What is a Defect Life Cycle in Functional Testing?
The defect life cycle, also known as the bug life cycle, refers to the process that a defect follows from its identification to resolution. In the realm of functional testing within software testing, this life cycle is critical to ensure software quality and performance.
Phases of Defect Life Cycle:
- Identification: The defect is identified during functional testing. Testers document the issue, providing crucial details like severity and environment.
- Reporting: The defect is logged in a defect tracking tool. This record includes comprehensive information to assist developers in understanding the issue.
- Validation: The defect is reviewed by the development team. If confirmed, it moves to the next stage; if not, it may be rejected or closed.
- Resolution: Developers work on fixing the defect. Once resolved, the defect is marked as "Fixed" and sent back for re-testing.
- Retesting: Testers verify the fix in the modified code to ensure that the defect is resolved and no new issues have emerged.
- Closure: If the defect is successfully resolved, it is closed. If it reappears, it may be re-opened and re-entered into the life cycle.
Understanding the defect life cycle is essential for effective communication between testers and developers, ultimately leading to higher product quality.