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Georg Brandl8ec7f652007-08-15 14:28:01 +00001.. _reporting-bugs:
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4Reporting Bugs in Python
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6
7Python is a mature programming language which has established a reputation for
8stability. In order to maintain this reputation, the developers would like to
9know of any deficiencies you find in Python.
10
11If you find errors in the documentation, please use either the "Add a comment"
12or the "Suggest a change" features of the relevant page in the most recent
13online documentation at http://docs.python.org/.
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15All other bug reports should be submitted via the Python Bug Tracker
16(http://bugs.python.org/). The bug tracker offers a Web form which allows
17pertinent information to be entered and submitted to the developers.
18
19The first step in filing a report is to determine whether the problem has
20already been reported. The advantage in doing so, aside from saving the
21developers time, is that you learn what has been done to fix it; it may be that
22the problem has already been fixed for the next release, or additional
23information is needed (in which case you are welcome to provide it if you can!).
24To do this, search the bug database using the search box on the top of the page.
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26If the problem you're reporting is not already in the bug tracker, go back to
27the Python Bug Tracker. If you don't already have a tracker account, select the
28"Register" link in the sidebar and undergo the registration procedure.
29Otherwise, if you're not logged in, enter your credentials and select "Login".
30It is not possible to submit a bug report anonymously.
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32Being now logged in, you can submit a bug. Select the "Create New" link in the
33sidebar to open the bug reporting form.
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35The submission form has a number of fields. For the "Title" field, enter a
36*very* short description of the problem; less than ten words is good. In the
37"Type" field, select the type of your problem; also select the "Component" and
38"Versions" to which the bug relates.
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Benjamin Peterson83ea2a92008-05-04 19:10:02 +000040In the "Comment" field, describe the problem in detail, including what you
Georg Brandl8ec7f652007-08-15 14:28:01 +000041expected to happen and what did happen. Be sure to include whether any
42extension modules were involved, and what hardware and software platform you
43were using (including version information as appropriate).
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45Each bug report will be assigned to a developer who will determine what needs to
46be done to correct the problem. You will receive an update each time action is
47taken on the bug.
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49
50.. seealso::
51
Georg Brandlfa13b5e2008-01-21 18:41:24 +000052 `How to Report Bugs Effectively <http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/bugs.html>`_
Georg Brandl8ec7f652007-08-15 14:28:01 +000053 Article which goes into some detail about how to create a useful bug report.
54 This describes what kind of information is useful and why it is useful.
55
Georg Brandl02677812008-03-15 00:20:19 +000056 `Bug Writing Guidelines <http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Bug_writing_guidelines>`_
Georg Brandl8ec7f652007-08-15 14:28:01 +000057 Information about writing a good bug report. Some of this is specific to the
58 Mozilla project, but describes general good practices.
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