Hotfix vs Bugfix

Organizations depend on their software applications so much that resolving even minor application issues with the utmost priority is crucial. Therefore, it is obvious that developers and testers must maintain the application’s quality at all times to deliver a reliable product to their users. 

Issues can be discovered at any point, from an application’s inception to its release and even afterward. Therefore, it becomes essential to understand what practices one must adopt to resolve them efficiently. 

This guide explains two of these practices, Hotfix and Bugfix, their differences and how both are essential in different contexts. 

What is a Hotfix?

A hotfix is an immediate software update that resolves any critical issue in an application. It bypasses the usual software development process and integrates the change without causing any system downtime. 

The word “hot” conveys that the fix is applied to a live system without causing any downtime. Hotfixes are employed in situations that require immediate attention, as if the system is in a critical state and must be addressed urgently. While they may serve as a short-term remedy, hotfixes are often essential, particularly in scenarios where system outages could have severe consequences. 

Hotfixes are not often meant to be released publicly for several reasons such as:-

1. Hotfixes target specific issues and might not be needed by every user; therefore, they could create confusion for users who are not facing the issue for which hotfixes are meant.
2. There’s always an urgency when deploying hotfixes; therefore, there is a high chance they have not undergone rigorous software testing.
3. If the hotfix concerns a potential security breach, it could alert the threat actors before it is installed on every vulnerable system.

Who uses Hotfixes and why?

Hotfixes are reserved for urgent scenarios such as security vulnerabilities, changes in database schemas, software crashes, and more. The developer team releases hotfixes for such critical issues and takes them with the highest priority. The primary reason for implementing Hotfixes is to resolve an issue immediately that cannot wait for any future scheduled update.

Consider a scenario involving a banking application that begins displaying incorrect bank balances to users. In this case, delaying the fix could lead to widespread panic among customers, financial losses, and damage to the bank’s reputation. A quick resolution is essential to maintain trust and prevent further complications. 

Therefore, the development team would release a hotfix to correct the issue as soon as possible. The hotfix would involve identifying the root cause of the error, implementing a solution, and deploying it rapidly to restore accurate balance displays for users. 

Therefore it is recommended to prioritize such critical issues and resolve them with an immediate effect.

How does a Hotfix work?

A hotfix is a quick solution applied to fix urgent software issues like critical bugs or security vulnerabilities. When a problem is detected, developers quickly analyze it, create a fix, and test it to make sure it doesn’t cause new problems. 

The hotfix is then reviewed and tested in a staging environment before being deployed to production. This process usually happens outside regular release schedules to minimize downtime. After deployment, the system is monitored to ensure the fix works, and user feedback is gathered. Throughout the process, the focus is on speed and efficiency while keeping stakeholders informed.

What is a Bugfix?

A “bug” in a software application refers to an error in the codebase that causes it to behave unexpectedly and in a non-desired way. Therefore, updating the application’s code to fix any bugs present is known as Bugfix.

Before diving into how Bugfix works, let’s understand what factors cause bugs in an application in the first place. Here are a few reasons that lead to the rise of bugs in an application:- 

1. Incorrect logic, syntax error, or deprecated script in code.
2. In a complicated codebase, there are interrelated components that might interact improperly and cause issues.
3. Insufficient software testing might also overlook any bug present in the system.

Who uses a Bugfix and why?

Bugfixes are planned as part of the regular update cycle for developers and QAs and therefore undergo a proper amount of testing before it is released to the users, which makes them more reliable. 

For example, users report that the banking application is displaying dates inconsistently in different formats; in some places, dates appear in MM/DD/YYYY format whereas in DD/MM/YYYY format in others, indicating issues in the code. Since the issue poses no risk or vulnerability to the system, it will be handled in the next scheduled update. 

How does a Bugfix work?

All the errors and issues that the team receives through various channels and bug-tracking systems are analyzed and sorted according to their urgency level. The highly critical issues are dealt with right away which is known as a hotfix, as learned above, however, several issues that don’t require such urgent care are planned under the next scheduled update. 

A bugfix involves identifying a software bug and analyzing its cause. Developers then fix the code and test it to ensure the bug is resolved without affecting other parts of the software. The fix is reviewed for quality, then deployed to a test environment for further checks. Once approved, it goes live in production. Monitoring and user feedback help confirm the fix is successful. Good documentation and communication are essential throughout the process to maintain software quality and keep users informed.

Hotfix vs Bugfix

Here is a side-by-side comparison of hotfix vs bugfix to understand their core differences.

Why is it Important to Test on a Real Device Cloud Before Fixing the Bugs?

It has become a worldwide norm to thoroughly test your product before launching it to users in real-user conditions, as this effectively captures defects. It also ensures a good user experience, protects your reputation, and addresses other important factors. That said, real device cloud testing is one of the ideal ways to conduct a thorough test of your product. 

Testing on a real device cloud gives you access to unlimited devices in one place without having to buy numerous physical devices. This not only provides broader coverage for testing but also significantly reduces costs. 

BrowserStack is a one-stop solution providing real cloud devices and cross-browser testing capabilities. Testing your application on BrowserStack gives you an edge by performing parallel testing on a wide range of devices and operating systems in the cloud from older versions to the latest ones.

Therefore, a thorough test on a real device cloud ensures your application reaches a wider spectrum of devices and hence more users.

Talk to an Expert

Hotfix vs BugFix: What to choose?

Bugs are inevitable in a software application. There will always be some bugs present due to the continuous evolution of the software industry, which poses new challenges, unexpected user behavior, and other factors. 

Therefore, it is important to understand how to handle bugs and what practices to adopt that enhance efficiency.

Hotfixes are essential for addressing critical issues that pose security threats to users and organizations. However, it is important to understand that hotfixes are temporary solutions created to address critical issues, ignoring other areas of software. 

While hotfixes are essential for handling immediate issues, relying on them too much can harm productivity and compromise product quality. As a result, an overreliance on hotfixes ultimately becomes expensive.

A Bugfix is a correction applied to the codebase under regular software updates. It is part of the routine testing and handles non-critical bugs. Bugfix ensures that the regular development cycle remains uninterrupted, thus extensive testing becomes affordable increasing the reliability of the application.

A Bugfix also provides a permanent solution to issues addressed by previous hotfixes, thereby restoring the software’s stability. Additionally, Bugfixes address minor issues and proactively handle anticipated ones.

Software applications are expected to be reliable to users at all times. The key challenge that stands against are bugs, which are unavoidable and arise due to many reasons such as syntax error, insufficient testing, hackers, and other factors. 

If the issues are critical, which might pose a security threat or keep the system vulnerable, they should be addressed with a hotfix. However, minor bugs and future anticipated problems should be handled with Bugfix. 

Hotfixes are temporary solutions and eliminate any pressing risk. In contrast, Bugfixes are planned under scheduled software updates. Moreover, a Bugfix may also include a permanent solution to issues previously handled with hotfix. 

Understanding the difference between the two is essential for determining the appropriate context for their application, leading to more efficient decision-making.

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