What strategies do you use for debugging tricky problems? Any tools or methods you'd recommend?

Debugging is the process of identifying and resolving problems or defects in software. It can often be a developer's most time-consuming and frustrating task, but it's also one of the most crucial skills to hone, It's But sometimes, troubleshooting can be challenging.

We asked our community about their go-to strategies and tools for debugging tricky issues, and here's what they had to share ??

Visual debugging with CSS

• Borders & outlines: Some community members mentioned the simple yet effective technique of using a border or an outline in CSS to visually debug issues related to layout and positioning. This is helpful in identifying the boundaries and dimensions of an element on a webpage. Some developers use red borders or outlines on elements to identify issues. This technique provides a visual cue to the problematic element without affecting its width & and height calculations.
• Background tints: Tinted backgrounds (low opacity) can help understand the number of nested elements in a specific area. A tinted background helps understand the number of layers (nested elements) in a specific area of the page and provides a clearer view of the elements.

Console logging

• The console.log is still a very popular choice among our community. One member noted that most logic bugs stem from unexpected input or output values, so logging these can often pinpoint the issue. Logging inputs and outputs help identify inconsistencies in expected outcomes. Knowing where to place log statements can quickly narrow down the source of a bug.
• While browser debuggers are valuable, many find quick logging often faster and equally insightful.

Stepping back and taking breaks

Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to step away from it for a bit. A fresh perspective or a rested mind can often see issues that were previously missed.

Documentation

When a problem is solved during debugging, documenting it ensures that the solution is readily available when the same problem occurs in the future. This practice saves time and prevents the repeated search for solutions.

Descriptive commit messages

Detailed commit messages serve as valuable documentation, providing insights into why certain changes/decisions were made in the codebase.

Tools and extensions

• Browser debuggers: Tools like Chrome or Firefox's debugger can be useful for client-side code. These are essential for client-side code debugging. Browser debuggers help in identifying and solving issues in real time as developers can review elements, view computed styles, and manage JavaScript breakpoints.
• IDEs: Tools like WebStorm highlight errors in real-time, informing developers when something seems off. This instant feedback can help in avoiding and identifying bugs early in the development process.
• Chrome extensions: There are countless extensions designed to assist with debugging various aspects of web development.

Code structure and best practices

• Keeping functions small and specialised can make debugging easier. It's easier to troubleshoot a function with a single, focused purpose than one with complex logic.
• Typing variables, especially in languages like JavaScript, can help avoid type-related issues.

Comparing design vs. code

Comparing coded components with design files (e.g., from Figma) can be a helpful debugging technique for CSS. Tools like Figma provide pixel-perfect designs. By using a calculator to ensure the coded components' dimensions match those in the design, you can catch discrepancies early.