Title:
Building A Bug Tracking Database
Word Count:
356
Summary:
Whenever you're working with new software, and especially if you're
working in development, you're bound to encounter bugs. A good bug
tracking system is essential. You might choose to employ standardised bug
tracking software, or you might prefer to build a bug tracking database
geared to your specific needs.
Building a bug tracking database is essentially quite simple. All you
need is a record of what the bug was, what it did, how it occurred, and
how severe the problems...
Keywords:
Article Body:
Whenever you're working with new software, and especially if you're
working in development, you're bound to encounter bugs. A good bug
tracking system is essential. You might choose to employ standardised bug
tracking software, or you might prefer to build a bug tracking database
geared to your specific needs.
Building a bug tracking database is essentially quite simple. All you
need is a record of what the bug was, what it did, how it occurred, and
how severe the problems it caused were. The tricky bit is setting up a
bug tracking report system which will make sure everyone contributing to
the bug tracking database interprets this in the same way. The safest way
is to provide a bug tracking form which use simple language and leaves
space for additional comments. Encourage contributors to provide extra
information, especially if they're not sure of the exact cause of the
bug. Bug tracking is most efficient when you can use your bug tracking
database to compare these reports side by side and determine common
factors. Make sure each report includes its contributor's name so that
you have somebody to contact to clear up any uncertainties.
Establishing the severity of problems when bug tracking is more important
than it might seem, because this is what enables you to set priorities
within your bug tracking and solutions development scheme. Bug tracking
alone is of limited use unless you're able to build a practical schedule
for tackling the problems at hand. Naturally, a good bug tracking
database will also keep a record of the times and dates when bugs
occurred so that you can determine when solutions have worked or when
other system changes have led to their disappearance. It's helpful to
keep a note, alongside your bug tracking database, detailing when new
pieces of software were added to the system.
Building a bug tracking database from scratch might sound like hard work,
but it's often the best way to ensure an efficient bug tracking process
which suits the people you have to work with. After all, if it's going to
be done, it's worth making sure that it's done effectively.