Error reporting can be a powerful tool for software developers, but relatively few actually make good use of the best related options. Quite often, developers rely instead on having bug reports trickle in from users, with progress being made only on those issues that receive enough such attention.
Making use of an automated bug tracking system like Exceptionless instead can allow just about any development team to produce better, more reliable software. As a quick look at that tool’s website will reveal, a dedicated platform like this can have a great deal to offer.
Taking Control of Bugs, Errors, and Exceptions
Many developers have experienced how frustrating it can be to solicit useful bug reports from users. Even when the reporting guidelines are laid out clearly and extensively, it can be difficult even to reproduce the issues that users complain about.
Automated systems that identify and collect information about bugs can easily turn out to be more productive to work with, at least in the average case. While it will often still be necessary to gather feedback from users as well, such platforms can make everyday bug maintenance and repair a lot easier through such facilities as:
Notification. Being made aware of a bug is always the first and most important step. Instead of simply hoping that users will make the effort to submit reports of their own, being able to rely on an automated tool to issue notifications makes everything else a lot easier. With an automated tool providing clear, definite information, having to prod users to provide more detail becomes a lot less of an issue.
Classification. Not all bugs are created alike, with some being much more important to address quickly than others. Once again, developers often waste far too much time trying to pin down the nature of the errors that users report in excessively vague, confusing fashion. An automated system that can highlight which bugs deserve the most attention will always improve productivity.
Description. Finally, a well designed reporting platform can also add details that users might neglect. In many cases, for example, having access to a full stack trace will make it much easier to understand a bug. Where users might be loathe to include so much information, an automated program can always be relied upon.
A Better Way to Deal with Software Bugs and Errors
As those who read more at Exceptionless.com/bug-tracking will see, there are other important benefits like these to consider, as well. Incorporating a capable bug reporting system into the maintenance work-flow of just about any project can easily pay off.