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Neto Hog
Neto Hog

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Bug or Not a Bug?

#discuss #healthydebate

Quick question!

When an issue is considered a bug?

  • 1) Something has been done and it is not working as intended.
  • 2) Something is working as intended but the planning was flawed.
  • 3) Something was done and is working as intended but things have changed over time and now the business rule is outdated.

I would like to know what you think, and please share cases where you have been in this doubt as well.

🤔

Top comments (2)

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mr_eking profile image
Eric King •

It's a fairly subjective topic, but my take as a software developer is:

  • If it's in production and it's not working as designed, it's a bug (though I usually call it a defect; I don't use the word "bug" because it has too much baggage)
  • If it's in production and working as designed, it's not a bug
  • If the design was flawed, or if the design is outdated, that doesn't make it a bug

To me, a bug represents production software that's not working as designed. A design flaw or outdated design is not a bug.

In reality though, the distinction is not very meaningful, since any production code that isn't working per current requirements needs to be fixed, right? Or at least put in a priority queue to fix.

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netohog profile image
Neto Hog •

I agree with your point of view! This topic came up today because I was defining exactly in which queue (bug or not bug) the problem should go to be fixed.

Thanks for sharing! 👍

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