The Debugger's Toolkit - by Addy Osmani - Elevate
Debugging is an essential skill for any programmer, yet it remains somewhat of a mysterious art. Some developers seem to have an uncanny knack for tracking down bugs quickly, while others struggle with even basic issues. What separates the debugging wizards from the debugging novices?
I have observed some common traits and techniques of master debuggers through our work on Chrome DevTools. The central theme is having a systematic, thoughtful approach rather than haphazardly tweaking code. Let's explore some key principles.
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Before attempting to diagnose a bug, it's crucial to solidly understand how the overall system and specific subsystem are supposed to work.
When a bug is reported, your mental model is apparently flawed or incomplete in some way. Approach the debugging process as a way to find those flaws and correct your understanding. Which of your assumptions might be invalid?
