ReportedBy: tester@example.com

    CC: manager@example.com

    Description:

    Reproduce steps:

    1)Go to page http://example.com/stats/traffic.php

    2)Click on ‘Publisher stats’ link to view publisher’s revenue detail stats datewise.

    3)On page http://example.com/stats/publisher_traffic.php
    check CTR value in ‘Total’ row of CTR stats table.

    Actual result: Calculation of ‘Total’ row in CTR table is wrong. Also Individual row CTR for each publisher is
    not truncated to 2 digits after decimal point.Its showing CTR like 0.042556767.

    Expected result: Total CTR= (Total clicks/Total searches)*100

    #10 sailasri on 10.25.07 at 12:06 pm

    Thank you

    #11 Smitha on 10.26.07 at 10:54 am

    Can any one help me to educate me abt Product Testing? Please…. Its urgent…

    #12 chanda on 11.02.07 at 12:07 pm

    i am eager to get job in testing ,but i don’t get call b’s i don’t have experience.plz tell me what sh’d i do?

    #13 Raaghu on 11.08.07 at 10:36 am

    hi
    i have one question, it was asked in interview i.e if i(Tester)has found 3 bugs and in the customer end he found 6 bugs then what is the bug ratio?

    #14 JaiPrakash on 12.19.07 at 11:24 am

    Please provide a template for bug report

    #15 mazi on 12.19.07 at 4:16 pm

    Can you provide details for STLC (Software Testing Life Cycle) .. greatly appreciated

    #16 anuprita on 12.26.07 at 5:52 am

    hi, i have one question regarding Testing Documentation. Can you provide me detailed format of Testing Documentation.& how to prepare testing documentation

    #17 anuprita on 12.26.07 at 5:55 am

    Can you provide me information about International Certified s/w Testing Courses?

    #18 Ashwin Channe on 12.26.07 at 10:44 am

    Hi sam,

    I am Ashwin, working as a QA Engineer in MNC.

    I have the collections of recent industry questions and answers.

    Kindly send me your email id if you are interested.

    Regards
    Ashwin

    #19 Trupti on 12.26.07 at 11:38 am

    Hi Ashwin

    Kindly please send me industry question and answers. because i want to change the company as i had completed 1 year in this company and want to apply in MNC
    Thanks in advance
    Trupti

    #20 sandeep on 01.17.08 at 6:52 am

    can u send me sm real time question and answar
    thanks in addvance
    sandeep,,,,,,

    #21 mithu on 01.17.08 at 9:59 am

    can u plz sent the reat time questions and some projects if it it will be very helpful to me

    #22 srinu on 01.18.08 at 8:28 am

    hi, ashwin this srinu, can u send me that real time industy ?’s.Bcz i am into trail in testing with 3+.i hope it is useful for me.thank q

    #23 kishore on 02.06.08 at 8:18 pm

    Hi, Ashwin
    I need your help. Pl send methe real time industry questions as this will help me in changing my career. Thank you

    #24 Bharathi on 02.18.08 at 10:25 am

    Hi Ashwin,

    If you dont mind send me the question please.

    Regards,
    Bharani

    #25 Bharathi on 02.18.08 at 10:28 am

    Hi All,

    If there is any requirment in your companies let me know.
    I am looking for a change, currently i am working in Accenture from past 2 years.

    Regards,
    Bharani

    #26 selvam on 02.27.08 at 2:16 pm

    Hi All, I am very new to the testing .Plz can anybody give me the list of sites which give the full details of software testing along with all the tables for test cases bug repot tables etc. though i had learned some basics about testing i lack the real time exposure ,can anyone help me?????????

    #27 PPt on 03.03.08 at 5:52 pm

    09847932229-call me selvam
    i will help UUUUUUUUUUUUU

    #28 PPt on 03.03.08 at 5:56 pm

    What is TM?
    What is Bug Life Cycle?
    Types of Bugs?
    How to fix a bug?

    #29 selvam on 03.05.08 at 12:57 pm

    Hi Ashwin,

    If you dont mind, Plz send me the question and answers.
    Thanks in advance.

    regds
    selvam.ba@rediffmail.com

    #30 selvam on 03.05.08 at 1:00 pm

    Thanku PPt, I am frm chennai.may i know where the gentle person from????????

    #31 selvam on 03.05.08 at 1:01 pm

    PPt Can you please send me to my mail.
    selvam.ba@rediffmail.com

    #32 swati on 03.06.08 at 6:02 pm

    hi ashwin,

    could u plz forward me the collection of qs u have with you for my id.

    swty79@rediffmail.com

    #33 rajesh on 03.07.08 at 9:17 am

    how to diffine bug in testing?

    #34 Jaykay on 03.07.08 at 9:17 am

    HI Swati!

    How is ur preparation?

    jk

    #35 Jaykay on 03.07.08 at 9:20 am

    Hi Rajesh,

    Bug:Once the developer accepts your defect,then that is called as a bug.

    #36 rajesh on 03.07.08 at 9:52 am

    what is diffrence bug report and bugtack.

    #37 Jaykay on 03.07.08 at 10:34 am

    Bugreport: Its a document having description abt bugs.
    Bugtrack: Its the way how we are reporting the bug.
    (thro tool or doc)

    if am wrong let me know pls

    #38 sowmya on 03.13.08 at 8:23 am

    hi ashwin

    pls forward me the questionare u have…….
    my id is……pola.sowmya@gmail.com

    #39 Rama Krishna on 03.14.08 at 12:09 pm

    Hi,

    I am new i want start my job on testing plz. send

    quations & answers

    rama krishna

    #40 How to write a good bug report? « Thiyagarajan Veluchamy’s Blog on 03.14.08 at 2:03 pm

    […] ‘New’. Later on bug goes through various stages like Fixed, Verified, Reopen, Won’t Fix etc. Click here to read more about detail bug life […]

    #41 Goverdhan Goud on 03.18.08 at 5:39 am

    Hi, Friends

    how to give the seviority
    1.critical
    2.high
    3.medium
    4.low
    pls explain about those in bug report.

    #42 Devi on 03.21.08 at 12:20 pm

    hi jk

    my mail id is sridevi_delight@rediffmail.com

    #43 Devi on 03.21.08 at 12:31 pm

    hi

    can i know wht do u mean by test case doucument, is it necessary to have priorities in the documents.
    and also test procedure

    #44 jk on 03.21.08 at 12:50 pm

    Hi Devi,

    Test Case: Is a sequence of process to check the functionality of the feature or component.

    A test case is also defined as a sequence of steps to test the correct behavior of a functionality/feature of an application.

    #45 jk on 03.21.08 at 1:34 pm

    “Priority” can be defined as How that particular test case impact the business or application.

    If am not clear or wrong pls let me know.

    thnx
    jk

    #46 Girish on 03.21.08 at 1:49 pm

    Wow! it sounds good

    #47 jk on 03.22.08 at 9:53 am

    Hi Devi, these are also the benifits if u mention priority in test cases

    a. You shorten the time required for testing
    b. You do the best testing in the time available
    c. You do more effective testing
    d. You find more faults………………….

    thnx
    jk

    #48 lalit on 03.27.08 at 9:49 am

    Hi ashwin plz mail the qus and ans to lalitd@indiatimes.com

    #49 santosh on 04.02.08 at 8:54 am

    Hi Devi,

    Test casedocument is related to The Test cases which are produced from the scenarios. And When there wonot be time, then only Priority comes into picture. Me worked in Applabs, Verizon etc… my yahoo id: santoshpalvai@yahoo.com…

    #50 santosh on 04.02.08 at 9:10 am

    Priority: It is according to the Business needs

    #51 Balister Panwar on 04.03.08 at 10:45 am

    hai Ashwin

    My self Balister Panwar…………please tell we .. what is the format of test case in Real time ..testing .
    my ID is Panwar.balister@gmail.com

    #52 Mahesh on 04.04.08 at 9:58 am

    Hi, All
    Can Anyone tell me the contents of Test Plan..

    #53 Rahul on 04.04.08 at 10:13 am

    @jk
    priority–talks Application Issues
    severity–talks Business issues!!!

    say this in interview ..it makes impact buddy!!! means u have worked on real prjt..

    #54 Rahul on 04.04.08 at 10:23 am

    @Mahesh
    test plan consist of
    1>deliverables
    2>Objectivity
    3>schedule & Milestone& staffing
    4>risk
    5>approach,assumption,aim
    6>tool used,environment,
    thest all are important item that shoul dpresent in TP
    ping me back rahulkumarbangalore@yahoo.co.in

    #55 Sursh on 04.10.08 at 7:58 am

    Hai

    I am manual tester there are no any tools in my company, I am preparing Defect report format in Excel itself only and every thing is OK. But the main problem is sometime I need to send a snapshot(screens) to the development team along with Defect report. Though I keep hyperlink in the same excel file there are problem relating to links when path is changing. So I need to provide the process of sending snapshots along with defect report

    #56 george on 04.10.08 at 8:34 am

    @sursh
    Bug tracking tools you can download from the net and configure for your company needs. One which is good of such is Qengine Issue Manager.
    Enjoy… Why you want to send screen shots just add a column section\screen in your excel sheet and describe the issue too.
    Cheers
    george

    #57 phalguna on 04.16.08 at 10:13 am

    hi ashwin, nice to meet u

    This Phalguna iam working in software company i want change to MNC
    If u don’t mind could u plz forward me the collection of Qs and Answers u have with you for my id.

    Thanks in advance.
    regds
    s_phalguna@yahoo.com

    #58 laxman on 04.29.08 at 1:18 pm

    how i test(convert) the project in to automation like QTP…………to testing

    #59 VIJAYD on 05.02.08 at 9:46 am

    Hi All,

    On seeing many requests, I feel that the below one would be helpful to you all.

    Lets assume in your application you want to create a new user with his/her information, for that you need to logon into the applicataion and navigate to USERS menu > New User, then enter all the details in the User form like, First Name, Last Name, Age, Address, Phone etc. Once you enter all these need to click on SAVE button in order to save the user and you can see a success message saying “New User has been created successfully”.

    Now you entered into your application by logging in and navigete to USERS menu > New user, entered all the information and clicked on SAVE button and now the application creashed and you can see one error page
    on the screen, now you would like to report this BUG.

    BUG REPORT:

    Bug Name: Application crash on clicking the SAVE button while creating a new user.
    Bug ID : It will be automatically created by the BUG Tracking tool once you save this.
    Area Path: USERS menu > New Users
    Build Number:/Version Number 5.0.1
    Severity: HIGH (High/Medium/Low)
    Priority: HIGH (High/Medium/Low)
    Assigned to: Developer-X
    Created By: Your Name
    Cerated On: Date
    Reason: Defect
    status: New/Open/Active - Depends on the Tool you are using
    Environment: Windows 2003/SQL Server 2005

    Description:
    Application crash on clicking the SAVE button while creating a new
    user, hence unable to create a new user in the application.

    Steps To Reproduce:
    1) Logon into the application
    2) Navigate to the USers Menu > New User
    3) Filled all the fields
    4) Clicked on Save button
    5) Seen an error page “ORA1090 Exception: Insert values Error…”
    6) See the attached logs for more information
    7) And also see the attached screenshot of the error page.

    Expected: On clicking SAVE button should be prompted to a success message “New User has been created successfully”.

    Save the defect/bug in the BUG TRACKING TOOL.

    Regards,
    VijayD

    #60 Ashwin kumar on 05.09.08 at 7:54 pm

    Hi,
    thanx for providing the detailed information about the Testing

    #61 Suresh Balakrishnan on 06.02.08 at 7:28 am

    Hi Sowmya,

    This is suresh working as a Test Engineer i think better you visit following Sites these are most helpful for you www.stickyminds.com, www.qastreet.com, www.sqa-guide.com, www.testinggeek.com.

    Thanks,
    Suresh Balakrishnan.
    bsuresh7282@gmail.com

    #62 Suresh Balakrishnan on 06.04.08 at 10:51 am

    Hi Anupriya,

    This is Suresh working as a Test Engineer i have mentioned International Software testing Certification as below:
    ISTQB please visit http://www.istqb.org/downloads.....dation.pdf
    Thanks,
    Suresh
    bsuresh7282@gmail.com

    #63 Bibin on 06.05.08 at 8:43 am

    Hi Vijay,

    Can you pls explain this :

    What are the reasons for marking a bug as Invalid ?

    #64 madhuri on 08.27.08 at 6:17 am

    hi
    this is madhuri.i need a change iam presently working in brainstorm technologies.if at all any recruitments in u r company plz forward details to my mail

    thank u

    #65 santosh on 08.27.08 at 12:39 pm

    Hi,

    This is santosh from hyderabad.I am also looking for a change. I am having yrs of experience and holding a valid business Visa(USA). If any recuirtments there , plz let me know. Thanks before hand. My yahoo id: santoshpalvai@yahoo.com.

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