Web applications have become integral to modern life, from e-commerce platforms to social media networks and online banking. However, even the most sophisticated web apps are prone to bugs that can disrupt user experience, compromise security, and tarnish a brand’s reputation. Based on insights from popular surveys, here are the most common types of bugs found in web applications:
Overview: Web applications must function uniformly across multiple browsers. However, differences in how browsers interpret code often lead to compatibility problems.
Buttons or features not working in specific browsers.
Layout discrepancies due to unsupported CSS properties.
Prevention: Regularly test the application on popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Overview: Users expect seamless navigation, but broken links or missing resources like images and scripts can frustrate users.
Examples:
“404 Page Not Found” errors.
Missing stylesheets or JavaScript files.
Prevention: Use automated tools like Screaming Frog or manual testing to identify and fix broken links regularly.
Overview: Security flaws are among the most critical bugs, as they can expose sensitive user data or compromise the application.
SQL Injection and XSS (Cross-Site Scripting).
Weak authentication and authorization mechanisms.
Prevention: Conduct regular penetration testing, use secure coding practices, and stay updated on the OWASP Top 10.
Overview: A slow-loading application can lead to poor user experience and high bounce rates.
High server response times.
Inefficient database queries or unoptimized media files.
Prevention: Optimize code, use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), and implement caching strategies.
Overview: With mobile users accounting for a significant portion of web traffic, ensuring responsiveness is crucial.
Pages not adapting to different screen sizes.
Buttons or links too small for mobile users.
Prevention: Use responsive design frameworks like Bootstrap and conduct testing on various devices.
Overview: Forms are essential for user interaction but are often plagued with issues.
Lack of client-side validation leading to invalid data submission.
Forms crashing when unexpected input is entered.
Prevention: Implement robust client-side and server-side validation.
Overview: Poor session or cookie management can lead to security risks and functionality issues.
Sessions not timing out properly.
Cookies not being stored or retrieved correctly.
Prevention: Use secure flags for cookies and implement proper session management practices.
Overview: Web applications often integrate with third-party APIs or services. Bugs in these integrations can disrupt functionality.
Payment gateways failing during transactions.
Social media logins not functioning.
Prevention: Test third-party integrations extensively and implement fallback mechanisms.
Overview: Ensuring that web applications are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is both a legal and ethical requirement.
Missing alt text for images.
Inadequate keyboard navigation.
Prevention: Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and conduct accessibility audits.
Overview: These bugs occur when the application does not behave as intended due to coding errors or overlooked use cases.
Incorrect calculations in e-commerce discounts.
Features not working under specific conditions.Prevention: Conduct thorough unit and integration testing and encourage exploratory testing by QA teams.
Web applications are complex, and bugs are an inevitable part of development. However, proactive testing, secure coding practices, and a robust development lifecycle can help minimize these issues. Regularly reviewing feedback from surveys and prioritizing user experience and security can ensure a smoother, more reliable application.