Bo way you can avoid bug. Software always have bugs no matter what. To avoid trouble, don't use the latest version, let the big company use them first. Don't use version like IC5.00 but use IC5.143 etc because the new big version alway have a lot of bugs. Use the old stable one, even if the software have bug, there are way to work around it. The are a lot PKS (problems known and solved) the software company website.
I guess by thoroughly reading the documentation, support forum archives, upgrading the software with latest add-ons/patches/updates and trying to use it as the software house intended it to use.
Because it called "tool bugs" therefore if you use a tool, you will meet it. No way to avoid absoletely !
However, as there are a lot ways to reach a target point, you can chose one.
In my opinion, you should usually contact with the supplier to get new information about the tool that you bought. Add-on and update should always be remembered.
Use the normal functions producted by this tools.
EDA Vendors will do their best to test the normal functions. Some special options might cause different understands.
Main matter is there how critical the bug is??If the bug is not creating the desiired behaviour but it is onlu producing some unwanted things too then in that case we can ignore the bug
Stable version doesnot guarantee that the tooll is bug free but it only tells that whatever is expected behaviour it satisfyies that much ....but it may be some bugs will be still there
But new version is for new technology such as 90nm, old version can't solve those problem, especial SI.
EDA vendors will send those tools for some big companies before releasing. So I think we can use the normal option of those tools, those don't inlcude bugs.