Software Testing - Bugzilla: Tracking and Managing Defects

What is Bugzilla?

Bugzilla is an open-source defect tracking and bug management tool developed by the Mozilla Foundation. It is widely used by software development teams to log, track, and manage bugs and other issues during the software development lifecycle.

Purpose

  • To keep track of reported software bugs and feature requests.

  • To ensure issues are prioritized, assigned, and resolved efficiently.

  • To provide a centralized platform for developers, testers, and stakeholders.

Key Features

  1. Bug Tracking

    • Create, view, and manage bug reports with detailed descriptions, steps to reproduce, and attachments.

  2. Advanced Search & Filtering

    • Find bugs using multiple filters like severity, status, product, or assignee.

  3. Custom Fields

    • Add fields to match the project’s specific needs.

  4. Email Notifications

    • Automatic updates to users when bugs are assigned, updated, or resolved.

  5. Security & Permissions

    • Role-based access control for different team members.

  6. Reporting & Charts

    • Visual reports on bug trends, resolution rates, and workload distribution.

  7. Integration

    • Can be integrated with version control systems like Git, CVS, and Subversion.

Bug Life Cycle in Bugzilla

  1. New – A bug is reported.

  2. Assigned – The bug is assigned to a developer for fixing.

  3. In Progress – Developer starts working on the fix.

  4. Resolved – The bug is fixed and marked as resolved.

  5. Verified – Tester confirms the fix.

  6. Closed – Bug is officially closed after verification.

  7. Reopened – If the bug reappears after being fixed.

Advantages

  • Free and open-source with no licensing cost.

  • Highly customizable for different workflows.

  • Strong search and reporting capabilities.

  • Supports large-scale projects with thousands of bugs.

Limitations

  • UI is outdated compared to newer tools like Jira or Trello.

  • Requires technical setup and server hosting.

  • May feel complex for beginners.

Who Uses Bugzilla?

  • Large open-source projects like Mozilla Firefox and Linux Kernel.

  • Software companies needing a cost-effective and reliable bug tracking system.