One small issue in a line of code can lead to a big problem in a website or app. These errors can be as simple as a typo, which is why they are sometimes tricky to spot. Try these tips to catch issues in code faster.
Use Distributed Tracing
Preventing errors from happening in the first place is usually easier than fixing an error later. That’s where distributed tracing can help. Distributed tracing can work like a warning system. If the software detects an issue, it will send out a signal. While this tracing may not be able to pinpoint exactly where the error is, it can help to narrow down which area of the code has a problem.
To learn more about what is distributed tracing, in more technical terms, make sure to read articles on the topic. The software has changed a lot in the last few years and has become more user-friendly. If you have used it before and didn’t like it, now is the right time to give it another chance.
Use a Debugging Tool
Most commonly used coding languages should have a debugging tool available online. If the language you are writing in does not have a debugging tool, then you might want to find a different language to write in.
It is easy to find the right debugging code for your code. All you need to do is search for the tool online. Make sure to search for the code language to get the best results. Many of these tools are free, so do not pay for a debugger if you do not have to. The longer the coding language has been around, the more likely it is that there is a debugging tool for it.
Check Logs
Sometimes an app or website runs smoothly, only to malfunction later. While there might not have been a manual change to the code during this time, something could have changed automatically that caused a problem. If you know when this change occurred, then you can check the logs to find where the error might be.
When doing this, check the log’s data for the time when you know the app or website began experiencing problems. Doing this will limit the area you will need to search. A smaller search area means a faster answer to your problem.
Print Out the Code
Printing out the code to find an error manually might seem stupid, but it can work. When you are searching a screen for long enough, your eyes can become strained and you can get used to what you are looking at. When you become used to something, it can be harder to find a mistake.
Printing out the code on physical paper gives you a new layout to see the code. This makes your brain work harder and may make it easier to see an error in a code that you missed before.
Printing on paper also gives you the opportunity to write on the code, highlight text that might be causing the problem, and cross out areas that you have already read over and know do not contain errors. Best yet, you can do all this without worrying about altering the code in the app or website.
Talk to a Duck
Another trick coders like to use is talking to a rubber duck. Simply reading the code out loud, rather than just in your head, can help to point out mistakes you may have glossed over earlier. Reading out loud makes you hear the code instead of just seeing it. You can find all sorts of simple mistakes just by taking this step. You may look silly, but it works!
There’s no question that you need the correct code to have a website or app work correctly. By trying these techniques, you can work to prevent mistakes in code, catch them quickly when they do happen, and get to fixing them. Your website is sure to thank you!