22CS304-PRINCIPLES OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

UNIT-V & DEBUGGING AND ERROR HANDLING

1. DEBUGGING

A Software Application needs to be error-free before going out in the market. Customer
satisfaction is of utmost importance for any organization and only a bug-free product can keep
your customer happy. In this article, we will see what is debugging and how it is different from
software testing in the following sequence:

Software programs undergo heavy testing, updating, troubleshooting, and maintenance

during the development process. Usually, the software contains errors and bugs, which are
routinely removed. Debugging is the process of fixing a bug in the software.

It refers to identifying, analyzing and removing errors. This process begins after the software
fails to execute properly and concludes by solving the problem and successfully testing the
software. But, it is considered to be an extremely complex and tedious task because errors need
to be resolved at all stages of debugging.

Debugging Needs:

The process of debugging begins as soon as the code of the software is written. Then, it
continues in successive stages as code is combined with other units of programming to form a
software product. Debugging has many benefits such as:

● It reports an error condition immediately. This allows earlier detection of an error and
makes the process of software development stress-free and unproblematic.
● It also provides maximum useful information of data structures and allows
easy interpretation.
● Debugging assists the developer in reducing useless and distracting information.
● Through debugging the developer can avoid complex one-use testing code to save
time and energy in software development.
Steps involved in Debugging

The different steps involved in the process of debugging are:

1. Identify the Error: A bad identification of an error can lead to wasted developing time.
It is usual that production errors reported by users are hard to interpret and sometimes the
information we receive is misleading. It is import to identify the actual error.

2. Find the Error Location: After identifying the error correctly, you need to go through
the code to find the exact spot where the error is located. In this stage, you need to focus on
finding the error instead of understanding it.

3. Analyze the Error: In the third step, you need to use a bottom-up approach from the
error location and analyze the code. This helps you in understanding the error. Analyzing a bug
has two main goals, such as checking around the error for other errors to be found, and to make
sure about the risks of entering any collateral damage in the fix.

4. Prove the Analysis: Once you are done analyzing the original bug, you need to find a
few more errors that may appear on the application. This step is about writing automated tests for
these areas with the help of a test framework.

5. Cover Lateral Damage: In this stage, you need to create or gather all the unit tests for
the code where you are going to make changes. Now, if you run these unit tests, they all should
pass.
6. Fix & Validate: The final stage is the fix all the errors and run all the test scripts to
check if they all pass.

1.1 Overview of debugging issues:

Debugging issues in a compiler can be challenging, but with the right approach and tools,
it becomes manageable. Here are some general steps you can follow to debug compiler issues:

1. Reproduce the Problem: First, you need to ensure that you can reproduce the issue
consistently. Ideally, have a minimal code snippet that triggers the problem.
2. Understand the Error: Read the error messages or warnings carefully. They can provide
valuable information about the issue's nature and location.
3. Check the Compiler Options: Make sure you are using the correct compiler options.
Incorrect options may lead to unexpected behavior.
4. Examine the Code Generation: If the compiler generates intermediate code or assembly
code, take a look at it to identify any patterns or issues.
5. Use Debugging Tools: Most compilers provide debugging flags or options that allow you
to generate additional debugging information. For example, GCC has -g for generating
debugging symbols. Use these tools to gain insight into the compilation process and
intermediate states.
6. Step through the Compiler: If you are familiar with the compiler's source code, you can
use a debugger to step through the compilation process. This allows you to see how the
compiler processes the code and identify potential bugs.
7. Check for Known Issues: Look for known issues or bug reports related to the compiler
version you are using. Sometimes, the issue might already be identified and fixed in a
later version.
8. Isolate the Problem: Try to isolate the problem by commenting out or removing sections
of code. This process of trial and error can help pinpoint the problematic code.
9. Review the Language Specification: Ensure that the code you are compiling adheres to
the language specification. Some issues may arise from code that is technically correct
but doesn't follow the rules defined by the language.
10. Ask for Help: Reach out to compiler forums, mailing lists, or developer communities for
assistance. Often, others might have encountered similar issues and can provide valuable
insights.
11. Version Compatibility: Check if there are any compatibility issues with the compiler
and the target platform, operating system, or libraries.
12. Consider the Environment: Some compiler issues might be related to the environment
in which the compiler is running. Check for any conflicting libraries, system settings, or
environment variables that could be causing problems.

1.2 Role of Debugging in Software Quality

Debugging plays a crucial role in ensuring software quality. It is a process of

identifying and resolving defects, errors, or issues in software to ensure that it functions as
intended. Here are some key aspects of the role of debugging in software quality:
1. Defect Identification: Debugging helps identify defects or bugs in the software. These
defects can include coding errors, logic flaws, race conditions, memory leaks, and other
issues that affect the software's functionality and performance.
2. Enhancing Reliability: By finding and fixing bugs, debugging improves the reliability
of the software. A reliable application performs consistently and is less likely to crash or
produce unexpected behavior, which is crucial for maintaining user trust.
3. Improving Performance: Debugging can uncover performance bottlenecks and
inefficiencies in the code. By addressing these issues, the software's overall performance
can be significantly improved, leading to a better user experience.
4. Verifying Correctness: Debugging helps ensure that the software produces the correct
output for a given set of inputs. This is especially important for critical systems where
incorrect results could have severe consequences.
5. Early Detection: Debugging early in the development process allows developers to catch
and fix issues before they propagate further. Early detection minimizes the impact of
defects and reduces the cost of fixing them.
6. Maintainability: Debugging contributes to the maintainability of the software. When
developers encounter and resolve issues promptly, it leads to a codebase that is easier to
understand, modify, and extend in the future.
7. Customer Satisfaction: High-quality software that goes through rigorous debugging is
more likely to meet customer expectations and provide a positive user experience. Happy
users lead to increased customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
8. Security Enhancement: Debugging helps identify security vulnerabilities in the
software. By addressing these issues, the software becomes more secure, reducing the
risk of potential attacks and data breaches.
9. Regression Testing: Debugging involves verifying fixes to ensure that they indeed
resolve the reported issues. Through regression testing, developers can verify that the bug
fixes do not introduce new problems or reintroduce old ones.
10. Support and Maintenance: Software that has undergone thorough debugging is easier to
support and maintain. When issues arise in production, developers can quickly diagnose
and resolve them, minimizing downtime and disruption.
11. Continuous Improvement: The debugging process can provide valuable feedback to
developers and teams, enabling them to learn from their mistakes and continuously
improve their coding practices.

1.3 Variations in Debugging Performance

Debugging performance can vary based on several factors, and these variations can
significantly influence the time and effort required to identify and fix bugs. Here are some
key factors that contribute to variations in debugging performance:

1. Bug Complexity: The complexity of the bug itself is a major determinant of debugging
performance. Simple bugs that involve straightforward logic errors or syntax mistakes are
generally easier to identify and fix compared to complex bugs that involve intricate
interactions between different parts of the code.
2. Bug Visibility: Some bugs are more visible and produce obvious symptoms, making
them easier to spot. However, other bugs may be elusive, showing up sporadically or
causing subtle issues that are challenging to detect.
3. Developer Experience: Experienced developers tend to be more efficient at debugging
since they have encountered and resolved a wide range of issues in the past. They are
more familiar with common patterns and have developed effective debugging techniques.
4. Knowledge of the Codebase: Familiarity with the codebase is crucial for efficient
debugging. Developers who have a deep understanding of the codebase can navigate
through the code more easily, making it quicker to identify problematic areas.
5. Debugging Tools: The availability and proficiency in using debugging tools can
significantly impact debugging performance. Modern IDEs offer advanced debugging
features like breakpoints, watchpoints, call stack analysis, and variable inspection, which
can expedite the debugging process.
6. Environment Reproducibility: Bugs that are difficult to reproduce consistently can
slow down debugging efforts. When a bug occurs only in specific conditions or on
certain systems, it becomes more challenging to isolate and fix.
7. Collaboration and Communication: Effective communication and collaboration among
team members can speed up debugging. When developers can share insights, discuss
potential solutions, and work together to troubleshoot issues, it can lead to quicker
resolutions.
8. Time Pressure: Project deadlines and time constraints can impact debugging
performance. When developers are under pressure to deliver quickly, they may not have
sufficient time to thoroughly investigate and resolve issues.
9. Debugging Approach: Different developers may have different debugging approaches
and strategies. Some may prefer a systematic step-by-step approach, while others might
take a more exploratory and intuitive route. The chosen approach can influence the
efficiency of debugging.
10. Debugging Culture and Practices: Organizations that prioritize and encourage robust
debugging practices tend to have better overall debugging performance. A culture that
values thorough testing, bug tracking, and knowledge sharing contributes to higher
software quality.
11. Mental State: The mental state of the developer can also impact debugging performance.
Developers who are tired, stressed, or distracted may struggle to focus on the problem,
leading to slower debugging progress.

1.4 Guide to Debugging:

Debugging is a critical skill for software developers to identify and resolve issues in their
code. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you effectively debug your code:

1. Reproduce the Issue: Before you start debugging, make sure you can consistently
reproduce the problem. Having a reliable way to trigger the bug is essential for the
debugging process.
2. Understand the Expected Behavior: Clearly define what the expected behavior of the
code should be. This will help you identify deviations from the desired outcome during
debugging.
3. Isolate the Problem: Try to narrow down the scope of the issue. Identify the specific
function, module, or section of code where the problem occurs. Comment out or
temporarily remove unrelated code to focus on the problematic part.
4. Use Debugging Tools: Most integrated development environments (IDEs) offer
debugging tools. Learn to use features like breakpoints, watch variables, call stack, and
stepping through code to understand how your program behaves at runtime.
5. Add Debugging Statements: Insert print statements or log messages at various points in
your code to monitor the flow of execution and the values of variables. These statements
can help you track the program's state during runtime.
6. Check Input and Output: Verify the correctness of input data and the generated output.
Incorrect data or calculations might be the root cause of the issue.
7. Examine Error Messages: Pay close attention to error messages, warnings, and
exception traces. They often contain valuable information about the cause of the problem.
8. Inspect Data Structures: If your code uses complex data structures, check their contents
and verify that they are being populated and manipulated correctly.
9. Reverse Engineer the Issue: Work backward from the observed problem to understand
how it could have occurred. This involves understanding the sequence of events leading
to the bug.
10. Use Version Control: If the issue appeared after a recent code change, use version
control to identify the exact changes that introduced the bug. This can be helpful for
regression debugging.
11. Consult Documentation and References: Look up language specifications, library
documentation, and online resources to verify the correct usage of functions, methods,
and APIs.
12. Collaborate and Seek Help: Don't hesitate to discuss the problem with team members
or seek help from online developer communities or forums. Fresh perspectives can
provide valuable insights.
13. Test Fixes Iteratively: Once you identify a potential solution, apply the fix and test it
carefully. Verify that the bug is indeed resolved and that it doesn't introduce new issues.
14. Document Your Findings: Keep track of your debugging process, including the steps
you took, the observations made, and the final resolution. This documentation can be
helpful for future reference or for other team members.
15. Learn from the Experience: Debugging is a learning experience. Reflect on the
debugging process and consider how you can improve your coding practices to prevent
similar issues in the future.