Tips for enhancing your debugging skills

It can sometimes be painstaking to figure out why your code is not working as it should. Understanding how to fix codes that you are working on is pretty important and can be a sure way to deliver a quality experience to users of your products. Being proficient in debugging significantly improves the productivity of the developer. Debugging is also an unavoidable part of software development and using any of the tips below can help reduce the time you spend trying to figure out how to get your code to work as it should.

1, Understand the error and code base

There are cases where you might be required to fix a code that wasn't written by you - if the error is not understood or the existing code base is not understood, debugging can become a game of trial and error and this is not recommended as there might be an underlying issue that needs to be resolved and relying on trial and error to fix the code, can mean that the underlying issue doesn't get fixed and the error might get harder to find in the future and even affect the overall experience for users.

Understanding the error is one of the easiest ways to save time when trying to debug. Understanding what is required to be done and the reason the code is behaving in a different way or not working as it should. 

The first step is not to start writing code - when you understand the error message,  you are able to make sense of the meaning of the error, identify the root cause of the problem, and determine the appropriate course of action to fix it. When you understand the error, you immediately have an idea of why the code is not working. Understanding the code base shows how different components of the code interact with one another, and the purpose and logic of individual code snippets. An understanding of the code base will give you an idea of where to look in the code base to fix it.  

Understanding errors and code base gets easier as you familiarize yourself with the programming concepts that are used to write the code or you learn about error messages, read about them, and use them to solve the problem

2, Use a debugging tool

Sometimes merely looking at the code, you are able to see the error and are able to fix it immediately. In cases where glancing or reading through the code does not work after the first and second attempts, it is important to use a debugging tool. I am guilty of this situation where I keep looking at my code to figure out why it is not working and this takes so much time but when I decide to use my debugging tool, I figure it out in no time.

A debugging tool is software that can be used to understand how your code works. It does not point out what exactly is wrong but understanding how to use a debugging tool can show you where your code is not getting the expected input and why it is giving you the unexpected output. 

Knowledge of debugging tools is general and can be applied to IDE or the code editor that is being used. Here are some links that can help you get a headstart on learning how to use debugging tool VS code, Visual Studio,

3, Explain the error to yourself

I discovered this method when I wanted to reach out for help and in the process of typing what the problem was, I had an idea of how to solve it. 

In cases when debugging seems hard and you do not know what to do, explain what is happening in your code to yourself and the behavior you are expecting from your code. In the process of explaining, you might be able to understand what you want your code to do and compare it to what you have written.

You can apply this tip by imagining you want to tell someone about the bug you want to fix, it can be in the form of typing out the problem and the expected result or in the process of explaining it to yourself by talking to yourself out loud. 

4. Focus on the task at hand: 

Sometimes we are unable to just figure out the problem because our mind is unsettled and not focused on the problem at hand. It's easy to know your mind is not focused on the problem at hand when your mind wanders a lot and you can't seem to concentrate on what is required. I believe this happens every now and then and it is important to know how to make your mind focus when you’re in that situation.

Everyone should study themselves to know what works best for them. For short-term, focus can be achieved by eliminating distractions. Taking away cell phones for this age can be helpful in this time we are in. For long-term focusing, you can try eating healthy foods, hydrating appropriately, and exercising. These habits add up and can ensure optimal performance of your brain, help you reduce stress, and make you better at focusing at the end of the day.

5. Take a break from your computer: 

Sometimes you've been in the code too much that your brain can't just see the obvious error and you need to take your eyes off the code and look at it again with fresh eyes. Taking a break is one way to initiate a refocus on the task at hand; taking a walk and returning to the code is a great way to take a break. Coming back and looking at it again will make it easier to spot what exactly was wrong. 

Taking a break can help you focus better, help you clear your mind, and help you look at the code with fresh eyes which might help you find and solve the problem faster. Your decision to take a break and come back to the error later can also give you another perspective on how to solve your bug.

When you are on a break, it is best to look away from the code for a while and do something that won't overstimulate your brain to enable you to recharge your brain power. You may be mentally tired and you may need to destimulate your brain. Taking a break can also help you to reduce the mental stress that comes with debugging.

When taking a break, you should not do anything mentally engaging. Instead, you can meditate, take a quick nap or go for a walk. Do something that disengages your brain or engages in activities that leave you feeling refreshed and not more drained.

6. Ask for help/Seek advice from an expert/senior:

With more experience comes a better knowledge of solving bugs, some bugs can be solved with experience from someone that has encountered them and knows what to do. To put it simply, ask for advice from someone that is more knowledgeable than you are. This can also be an opportunity to get an additional set of eyes that might show you more insights into your code. 

In the process of telling the more experienced person what you have done, they can more easily point out how to solve the error from their wealth of experience. A more experienced person will typically have more knowledge about code and how to use debugging tools generally and it could be another learning opportunity for you. It is best to have read about the bug so you can easily explain the error you are facing; this would help show some effort on your part. Listen actively, ask questions when necessary, and make sure you understand what they are doing so that you can understand the thought process, apply it to other areas and be able to use it to solve other bugs/errors you may encounter in the future.

In this article, we have explored a range of valuable debugging tips to enhance your skills and proficiency. We emphasized the significance of understanding both the error messages and the code base, which allows for effective troubleshooting and problem-solving. Utilizing debugging tools was recommended as a powerful aid in identifying and resolving issues. We also highlighted the importance of explaining errors to oneself, which helps in gaining clarity and uncovering potential solutions. Maintaining focus on the task at hand was emphasized as a key factor in efficient debugging. Additionally, we discussed the value of taking breaks from your computer, as it promotes a fresh perspective and reduces stress. Lastly, we emphasized the importance of seeking help and advice from experts or seniors when encountering challenging debugging scenarios. By incorporating these tips into your debugging practices, you can enhance your proficiency and efficiency in resolving software issues.

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