RE: [PHP-QA] Is a new bug reporting system needed?

At 01:37 PM 6/30/00 -0600, Jason wrote:

There are mixed opinions on whether or not we need to rework the bug database. Perhaps before the issue is decided we should consider the following questions. What are the benefits of changing? What are the drawbacks of changing? Could we use an existing bug tracking system? What is the best solution? ---------------------------------------------- My personal opinions are as follows: ---------------------------------------------- Q) What are the benefits of changing? A) The new system could help smooth out the debugging process. Example of how this could be accomplished follow:

      Screening - If the system is constructed so that the user

needs to specify the details of the bug before they enter details on the bug, then there should be less duplication of bug reports. The system could be designed to help reduce multiple submits on the same bug.

      Confirmation - Bug reports could be assigned via an

automated distribution system to active QA team members. They would then try to confirm the bug. Many spurious errors will be caught this way. Bugs that survive this testing stage will be validated and brought to the attention of the developers.

      Re-evaluation - Reworking the system would give us a change

to re-examine bugs as they are encountered. This alone will close many bugs.

      Integration - Reworking the bug tracking system will allow

us to easily incorporate features that will help the QA effort. It seems to me from what I've read the the real problem is a lack of people willing to work on squashing and verifying bugs. I'm not so sure that the system needs to be completly changed. I like a previous idea of modifying the system to allow us to view bug reports and possibly close duplicates and bogus reports. It might be a good idea to help screen them as well. If someone submits a really vague report, then we could help gather info so the developers don't have to do it. I think changing the system would be pretty time consuming and it doesn't seem to work all that bad. Jason

I agree with Jason. The main problem is the lack of people going through the bugs database. Not that I am against using a different system if it is better but I don't see that as the main issue or problem we are having currently. The main issue is lack of man power. Andi --- Andi Gutmans <andi@zend.com> http://www.zend.com/