Debugging Techniques
In everyday language, a bug means an insect or pest. In programming, a bug is an error or flaw in a program that causes it to behave incorrectly or unexpectedly.
A bug does not only appear as a program crash.
It can also appear as:
- a game character passing through walls
- an interface element not displaying correctly
- icons or emojis appearing as empty squares
- features not working as intended
Reducing the Number of Bugs
While bugs cannot be completely avoided, they can be minimized.
Some common practices include:
1. Good Team Communication
Clear communication and good project management help teams:
- understand requirements correctly
- reduce misunderstandings
- catch problems early
A healthy team workflow often leads to fewer bugs.
2. Testing
Testing helps identify problems before users encounter them.
Common types of testing:
- Alpha testing Performed in early development stages by the development team.
- Beta testing Performed by a wider group of users before public release.
3. Software Development Methodology
Using a structured development approach helps reduce bugs.
One common methodology is Agile, which focuses on:
- continuous development
- frequent feedback
- small, incremental improvements
4. Collaboration Tools
Using collaboration platforms improves coordination and code quality.
Examples:
- Version Control Systems (VCS) such as Git
- Platforms like GitHub or GitLab
These tools help track changes, review code, and fix bugs collaboratively.
What Is Debugging?
Debugging is the process of:
- identifying errors
- analyzing their causes
- fixing or removing them
The goal of debugging is to ensure the program works as intended.
Types of Debugging
There are generally two main approaches to debugging:
- Manual debugging
- Debugging with tools (code editors / debuggers)
1. Manual Debugging
Manual debugging involves understanding how the program works and carefully examining its logic.
Common steps include:
- identifying the error
- locating the source of the problem
- analyzing the affected lines of code
- checking whether the bug impacts other parts of the program
- verifying assumptions using tests
- fixing the bug
This approach requires strong understanding of the program’s behavior.
2. Debugging with Tools
Modern code editors and IDEs provide built-in debugging tools.
These tools allow programmers to:
- set breakpoints
- inspect variable values
- step through code line by line
- observe program flow
Examples of debugging tools:
In Short
- A bug is an error that causes incorrect behavior
- Debugging is the process of finding and fixing bugs
- Bugs can be reduced through good practices and testing
- Debugging can be done manually or with specialized tools
Debugging is not just about fixing errors — it is about understanding how programs really work.