A bug tracker is a system that is designed especially to manage problems (software bugs) with computer programs or other systems. A software bug is an error, flaw, mistake, failure, or fault in a computer program that prevents it from working as intended, or produces errors.
Typically bug tracking software allows the user to quickly enter bugs and search for them easily within a database. In addition some allow users to specify a workflow for a bug that automates a bug’s lifecycle (also known as their workflow).
Most bug tracking software allows the administrator of the system, to configure, what fields are included for the bug.
Without a good bug tracking system, bugs will eventually get lost or poorly prioritized. Having a bug tracking solution is critical for most systems. This is why it is necessary to introduce a bug tracking system to my workplace.
Bugzilla – A Bug Tracker Example
After researching the different bug tracking systems I chose to concentrate on Bugzilla. The reason being, it had the functions that matched the criteria required for my work place. These functions consisted of reporting tools, a timeline function and a secure log in ability.
Bugzilla is an all purpose bug-tracking tool originally developed and used by the Mozilla Foundation. A large number of companies, organizations, and projects use Bugzilla, such as, Motorola, Siemens, Novell Inc. (Public) and University of Minnesota. It is a product that contains many features, most of which would be beneficial to our needs. Some of these features are as follows;
- Reporting – Reporting of the current state of the bug database. A table based view and a several graphical (including bar, line and pie charts) views. It is easy to switch between the different types of reports once the report has been generated.
- Log in – New users are easily created by clicking on the ‘New Account’ button found in Bugzilla. Administrators can define access groups composed of individual users or other groups, which could be good throughout the University. The groups can be configured via the web interface to achieve a wide variety of access control policies.
- Full text searching – The Bugzilla Search page is the interface where you can find any bug report, comment, or patch currently in the Bugzilla system. This would speed up finding specifics within the database including specific bugs.
- Time tracking – Track the time spent fixing bugs in the bug form for members of the group. Any time comments are added to the bug, members can add an amount of time spent, and it’s figured into the total and displayed at the top of the bug. Shown in the bug are your original estimates, the time spent so far, the revised estimate of how much time remains, and your gain/loss on the original estimate.
In conclusion, Bugzilla is constantly under active development and is supported by a big team. It is a product that can only help and improve my workplace’s services and efficiency. The only problem that could prove to be a factor is getting the permission to have the software installed onto the server. Other than that, it is a freeware product that is used by many large organisations and companies. It also contains all the features and functions that will be beneficial to my workplace.
