What Is Debugging And How Does It Work?

What Is Debugging And How Does It Work?

Debugging is a technique that helps to identify and eliminate errors, bugs, or defects within a software program.

Software development is a process that involves several steps. This involves finding and fixing the error and identifying the bug and its source.

This process is used in software development to locate and fix the error code. It is, therefore, a crucial part of the software development cycle.

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What Is The Difference Between Debugging And Testing?

What Is The Difference Between Debugging And Testing?

Debugging is different from testing. The debugging process begins once the bug has been identified. Testing is performed to verify that the software works as expected and achieves a certain success rate.

Testing can be done manually or automatically. There are many different test methods, such as unit or integration testing.

Debugging requires a lot of knowledge, expertise and skill.

Although automated tools are available, it's still more of a manual process. Each bug is different and requires a unique testing technique.

Different Types Of Debugging

Different Types Of Debugging

Many different tool sets can be used to fix code errors. Understanding what's happening is important, as is knowing what tool to use for debugging.

Two types of debugging are available to resolve any issues with the plugin toolset and provide technical information:

  • These tools can all be used to debug PHP.PHPstorm is compatible with debugging utilities such as Xdebug or Zend Debugger.

    Kint can be used to debug PHP code.

To enable PHP debugging, for example, in WordPress, edit the file wpconfig.php and then add the required code. A file called error_log.txt is created in the dictionary of words.

It can be written and edited using a server web. You can also create and edit the file using an FTP application.

All errors in the front and back ends can then be recorded in the error file:

  • Javascript can be debugged using the debugger and console of your browser.WordPress can stop working if a javascript-related error occurs.All error messages are cleared when the javascript console opens.

    Nevertheless, console messages can cause an error.

There are several types of bugging:

  • The standard debugger for Linux and Unix is GDB.
  • Visual Studio is an editor and debugger for Windows OS.
  • Mac OS users can use LLDB, which is a debugger at a higher level.
  • Intel Parallel Inspector is used to debug memory errors when performing C/C++ operations.

Debugging Process

Debugging Process

Debugging is identifying bugs and errors in software or applications and then fixing them. This process is necessary to make software products or programs bug-free before they are released.

This process involves the following steps:

  • Finding The Error: This saves you time and prevents errors on the site.Early detection of errors reduces the number of mistakes and time wasted.
  • Locating The Exact Error: To fix the bug and run the code faster, it is important to find the exact error.
  • Analysis Of The Error: To understand what type of error or bug we have and how many errors there are, it is necessary to analyze this error.The solution to one bug can lead to another that will stop the application.
  • Prove Your Analysis: Once you have analyzed the error, it is time to verify the results.

    The test cases are written using a test automation procedure through the testing framework.

  • Fix The Side Damage: You can fix other bugs by making changes to the program or code.
  • Validate And Fix: This is the last stage of the process to verify all new changes, errors and bugs in the program or software and run the application.

Debugging Software

Debugging Software

It is a crucial tool in the development of software. Top Software developers use it to analyze bugs and improve the performance and quality of their products.

The size of the market for debugging software was estimated at USD 814.53 million in 2025 and is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of11.50% from 2024 to 2030, reaching USD 1,750.97 million.

Manual debugging can be a very time-consuming and difficult process. By creating breakpoints, we can better understand how the program works and the errors.

The code created is then combined with the other phases of the programming process to create a software product.

Debugging a large program that contains thousands of lines is done using several strategies, including unit testing, code reviews and pair programming.

Debugging the program is done using the standard debugger or debug mode in the Integral Developer Environment (IDE).

Debugging is a process that involves several steps:

  • A defect report will be created once the bug has been identified.The developer uses the report to identify the problem and develop a solution.
  • Debugging tools are used to identify the root cause of a bug and then analyze the problem step by step.
  • We need to identify the bugs and make changes that will fix them.
  • Debugging is the process of re-testing the software to ensure no errors are left.
  • The developer could find bugs more easily and quickly by using code sequences.

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Debugging Techniques

Debugging Techniques

Using certain techniques to debug your system quickly and easily is important. Debugging is most often done using:

  • Debugging by brute force
  • Induction strategy
  • Deduction strategy
  • The Backtracking Strategy
  • Tests for debugging

The most common technique is brute-force debugging. It is possible to do this by analyzing memory dumps, which contain a lot of data with intermediate values.

However, analyzing these and finding bugs can be time-consuming and frustrating. The Induction strategy includes the following:

  • The location of data is relevant to the strategy.
  • The organization of data (provides potential causes of error).
  • The Devising Hypothesis.
  • The Proof Hypothesis.

The deductive strategy involves:

  • Identifying possible causes for bugs or hypotheses.
  • Eliminating possible causes with the available information.
  • Refining the hypothesis (by analyzing each one individually).

Backtracking is a strategy used to find errors in smaller programs. The Backtracking Strategy is used to locate errors in small programs.

Debugging through testing includes debugging using induction or deduction. Test cases for debugging and test cases are two different things.

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Debugging Techniques For Embedded Systems

Debugging Techniques For Embedded Systems

The code becomes more functional and error-free. Virtual and physical memory are used for debugging embedded systems.

Six debugging methods are available for embedded systems:

  • Simple, complex data
  • Divide and conquer
  • The process of slowing down
  • Only change one variable at the time
  • Create off-line models
  • Start from an established state

In different situations, debugging methods are applied differently. Combining one or more techniques may result in errors.

This includes:

  • Replicate the bug or issue.
  • Use the input of the user to explain the bug.
  • The bug will appear when all variables and the state of the code are changed.
  • Find the root cause and analyze the bug.
  • Check for new bugs and fix the existing bugs.

Debugging Tools

Debugging Tools

Debugging tools or debugging software is a program or tool that tests and debugs other programs. The debugger helps identify errors in the code during the different stages of software development.

They analyze test runs and identify the code lines that have not been executed.

Other debugging software includes simulators that allow users to see how the device or operating system will behave and display.

Most open-source scripting and tools don't have an IDE and require manual processes. The most commonly used debugging tools are GDB, DDD and Eclipse.

  • Tool GDB: The tool is commonly used for Unix programming.GDB comes pre-installed on all Linux systems.

    If not, you will need to download GCC.

  • DDD Tool: DDD is Data Display Debugger.

    It's used for running a Graphic User Interface in Unix.

  • Eclipse: An integrated development environment (IDE) is a tool that integrates an editor, a build tool, a debugger, and other tools.IDE is by far the most used Eclipse tool.The IDE is more efficient than DDD, GDB or other tools.

This is about debugging, tools and techniques used in the embedded system Software development process. This is done to remove any bugs from the code.

Debugging Approaches/Strategies

Debugging Approaches/Strategies
  1. Brute Force: Examine a system for a longer period to understand it better.Debugging can be done by the debugger constructing the correct representation of the debugging system, depending on the needs.

    Examining the software to find recent changes is another study method.

  2. Reverse Analysis: The Backward Analysis of the Problem is a process of tracking the program backwards from the failure point to the region of code.A detailed examination of the affected area must be performed to determine why defects occur.
  3. Back Analysis: Back Analysis is a method of tracking the program in reverse using print statements and breakpoints.Results are then analyzed.

    It would help if you concentrated on the areas where you see incorrect outputs.

  4. Debug Similar Software Using Your Experience: The debugger must have the required expertise to use this approach.
  5. Binary Partitioning: Introduces Cause Elimination.Data related to the occurrence of errors is organized to isolate potential causes.
  6. Static Analysis: Code analysis without executing it to detect potential bugs or errors.

    This approach includes analyzing code, data flow, and control flow.

  7. Analysis Dynamic: Analyzing the code behavior at runtime to detect errors or bugs.

    This involves debugging and runtime profiling techniques.

  8. Collaborative Debugging: Multiple developers debug the same system.This is useful when multiple modules or components are involved, and it isn't easy to pinpoint the root cause.
  9. Logging And Tracing: Use tools to log and trace events to identify the causes of an error.

    This approach involves gathering logs and describing the system's output while it is running.

  10. Automated Debugging: The use of automated methods and tools to assist debugging.

    These tools can include static and dynamic analysis tools, machine learning, and artificial intelligence tools.

Seven Debugging Techniques To Speed Up Troubleshooting During Production

Seven Debugging Techniques To Speed Up Troubleshooting During Production

One of the more challenging aspects of developing software is providing production support for an application. Authors are experts who have proven experience in the fields they write about.

One of the more challenging aspects of developing software is providing production support for an application. The maintenance team assigns developers to work on fixing bugs in the application.

However, they are also on call in the event of a production failure and work hard to restore service as soon as possible.

This article provides recommendations that will help you find and fix issues faster. It isn't easy to manage these applications when they are in production.

Often there is little documentation, or the application is written using an old technology stack. It's rare to find training, and you may be asked to support an application you don't know much about.

Most developers have no experience in handling production applications. In production, there are a variety of problems that can cause outages and bugs.

This results in thousands or even millions of dollars of revenue lost for the company. Since most developers are unfamiliar with the production environment, they make mistakes that will lead to these issues.

These tips will make your work easier by utilizing production experiences.

1. Automate Or Remove All Configurations Required For An Application To Function

What configurations are required for the software to be installed on a server? This process used to take up to three days every time a developer joined the team.

Installation of the software required many manual steps. Software evolves, and newer versions are incompatible with the instructions.

Instructions also don't get updated. You're suddenly spending more time setting up the software than you need.

Containerization has made it easier for developers to get applications up and running quickly. They can do this with no configuration but with the advantage that the Docker images are self-contained, and you have a lower chance of encountering issues when using different operating systems, languages and frameworks.

Similarly, make the developer's setup as simple as possible so that it takes little time for them to get up and running.

This includes IDE configuration. In less than 30 minutes, a developer should go from zero to hero. Sometimes, your top experts are not available due to vacations or illness.

You want to ensure that whoever you send to the production problem can solve it quickly.

2. Avoid The Trap Of Tech Stack Soup

Less technology is better. You have to know when the correct tool is needed. Be careful not to overuse the "right tool".

Even excessive water consumption can cause serious health problems. Each new framework and language added to the technology stack must go through a defined decision process, considering the impact:

  • It would help if you did not create a framework dependency simply because you require a string utils class.
  • Don't add a new language because you want to write a script that moves files quickly.

A large dependency stack can be a nightmare when libraries are incompatible, or security issues arise with frameworks or their dependencies or the frameworks themselves.

Remember that the complexity of your stack makes it difficult to train and find new developers. You have to replace people who move to other roles within the company.

Even companies known for their work-life balance and great benefits have high turnover in their software developers team.

The new member of the team should be found as soon as possible. Each new piece of technology added to the stack of technology increases the time it takes to hire a new employee and can make the process more costly.

3. The Logs Should Guide You Towards The Problem, And Not Overwhelm You With Unnecessary Details

Commenting is similar to logging. Documenting all critical decisions and information that can be used in debugging.

With a bit of practice, you can map out some possible production-related outages and add the necessary logs to at least solve that.

Logging evolves along with the codebase, depending on the issues that arise. 80% of the logging should be on the 20% most used code.

For example, important information is the values of arguments passed to a method. It is also the runtime types in children's classes and the decisions made by the program.

4. Handle Unexpected Situations

Clearly define the code's assumptions. Ensure that a variable is of the enum type and not an int. When a particular assumption is wrong, major production failures are the number one cause.

Everyone is searching for problems in the wrong places because they take certain things for granted.

The assumptions made should be explicitly documented, and any deviations from those assumptions must raise alarms so that the team responsible for production can rectify the problem quickly.

Code should be written to stop data from being invalid or create an alert in this case. A warning should fire if certain data is in only one record and there suddenly are two.

5. You Should Be Able To Replicate An Incident That Occurred To A Client Easily

It is often difficult to reproduce the problem faced by a customer. You will often spend 95 per cent of your time replicating the problem.

Once it is replicated, patching, testing, and deploying only takes a few minutes. The application architect must ensure that issues can be replicated quickly and easily.

The developer must configure the application a lot to achieve the same result as the client.

The developer has to guess what the client did because there are so many records. Sometimes, the customer only recalls one step of a series of actions.

The customer may also explain their issue using business-related terms that the developer must translate into technical terms.

If the developer is less experienced with the application, they may not even be aware of the missing details. It is impossible to copy the production database onto your computer.

There should be an easy way to import only those records from the database needed to simulate the scenario.

Let's say the client has a problem with the Orders page. Importing their order details, customer records, configurations, and order records may be necessary.

You can then export this into a Docker database, run that instance, and see the same information as the customer.

This should all be done carefully to prevent developers from accessing sensitive information.

6. You Should Know Where The Breakpoints Are In Your Application

You should have some Customer objects that you can use to place breakpoints to troubleshoot an issue. Developers can get caught up in abstraction and create brilliant ideas for dealing with user interface events.

Instead, We should always follow the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, stupid) by having one method for each UI event.

For batch jobs, scheduled tasks and other similar situations, there should be a way to identify breakpoints to determine whether the code works easily.

7. Document All External Dependencies Explicitly

Do this in the files within your source control system to ensure that documentation is not lost. Document all external resources, systems or databases required for an application to function properly.

Note which resources are required and how they can be handled when unavailable.

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Final Thought

Debugging computer system issues is possible in many ways. In our experience as a professional software developer with a background in programming for almost ten years, the best way to solve such issues is by quickly separating them using a divide-and-conquer principle (Binary Search).

Solve this issue first. This post is a brief introduction to the world of debugging. In the reference section, you can find more information about Backtracking and how to use debuggers instead of print statements.

Paul
Full Stack Developer

Paul is a highly skilled Full Stack Developer with a solid educational background that includes a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Software Engineering, as well as a decade of hands-on experience. Certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, and Agile Scrum Master bolster his knowledge. Paul's excellent contributions to the software development industry have garnered him a slew of prizes and accolades, cementing his status as a top-tier professional. Aside from coding, he finds relief in her interests, which include hiking through beautiful landscapes, finding creative outlets through painting, and giving back to the community by participating in local tech education programmer.

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