Be a Better Programmer By Mastering Debugging

The ability to debug, or methodically find the source of problems in your code, is one skill that makes or breaks most new programmers. In this video I explain what debugging is, why it's important and 7 fundamentals to be a better "debugger".

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[AndySterkowitz]

How are your debugging skills at this point? Did this video give you any valuable tips on how to improve them moving forward?

[codestories]

Being able to debug is a good sign that you understand the logic behind your code. Great advice, Andy!

[simranthiara]

I saw a funny quote on reddit that said, “debugging is like being a detective in a crime movie where you’re also the murderer”

[raymondchen]

The 7 Fundamentals To Be A Better "debugger"
1. Mindset Change
2. Read Error Message
3. Using Debugging Tools
4. Double Check Logic
5. Assume Human Error
6. Small Changes
7. Take Mental Break

[AllyrionWW]

I’m still very new to coding but debugging is actually one of the attractive parts of coding to me. I love trying to find small problems and looking at things from different angles. This might not be the case when it’s actually my job but hopefully it’s not too painful since I like it from the start.

Great video Andy!

[skhumbuzocele]

Debugging without actually showing any examples or actual real life example of debugging. Great it is an honor to to

[mikaeljacobsson]

Debugging is one of the fun and interesting parts of programming.

[deonrich]

Haha, its really funny you made this! I was just sitting at my desk with pen and pad trying to find the root of a problem in some code (I found it yay :) ) and my phone was sitting beside me and gave me a notification of your video lol. Good timing Andy! And great video! 👍👌

[agentm]

I've actually recently gotten to the point where I'm debugging my code in my project. I've definitely been Googling for solutions. Useful video, thanks.

[carlosquinones]

THIS. THIS. THIS. ABSOLUTELY THIS.

The FIRST thing you want to learn about programming at all is LEARN HOW TO DEBUG.

Everything you said in the video is 100% spot on you can't miss any of this stuff. But definitely the most important lesson here is DON'T ASSUME, EVER. Your assumptions are going to be challenged at every step of the design process and it is important to SLOW DOWN and learn how to diagnose the problem. I personally like to systematically remove the most recent thing from a program and return to the most recent functioning version and slowly add everything back until I find out what the problem is. Then I take a closer look, replace, remove, fix etc. whatever the problem is and then run test after test after test to make sure the programming is rock-solid and your issue is 100% fixed.

I think the most important thing you can learn in programming is learn how to slow down and carefully write your code and have a roadmap prior to writing this code. Keep a notepad to write down your concepts and re-examine it as you program and debug your code until you have achieved your vision or at least the closest you can to your vision.

[AmelynnHisham]

I never heard of diffused thinking before and this is so true for me! I thought it was just me who always get problems figured out when I step away from doing code and I always wondered why it happened. Thanks for the new info. All your points are very relatable 💯

[SeamusMcMichael]

I appreciate Andy doesn't have adverts.

[dhumar]

Perfect topic and dead on right about it. It is so easy to make a minor mistake while coding learning the debugger is an requirement. Reading and understanding the errors and stepping though the code is extremely important.

[markfactor]

For some of us beginners we also need this video so as to b very careful while writing codes and to know first hand the task at hand and be prepared for it

[frog]

As a puzzle-loving gamer, I can really attest to the diffusive thinking. By giving your mind a break, you give it time to cool down and a good chance to refresh and tackle the problem(s) in a new way. One time I had a dream on how to beat a level I struggled for, for days and it was exactly what I needed.

Bone headed mistakes will happen. I try my best to mitigate them but I'll still somehow skip over that semi colon key. Take it slow. I have a mental checklist of simple issues I look for in my code first like missing semi colons.

[KGcodes]

Debugging and researching skills are critical! Great video!

[jaredbowen]

Check the number and order of (), [], and {}. For example : Add the number of the first ( and subtract the number of last ). If this is 0 then the number of them is correct. Anything else and you got an ()s error.

[faye]

I love you. Thank you so much for your content. I’m tuned-in for the night.

[Pareshbpatel]

Great background video on Debugging. Thanks, Andy.

{2021-08-04}

[sree]

Thank you Andy, this was useful and one of its kind ☺️ please do a video on testing the solutions we develop