Debugging Techniques

Introduction

Python offers multiple debugging tools and techniques for finding and fixing bugs.

Print Debugging (Simple)

# Use f-strings for context
print(f"Debug: x={x}, y={y}")

# Use assertions
assert x > 0, f"x must be positive, got {x}"

PDB Debugger

import pdb

def buggy_function(data):
    pdb.set_trace()  # Breakpoint
    # Continue with 'c', step with 's'
    result = complex_calculation(data)
    return result

PDB Commands

Practice Problems

1. Use pdb to trace through a function
2. Set conditional breakpoints
3. Inspect variables with pdb
4. Use pdb.post_mortem() for exceptions
5. Configure IDE debugger