Most common software errors!

Hi all being a automation tester I faced lot of errors while doing the testing. So I just thought to give some most common software errors and examples with you. 

Following are the most common software errors that aid you in software testing. This helps you 

to identify errors systematically and increases the efficiency and productivity of software testing

Types of errors with examples 

User Interface Errors

 Missing/Wrong Functions, Doesn’t do what the user expects, Missing 

information, Misleading, Confusing information, Wrong content in Help text, Inappropriate error 

messages. Performance issues - Poor responsiveness, Can't redirect output, Inappropriate use of 

key board 

Error Handling: Inadequate 

Protection against corrupted data, tests of user input, version 

control; Ignores – overflow, data comparison, Error recovery – aborting errors, recovery from 

hardware problems. 

Boundary related errors

Boundaries in loop, space, time, memory, mishandling of cases 

outside boundary. 

Calculation errors

Bad Logic, Bad Arithmetic, Outdated constants, Calculation errors, 

Incorrect conversion from one data representation to another, Wrong formula, Incorrect 

approximation. 

Initial and Later states

Failure to - set data item to zero, to initialize a loop-control 

variable, or re-initialize a pointer, to clear a string or flag, Incorrect initialization. 

Control flow errors

Wrong returning state assumed, Exception handling based exits, Stack 

underflow/overflow, Failure to block or un-block interrupts, Comparison sometimes yields wrong 

result, Missing/wrong default, Data Type errors. 

Errors in Handling or Interpreting Data

Un-terminated null strings, Overwriting a file 

after an error exit or user abort. 

Race Conditions

Assumption that one event or task finished before another begins, 

Resource races, Tasks starts before its prerequisites are met, Messages cross or don't arrive in 

the order sent. 

Load Conditions

Required resources are not available, No available large memory area, Low 

priority tasks not put off, Doesn't erase old files from mass storage, Doesn't return unused 

memory. 

Hardware

Wrong Device, Device unavailable, Underutilizing device intelligence, 

Misunderstood status or return code, Wrong operation or instruction codes. 

Source, Version and ID Control

 No Title or version ID, Failure to update multiple copies of 

 data or program files. 

 Testing Errors

 Failure to notice/report a problem, Failure to use the most promising test 

case, Corrupted data files, Misinterpreted specifications or documentation, Failure to make it clear 

how to reproduce the problem, Failure to check for unresolved problems just before release, 

Failure to verify fixes, Failure to provide summary report. 

Hope this will give some valuable information to you. If you guys faced any other kind of errors while testing please do share with us.