Debian backlog如何报告问题

Reporting Problems to the Debian Backlog: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Debian backlog comprises unresolved issues (bugs, feature requests, or package-specific problems) tracked via the Debian Bug Tracking System (BTS). Reporting a problem effectively is critical to ensuring it gets attention and resolution. Below is a structured guide to the process:

1. Prepare Before Reporting

Before submitting a report, confirm the issue is reproducible and not a duplicate. Key preparatory steps include:

• Reproduce the Issue: Consistently recreate the problem (e.g., “Launching firefox crashes with a segmentation fault”).
• Check Existing Reports: Search the Debian BTS using the package name or error keywords. If a duplicate exists, add your comments to the existing report instead of creating a new one.
• Gather System Information: Collect details about your environment to help developers diagnose the issue. Use these commands:

  uname -a          # Kernel version  
  lsb_release -a    # Debian release  
  dpkg -l | grep package_name  # Installed package versions  
  

• Review Documentation: Ensure the issue isn’t caused by a misunderstanding (e.g., misconfigured settings).

2. Choose a Reporting Method

Debian supports two primary ways to report bugs:

A. Using reportbug (Recommended for Most Users)

reportbug is a command-line tool that automates report generation and submission. It gathers system metadata (package versions, OS details) and formats the report for the BTS.

• Install reportbug (if not already installed):

  sudo apt install reportbug
  

• Run reportbug:

  reportbug
  

• Follow Prompts:
  1. Select the affected package from a list.
  2. Choose a severity level (Critical, Important, Normal, Minor, Wishlist).
  3. Provide a detailed description (see Crafting the Report below).
  4. Review and submit the report.

B. Manual Email Submission

For advanced users or cases where reportbug isn’t suitable, submit a report via email to submit@bugs.debian.org.

• Format the Email:
  • Subject: Briefly describe the issue (e.g., “hello package prints ‘goodbye’ instead of ‘hello, world’”).
  • Body: Include:
    • Package name and version.
    • Steps to reproduce.
    • Expected vs. actual behavior.
    • System information (from step 1).
    • Error logs/screenshots (if applicable).
  • Attachments: Add relevant files (e.g., crash logs) via links (do not attach large files directly).

3. Crafting an Effective Report

A clear, detailed report increases the likelihood of a swift resolution. Include the following sections:

• Summary: A one-sentence description of the issue (e.g., “firefox crashes on launch with a segmentation fault”).
• Steps to Reproduce: Numbered steps to trigger the bug (e.g., “1. Open terminal. 2. Run firefox. 3. Observe crash”).
• Expected Behavior: What should happen (e.g., “Firefox should launch and display the default homepage”).
• Actual Behavior: What happens instead (e.g., “Firefox crashes with a segmentation fault”).
• Environment: System details (OS version, package versions, hardware).
• Logs/Error Messages: Attach terminal output, crash logs, or screenshots.
• Severity: Classify the bug (see Severity Levels below).
• Additional Notes: Mention workarounds (if any) or related issues.

4. Severity Levels

Classify your bug to help developers prioritize it:

• Critical: Prevents the system or software from functioning (e.g., system crash, data loss).
• Important: Significant inconvenience but workarounds exist (e.g., feature missing, major UI glitch).
• Normal: Regular bug with moderate impact (e.g., minor functionality issue).
• Minor: Cosmetic issues (e.g., typo, icon misalignment).
• Wishlist: Feature requests or suggestions (not bugs).

5. After Submission

Once your report is submitted:

• Acknowledgment: You’ll receive an email confirming receipt. The report will be assigned a unique ID (e.g., #123456).
• Developer Follow-Up: Maintainers may ask for additional information (e.g., logs, test cases). Respond promptly to avoid delays.
• Track Progress: Use the BTS web interface to monitor your report’s status (e.g., “open,” “pending,” “fixed”).
• Updates: If you find new information (e.g., the bug occurs only on a specific architecture), update the report.

Best Practices

• Be Descriptive: Avoid vague statements (e.g., “It doesn’t work”). Provide specific details.
• Stay Polite: Developers volunteer their time—respectful communication fosters collaboration.
• Avoid Duplicates: Search the BTS before reporting to prevent redundant reports.
• One Issue Per Report: Don’t combine multiple unrelated problems in a single report.
• Be Patient: Resolution times vary based on bug severity and maintainer availability.

By following these steps, you’ll contribute to the Debian ecosystem by helping maintainers identify and fix issues efficiently. Every well-reported bug brings the project closer to delivering a more stable and reliable experience for all users.