Tips for programming and debugging code

Rubber Duck Debugging

• Try talking through the problem as if you're explaining it to someone else.

Pseudocode

• Write out the steps in comments.

Make the Invisible Visible

• Print to verify what each step did

puts "My var here: #{my_var}"

• Make instance variables and embed them in the view.

<%= @my_variable.inspect %>

• Use the interactive console to display the contents of params, variables, and experiment to find solutions for the error.

• Read the server log. (Clear with ⌘+k)

Try debugger

Add debugger to stop execution and inspect variables
c continue
n execute next line

Restart / Refresh

• Restart server
• Hard refresh the page

How to Solve It

1. Understand the problem
2. Make a plan
3. Carry out the plan
4. Reflect how could it be better

Understand the problem

• What am I trying to accomplish?
• Restate the problem.
• Use a picture or a diagram.
• Gather information to find a solution.
• Understand all the words used in stating the problem.
• Ask questions.