| .. _reporting-bugs: |
| |
| ***************** |
| Dealing with Bugs |
| ***************** |
| |
| Python is a mature programming language which has established a reputation for |
| stability. In order to maintain this reputation, the developers would like to |
| know of any deficiencies you find in Python. |
| |
| It can be sometimes faster to fix bugs yourself and contribute patches to |
| Python as it streamlines the process and involves less people. Learn how to |
| :ref:`contribute <contributing-to-python>`. |
| |
| Documentation bugs |
| ================== |
| |
| If you find a bug in this documentation or would like to propose an improvement, |
| please submit a bug report on the :ref:`tracker <using-the-tracker>`. If you |
| have a suggestion on how to fix it, include that as well. |
| |
| If you're short on time, you can also email documentation bug reports to |
| docs@python.org (behavioral bugs can be sent to python-list@python.org). |
| 'docs@' is a mailing list run by volunteers; your request will be noticed, |
| though it may take a while to be processed. |
| |
| .. seealso:: |
| `Documentation bugs`_ on the Python issue tracker |
| |
| .. _using-the-tracker: |
| |
| Using the Python issue tracker |
| ============================== |
| |
| Bug reports for Python itself should be submitted via the Python Bug Tracker |
| (https://bugs.python.org/). The bug tracker offers a Web form which allows |
| pertinent information to be entered and submitted to the developers. |
| |
| The first step in filing a report is to determine whether the problem has |
| already been reported. The advantage in doing so, aside from saving the |
| developers time, is that you learn what has been done to fix it; it may be that |
| the problem has already been fixed for the next release, or additional |
| information is needed (in which case you are welcome to provide it if you can!). |
| To do this, search the bug database using the search box on the top of the page. |
| |
| If the problem you're reporting is not already in the bug tracker, go back to |
| the Python Bug Tracker and log in. If you don't already have a tracker account, |
| select the "Register" link or, if you use OpenID, one of the OpenID provider |
| logos in the sidebar. It is not possible to submit a bug report anonymously. |
| |
| Being now logged in, you can submit a bug. Select the "Create New" link in the |
| sidebar to open the bug reporting form. |
| |
| The submission form has a number of fields. For the "Title" field, enter a |
| *very* short description of the problem; less than ten words is good. In the |
| "Type" field, select the type of your problem; also select the "Component" and |
| "Versions" to which the bug relates. |
| |
| In the "Comment" field, describe the problem in detail, including what you |
| expected to happen and what did happen. Be sure to include whether any |
| extension modules were involved, and what hardware and software platform you |
| were using (including version information as appropriate). |
| |
| Each bug report will be assigned to a developer who will determine what needs to |
| be done to correct the problem. You will receive an update each time action is |
| taken on the bug. |
| |
| |
| .. seealso:: |
| |
| `How to Report Bugs Effectively <https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/bugs.html>`_ |
| Article which goes into some detail about how to create a useful bug report. |
| This describes what kind of information is useful and why it is useful. |
| |
| `Bug Writing Guidelines <https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/QA/Bug_writing_guidelines>`_ |
| Information about writing a good bug report. Some of this is specific to the |
| Mozilla project, but describes general good practices. |
| |
| .. _contributing-to-python: |
| |
| Getting started contributing to Python yourself |
| =============================================== |
| |
| Beyond just reporting bugs that you find, you are also welcome to submit |
| patches to fix them. You can find more information on how to get started |
| patching Python in the `Python Developer's Guide`_. If you have questions, |
| the `core-mentorship mailing list`_ is a friendly place to get answers to |
| any and all questions pertaining to the process of fixing issues in Python. |
| |
| .. _Documentation bugs: https://bugs.python.org/issue?@filter=status&@filter=components&components=4&status=1&@columns=id,activity,title,status&@sort=-activity |
| .. _Python Developer's Guide: https://devguide.python.org/ |
| .. _core-mentorship mailing list: https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/core-mentorship/ |