The Software Testing Life Cycle: Ensuring Quality in Software Applications

What Is the Software Testing Life Cycle?

The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a systematic process that ensures the quality of software applications. It is a well-defined sequence of activities that are performed throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC) to identify and eliminate defects in a software product. By following the STLC, software development teams can ensure that the software they develop meets the requirements, is reliable, and performs as expected.

Benefits of the Software Testing Life Cycle

Some of the benefits of STLC are enhanced software quality, reduced costs, stakeholder satisfaction, and adocumented testing process.

• Enhanced Software Quality: By proactively pinpointing and rectifying defects early in the development process, STLC ensures that the software application functions as intended and adheres to the specified requirements.
• Reduced Costs: Early defect identification translates to cost savings throughout the development lifecycle. Fixing defects later in the development process can be significantly more expensive and time-consuming.
• Stakeholder Satisfaction: STLC bolsters stakeholder confidence by guaranteeing that the software application meets their requirements and delivers the anticipated functionalities.
• Documented Testing Process: STLC establishes a well-defined and documented process for testing software applications, fostering consistency and repeatability throughout the testing endeavors.

What Are Entry and Exit Criteria in Testing?

The entry and exit criteria define the conditions under which a phase of software testing can begin and end. These criteria are part of a well-defined testing process that is crucial for an effective software development and ensuring the quality and efficiency of testing efforts.

Entry criteria, also known as test prerequisites, define the specific conditions that must be met before commencing a particular test phase. These conditions act as a checklist, ensuring that the testing environment, resources, and software under test (SUT) are prepared for rigorous evaluation. The key aspects to consider when establishing entry criteria include the test environment, dependencies, test data, documentation, and defect management tools.

• Test Environment: The testing environment should be configured accurately, mirroring the production environment as closely as possible. This includes hardware, software, network settings, and any other relevant configurations.
• Dependencies: All external dependencies, such as databases, third-party applications, or APIs, must be functional and accessible for testing to proceed.
• Test Data: A comprehensive set of test data, encompassing valid, invalid, and boundary value inputs, is required to thoroughly evaluate the SUT's behavior.
• Documentation: Testers should have access to clear and up-to-date documentation, including requirements specifications, design documents, and user manuals, to guide their testing efforts.
• Defect Management Tool: A defect management tool should be in place to facilitate logging, tracking, and reporting of any issues encountered during testing.

Exit criteria, also known as test completion criteria, establish the benchmarks that must be achieved before a test phase can be considered successful and concluded. These benchmarks serve as a gauge to determine test completeness and the readiness of the SUT for the next stage of development or deployment. The key aspects to consider when establishing exit criteria include test coverage, defect resolution, code reviews, regression coverage, and documentation updates.

• Test Coverage: A predefined percentage of test cases, designed to cover all functionalities and potential risks, must be executed and passed successfully.
• Defect Resolution: All high-priority defects identified during testing must be resolved or have a documented workaround in place. Low-priority defects may be deferred to a later stage but should be clearly documented and tracked.
• Code Reviews: Code reviews by senior developers or a designated code review team should be completed to ensure code quality and adherence to coding standards.
• Regression Coverage: A set of regression tests should be designed and executed to verify that previously fixed defects haven't re-emerged due to code changes.
• Documentation Updates: All relevant documentation, such as test plans and test cases, should be updated to reflect the testing outcomes and any identified changes.

What Are the Phases of Software Testing Life Cycle?

The phases of the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a meticulously designed sequence of phases, implemented throughout a software application's development lifecycle, which plays a vital role in identifying and eliminating defects before the software reaches the end users. It serves as a structured roadmap, guaranteeing the quality and functionality of software applications. The 6 phases of STLC are Requirement Analysis, Test Planning, Test Case Design, Test Environment Setup, Test Execution, and Test Closure.

1. 1. Requirement Analysis

      This phase lays the groundwork for successful testing endeavors. It involves a thorough understanding of what the software is intended to achieve. Key activities within this phase include:

      1. Scrutinizing the Software Requirements Document (SRD): Testers meticulously examine the SRD to grasp the envisioned functionalities, features, and user stories of the software application. This comprehensive understanding allows them to design test cases that effectively evaluate if the software meets its intended purpose.
      2. Identifying Testing Needs: Based on the SRD analysis, testers pinpoint the specific areas that necessitate testing. This may involve identifying functionalities, user interfaces, performance requirements, and security considerations.
      3. Formulating a Test Plan: The culmination of the requirement analysis phase is the creation of a comprehensive test plan. This plan serves as a blueprint for the testing endeavors, outlining the scope of testing, the resources required, the testing approach, and the timeframe for each testing phase.

      Entry Criteria	Activities	Exit Criteria
      Requirements specs document, design document Application design document User acceptance criteria document	Clarify and understand the requirements Testing feasibility study Automation feasibility study	Requirements understanding report Testing and automation feasibility report

   2. Test Planning

      Building upon the foundation laid in the requirement analysis phase, test planning meticulously outlines the testing strategy. Here's what this phase entails:

      1. Defining the Testing Scope: The test plan clearly defines the extent of testing activities. This includes determining which functionalities, features, and integrations will be rigorously evaluated during the testing process.
      2. Resource Allocation: The test plan specifies the necessary resources for effective testing execution. This encompasses personnel with the requisite skills and experience, hardware and software infrastructure, and any specialized testing tools that may be required.
      3. Time Management: The test plan establishes a realistic timeline for each testing phase and the entire testing process. This ensures that testing activities are completed efficiently and within the designated timeframe.
      4. Risk Management: The test plan acknowledges potential risks associated with the testing endeavors. It outlines strategies to mitigate these risks, such as employing alternative testing methods or prioritizing critical functionalities for testing.

      Entry Criteria	Activities	Exit Criteria
      Update requirement document Test feasibility reports Automation feasibility reports	Define project scope Create Risk analysis & mitigation plan Test estimation Test Strategy creation Identify Tools and resource training needs Environment identification	Test Plan document Risk mitigation document Test estimation document

   3. Test Case Development

      This phase hinges on the creation of a comprehensive set of test cases. These test cases act as a collection of instructions that meticulously outline how specific features and functionalities of the software application will be evaluated. Here are some key aspects of test case design:

      1. Positive Test Cases: These test cases are designed to verify that the software application functions as intended under normal conditions. They encompass scenarios that validate the core functionalities and user workflows.
      2. Negative Test Cases: Negative test cases, also known as boundary value analysis (BVA) or error guessing, aim to identify potential issues in the software's behavior. They explore scenarios with invalid inputs, unexpected user actions, and extreme conditions to assess the software's robustness and ability to handle errors gracefully.
      3. Test Case Traceability Matrix: A traceability matrix establishes a link between the test cases and the specific requirements outlined in the SRD. This ensures that all critical functionalities and user stories are comprehensively covered by the test cases.

      Entry Criteria	Activities	Exit Criteria
      Update requirement document Test Plan document Risk mitigation document Test estimation document	List down test scenarios Create Test Cases Identify test data Create traceability metrics	Test Cases with Test Data Requirement Traceability Matrix Test Coverage Metrics

   4. Test Environment Setup

      The test environment setup phase entails meticulously creating an environment that closely mirrors the production environment where the software application will ultimately be deployed. Here's what this phase involves:

      1. Infrastructure Configuration: The necessary hardware and software infrastructure is set up to simulate the production environment as closely as possible. This may involve replicating the operating system, network configuration, and any dependencies required by the software application.
      2. Data Population: The test environment is populated with the requisite data to facilitate comprehensive testing. This data may include sample user records, test data sets, and any other information necessary to simulate real-world usage scenarios.
      3. Security Considerations: Security configurations from the production environment are mirrored in the test environment to ensure that testing activities do not compromise sensitive data or systems.

      Entry Criteria	Activities	Exit Criteria
      Test Plan document Risk mitigation document	Understand environment needed Setup test environment Load test data Perform smoke test on the test environment	Test Environment ready with test data setup Smoke Test Results

   5. Test Execution

      This phase signifies the practical implementation of the meticulously designed test cases. Testers meticulously execute each test case, meticulously recording the results and meticulously documenting any defects or anomalies encountered during testing. Here are some best practices for effective test execution:

      1. Structured Approach: Testers follow a defined order for executing the test cases. This may involve prioritizing critical functionalities, following a logical workflow, or grouping related test cases together for efficiency.
      2. Defect Logging: Any defects or deviations from expected behavior are meticulously documented in a defect tracking system. This documentation should include detailed descriptions, steps to reproduce the issue, and screenshots or screen recordings for clarity.

      Entry Criteria	Activities	Exit Criteria
      Test Cases Test Automation Scripts	Execute test cases Log bugs Run automation scripts Report the Status	Test execution report Test summary report Bug report Test automation run report

   6. Test Closure

      The test closure phase entails meticulously evaluating the results garnered from the test execution phase. This phase serves as a crucial decision point for software deployment:

      1. Test Result Analysis: Testers meticulously analyze the documented test results to ascertain the overall effectiveness of the testing endeavors. This analysis involves evaluating the number of defects identified, their severity, and the overall test coverage achieved.
      2. Test Completion Report: A comprehensive test completion report is prepared that summarizes the testing process, the identified defects, and the closure status of each defect. This report serves as a formal record of the testing activities and their outcomes.
      3. Go/No-Go Decision: Based on the analysis of test results and the severity of outstanding defects, a critical decision is made regarding software deployment. If critical defects remain unaddressed, the software may require further development and retesting before it can be released.

      Entry Criteria	Activities	Exit Criteria
      Test execution report Test summary report Bug report	Provide the accurate figures and result of testing Identify the risks which are mitigated Do the retrospective meeting and understand the lessons learnt	Test Summary report Lessons learnt document Test Closure report

These phases follow a linear, sequential approach. Each phase must be meticulously completed before progressing to the next. This structured approach offers several advantages. Firstly, clear and well-defined project requirements are established at the outset and remain relatively stable throughout development. This allows for the creation of a comprehensive test plan upfront. Secondly, the sequential nature facilitates streamlined project planning and scheduling. Each phase has clearly defined deliverables and timelines. Finally, it promotes well-defined control over project progress, simplifying project management for monitoring and tracking advancement through each stage.

However, the rigid structure of Waterfall testing can be a hurdle, especially in environments where requirements are prone to frequent change. This is where Agile testing steps in, offering a starkly different approach.

What Is Test Case Development?

Test Case Development is a fundamental process in software development life cycle (SDLC) that ensures the quality and functionality of a software application. It involves two crucial components that will be used to test the software and identify any potential errors or defects: test cases and test scenarios. While both play vital roles, they serve distinct purposes and possess varying levels of detail.

Test Case

A test case represents a meticulous set of instructions designed to meticulously assess a specific facet of a software feature. It outlines a clear roadmap for the testing process, encompassing the following elements:

• Test Case ID: A unique identifier assigned to the test case for easy reference and organization.
• Description: A concise and unambiguous description of the functionality being tested.
• Preconditions: The essential conditions that must be established before executing the test case. These preconditions ensure a consistent testing environment.
• Steps: A well-defined sequence of steps outlining the precise actions to be performed during the test.
• Input Data: The specific data to be utilized as input for the test. This data could encompass valid, invalid, or edge cases to comprehensively evaluate the feature's behavior under various conditions.
• Expected Results: The anticipated outcome of the test case. This serves as the benchmark against which the actual results are compared to determine a pass or fail verdict.
• Pass/Fail Criteria: Clearly defined conditions that dictate whether the test case has passed or failed. These criteria eliminate ambiguity in interpreting the test results.

Test Scenario

A test scenario embodies a broader concept that outlines a set of conditions or user interactions that warrant testing. It provides a high-level overview of the functionality to be verified and the diverse situations that should be encompassed in the testing process. Test scenarios are not as granular as test cases and do not delve into the specifics of steps or expected results.

• Scenario Description: A high-level description of the functionality or user interaction that is slated for testing.
• Possible Test Cases: A compilation of potential test cases that can be derived from the scenario. These test cases would provide more fine-grained details to comprehensively explore the scenario.

The fundamental distinction between test cases and test scenarios lies in their level of detail. Test cases are meticulously crafted and provide step-by-step instructions, whereas test scenarios are more abstract and outline the overall functionality to be tested. The following table summarizes the key differences:

How to Create Test Scenarios?

To establish a robust foundation for your testing endeavors, meticulously crafting test scenarios is an essential step. Here's a recommended process to follow:

1. Identify Functionality to be Tested: Commence by gaining a thorough understanding of the software application and its functionalities. Pinpoint the specific features or functionalities that necessitate testing.
2. Brainstorm Test Conditions: Once you've identified the functionality, meticulously brainstorm various conditions under which the feature might be employed. Consider both valid and invalid inputs, as well as anticipated and unanticipated behaviors.
3. Group Conditions into Scenarios: Organize the brainstormed conditions into logical categories or scenarios. Each scenario should represent a distinct aspect of the functionality to be tested. By adhering to these guidelines, you can construct a comprehensive set of test scenarios that provide a solid framework for designing effective test cases.

By leveraging the complementary strengths of test cases and test scenarios, you can establish a robust testing strategy that guarantees the quality, reliability, and functionality of your software application.

What Is Test Execution in Software Testing?

Test execution is a critical phase in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), involving the running of software tests to ascertain if the software application functions as intended and meets the specified requirements. It is a methodical process that validates the software's functionality, usability, performance, reliability, and security. Some of the importance of test execution includes ensuring software quality, reducing costs, detecting bugs early, and enhancing customer satisfaction.

• Ensuring Software Quality: Test execution plays a pivotal role in ensuring the quality of the software by identifying defects, bugs, and areas where the software deviates from the designed behavior.
• Reducing Costs: Early detection and rectification of bugs during test execution lead to significant cost savings by preventing them from being discovered later in the development process, where fixing them becomes more expensive.
• Detecting Bugs Early: Test execution facilitates the identification of bugs at an early stage in the development lifecycle, allowing for prompt rectification and avoiding delays in the development schedule.
• Enhancing Customer Satisfaction: By delivering high-quality software that meets user requirements, test execution ultimately contributes to enhanced customer satisfaction.

What Is the Test Closure Report?

The Test Closure Report is a key component in ensuring software quality in the software development lifecycle. This report serves as a formal documentation of the entire testing process, summarizing the testing activities, outcome, and recommendations. A well-crafted Test Closure Report plays a pivotal role in communicating testing efforts, evaluating software quality, and facilitating informed decisions.

• Communicating Testing Efforts: It effectively communicates the scope, methodologies, and execution details of the testing process to stakeholders, including developers, project managers, and executives.
• Evaluating Software Quality: By providing an overview of test results, identified defects, and their resolution status, the report aids in gauging the software's overall quality and readiness for release.
• Facilitating Informed Decisions: Stakeholders leverage the Test Closure Report to make informed decisions regarding release timelines, resource allocation, and potential retesting needs.

What Are the Elements of a Test Closure Report?

The elements of a Test Closure Report serve as the building blocks for a robust document. This formal report bridges the gap between testers and stakeholders, providing a clear understanding of the testing activities conducted and their outcomes. The key elements include the project and testing context, testing methodology employed, test execution outcomes, test completion criteria, and recommendations for future enhancements.

1. Project & Testing Context:
   • Project Identification: Establish the groundwork by providing essential project details, such as the project name, version number, and testing phase (e.g., system testing, integration testing, regression testing).
   • Testing Scope Definition: Clearly define the areas covered during testing. Outline the functionalities, features, and modules that were subjected to rigorous testing procedures.
2. Testing Methodology Employed:Describe the testing methodologies utilized throughout the testing process. This might encompass a combination of black-box testing (focusing on external functionality), white-box testing (leveraging internal code structure for test case design), performance testing (assessing responsiveness under load), or security testing (identifying vulnerabilities).
3. Test Execution Outcomes:
   • Test Case Summary: Present a comprehensive overview of the total number of test cases executed, categorized by their results (pass, fail, inconclusive).
   • Defect Analysis: Provide a detailed breakdown of identified defects. Include severity levels (critical, high, medium, low) for each defect, along with a clear description of the issue encountered. Incorporate a traceability matrix to link defects to the specific test cases that exposed them.
   • Defect Resolution Status: Clearly outline the resolution status of identified defects. Indicate those that have been fixed, deferred (with justification), or require further investigation.
4. Test Completion Criteria:Define the predetermined criteria that must be met before considering testing complete. This might include achieving a specific test case pass rate, resolving all critical and high-severity defects, or obtaining stakeholder sign-off on the testing process.
5. Recommendations for Future Enhancements:This section provides an opportunity to suggest improvements for future testing endeavors. This could include potential areas for further testing based on insights gained during the current cycle, recommendations for test automation to improve efficiency, or suggestions for optimizing testing methodologies based on lessons learned.
6. Appendix (Optional):The appendix can house supplementary information that complements the core report. This might include detailed test case logs, screenshots or screen recordings of identified defects, or traceability matrices linking requirements to test cases.

Additional Considerations:

• Clarity and Conciseness: Strive for a clear and concise report that effectively communicates essential information without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail. Prioritize presenting information in a way that is easy to understand for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Formatting and Readability: Utilize a well-structured format with clear headings, tables, and charts to enhance readability and facilitate navigation through the report. Consider incorporating visual elements like graphs or charts to effectively represent test results and defect distribution.
• Customization and Tailoring: Adapt the content and level of detail of the report to align with the specific project requirements and target audience. For complex projects with a wider stakeholder group, the report might require a more comprehensive level of detail, while smaller projects might benefit from a more concise approach.

By adhering to these guidelines and incorporating the outlined elements, you can create a Test Closure Report that serves as a valuable asset in the software development process, fostering transparency and facilitating informed decision-making.

What Is the Agile Software Testing Life Cycle?

Agile software testing is a software development methodology that emphasizes frequent iteration and collaboration. It is a type of software development that involves continuous testing of the code throughout the development process. This approach helps to improve software quality and reduce costs by identifying and fixing bugs early in the development process.

There are four main phases in the agile testing life cycle: planning, execution, tracking, and closure. Some best practices for agile testing include automating as much as possible, using an automated tool to track defects, and communicating early and often.

Agile testing is a software development practice that starts early in the project and emphasizes continuous integration between development and testing. There are five phases in the Agile Testing life cycle: Impact Assessment, Agile Testing Planning, Release Readiness, Daily Scrums, and Test Agility Review. Agile Testing Quadrants help to understand how Agile Testing is performed.

Given the emphasis on continuous iteration and early feedback, Agile testing stands in stark contrast to the traditional Waterfall model. The core distinction lies in their approach to testing throughout the software development lifecycle. Agile testing embodies a continuous approach, meaning testing seamlessly integrates into every stage of development. In contrast, Waterfall testing follows a rigid, sequential structure with distinct phases. Testers become involved at the outset in Agile methodologies, fostering close collaboration with developers. Conversely, Waterfall relegates testing to a later stage, following the development phase.

Agile testing prioritizes delivering feedback continuously through shorter iterations. This iterative style allows for swifter course correction and adaptation to evolving requirements. Waterfall testing, on the other hand, adheres to a linear progression through predetermined phases, offering less flexibility to accommodate changes. As a result, Agile testing proves to be more adaptable in dynamic environments where requirements are subject to change.

What Is the Difference Between SDLC and STLC?

The difference between Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) lies in their scope within the software development project. While both are essential processes in delivering high-quality software, they have distinct purposes.

The SDLC is a structured, phase-based approach to developing software applications. It encompasses the entire software development process, from initial concept and planning through requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Following a well-defined SDLC provides several benefits, including improved quality, enhanced communication, efficient time and cost management, and reduced risk.

The STLC is a subset of the SDLC that specifically focuses on the software testing process. It outlines a step-by-step approach for designing, executing, and evaluating software tests to identify defects and ensure the software meets its intended requirements. A well-defined STLC offers several benefits such as early defect detection, improved software quality, and enhanced risk mitigation.

Aligning SDLC With STLC

What Is Automation Testing Life Cycle?

The Automation Testing Life Cycle (ATLC) is a systematic process that outlines the different phases involved in implementing automation testing within a software development project. It ensures a well-defined approach to incorporating automation into the testing strategy and helps achieve successful test automation.

A typical Automation Testing Life Cycle (ATLC) comprises six key phases: determining the scope of automation, selecting the right tool, planning and designing the strategy, setting up the test environment, developing and executing test scripts, and analyzing and reporting test results.

1. Determining the Scope of Test Automation
   1. The first crucial step involves defining the areas of the software application that are best suited for automation testing. This involves carefully analyzing the application's functionalities, prioritizing test cases based on factors like complexity, execution frequency, and risk. Only test cases that meet the established criteria are incorporated into the test automation scope.
2. Selecting the Right Automation Tool
   1. Choosing the most appropriate test automation tool is a critical decision since it directly impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of the automation process. Several factors need to be considered during this selection process, including the application's technology stack, budget, team expertise, and the desired level of automation. Popular test automation tools include Selenium, Cypress, Appium, and Robot Framework.
3. Planning and Designing Test Automation Strategy
   1. This stage involves creating a comprehensive test automation plan that outlines the overall approach for implementing automation. The plan typically includes details like the specific functionalities to be automated, the resources required, the timelines for development and execution, and the expected outcomes. Test cases are further designed and refined during this phase, ensuring they align with the automation strategy.
4. Setting Up the Test Environment
   1. A dedicated test environment that mimics the production environment is essential for executing automated test scripts. This environment should provide a stable and reliable platform for running the tests and should mirror the data and configurations of the real-world scenario. Tools like Docker and Kubernetes can be employed to streamline the process of setting up and managing test environments.
5. Test Script Development and Execution
   1. This stage involves developing the actual automated test scripts using the chosen automation framework and programming language. These scripts simulate user actions and verify the application's behavior against predefined test cases. The developed scripts are then executed using the automation tool, and the results are recorded for analysis.
6. Test Result Analysis and Reporting
   1. Following test script execution, the generated test results need to be thoroughly analyzed to identify any passed or failed test cases. Detailed reports are created to communicate these results to stakeholders, including information on passed/failed test cases, execution logs, and identified defects.

What Is Performance Testing Life Cycle?

The Performance Testing Life Cycle (PTLC) is a methodical approach to evaluating an application's performance under anticipated load conditions. It's an integral part of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) that plays a vital role in identifying performance bottlenecks and ensuring the software meets its designated performance goals. By implementing a well-defined PTLC, organizations can deliver high-caliber software applications that are dependable and scalable.

The Performance Testing Life Cycle is an intricate process comprised of several distinct phases, each playing a crucial role in achieving optimal performance: Planning and Requirement Gathering, Test Design and Development, Test Execution and Monitoring, and Reporting and Analysis.

1. Planning and Requirement Gathering
   1. Risk Assessment: Proactively identify potential performance issues by analyzing the application's architecture and usage patterns.
   2. Requirement Gathering: Define clear, measurable performance requirements aligned with business objectives.
2. Test Design and Development
   1. Test Planning: Create a roadmap outlining the scope, objectives, resources, and tools for testing.
   2. Test Design: Design realistic test scenarios simulating various user loads and behavior patterns.
3. Test Execution and Monitoring
   1. Workload Modeling: Create a realistic portrayal of anticipated user load on the system.
   2. Test Execution: Run the designed tests and monitor performance metrics like response times and resource utilization.
4. Reporting and Analysis
   1. Result Analysis: Analyze test results to identify bottlenecks and deviations from performance requirements.
   2. Reporting: Create a report summarizing the test plan, results, bottlenecks, and recommendations for improvement.

What Is Bugs Life Cycle in Software Testing?

The bug life cycle, also sometimes referred to as the defect life cycle, is a well-defined process that tracks the identification, reporting, fixing, and verification of bugs in software. It is a crucial part of the software development process as it ensures that identified issues are addressed systematically and promptly.

A bug refers to an imperfection, error, or flaw within a program's code. This flaw can cause the program to produce unintended or unexpected results, ranging from minor inconveniences like a misspelled word to severe issues like system crashes or security vulnerabilities. Software bugs can stem from various sources, including human errors during coding, deficiencies in the program's design, or unforeseen interactions with the operating system or hardware. The presence of bugs necessitates a debugging process, which involves identifying the root cause of the issue and implementing a fix to rectify the program's behavior.

A typical bug life cycle consists of several well-defined stages. While the specific names and number of stages may vary slightly between organizations, the core concept remains the same. The stages involved are: new, assigned, open, fixed, retest, closed, rejected, deferred, and not a bug.

1. New: The bug is identified for the first time by a tester or another user. This stage involves documenting the bug, including the steps to reproduce it, the expected behavior, and the actual behavior observed.
2. Assigned: The bug report is assigned to a developer for investigation and resolution.
3. Open: The developer is working on fixing the bug. The bug report remains open until the fix is implemented.
4. Fixed: The developer believes they have fixed the bug and marks the report as fixed.
5. Retest: The tester retests the bug using the same steps documented earlier to verify if the fix is successful.
6. Closed: If the retest confirms that the bug is fixed, the report is closed.
7. Rejected: If the developer disagrees with the reported bug, they may reject the report. This typically involves providing justification for the rejection.
8. Deferred: Sometimes, fixing a bug may not be feasible due to resource constraints or other priorities. In such cases, the bug may be deferred to a future release.
9. Not a Bug: Upon investigation, it may be determined that the reported issue is not actually a bug but rather the expected behavior of the software. In this case, the report is closed as "not a bug."

Advantages of Following a Bug Life Cycle

• A well-defined bug life cycle helps ensure that bugs are identified, reported, and fixed effectively. This leads to a higher quality software product.
• By identifying and fixing bugs early in the development process, you can avoid costly rework later on.
• A bug life cycle promotes better communication between testers, developers, and other stakeholders. Everyone involved has a clear understanding of the bug reporting and fixing process.

Disadvantages of Following a Bug Life Cycle

• Implementing and enforcing a bug life cycle can be challenging, especially in large or complex projects.
• There may be more efficient or streamlined bug tracking processes available depending on the specific needs of the project