Bug tracking software is an application that helps programmers keep track of problems in their software programs. These problems are referred to commonly as bugs. Another name for bug tracking software is issue tracking software or system.
Many bug-tracking software programs, primarily open source programs (those that allow users to make changes) will let any users report these bugs as soon as they locate them. Other bug tracking software applications are only used in-house by an organization or business entity that is developing its own software. Most of the time bug tracking software is integrated with other project management software.
Bug tracking software is highly regarded in the world of software development, with software development firms using it extensively.
One of the major components of any bug tracking software is a database for recording facts about the bugs that are known. These facts could include the date and time the bug was first recorded, how severe it is, the erroneous behavior it exhibits or produces, and the details about reproduction of the bug. The software should also provide for documentation of the name of the person reporting each as well as the name of any engineers or programmers who are working on correcting it.
Most bug tracking software supports the bug life cycle concept. This is tracked by assigning a status to each bug. The bug tracking program should let administrators determine which users are allowed to editor or view a bug in what status, who can move each bug to a different status, or delete it altogether. The application should also let administrators configure the status of each bug and what status it is allowed to relocate to.
A bug tracking software can generate reports in a corporate environment. These reports note the programming productivity associated with repairing bugs. Generally bug tracking software is used by a team of professionals who specialize in application support or help desk functions, keeping track of issues that they convey to software developers.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug_tracking
