What are the best practices for debugging a microcontroller program that crashes randomly?

1 Use a debugger

A debugger is a tool that allows you to pause, inspect, and modify the execution of your program. You can use a debugger to set breakpoints, watch variables, step through the code, and evaluate expressions. A debugger can help you find where and why your program crashes, and test different scenarios. You can use a hardware debugger, which connects to your microcontroller via a dedicated interface, or a software debugger, which runs on your computer and communicates with your microcontroller via a serial port or a USB cable.

2 Add logging statements

Logging statements are lines of code that print out information to a console or a file. You can use logging statements to monitor the state and behavior of your program, and track down the source of errors. Logging statements can show you the values of variables, the flow of control, the timing of events, and the occurrence of exceptions. You can use logging statements to debug your program without stopping it, or to complement the use of a debugger.

3 Use assertions

Assertions are statements that check if a condition is true, and raise an error if it is false. You can use assertions to verify the assumptions and expectations of your program, and catch potential bugs before they cause a crash. Assertions can help you validate the inputs and outputs of your functions, the consistency and integrity of your data structures, and the logic and correctness of your algorithms. You can use assertions to debug your program during development and testing, and disable them in production.

4 Simplify the code

Simplifying the code means reducing its complexity and eliminating unnecessary or redundant parts. You can simplify the code by refactoring it, which means improving its structure and readability without changing its functionality. You can also simplify the code by isolating it, which means separating it into smaller and independent units that can be tested and debugged individually. Simplifying the code can help you find and fix the bugs faster, and make your program more reliable and maintainable.

5 Test the hardware

Sometimes, the cause of a random crash is not in the software, but in the hardware. You can test the hardware by checking the connections, the power supply, the components, and the external devices that interact with your microcontroller. You can use tools such as a multimeter, an oscilloscope, a logic analyzer, and a signal generator to measure and analyze the electrical signals and parameters of your hardware. You can also use tools such as a breadboard, a prototyping board, or a soldering iron to modify and repair your hardware.

6 Review the documentation

The documentation is the source of information and guidance for using your microcontroller and its peripherals, libraries, and tools. You can review the documentation to learn about the features, specifications, limitations, and best practices of your microcontroller and its related software and hardware. You can also review the documentation to find examples, tutorials, tips, and troubleshooting advice that can help you debug your program. You can access the documentation online, or download it to your computer or device.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?