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re: cdmnky - crazy bugs
February 19th, 2019
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Here's a couple techniques I've learned over the years to punch
those sassy bugs that just won't go away square in the face-hole.
1. Explain that part of the program bit by bit to someone
unfamiliar with it. It can be someone else in your class, or on
your team, or just someone you know. They don't need to be
coders. Just explain to them the logic of what you're doing and
walk them through that part out loud.
Often this will reveal your mistake sideways. You'll probably
catch yourself just before you say the next part out loud as
you unconsciously see the disconnect between what you expected
to see and what's there. It's frustrating that it works, but it
does.
Don't let a full hour go by debugging a single issue without
trying this.
2. Delete it and rewrite it.
No, shut-up. Just do it. I don't care that it SHOULD work.
I don't care that you're just going to type it again exactly
like the first time. Do it. Right, effing, now.
Does it work? Oh hells yes. Will it make you angry when it
does? Fuck yes.
Don't let half a day go by debugging a single issue without
trying this.
3. Try to solve something else.
Take a break and work on a different thing if you can. Put it
out of your brain. Give a day to another project or subject or
call in sick with the butt-flu. Get some distance.
It's not as reliable a fix as the first two, but it can do the
trick. This is great if your issues is on a side-project or
hobby that's not under a pressing deadline. Go wind surfing, or
try to research different types of furry sub-culture, or
binge-watch the old MTV cartoon "Clone High" so I can make
jokes that people will get.
Those are my big 3. Maybe some others out there have
recommendations for you as well?