Debugging Strategies

Debugging is the core activity of programming. We spend more time fixing code than writing new code. Yet, few schools teach debugging as a formal skill.

1. Reproduce the Bug

If you can't reproduce it consistently, you can't fix it. Find the exact set of inputs that cause the crash.

2. Isolate the Cause

Use binary search (commenting out half the code) to narrow down the location. If dealing with API data, use a JSON Formatter to ensure the data is what you expect it to be.

3. Fix and Verify

Apply the fix and then—this is critical—verify that it actually fixed the bug AND didn't break anything else (Regression Testing).

Conclusion

Don't just guess and check. Be scientific. Form a hypothesis, test it, and iterate.