Chapter 1: The Importance of Honesty in Bug Reporting

Recently, a junior developer inquired whether I report bugs I encounter in the code. I emphasized that honesty is paramount in our field.

When it comes to bug reporting, the approach can vary based on your employment status—whether you’re a full-time employee, a first-time contractor, or a more experienced freelancer. Regardless of your situation, you will ultimately need to report any issues you find. One of the key reasons I’ve achieved success in my career is my commitment to truthfulness; it’s likely that issues will surface eventually, regardless of whether they are reported.

For minor bugs or areas needing improvement, I suggest having a direct conversation with the responsible party. A simple approach could be, "Next time, if there’s something to address, I have a suggestion for improvement." Sometimes, we can even make fixes discreetly.

However, significant bugs that affect operations or that could impact many devices on the market can be costly to address—often running into the millions. Such matters require collective effort and cannot be resolved in isolation. Naturally, we must take these issues seriously.

While the prospect of being reprimanded can be daunting, it is vital to summon the courage to admit mistakes. There’s an insidious pride that can hinder such admissions. This tendency isn’t unique to development; evading the truth leads to a cycle of deceit that ultimately jeopardizes both the company and one’s own integrity.

Delaying a response increases the risk of entrapment in a stalemate. Thus, I believe it is more effective to report issues promptly, engaging all stakeholders to devise a solution. When I make a report, I strive to discuss all possible solutions with the client, ensuring we investigate if there are similar issues or if any additional tests are necessary to prevent repetition.

Reiterating the same error can result in losing a client. However, I recognize that software is human-made, so bugs are an inevitable reality. I trust that a solid relationship can be cultivated through ongoing communication with clients.

In larger organizations, various departments—such as sales and quality assurance—conduct acceptance tests, meaning developers aren’t always solely accountable. I often find myself questioning who was responsible for testing.

Interestingly, despite facing significant challenges, none of my clients have ever severed ties with me. In fact, I’ve developed the strongest connections with those clients with whom I’ve encountered major issues. Thus, when I say something is off-limits, it is taken seriously.

This reminds me of a situation in a large company where I was a primary contractor, and the issue stemmed from my code. Although such errors occurred infrequently, they were often due to simple mistakes, like misnaming a variable. Initially, I consulted with the company, but they opted for internal measures without notifying the manufacturer, which was part of our agreement. As deadlines extended, frustration mounted.

One day, while chatting with the manufacturer's representative in the smoking area, I realized the gravity of the situation. It was essential to address this issue more rigorously, so I decided to speak candidly and directly to the parties involved. Ultimately, the manufacturer contracted a system integration company, and I coordinated with our secondary subcontractor group to resolve the issue. This allowed the manufacturer to work directly with me rather than relying on intermediaries. So, it turns out that honesty truly is the best policy.

Chapter 2: Resources for Effective Bug Reporting

In the video titled "M190: Make sure the bugs you report explain the simplest possible scenarios," viewers learn the importance of clarity in bug reporting. The video emphasizes that reports should be straightforward to avoid misunderstandings.

In another valuable resource, "How to write bug report like a pro in Jira. UI and API," viewers discover professional techniques for documenting bugs effectively in Jira, focusing on both UI and API contexts.