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How can you use error messages to debug your game?

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Debugging is a crucial skill for any game developer, as it helps you find and fix errors in your code that can cause crashes, glitches, or unexpected behavior. Error messages are one of the most useful tools for debugging, as they provide clues about what went wrong and where to look for the problem. In this article, you will learn how to use error messages to debug your game, and some tips and tricks to make the process easier and faster.

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Aleh Strakachuk

UFL, Backend Technical Director

1 Understand the error message

The first step to use error messages to debug your game is to understand what they mean and how to read them. Error messages usually consist of three parts: the type of error, the location of the error, and the description of the error. The type of error tells you what kind of mistake you made, such as syntax, logic, or runtime errors. The location of the error tells you where in your code the error occurred, such as the file name, the line number, or the function name. The description of the error tells you more details about what caused the error, such as a missing variable, a wrong argument, or a division by zero.

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Doshagyasing Gowardun

Freelance Software Engineer | Android I IOS Development, C#, Game Development (Unity), Fiverr
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Understanding the error is the most important step. Lets take an example: Assets/Scripts/NetworkManager.cs(120,45): error CS0165: Use of unassigned local variable 'loginEmail' Here, we can break this into 3 parts: 1. What script is causing it (and the line number) 2. The error code 3. The description of the error The first one is self-explanatory, it simply means where the error is located. The error code is what you use when searching for this error online, think of it as an ID. And last, the description usually includes how to fix the error. Here, as per the description, the error was caused as I didn't initialise loginEmail before using it at line 120 on script NetworkManager.

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2 Use a debugger

The second step to use error messages to debug your game is to use a debugger, which is a tool that allows you to inspect and modify your code while it is running. A debugger can help you find the source of the error, test your hypotheses, and fix the error. A debugger usually has features such as breakpoints, which let you pause your code at a specific point; watch expressions, which let you monitor the values of variables; and step commands, which let you execute your code line by line or jump to different functions.

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Doshagyasing Gowardun

Freelance Software Engineer | Android I IOS Development, C#, Game Development (Unity), Fiverr
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A debugger (usually included in most IDEs such as VS) is what you use to understand the root cause of the error. It usually includes feature that you can use to monitor how different variables are being processed and how their values are changing when your software is running. It also allow you to choose to stop the execution of the program when it reaches a certain line. Overall, a debugger should be quite useful for developers.

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3 Use print statements

The third step to use error messages to debug your game is to use print statements, which are lines of code that print out information to the console or the screen. Print statements can help you track the flow of your code, check the values of variables, and identify where the error occurs. Print statements are especially useful for debugging logic errors, which are errors that make your code do something different than what you intended. For example, you can use print statements to check if your conditions are met, if your loops are working, or if your functions are returning the correct values.

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Aleh Strakachuk

UFL, Backend Technical Director
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Instead of using simple print statements just switch to thinking about logging facility in your codebase: * use log severity for your statements (debug, info, warning, error); * be informative in log messages, log important variable values; * be sure that the date and time is logged automatically; * log all important steps in application logic; * in addition to console stream use log file handler to save logs during execution to logs (but only for debug builds!); * disabled off logs at all in client build for production; Well-structured and detailed logs will save you a lot of time.

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Doshagyasing Gowardun

Freelance Software Engineer | Android I IOS Development, C#, Game Development (Unity), Fiverr
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Sometimes not all errors will be printed out automatically. This is what causes bugs in the game. An example would be: If instead of subtracting your damage variable to the health of the player, you are multiplying the later. The IDE or game engine won't know it is a mistake and will not raise any errors. Therefore, when debugging, you should be able to think about where can the bug be, and use print statements to print out the different values, in our case, print out the final value of the player health. This will allow you to observe how the value is changing and potentially catch the bug. Of course this can be done using your debugger, but this was just 1 example of why we should use print statements.

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4 Use online resources

The fourth step to use error messages to debug your game is to use online resources, such as forums, blogs, tutorials, or documentation. Online resources can help you learn more about the error message, the possible causes and solutions, and the best practices for debugging. Online resources can also help you find examples of similar errors and how other developers solved them. Online resources are especially useful for debugging syntax errors, which are errors that make your code invalid or unreadable by the compiler or the interpreter. For example, you can use online resources to check if you have typed the code correctly, if you have followed the rules of the language, or if you have imported the necessary libraries.

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Aleh Strakachuk

UFL, Backend Technical Director
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Recently, it's become possible to use AI-powered coding assistants, eliminating the need to use online resources most of the time. Look GitHub Copilot, Code Whisperer, etc.

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5 Use a rubber duck

The fifth step to use error messages to debug your game is to use a rubber duck, which is a technique that involves explaining your code and your error to a rubber duck or any other inanimate object. The idea is that by verbalizing your thoughts, you can spot the error, find the solution, or generate new ideas. The rubber duck can also help you organize your thoughts, clarify your logic, and improve your communication skills. The rubber duck technique can help you debug any type of error, as it forces you to review your code and your assumptions.

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6 Use a friend

The sixth and final step to use error messages to debug your game is to use a friend, which is another technique that involves asking someone else to look at your code and your error. A friend can help you find the error, suggest a solution, or offer a different perspective. A friend can also help you learn from your mistakes, motivate you, and support you. A friend can help you debug any type of error, as they can provide feedback, insights, and tips.

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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?

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Aleh Strakachuk

UFL, Backend Technical Director
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If you can't understand or fix the error message - just chill out for a while, drink a cup of coffee, and return in 15 minutes. it will help to reload your mind and you will find the right way!

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How can you use error messages to debug your game?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand the error message

2 Use a debugger

3 Use print statements

4 Use online resources

5 Use a rubber duck

6 Use a friend

7 Here’s what else to consider

Game Development

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How can you use error messages to debug your game?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand the error message

2 Use a debugger

3 Use print statements

4 Use online resources

5 Use a rubber duck

6 Use a friend

7 Here’s what else to consider

Game Development

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感谢您的反馈

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