Volume 2, Number 1 Copyright 1997 TGG June 16, 1997

EDITOR: Jack G. Ganssle, [email protected]

CONTENTS:
- Editor's Note
- Tracking Bugs
- Thought for the Week
- About The Embedded Muse

Editor's Note

As Softaid will probably continue the Embedded Update, I feel it�s inappropriate to use that forum for my own rants and ravings. Therefore, I�ve started a new newsletter, of which this is the first issue. Note the new name - �The Embedded Muse� - which better reflects my intentions.

With Softaid�s permission I�m using the Embedded Update�s list of 3000+ addressees as a subscriber base for this list. Don�t want to get these from me? No sweat - just send me ([email protected]) an email asking to get off the list and I�ll take care of it.

Tracking Bugs

That said, once the product hits the market things change. It�s unrealistic and perhaps unwise to fix post-release bugs as soon as they are discovered. New hardware and software releases are quite expensive, despite technologies like flash that permit in-circuit reprogramming of software and PLDs.

It is indeed necessary to track and manage bugs after release. Far too many outfits use nothing more than a poorly-organized file folder filled with random scraps of paper noting bugs as they get reported. Without a consistent form (at least!) you�re bound to forget to record critical bug info: who reported it, under what conditions it occurs, and the like.

Bugs reflect the product�s quality, and so perhaps represent the most important post-release technology management issue. It�s unforgivable to either lose bug information or to fix a bug but neglect the customer who reported it. Further, bug management - or �defect tracking� as it�s more commonly called - sheds light on the development process itself.

You need tools to help manage the inevitable bugs. Whether it�s a carefully managed three ring binder of bug reports, a custom database application, or a commercial product, do come up with a system for dealing efficiently with these problems.

I recommend buying instead of inventing a system. Two commercial defect tracking products are Bugbase from Archimedes (http://www.archimedesinc.com/bugbase.htm) and Visual Intercept from Elsitech (http://www.elsitech.com).

Thought for the Week