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Debugging Adventure Day 1: What to Do When Your Code Doesn’t Work

Published at
1/15/2025
Categories
webdev
javascript
beginners
programming
Author
passionoverpain
Author
15 person written this
passionoverpain
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Debugging Adventure Day 1: What to Do When Your Code Doesn’t Work

During your coding quest, you encounter a formidable enemy—an unexpected bug in your project that brings everything to a halt. What do you do?

You have three initial choices:

  1. Toss your computer out the window and rage quit.
  2. Start sprinkling logs or print statements everywhere.
  3. Calm down and retrace your steps.

Option 1: Toss your computer out the window

In a fit of frustration, you decide that enough is enough. You hurl your computer out the window, hoping to banish the bug once and for all.

--Intelligence
--Stamina

Result:


function gameOver()
{
console.log("Game Over: Bug wins. You lose.");
} 

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Insight:

Rage quitting doesn’t solve anything. Time to respawn and try again.


Option 2: Sprinkle logs or print statements everywhere

You decide to log everything you can. Whether it’s console.log, print(), or trace(), you add them at key points in your code. Soon, your terminal or console is flooded with output.

Next Steps:

  1. Examine the logs for clues. You realize one variable isn’t what you expected—fixing it makes the code work!
  2. Try running it again. It works! But wait… you add a new feature, and suddenly, a new bug appears.

Insight:

Logging is a great way to trace issues, but don’t overdo it. Once the bug is fixed, clean up your logs.


Option 3: Calm down and retrace your steps

You take a deep breath and decide to approach this calmly.

  • You carefully check recent changes—maybe something broke after your last edit.
  • You read through any error messages and try to understand them.
throw new Error("Resource brain not found. Please try turning it on and off.");
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throw new Error("TypeError: Expected logic, but received chaos.");
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throw new Error("Permission Denied: You do not have clearance to understand this code.");
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throw new Error("404 Error: Bug not found, but don’t worry, it’s lurking somewhere.");
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  • You decide to isolate parts of your code and test smaller chunks independently.

While retracing, you spot a typo. You fix it, and your project runs perfectly! For a moment, everything feels right in the world. ++Intelligence

But wait… when you try adding a new feature, the project breaks again. Another bug has appeared!

Do you:

  1. Add more logs? (Go back to Option 2)
  2. Use a debugger to step through the code?

Using a Debugger

You switch tactics and decide to use a debugger. You set breakpoints, step through the code, and watch how values change. After a few minutes, you find the issue—a misplaced condition. You fix it, and the feature works!
++Intelligence

Insight:

Debuggers are great for finding subtle issues. Use them to step through complex code.


A New Bug Appears!

You fix one bug, and another one takes its place. This time, it’s more stubborn. Frustrated but determined, you press on.
--Stamina

You have three choices:

  1. Ask for help on a developer forum.
  2. Take a break and return later.
  3. Keep bashing your head against the keyboard until it works.

Option 1: Ask for help on a developer forum

You craft a question and post it online, but you rush through it, providing little context and no reproducible example.

throw new Error("Stack Overflow: Too many recursive thoughts. Try calming down.");

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Result:

Your question is ignored or gets sarcastic replies. You feel even more frustrated.

function gameOver()
{
console.log("Poor communication leads to dead ends.");
}
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Respawn and try again: This time, you post a detailed question with proper context. A helpful developer points out that you missed initializing a variable. You fix it, and things start working again!


Option 2: Take a break and return later

You decide to step away for a bit. After a walk and a snack, you return with fresh eyes.
++Stamina

You scan through the code and immediately notice a mistake—something you overlooked earlier. You fix it, and your project works perfectly!

Insight:

Breaks help you see things you missed when frustrated.


Option 3: Keep bashing your head against the keyboard

You refuse to give up and keep testing random fixes without a clear strategy. Hours pass, and you make no progress. Eventually, exhaustion sets in.
--Intelligence
--Stamina

Result:

function gameOver()
{
console.log("You have been struck with the Burnout effect.");
}
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Insight:

Persistence is great, but without a clear plan, it leads to frustration. Take breaks when necessary.


Final Victory

After fixing multiple bugs and pushing through the frustration, your project finally works. You’ve conquered the bug, added new features, and learned valuable debugging skills:

  1. Stay calm and retrace your steps.
  2. Use logs or print statements to trace errors.
  3. Leverage debuggers for complex issues.
  4. Ask for help when needed—clearly and concisely.
  5. Take breaks to maintain clarity.

You’ve won the Debugging Adventure! Go forth, and may your future coding quests be bug-free (or at least, less buggy).

function victoryAchieved()
{
++Intelligence;
++Stamina;
level = 2;
console.log("You have been promoted to debugger level 2.");
}
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