How to Write an Effective Bug Report?: Do’s and Don’ts

A bug is an error, flaw, or defect in a computer program or system that forces it to produce an erroneous or unanticipated result or perform in an unexpected manner. In other words, every project is plagued by defects. They may result in issues like app release delays, noncompliance, and poor user experiences. Excellent testers are adept at creating an effective problem or test report, allowing the rest of the team to successfully release projects.

Effective bug reports help the development team track quickly the progress of the project and identify the areas of improvement. 

This article will help you understand what is a good bug report and what are the things you should or don’t do while writing bug reports. Let’s dive then!

What is a Good Bug Report in Software Testing?

A bug report is a file that contains all the information required to record, submit, and resolve software or website errors. An effective bug report has solid content and assists developers in fixing the issue swiftly and efficiently. 

Clearly, it must be the following:

• Clear and concise: The description should contain as little text as possible while providing as much information as is practicable.
• Structured: We advise using a bug report template that has been approved by the team at the outset of the development process.
• Can be recreated: Once the developer has observed and replicated the error, it may be rectified. Without reproducibility, it may not be possible to fix problems.

How to Write a Good Bug Report?

A good bug report starts with the tester including the correct information. This includes:

• Name of the issue: The first and most significant feature in any bug monitoring system is a concise, one- or two-sentence description of the issue. < xyz>, for instance, doesn’t <abc> in the <efg> when <ijkl>.
• Severity score: Severity defines the impact of the flaw on the application’s functionality. A trivial error that does not affect functionality but is visible. A blockage, regrettably, is a problem that forces an application to fail.
• The context or environment: Context is a crucial factor in evaluation.  The same app feature may operate differently on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows. If the app is OS-, browser-, or network-dependent, that detail must be included.
• Bug description: This section expands on the bug’s nomenclature. You are free to describe the problem in detail. It also describes additional elements, like how frequently the fault occurs, whether it is inadvertent, and the possible reasons.
• Reproduction/recreation steps: This entry should include the minimum steps necessary to describe the entire problem replication process.
• The expected or correct result: Ensure that the correct operation of the app is detailed in accordance with the testing design and test case findings.
• The real result: This field outlines the bug’s genuine impact. It is crucial to provide a complete explanation of the actual impacts.
• File attachments: It is customary to append files, like photographs, to problem reports because it is simpler to comprehend information if it is presented visually.

Good Bug Report Do’s and Don’ts

When writing a bug report (also known as a test report or an error report), there are a few best practices to remember.

Three Do’s of Bug Reporting

Let’s first consider the DOs of good bug reporting:

1. Incorporate feedback

Be careful to request developer suggestions and feedback regarding your bug reports. Every project is one of a kind, and each developer is distinct; therefore, it is essential to discover the best approach. An agreeable environment and mutual comprehension between team members add to the team’s speedy, high-quality output.

2. Read the report and self-review

Before saving the bug report, reread it. You could even take that action twice. Ensure that the bug report features only one error description. Review the error multiple times, correct the steps, and, if necessary, add additional details.

3. Think visually

Consider that the purpose of a bug report is to permit the developer to visualize the problem. They should be able to comprehend the matter by going through the bug report. Remember to share all and any visualized data that the developer may require.

Three Don’ts of bug reporting

Now let us look at some of the DON’Ts of good bug reporting:

1. Don’t bundle several issues into one report

The issues should be separated into distinct reports. This guarantees that each problem can be dealt with independently. In the event that a single bug report contains multiple issues, it cannot be dismissed/closed until all issues are resolved.

2. Don’t wait for the perfect time to start writing

If you discover any bugs during testing, you don’t have to wait to compose a detailed bug report. Instead, promptly submit a bug report. If you opt to create the report later, there’s a higher probability that you will overlook crucial steps.

3. Don’t point fingers or blame the developer

It is important for a tester to avoid using an authoritative tone while creating the report. This lowers morale and fosters an unhealthy work environment. Instead, use a suggestive and polite tone of voice.

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Conclusion: Why Good Bug Reports are Priceless

Error/bug reporting is an essential life skill for testers, which should be developed for long-term professional growth. If coders have all the necessary data about a problem, they don’t need to contact the testing team repeatedly. In the end, you will not only save time and money but also the equilibrium — and sanity — of your coder!

P.S. Referred from the blog originally posted on the Moolya blog page: Click here