Step 1--Where is the bug located?

Isolating the source is the process of eliminating all the possible causes of the bug, until the actual cause is found. After you have identified a small number of objects as probable causes, you can usually solve the issue by examining the object definitions.

Identifying problem forms

Determine which forms are involved with the issue.

• Can you observe the bug directly on a form?
   For example, the contents of a field are not what you expect, or fields that should be visible are hidden. In this case, you know immediately which form to focus on.
• Can you observe only the results of the bug?
   The application developer must understand the workflow to determine the correct form. For example, a macro might run on one form that pushes data onto, or creates a request in, a different form--the issue is observed in the form that contains the pushed data, not the form with the bug.

Identifying problem fields

After you have isolated the form that contains the bug, isolate any fields that are associated with the issue.

• Can you observe the bug directly in a field?
• Is a macro involved?
   If so, look at the macro definition.
• Are the field properties involved?
   For example, the field is not large enough, or the default values are incorrect.