Defect Lifecycle

Defect Life Cycle in Software Testing

Introduction

While developing software, sometimes mistakes or problems appear in the system. These problems are called defects or bugs. In software testing, testers find these defects and report them so that developers can fix them.

The Defect Life Cycle is the process that shows how a defect moves from the time it is found until it is fixed and closed.

What is Defect Life Cycle?

The Defect Life Cycle is the journey of a defect from the moment a tester finds it until it is resolved and closed. It helps the testing and development team track and manage defects properly.

 

Stages of Defect Life Cycle

1. New

When a tester finds a defect, it is reported in the bug tracking system. The status of the defect becomes New.

Example: The login button is not working when the user clicks it.

2. Assigned

The defect is then assigned to a developer by the project manager or team lead so that it can be fixed.

3. Open

The developer starts checking the defect and works on the issue. At this stage the defect status is Open.

4. Fixed

After the developer solves the problem, the defect status becomes Fixed.

5. Retest

The tester tests the defect again to check if it is fixed correctly.

6. Verified

If the tester finds that the defect is properly fixed and the system is working fine, the defect is marked as Verified.

7. Closed

Finally, the defect is marked as Closed because the issue is completely solved.

Conclusion

The Defect Life Cycle helps teams manage defects in a proper way. It makes sure every problem in the software is tracked, fixed, and verified before the software is released. This process improves the quality and reliability of the software.

Types of Defects 

Understanding different types of defects helps testers identify issues faster and improve software quality.

1. Functional Defect

A functional defect occurs when a feature of the software does not work according to the requirements.

Example:
If a login button does not allow the user to log in even after entering correct username and password, it is a functional defect.

2. Performance Defect

A performance defect happens when the system is slow or cannot handle many users at the same time.

Example:
A website takes 10 seconds to load when many users access it together.

3. Usability Defect

A usability defect is related to the user interface and user experience. The system may work correctly but is difficult for users to understand or use.

Example:
Buttons are too small or instructions are confusing for users.

4. Security Defect

A security defect occurs when the system has vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized users to access sensitive data.

Example:
A user can access another user’s account without proper authentication.

5. Compatibility Defect

A compatibility defect occurs when the software works correctly on one device, browser, or operating system but fails on another.

Example:
A website works properly in Chrome but not in Firefox.

6. Logical Defect

A logical defect occurs when there is a mistake in the program logic or algorithm.

Example:
A shopping website calculates the total price incorrectly.

7. Interface Defect

An interface defect happens when two systems or modules do not interact correctly.

Example:
The payment system fails to communicate with the order system after payment is completed.

Conclusion

Defects are a natural part of software development, but identifying them early helps improve software quality. By understanding the different types of defects, testers can detect problems faster and ensure the system works correctly for users.