What is Debuggers?

A debugger is a tool that allows you to examine the state of a running program. Debugging is the process of locating and then removing bugs or errors in a program. An interactive debugging system gives programmers tools to help them test and debug their programs. Debugging is the methodical process of locating and eliminating bugs or defects in a computer program.

Types of Debuggers:

• Static debugger: A static debugger does not rely on any specific software. The debugging can be completed by the user.
• Dynamic debugger: A dynamic debugger can be either software or hardware. There are several types of dynamic debuggers, including the following:
  • Breakpoint Debugger: Adding conditional and unconditional breakpoints to the program at various points
  • Kernel Debugger: To debug the operating system, a debugger with kernel debugging capabilities is provided.
  • Meta Debugger: Debugger includes debugging and meta-debugging features.
  • Debugger with the same process: The debugger and debuggee processes are identical, and they both share the main memory. This type of debugger is simple and straightforward to implement. This debugger executes more quickly. 

Need for Debugging: 

When errors in a program code are identical, it is necessary to first identify the precise program statements responsible for the errors and then fix them. Debugging is the process of identifying and correcting errors in program code.

Features of Breakpoint Debuggers:

1. The Breakpoint debugger supports unit testing.
2. The flow of program execution is controlled by a breakpoint debugger.
3. The programmer may use some unconditional statement in the program, so it supports this type of program.
4. It is possible to trace the flow of execution logic at different levels and data modifications.
5. Checkpoint provides a snapshot of program output.
6. The program can add a watchpoint in the source code.
7. The process of execution in a debugger helps back to the previous state of execution.

Process of Debugging:

The following are the various steps involved in debugging:

• Recognize the Error: Identifying an error in a wrong may lead to time waste. It is obvious that the production errors reported by users are difficult to interpret, and the information we receive is sometimes misleading. As a result, identifying the actual error is required.
• Locate the Error: Once the error has been correctly identified, you will need to thoroughly review the code several times to locate the position of the error. This step, in general, focuses on locating the error rather than perceiving it.
• Evaluate the Error: The third step is error analysis, which is a bottom-up approach that begins with locating the error and then analyses the code. This step facilitates understanding of the errors. Essentially, error analysis has two major goals: reevaluating errors to find existing bugs and postulating the uncertainty of incoming collateral damage in a fix.
• Verify the Analysis: After analyzing the primary bugs, look for any additional errors that may appear on the application. The fourth step is used to write automated tests for such areas by incorporating the test framework.
• Cover Lateral Damage: The fifth phase involves collecting all of the unit tests for the code that needs to be modified. When you run these unit tests, they must succeed.
• Fix & Validate: The final stage is fix and validation, which focuses on fixing bugs before running all of the test scripts to see if they pass.

Advantages of Debugging

• Identifying and fixing errors: The primary advantage of debugging is that it helps identify and fix errors in software code. By locating and correcting bugs, developers can ensure that their code performs as intended and meets the required standards.
• Enhancing code quality: Debugging also helps improve the overall quality of the code. By detecting and fixing errors, developers can eliminate issues that could cause performance problems or security vulnerabilities.
• Saving time and resources: Debugging can save time and resources by reducing the need for trial-and-error testing. By pinpointing the source of the problem, developers can more quickly and accurately address the issue.
• Gaining insights into software behavior: Debugging can provide valuable insights into how software behaves under different conditions. Developers can use this information to refine their code, optimize performance, and enhance the user experience.

Disadvantages of Debugging

• Time-consuming: Debugging can be a time-consuming process, especially if the issue is complex or difficult to reproduce. This can slow down the development process and delay the release of software.
• Costly: Debugging can be a costly process, as it requires skilled developers and specialized tools. This can add to the overall cost of software development and maintenance.
• Difficulty in reproducing bugs: Sometimes, it can be difficult to reproduce bugs, especially if they occur under specific conditions or with specific data inputs. This can make debugging more challenging and time-consuming.
• Over-reliance on debugging: If developers rely too heavily on debugging, they may miss opportunities to design more efficient, reliable, and secure code. Debugging should be used in combination with other software development practices, such as testing and code reviews, to ensure the highest quality code.

There are several approaches to debugging that is commonly used by programmers. You can refer to an existing article on Geeksforgeeks. Click here.