How do you quickly test and debug your code?

1 Use a code editor

A code editor is a software application that helps you write, edit, and format your code. It can also provide features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, error detection, and debugging tools. A code editor can help you spot mistakes, avoid typos, and follow coding standards. Some popular code editors for different programming languages are Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, Atom, and PyCharm.

2 Write unit tests

Unit tests are small pieces of code that check the functionality of a specific part of your code, such as a function, a class, or a module. Unit tests can help you verify that your code works as expected, and catch bugs early. Unit tests can also make your code more maintainable, as they document the expected behavior and inputs and outputs of your code. You can use frameworks such as JUnit, NUnit, PyTest, or Mocha to write and run unit tests.

3 Use a debugger

A debugger is a tool that allows you to inspect and modify the state of your code while it is running. A debugger can help you find and fix errors, such as syntax errors, logical errors, or runtime errors. A debugger can also help you understand how your code works, by allowing you to step through it line by line, set breakpoints, watch variables, and evaluate expressions. You can use debuggers that are integrated with your code editor, such as Visual Studio Code Debugger, or standalone debuggers, such as GDB, PDB, or Chrome DevTools.

4 Use logging and print statements

Logging and print statements are simple ways to output information from your code to the console or a file. Logging and print statements can help you track the flow of your code, monitor the values of variables, and identify where errors occur. Logging and print statements can also help you debug your code remotely, by sending the output to a server or a cloud service. You can use built-in functions such as print() in Python, or libraries such as logging in Python, log4j in Java, or NLog in C#.

5 Use code analysis tools

Code analysis tools are tools that scan your code for potential errors, bugs, vulnerabilities, or code smells. Code analysis tools can help you improve the quality, security, and performance of your code, by providing feedback, suggestions, and best practices. Code analysis tools can also help you enforce coding standards, such as style, naming, indentation, or documentation. You can use code analysis tools that are integrated with your code editor, such as Pylint, ESLint, or SonarLint, or online tools, such as Code Climate, Codacy, or CodeFactor.

6 Test in different environments

Testing your code in different environments means running your code on different platforms, browsers, devices, or configurations. Testing your code in different environments can help you ensure that your code is compatible, responsive, and accessible, and that it does not break or behave differently in unexpected situations. You can use tools such as BrowserStack, Sauce Labs, or LambdaTest to test your code in different browsers and devices, or tools such as Docker, Vagrant, or VirtualBox to test your code in different operating systems and containers.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?