Creating bug-free software is very difficult, to the point that it seems to be fiction. Software bugs are the difference between the software’s expected and actual behavior. While it is unachievable to create bug-free software, efforts may be made to reduce the number of defects in software via different prevention and detection methods.

Preventative methods are used to maintain software free of flaws. Detection techniques are used to detect software bugs. Because software defects are detected after they exist, detection is more costly than prevention.

Let’s look at the many types of software flaws, their causes, and how to prevent them.

The Different Types of Software Bugs

Software defects fall into three main categories:

1. Implementation Bugs: 

These flaws are created after implementing the necessary standards in the code, not during the requirements and design phases. So, they’re also called code errors.

Consider a program’s login page. The standard allows both alphabets and digits in a valid username. The developer allows symbols along with alphabets and integers in the username during implementation.

These are the most common software issues that may be avoided.

2. Specification Bugs: 

These are defects introduced during the creation of requirements and design standards.

For example, the specification states that an incorrect password will result in the error message “Incorrect Password!” “Incorrect Username or Password!” should be the error message here.

The issue is a specification fault if a novice developer unfamiliar with software security standards and procedures implements the stated behavior incorrectly.

Not detecting such issues in time may negatively impact the product development cycle.

3. Absent Specification Bugs: 

These are flaws that arise because no one considered them when the specifications were created.

For example, a website’s specification does not specify HTTPS support. Therefore, HTTPS support is assumed to be unnecessary.

Problems like product security vulnerabilities are classic examples. Security is frequently neglected in the early stages of product development and may not be noticed until a problem arises.

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How to Reduce Bugs in Software

The following methods may assist in avoiding software bugs:

1. Test-Driven Development

TDD promotes the creation of failed tests for the feature/product before building it. As the feature/product development progresses, the test cases begin to pass, confirming the feature/anticipated product’s behaviour. If tests are written before developing the feature/product, the probability of the feature/product reaching its end customers untested is significantly decreased. TDD may be a very effective method for preventing problems from developing because of insufficient testing.

2. Continuous Integration Continuous Testing

CICT stresses the need to automatically testing any code changes incorporated into the central code repository against specified test cases. Thus, continuous testing is only feasible when automated testing is developed and linked with a continuous integration/continuous delivery system.

To accomplish CICT for a product, it is critical to connecting the test automation system with the product’s build system.

Having a CICT process for the product ensures that any regressions/injections are detected as soon as they occur. This significantly reduces the time and effort required to hunt out the modifications that caused the regression/injection.

3. Behavioral Driven Development

BDD encourages the use of a DSL for inter-and intra-team communication. DSL improves stakeholder communication.

Using BDD, tests may be written in a simple text language like English, enabling everyone on the team to participate without becoming mired down in coding syntax.

This flexibility and openness in the development and evaluation of test cases may significantly aid in the reduction of problems caused by communication breakdowns between and within teams.

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4. Review and Management of Specifications

As the product’s scope expands, so do its requirements. The dedicated effort may be needed to evaluate and monitor specification changes. Early detection of any changes to the specifications that may cause a possible conflict may assist in avoiding problems later in the product’s implementation.

5. Coherent Communication

Communication between teams and team members may go a long way in highlighting missing/conflicting situations in specifications. If each team member is encouraged to speak about use cases or scenarios they believe are missing or contradictory in the specification, such problems may be discovered much more quickly and accurately.

Encouraging teams to get feedback from key stakeholders and discuss potential anticipated behaviors in the absence of/conflicting specifications may help reduce problems caused by implementation assumptions.

Conclusion

Preventing software bugs wherever possible is always a good idea. It will save you much time and work in the long run. However, as previously said, despite best attempts, some defects may make their way into the product. And that’s OK if these problems do not jeopardize the product’s user loyalty.

A program with many features but poor stability and performance is just as worthless as software with a high level of stability and performance but insufficient features to accomplish user tasks.

To develop bugs free software for your business contact a software development company & get a free contact today!