Debugging Basics
Develop the skills to find and fix errors in your code, turning frustrating bugs into learning opportunities.
11 lessons
What Is Debugging?
Debugging is the systematic process of finding and fixing errors in code — a core skill every programmer develops.
Types of Errors
Errors come in three main types: syntax errors that prevent running, runtime errors that crash during execution, and logic errors that produce wrong results.
Reading Error Messages
Error messages contain valuable clues about what went wrong and where — learning to read them turns frustration into fast fixes.
Error Handling Philosophy
Good error handling means thinking ahead about what could go wrong and choosing whether to crash loudly or recover gracefully.
Reproducing a Bug
You can't fix what you can't reproduce — finding the exact steps that trigger a bug is the essential first step in debugging.
Print Debugging
Adding print statements to see variable values and execution flow is the oldest and most accessible debugging technique.
Introduction to Debuggers
Debuggers let you pause your program, step through it line by line, and inspect variables — like having a slow-motion replay of your code.
Isolating Problems
When bugs hide in large programs, systematically narrow down the location by eliminating code until you find the smallest piece that fails.
AI for Hypothesis Testing
When you're stuck debugging, AI can suggest possible causes and help you form hypotheses to test systematically.
Writing a Minimal Example
A minimal example is the smallest possible code that demonstrates a bug — creating one often reveals the cause and makes getting help easier.
What Is Testing?
Testing verifies your code works correctly before users find the bugs.
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