Debugging is an essential skill for any system developer, but sometimes you may encounter errors that are unfamiliar, vague, or hard to reproduce. How do you approach these situations and find the root cause of the problem? In this article, we will share some tips and strategies that can help you debug more effectively and efficiently.
The first step is to read and understand the error message, if there is any. Sometimes, the error message can give you a clue about what went wrong, where it occurred, and what type of error it is. For example, a syntax error means there is a mistake in the code structure, a type error means there is a mismatch in the data types, and a logic error means there is a flaw in the code logic. You can also use online resources or documentation to look up the meaning and possible causes of the error message.
Understanding the error is the starting point. Read the message carefully, search it over internal tools or stack overflow or google for some help. Go the respective code and use a debugger to see which piece of code is the culprit. Try different solutions to resolve it while on debugger.
A mensagem de erro normalmente traz alguma informa??o rastreável sobre a origem do erro. Use programas que auxiliem na visualiza??o correta da sintaxe, como Vscode ou até notepad++... Eles ajudam a mitigar erros de sintaxe e tipagem antes mesmo que eles aconte?am. Verifique a documenta??o e procure ajuda em fóruns e sites específicos da linguagem que estiver usando.
Understanding: Analyzing error messages and code context. Isolation: Narrowing down potential causes through systematic testing. Research: Utilizing documentation, forums, and resources to gain insights. Collaboration: Seeking input from colleagues or online communities. Trial and Error: Experimenting with different solutions while monitoring outcomes. Persistence: Continuing efforts until the issue is resolved, learning along the way. This iterative process enables effective resolution of unfamiliar errors.
The next step is to reproduce the error consistently and reliably. This means you need to identify the input, output, and conditions that trigger the error. You can use tools such as debuggers, loggers, or breakpoints to monitor and inspect the state of the system as it runs. You can also use test cases, unit tests, or automated tests to verify the expected and actual behavior of the system. By reproducing the error, you can narrow down the scope and isolate the source of the problem.
In my point of view this would be the crucial step. Once you have an idea what kind of error whether it's a syntax or something else, attempting to reproduce the error is a must and once you're able to do that you can pretty easily backtrack and find ways to fix the error. Granted to fix the error you might have to do further research but at least this way you can focus on what to research and narrow your research which should help you accelerate the fix process.
Em minha vivência com desenvolvimento aprendi que o melhor debuger é o nosso cérebro. Revise a entrada, os passos do processamento e entenda qual etapa está gerando o erro. Isso fará com que você análise etapa por etapa e solucione o problema.
The third step is to use the divide and conquer method to pinpoint the exact location and cause of the error. This means you need to split the system into smaller and simpler parts, and test each part separately to see if it works or not. You can use techniques such as commenting out code, adding print statements, or using conditional statements to isolate and eliminate the parts that are not related to the error. By using the divide and conquer method, you can reduce the complexity and focus on the relevant part of the system.
The divide and conquer method serves as a practical framework for debugging unfamiliar errors in cloud-based applications. Scenario: After migrating a legacy banking system to the cloud, certain functionalities exhibit erratic behavior. Divide and Conquer Approach: Break down the migrated system into individual components, focusing on one module at a time. Utilize cloud-native debugging tools to assess the performance and interactions of each component. Employ A/B testing to compare the behavior of the cloud-deployed modules with their legacy counterparts. Result: By systematically analyzing each component, you can identify compatibility issues, network latency, or misconfigured cloud resources causing the discrepancies.
The fourth step is to research and learn from others who have faced similar or related errors. You can use online platforms such as Stack Overflow, GitHub, or forums to search for questions, answers, or solutions that are relevant to your error. You can also use online tutorials, courses, or books to learn more about the concepts, tools, or frameworks that are involved in your system. By researching and learning from others, you can gain new insights, perspectives, and ideas that can help you solve your error.
The fifth step is to try different solutions and test them until you find the one that works. You can use trial and error, experimentation, or hypothesis testing to come up with possible solutions and test them against the error. You can also use tools such as version control, code review, or refactoring to manage, improve, or optimize your code. By trying different solutions and testing them, you can validate, verify, and evaluate your results.
The last step is to document and share your findings with yourself and others. You can use tools such as comments, notes, or diagrams to document your debugging process, findings, and solutions. You can also use tools such as blogs, podcasts, or videos to share your debugging experience, challenges, and lessons with others. By documenting and sharing your findings, you can improve your understanding, memory, and communication skills, as well as help others who may encounter the same or similar errors in the future.