You’ve just performed some input validation tests, and you’ve encountered a problem: the ‘Last Name’ field is displaying an error message like “Invalid Last Name,” no matter what you enter. So, what’s the next step? It’s time to write a bug report. Depending on the organization or project you’re working on, you might hear these referred to as defects, issues, or tickets. Regardless of the terminology, they all mean the same thing—something isn’t working as it should be.
What is a Bug Report?
A bug report is a document that describes a problem in enough detail that someone can understand what the issue is and how to reproduce it. The goal is to provide all the information a developer needs to fix the problem.
Anatomy of a Bug Report
Here’s an example of how to write a bug report:
- Title: “Invalid Last Name error displayed for valid last names”
- Description: A detailed account of the issue, including where it occurs.
- Actual Behavior: “Entering a valid last name results in an ‘Invalid Last Name’ error.”
- Expected Behavior: “Entering a valid last name should not trigger any errors.”
- Attachments: Include screenshots, logs, or any other relevant data.
Retesting and Beyond
Once the developer has fixed the issue and it’s ready for retesting, your job isn’t over. First, retest the defect to confirm that it’s been resolved. But don’t stop there—also run some of the tests around that issue. This is known as regression testing, and it ensures that the fix hasn’t introduced any new issues.
Conclusion
Writing effective bug reports is a skill that every tester needs to master. Not only do these reports help developers fix issues, but they also serve as a record of the software’s quality over time. Stay tuned for the next post in this series, where we’ll delve into another aspect of testing.