1. Introduction
Writing good bug reports is a crucial step in software development. A clear and detailed bug report helps developers quickly understand and reproduce the issue, reducing delays and ensuring effective resolution. Without proper structure and essential details, bug reports can cause confusion, wasting valuable time for testers and developers.
For example, a 2020 study found that bug reports containing crash reproducing steps, stack traces, and fix suggestions improved resolution times. However, the same study revealed that over 70% of bug reports lacked these critical elements, often leading to delays and miscommunication.
In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to write actionable bug reports that streamline communication and improve issue resolution. We’ll also look at a few examples to learn the key elements of a good bug report and the best practices to follow.
2. Overview
A bug report is a detailed record of an issue encountered during software development, testing, or use. Its purpose is to provide developers with all the information they need to understand, reproduce, and fix the problem. A well-structured bug report not only saves time but also fosters better collaboration between teams.
An effective bug report is clear, complete, and concise. It includes essential details such as the issue’s context, steps to reproduce it, and expected versus actual behavior.
3. Key Components of a Bug Report
A good bug report is well-structured and complete. Moreover, it provides developers with all the information they need to understand and resolve the issue:
The well-defined structure means we can easily search it for the necessary information.
Let’s review the key components of an effective bug report with examples.
3.1. Title
The title should summarize the issue in a single, clear sentence. It must be specific and focused on the problem.
For example, “Email validation fails when saving an invalid email in profile settings” is a good title because it provides specific information about the nature of the issue (email validation), where it occurs (profile settings), and the context (saving an invalid email).
In contrast, using “Email issue” as a title will be vague and lack all the essential details.
3.2. Description
In the description, we should provide the context of the bug and explain the issue, its impact, and why it matters. For the above example, a good description is:
“When a user updates their email address in the profile settings with an invalid format (e.g., user@@domain), the system accepts it without any validation. This could lead to incorrect user data and communication failures.”
3.3. Steps to Reproduce
This section outlines how to replicate the issue using a numbered list for clarity and accuracy.
For example:
- Log in to the application.
- Navigate to the “Profile Settings” page.
- Enter an invalid email address, such as user@@domain.
- Click “Save.”
3.4. Expected vs. Actual Behavior
Here, we clearly describe two things: the expected behavior, which is what should happen due to the steps, and the actual behavior, i.e., what actually occurs.
In our example, this section can be formulated like this:
- Expected: “*The system should validate the email format and display an error message for invalid entries.*“
- Actual: “*The system saves the invalid email format without any validation.*“
3.5. Environment Details
This section should contain detailed information about the hardware and software environment in which the issue occurred.
The details should help developers replicate the conditions and isolate the problem.
For instance:
- Operating System: macOS Ventura
- Browser: Safari v16.6
- App Version: 3.1.2
- Device: iPhone 14 Pro
3.6. Attachments
This section includes screenshots, videos, and logs to provide additional context and make the issue more straightforward.
For example, we can include an image showing the invalid email saved in the profile settings.
4. Examples of Bug Reports
The quality of a bug report directly impacts how efficiently a team can resolve the issue. Let’s compare a bad bug report with a well-written one using the example of a file upload crash.
4.1. Example of a Bad Report
Let’s first take a look at an example of a bad bug report:
Title
App crashes
Description
The app doesn’t work when I upload a file.
Steps to Reproduce
1. Open the app.
2. Upload a file.
Expected Behavior
The file should upload successfully.
Actual Behavior
The app crashes.
The title is too vague and doesn’t provide any context. Similarly, the description lacks essential details such as file size, type, or other relevant information about the uploaded file. These missing details will make it difficult for developers to assess the scope or significance of the problem.
Moreover, the steps to reproduce the issue are incomplete and don’t specify enough details to replicate it accurately. Developers won’t know if the crash occurs for all file uploads or only under certain conditions. Additionally, the report doesn’t include environmental details, such as the operating system, browser, or app version. This omission makes it impossible to determine whether the issue is platform-specific, potentially wasting time on unnecessary troubleshooting.
Finally, there are no attachments, such as screenshots or error logs. So, no visual or technical context helps pinpoint the root cause of the crash.
4.2. Example of a Good Report
Now, let’s check how we can improve that report. Here’s an example:
Title
App crashes when uploading a file larger than 5MB
Description
When a user uploads a file larger than 5MB on the file upload page, the app crashes instead of displaying an error message.
Steps to Reproduce
1. Open the application at https://example.com.
2. Navigate to the “File Upload” page.
3. Select a file larger than 5MB.
4. Click “Upload.”
Expected Behavior
The file uploads successfully or an error message appears stating that the file exceeds the size limit.
Actual Behavior
The application crashes and displays a server error.
Environment Details
- OS: Windows 10
- Browser: Firefox v109
- App Version: 2.1.3
Attachments
- Screenshot: file-upload-crash.png
- Error Logs: Attached .txt file
This report provides all the information developers need to reproduce and fix the issue. In contrast, the bad example leaves out critical details, which may cause delays in resolution.
5. Best Practices for Writing Bug Reports
A well-written bug report doesn’t just describe the issue. It ensures developers can address it efficiently. Let’s explore the best practices for crafting good bug reports.
5.1. Be Clear and Concise
Focus on the problem and avoid vague descriptions and unnecessary details.
For example, “The app doesn’t work properly” is a bad description because it’s too ambiguous and doesn’t provide any actionable information.
In contrast, “The app crashes when uploading a file larger than 5MB on the file upload page” is a good description because it’s specific and provides key details about the problem.
5.2. Use a Standard Format
A consistent structure, such as the format we discussed earlier, ensures that the bug report includes all necessary information. Each team or company may have its own templates and guidelines for writing bug reports, and it’s essential to follow them to align with their specific processes.
That being said, the principles explained in this article, such as clarity, completeness, and reproducibility, still apply to any bug-reporting framework.
5.3. Focus on Reproducibility
If developers can’t reproduce the issue, they can’t fix it.
Therefore, we must provide detailed and accurate steps to replicate the bug.
5.4. Prioritize Relevant Information
Include only what’s needed. So, don’t overload the report with irrelevant details.
For example, instead of writing, “I tried uploading a file while multitasking, and my computer slowed down,” focus on the core issue: “Uploading a file larger than 5MB triggers a crash on the file upload page.”
5.5. Avoid Blame or Speculation
Stick to the facts and focus on describing the issue without assigning blame or guessing the root cause.
Let’s consider this example:
Bad: “*This bug is probably caused by the recent code changes in the upload module.*”
Good: “*The app crashes when a file larger than 5MB is uploaded.*”
The first statement is problematic because it assumes the root cause without evidence. This could mislead developers, causing them to investigate the wrong area or overlook the real issue. Additionally, assigning blame may create unnecessary tension within the team and derail the debugging process.
The second statement is preferred because it describes the issue factually, focusing on what happens rather than speculating why. This approach provides developers with clear, actionable information, allowing them to reproduce and investigate the issue effectively.
5.6. Proofread Your Report
Before submitting, review the bug report for typos or missing details.
A well-polished report reduces confusion and follow-ups.
5.7. Use Visual Aids
Adding annotated screenshots, logs, or videos will help explain the issue. For example, a screenshot highlighting the error message during a failed file upload provides immediate clarity:
5.8. Checklist
Here’s a checklist of the best practices for ensuring the bug report is clear and actionable:
- Use a clear and concise title
- Include a detailed but not too long description
- Include reproduction steps
- Explain the expected vs. actual behavior
- Include environment details
- Include visual and other attachments (screenshots, logs, etc.)
- Review and proofread the report
6. Tools for Writing Bug Reports
Using the right tools can make bug reporting faster, more efficient, and more accurate. Here are some tools that help us log, track, and communicate bugs effectively:
Tool Category
Tool Name
Features
Best For
Bug Tracking Tools
Advanced bug tracking, Agile workflows, prioritization
Large teams using Agile processes
Open-source, robust tracking, customizable workflows
Open-source and enterprise projects
Visual boards, lightweight bug-tracking
Small teams or lightweight projects
Screen Capture Tools
Annotated screenshots, image markup tools
Highlighting visual interface issues
Record videos with voiceover explanations
Capturing complex issues dynamically
Lightweight, quick-capture annotation tools
Simple bug-reporting tasks and basic screenshots
Logging Tools
Session tracking, client-side logs
Identifying frontend or user-specific bugs
Automatic error tracking, organized logs
Debugging production issues quickly
Bug-tracking software efficiently logs, organizes, and tracks bugs. These software tools also allow teams to assign tasks, set priorities, and monitor progress seamlessly. Many offer built-in templates, which help ensure consistency in bug reports.
On the other hand, screen capture tools make it easier to communicate bugs by providing visual evidence. For instance, we can use them to create annotated screenshots or videos that clearly demonstrate issues.
Similarly, logging systems can collect session data and error logs. These details are essential for identifying and effectively resolving the root causes of bugs.
7. Conclusion
In this article, we explored how to write effective bug reports that help developers identify and resolve issues efficiently. We discussed the key components of a bug report, compared good and bad examples, and outlined best practices. Additionally, we highlighted common tools for writing good bug reports.
Focusing on clarity, completeness, and reproducibility helps us create good bug reports. Effective reports streamline communication and enhance productivity as they save time during software testing.