Code errors are inevitable. Even the most experienced developers sooner or later encounter bugs. But it is important not only to find the problem — you need to competently guide it through the entire path: from the first detection to the complete closure. Let's take a look at what the bug lifecycle looks like in professional development.
🔍 Bug detection
The first step is to fix the problem. A bug can be found:
a tester during manual or automated testing;
by the developer in the process of work;
the user who reports the incorrect behavior;
monitoring and logging systems.
It is important to immediately document the error: describe the steps of reproduction, the expected and actual result, the environment (browser, OS, application version). This saves time for the entire team.
📝 Bug registration
After detection, it is created ticket (e.g. in Jira, Trello, YouTrack or GitLab Issues). Usually indicated:
Title — a brief and concise description of the problem;
Priority — how critical the error is;
Playback steps - so that anyone can repeat;
Screenshots or logs - for clarity;
Environment — application version, browser, OS.
🎯 Prioritization
Not all bugs are equally important. For example, if the "Buy" button does not work, it is a blocker. But a sloppy text indentation on the FAQ page can wait. At this stage, the following is determined:
urgency of correction;
who will correct;
whether the bug will be included in the next release.
🛠 Correction
The developer takes the bug into work. Usually the process includes:
Code analysis — search for the cause.
Fix — making changes.
Local testing — checking at home.
Commit and push — sending edits to the repository.
✅ Testing the fix
The fixed bug is passed to the tester. The QA engineer checks:
whether the error is reproduced;
whether the related functions have broken (Regression);
whether the application works in different conditions.
If the bug is fixed, it gets the status Resolved or Fixed. If not, it is returned to the developer.
📦 Deploy and validation
After successful testing, the fixes are included in the release. Sometimes QA additionally checks the bug already on production. This is the final guarantee that users will not encounter an error.
🔒 Bug closure
When the tester confirms the fix and the fix is released, the bug gets the status Closed. Now it is officially considered resolved.
🔄 Possible bug statuses
Status | Value |
|---|---|
New | Bug is registered but not yet assigned |
Open | Error confirmed and ready to work |
In Progress | The developer is working on a fix |
Fixed | Fix made and uploaded to the system |
Resolved | Error fixed and verified |
Closed | Bug closed permanently |
Rejected | Error not confirmed or not a bug |
Deferred | Fix postponed to future releases |
🤔 Why do you need a full cycle?
If bugs are fixed chaotically, some problems will be missed, and the team will lose user confidence. A structured process allows you to:
transparently track the status of each error;
control the quality of the product;
release stable versions faster.
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