1 3 Debugging – Errors, Files & Testing | Python Programming

1.3.1 Debugging Techniques

In Python programming, testing and debugging are essential practices to ensure that your code works correctly and efficiently.

Testing

Testing is the process of running your code with various inputs to check if it behaves as expected. The goal is to find and fix any issues before the code is used in real-world applications.

Types of Testing

Unit Testing: Tests individual parts of the code (like functions or classes) in isolation. Python's unittest module is commonly used for this.
Integration Testing: Checks how different parts of the code work together.
Functional Testing: Validates that the software behaves as expected from the user's perspective.
Regression Testing: Ensures that new changes don't break existing functionality.

Debugging

Debugging is the process of finding and fixing errors (bugs) in your code. It involves identifying the root cause of problems and making the necessary changes.

Common Debugging Techniques

Print Statements: Adding print statements to check the values of variables at different stages of the code.
Debugging Tools: Using tools like pdb (Python Debugger) to step through the code, inspect variables, and understand the flow of execution.
Error Messages: Reading and interpreting error messages to locate the source of the problem.