How I Debug Like a Pro?

Debugging is probably one of the most frustrating—yet rewarding—parts of being a software engineer. We've all been there: staring at an error message, pulling out our hair, and wondering why the code that worked yesterday is now throwing errors. But debugging isn’t just about finding the bug in the code. It’s a mindset, a process, and yes, sometimes a little bit of luck. Here’s how I approach debugging like a pro.

1. Start With the Basics: The "Is it Plugged In?" Check
Before diving into the code, I make sure everything is running as it should. Sometimes, the simplest things get overlooked. Did I start the server? Are the environment variables set correctly? Is my internet connection stable? It's easy to skip these steps when you're in a rush, but trust me—double-checking them saves a lot of time later.

2. Break It Down, Step by Step
I don’t try to fix everything at once. If a bug’s happening in a specific part of the code, I isolate it. If I can, I narrow it down to a single function, then start by understanding what each part is doing. Sometimes, reading the code out loud or explaining it to a colleague (or even to yourself) can help you see where things went wrong.

3. Check the Logs, Not Just the Code
I’ve learned the hard way that error messages are gold. I mean, when was the last time you ignored a “variable is not defined” and fixed it without looking at the stack trace? Never, right? Logs and error messages tell you exactly where things went south. I also check out console logs if I’m debugging a front-end issue in JavaScript. Sometimes, a missing variable or incorrect state can mess up the whole app, and it’ll be staring you in the face in the logs.

4. Google Is My Best Friend
Okay, I admit it. Sometimes I don’t know the answer off the top of my head. And that’s totally fine. The good news is there’s a world of knowledge online. I’ll search error messages, check Stack Overflow, GitHub issues, or even blog posts like this one. Odds are, someone else has faced the same issue. It’s part of the job—getting comfortable with not knowing everything and trusting that the answers are out there.

5. Take a Break When You’re Stuck
If I’m spinning my wheels, I step away from the screen for a bit. It sounds counterintuitive, but a fresh perspective often leads to breakthroughs. Whether it’s taking a walk, grabbing coffee, or doing something completely unrelated for a few minutes, this gives my brain a chance to reset.

Coding & Debugging - so fun and so much to learn!!