Last Updated on March 24, 2023 by Prepbytes
Defects or bugs are common occurrences in software development that can impact the quality of the final product. To ensure that defects are identified and resolved efficiently, software testing teams follow a process called the Defect/Bug Life Cycle. This process outlines the stages a defect goes through, from discovery to resolution. In this article, we’ll explore the various stages of the Defect/Bug Life Cycle.
What is Defect Life Cycle?
The Defect life cycle refers to the process of identifying, reporting, analyzing, fixing, verifying, and closing software defects or issues. It is an essential aspect of software development as it helps ensure that the final product is of high quality and meets customer expectations. The defect life cycle enables software teams to systematically manage defects and improve their overall development process by providing insights into the root cause of issues and helping to avoid future occurrences of the same defects.
Stages of the Defect Life Cycle in Software Testing
Here, are the stages of the Defect Life Cycle in Software Testing:
- New: The defect is discovered and reported.
- Open: The developer or tester confirms the defect and begins working on it.
- Fixed: The defect is fixed by the developer and marked.
- Retest: The tester verifies that the defect has been fixed.
- Closed: The defect is closed and the testing team ensures that it does not occur again in the future.
- Reopen: If the defect is found again after being closed, it can be reopened and assigned to a developer for further analysis.
- Rejected: If the developer determines that the defect is not a genuine defect, it is marked as Rejected.
- Deferred: The present state of the defect may be changed by the developer if he thinks it is not urgent and can be fixed in the next releases.
What is Bug Life Cycle?
The bug life cycle, also known as the defect life cycle, is a process that software teams use to manage and resolve issues that are found during software development or testing. Bugs can be caused by coding errors, design flaws, or environmental factors, and the bug life cycle helps teams identify the root cause of the issue and determine the best way to address it. By following a defined bug life cycle, software teams can effectively manage the resolution of bugs and ensure that their final product meets the required quality standards.
Stages of Bug Life Cycle in Software Testing
The bug life cycle stages in software testing typically include the following:
- New: The bug is discovered by a user, tester, or developer during testing or after the release of the software.
- Open: The bug report is reviewed and validated by a developer, and it is confirmed to be a genuine issue.
- Assign: The bug is assigned to a developer who is responsible for fixing it.
- Test: The tester verifies the bug fix by testing the software to ensure that the bug is no longer present.
- Verified: The development team reviews the bug fix and verifies that the bug has been resolved.
- Closed: The bug report is closed, and the software is released with the bug fix included.
- Rejected: The bug report is rejected for some reason, such as if it is not reproducible or if it is not a genuine issue.
- Deferred: The bug is postponed or delayed for some reason. This could happen if the bug is not deemed important enough to fix immediately, or if the resources are not available to address the issue.
- Reopened: The bug is found to still exist after it was marked as fixed. It may need further investigation or a new fix.
Difference between Bug and Defect Life Cycle
| Bug Life Cycle | Defect Life Cycle |
|---|---|
| 1. A bug is a coding error or mistake. | 1. A defect is a deviation from the expected behavior or requirement. |
| 2. Bugs can be both intentional and unintentional. | 2. Defects are usually unintentional |
| 3. It may have a minimal impact on the software’s functionality or usability. | 3. It can have a significant impact on the software’s functionality or usability. |
| 4. These can be discovered by anyone using the software. | 4. These are often found by testers or end-users. |
| 5. They may be detected during any phase of the software development lifecycle. | 5. They are usually detected during the testing phase. |
Advantages of Defect/bug Life Cycle in Software Testing
The defect/bug life cycle in software testing offers several advantages, including:
- Early detection of defects
- Efficient communication between stakeholders
- Better tracking and monitoring of defects
- Consistency in handling defects
- Continuous improvement of software quality.
Disadvantages of Defect/bug Life Cycle in Software Testing
Here, are some disadvantages of having a well-defined Defect/Bug life cycle in software testing:
- Increased time and cost of testing
- Over-reliance on the process, rather than critical thinking
- Inflexibility in adapting to changing circumstances
- Potential for missing defects outside of the defined life cycle
- Possible delay in delivery due to the time taken to report and fix defects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Defect/bug life cycle can help improve the quality of software by facilitating early detection, efficient communication, and better tracking of defects. However, it can also increase testing time and costs and may be inflexible in adapting to changing circumstances. The advantages of a well-defined life cycle generally have overcome the disadvantages, as it helps ensure that defects are identified and addressed in a timely and consistent manner.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
1. What is a defect/bug in software testing?
A defect/bug is a flaw or error in a software application that causes it to behave in an unintended way.
2. What is the defect/bug lifecycle in software testing?
The defect/bug lifecycle refers to the stages that a defect/bug goes through from discovery to resolution in software testing. The typical stages are discovery, logging, triage, assignment, investigation, resolution, verification, and closure.
3. What is the purpose of the defect/bug lifecycle in software testing?
The purpose of the defect/bug lifecycle is to ensure that defects/bugs are identified, recorded, and resolved in an efficient and effective manner.
4. What is the importance of tracking defects/bugs in software testing?
Tracking defects/bugs in software testing is important because it allows testers to identify and address issues early in the development process, which can ultimately lead to a higher-quality product.
5. What is the difference between a defect and a bug in software testing?
In software testing, the terms ‘defect’ and ‘bug’ are often used interchangeably. However, some people use ‘defect’ to refer to a problem with a software application that was caused by a mistake in the design or coding process, while ‘bug’ is used to refer to a problem that was caused by external factors, such as hardware or software interactions.
6. Who is responsible for tracking defects/bugs in software testing?
It is typically the responsibility of the testing team to track defects/bugs in software testing. However, other members of the development team may also be involved in the process.
7. What is the role of the developer in the defect/bug lifecycle?
The developer is responsible for investigating, fixing, and verifying defects/bugs in the software application.
8. What is the role of the tester in the defect/bug lifecycle?
The tester is responsible for identifying, logging, and verifying defects/bugs in the software application.
9. What is the role of the project manager in the defect/bug lifecycle?
The project manager is responsible for overseeing the defect/bug lifecycle and ensuring that defects/bugs are being addressed in a timely and efficient manner.