If debugging is the process of removing software bugs, then programming must be the process of putting them in.
You’re sitting at your desk, staring (glaring, rather) at your laptop. It’s 2 am. Your code just isn’t working and you’re not sure why. You’ve tried everything you can think of, but the bug is still there, taunting you. You feel like giving up and going to bed. You feel like throwing your laptop at the wall. You feel like crying. You start to doubt your abilities and wonder if you’ll ever be a great software engineer. In the depths of despair and frustration, you take a deep breath and decide to give it one more shot. You go through your code line by line, trying to find where you went wrong. And then, after what feels like an eternity, you see it.
A repeated function call.
A line without proper indentation.
A dang semicolon.
Bugs are the bane of every developer’s existence. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be a real headache to deal with. That’s why in this article, I’ll be teaching you the classic steps to solve any kind of bug in as little time as possible.
What is a bug?
A software bug is an error, flaw, or fault in the design, development, or operation of computer software that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways. The process of finding and correcting bugs is termed “debugging” and often uses formal techniques or tools to pinpoint bugs. Since the 1950s, some computer systems have been designed to detect or auto-correct various software errors during operations. – Wikipedia
Simply put, a bug is a software error. It’s when your code doesn’t produce the expected results. For example, when you write a function to increment the number 1 till it reaches 10, but you end up with a 10-character string of 1’s instead, that’s a bug. Debugging, on the other hand, is just what it sounds like: removing or fixing bugs.
Now, bugs typically have more disastrous consequences in everyday applications. Imagine a scenario where a bug in a banking application causes a user’s balance to be incorrectly displayed or a payment to be processed twice. That could lead to serious financial problems for the user.
Different types of bugs
Different types of bugs can occur while writing software. Some of the most common types of bugs include:
Syntax errors: Typos, missing punctuation, or incorrect formatting – these basic code mistakes prevent the program from even running.
Logic errors: The code runs smoothly, but the output is wrong due to flaws in the underlying logic, like the banking app example.
Runtime errors: Unexpected situations during execution, like memory issues or accessing invalid data, cause the program to crash or behave erratically.
Misinterpreted requirements: Even with seemingly correct code, the program might not achieve its intended purpose if the developer misunderstood the requirements.
How to Debug Code
In the following paragraphs, I’ll walk you through an efficient bug-solving process step-by-step, using an example to help you understand how to use it effectively.
Reproduce the error: When you first encounter a bug, you need to reproduce the error to understand its root cause. This involves identifying the specific steps or conditions that trigger the issue and then attempting to replicate them in a non-production environment.
Isolate the bug: To identify faulty code, the error message needs to be examined meticulously and then traced back to the specific line or lines of code that caused the issue. This may involve debugging tools, print statements, or code reviews.
Understand the Code: Go through every line of code in the program. Make sure you comprehend what each line is supposed to do.
Test Inputs and Outputs: Test your code with different inputs to see if the bug occurs consistently or only under certain conditions.
Fix the bug: At this point, you’ve probably identified the error in your code. Check for syntax errors, faulty logic, and issues with external dependencies. Brainstorm the solution to the bug, then refine it.
Do research: If you can’t come up with a solution on your own, it’s best to do some research online. Debug with your favorite AI tool. Look for forums like Stack Overflow where people may have experienced a similar issue and have found a solution. You can also search for tutorials or guides on how to fix the problem. If no solution is found, reach out to colleagues and senior engineers for assistance.
Test your solution: Once you have found a solution, test it. Make sure that the bug is completely fixed and that it doesn’t cause any new issues or side effects. It’s always a good idea to get a second opinion from a colleague or mentor before deploying the code to a production environment.
In conclusion, debugging is an essential skill for any developer. It can be a frustrating and time-consuming process, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can systematically identify and fix bugs in your code, saving yourself countless hours of hair-pulling and frustration. Remember, bugs are inevitable, but with practice and patience, you can become a proficient debugger. Thanks for reading!