What is a Bug?
In the context of software and technology, a "bug" refers to an error, flaw, or unintended behavior in a computer program or system that causes it to produce incorrect or unexpected results. Bugs can manifest in various forms, such as crashes, glitches, or incorrect outputs. They can occur at different stages of software development, from coding and design to testing and deployment.
Finding and fixing bugs is an essential part of the software development process. Developers use debugging tools and techniques to identify and resolve these issues to ensure that the software operates as intended. Additionally, user feedback and testing play crucial roles in discovering and addressing bugs before software is released to the public.
🌟 Fun fact! The term "bug" has a famous historical origin. In 1947, Grace Hopper, a computer scientist, found an actual moth causing problems in the Harvard Mark II computer. She taped the moth into the computer's logbook and noted, "First actual case of bug being found." Since then, the term "bug" has been widely used in the software industry to describe any kind of programming error.
Why Reproducing a Bug is Helpful
There are infinite combinations of browsers, devices, settings, and versions when it comes to software. With these variables, there is a lot to narrow down to track the specific issue/bug! Usually what you're experiencing is only affecting 1% or less of our users because of some combination of things we haven't anticipated or tested. That's why we rely on you to help us figure it out!
When you report a bug to us, we'll often ask for "steps to reproduce", "steps to replicate" or "how to recreate" the bug. What this means is you give us the details we need to see the bug. Usually, once we're able to do that, we'll have a fix-up very quickly.
The best way to do this is to send us a video or picture of what you're seeing. These videos or images, accompanied by narration of what exactly you're pressing, allow us to see what exactly is going on. Often this gives us the "aha!" moment, as texting/typing about software usage usually leads to misunderstandings and naming issues whereas a video is clearer.
Keep reading to see how to record a video or take a screenshot on your device!
How to Screen-record via Computer
In this section, you'll see full steps on how to capture a screen recording using your Windows or Mac computer.
On desktop/laptop, apps like CloudApp allow super-simple video recording. Getting them installed often takes about 5 minutes.
Mac
Use the Screenshot toolbar
To view the Screenshot toolbar, press these three keys together: Shift, Command, and 5. You will see onscreen controls for recording the entire screen, recording a selected portion of the screen, or capturing a still image of your screen:
Use QuickTime Player
Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder, then choose File > New Screen Recording from the menu bar.
If you see the onscreen controls described above, follow those steps.
If you see the Screen Recording window described below, follow those steps.
Before starting your recording, you can click the arrow next to the Record button to change the recording settings:
To record your voice or other audio with the screen recording, choose a microphone. To monitor that audio during recording, adjust the volume slider. If you get audio feedback, lower the volume or use headphones with a microphone.
To show a black circle around your pointer when you click, choose Show Mouse Clicks in Recording.
To start recording, click the Record button and then take one of these actions:
Click anywhere on the screen to begin recording the entire screen.
Or drag to select an area to record, then click Start Recording within that area.
To stop recording, click the Stop button in the menu bar, or press Command-Control-Esc (Escape).
After you stop recording, QuickTime Player automatically opens the recording. You can now play, edit, or share the recording.
Windows
Record any portion of your screen (or the whole screen) with Screen Recorder in Snipping Tool
Snipping Tool comes as part of Windows 11 and is also available via the Microsoft Store. Snipping Tool already allows you to take an image from your screen, but now it also allows you to select a portion of your screen and start video recording:
To open Snipping Tool, simply search for it in the Start menu search box.
In the top toolbar, press the Record button, then press New.
Click to drag and drop a rectangle indicating the portion of the screen you would like to record.
Press Start and you will see a 3-second countdown begin for your recording.
After you finish, press Stop. Your recording can then be copied into memory, shared via the Share dialog, or Saved (by default, it will be saved in the Videos folder).
How to Screen-record via Mobile Device
In this section, you'll see full steps on how to capture a screen recording using your Apple or Android device.
Apple
Record your screen
Go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls, then tap next to Screen Recording.
Swipe up from the bottom edge of any screen. On iPhone X or later or iPad with iOS 12 or later, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen.
Press deeply on and tap the Microphone.
Tap Start Recording, then wait for the three-second countdown.
Open the Control Center and tap. Or tap the red status bar at the top of your screen and tap Stop.
Go to the Photos app and select your screen recording. Full article on apple.com
Android
Swipe down from the top of your screen.
Tap Screen record
You might need to swipe right to find it.
If it's not there, tap Edit
and drag Screen Record
to your Quick Settings.
Choose what you want to record and tap Start. The recording begins after the countdown.
You can choose whether to record audio and show touches on the screen before you start.
To stop recording, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Screen Recorder notification
Find screen recordings
Open the Photos app
Tap Library > Movies.
How to take Screenshots via Computer
In this section, you'll see full steps on how to capture a screenshot using your Windows or Mac computer.
Windows:
Press the "PrtScn" key to capture the entire screen or "Alt + PrtScn" to capture the active window.
Open an image editor (like Paint or Microsoft Word) and paste the screenshot using "Ctrl + V."
Save the file.
Mac
Press "Command + Shift + 3" to capture the entire screen or "Command + Shift + 4" to capture a selected area.
The screenshot will be saved to your desktop by default.
Linux:
Use the "PrtScn" key to capture the entire screen or install a screenshot tool like "gnome-screenshot" or "ksnapshot" for more options.
How to Take Screenshots via Mobile Device
In this section, you'll see full steps on how to capture a screenshot using your Apple or Android device.
iOS (iPhone/iPad):
Press the Side Button and the Volume Up button simultaneously.
The screenshot will be saved in the Photos app.
Android:
Press the Power button and the Volume Down button simultaneously.
Screenshots are usually saved in the "Screenshots" folder in the Gallery or Photos app.
Other Helpful Info
It's beneficial for our team to know as much information as they can about the issue you're experiencing. This information can help us narrow down if it's a device-specific issue, an issue with certain web browsers, or something else entirely. Here's some other info you can provide that will help us out:
What web browser you're using
Chrome, Safari, Edge, etc.
What device you're using
Knowing if it's Apple or Android helps, but letting us know the specific device is really helpful
For example: saying "Android" is a little broad as there are many Android devices. Saying "Samsung S23+" lets us know the specific device and operating system you're working with.
Which app you're using
Spectora currently has two apps - Version 9 (Legacy) and Version 10 (Next Gen).
Version 9 is the light blue icon and Version 10 is the navy blue icon
Which app version you're running with Version 10
While we're perfecting the Version 10 app, we send out releases for new versions every couple of weeks. Each version has different fixes or features, so knowing which version you're on can help us determine if your app needs to be updated or if this is a bug within the latest release
Issues with Multiple Devices
If you're having issues between multiple devices, like syncing, this becomes more difficult. Using the video camera on a third device, you could record what you're seeing on the two devices.
Another great way to communicate steps-to-reproduce is by writing up detailed steps that can consistently (at least 50% of the time) replicate the issue.
Here's an example:
On device A (a Galaxy S8 with good WiFi connection and plenty of free storage), logged in as "test@spectora.com", I go into the inspection on "123 Main St." and check the comment "Flashings corroded" in section "Roof" and item "Flashings".
Once checked, I tap the "take photo" button and take a photo. I annotate it with an arrow and save it.
Next I tap back to the Inspection Details page and tap "Save". Once the save completes and it says "Saved!" on top, I switch to the other device.
On device B (an iPad Pro on 3g with 2 gb free storage), logged in as "test2@spectora.com", I open the same "123 Main St." inspection and tap "Sync". Once it successfully syncs, I go into the "Roof"->"Flashings" section.
I expect to see "Flashings corroded" checked with a photo present. However, I see it unchecked and without a photo.
Sending recordings and pictures to us
Attach to chat with 📎 icon or email to info@spectora.com
We Appreciate Your Help!
We can't emphasize enough how important it is for you to take a few minutes to help us recreate the issue if you want a quick resolution.
Help us help you! With your cooperation, we still can roll out same-day or even same-hour bug fixes!
Think you're running into a bug? Check out these articles for some good troubleshooting steps to try!
If none of these work, reach out to us on the bubble!
If you have any questions or feedback, write into our chat bubble or email support@spectora.com!
