Debugging is the process of finding and fixing bugs in your code. It's like being a detective, but instead of solving crimes, you're solving the mystery of why your program isn't working the way you expect it to.

How to use it in a sentence

• "I've been debugging this issue for hours, but I still can't figure out why the user's profile picture isn't loading on the dashboard."

• "Before we ship this new feature, let's spend some time debugging to make sure there aren't any hidden bugs that could cause problems for our users."

If you actually want to learn more...

• Diff Debugging: Martin Fowler explains how to use version control to narrow down the commit that introduced a bug, a technique he calls "diff debugging".

• The Five Key Mindsets to Master If You Want to Be a Successful Programmer: This article discusses the importance of mastering debugging and other key skills to be an effective programmer.

• Why'd You Do That?!? An Engineer's Guide to Debugging User Behavior: Edmond Lau explains how you can apply debugging principles to understand and influence user behavior, not just your code.

Note: the Developer Dictionary is in Beta. Please direct feedback to skye@statsig.com.