5 Debugging Strategies That Save Hours of Frustration
Stop randomly changing code and hoping for the best. These systematic debugging approaches will help you find bugs faster.
Every developer spends significant time debugging. The difference between junior and senior developers isn't fewer bugs - it's faster debugging.
1. Reproduce First
Before fixing anything, reliably reproduce the bug. If you can't reproduce it, you can't verify your fix works. Write down the exact steps.
2. Read the Error Message
This sounds obvious, but most developers skim error messages. Read the entire stack trace. The answer is often right there - file name, line number, and error type.
3. Binary Search Your Code
Comment out half the code. Does the bug persist? If yes, it's in the remaining half. Keep halving until you find it. This is the fastest way to isolate issues in large codebases.
4. Rubber Duck Debugging
Explain the problem out loud, line by line. The act of articulating the problem forces you to think through assumptions you've been glossing over.
5. Check What Changed
If something worked before and doesn't now, look at recent changes. git diff and git log are your friends. The bug is almost certainly in the recent changes.
Bonus: Take a Break
If you've been staring at a bug for over an hour, walk away. Fresh eyes catch things tired eyes miss. Many developers report solving bugs during a walk or shower.