Summary

In this class you will learn how to debug programs systematically, how to automate the debugging process and build several automated debugging tools in Python.

Expected Learning

At the end of this course you will have a solid understanding about systematic debugging, will know how to automate debugging and will have built several functional debugging tools in Python.

Syllabus

Lesson 1: How Debuggers work

Theory: Scientific method and its application to debugging.

Fun fact: First bug in the history of computer science.

Practice: Building a simple tracer.

Lesson 2: Asserting Expectations

Theory: Assertions in testing and in debugging.

Fun fact: The most expensive bug in history.

Practice: Improving the tracer.

Lesson 3: Simplifying Failures

Theory: Strategy of simplifying failures. Binary search. Delta debugging principle.

Fun fact: Mozilla bugathon.

Practice: Building a delta debugger.

Lesson 4: Tracking Origins

Theory: Cause-effect chain. Deduction. Dependencies. Slices.

Fun fact: Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.

Practice: Improving the delta debugger.

Lesson 5: Reproducing Failures

Theory: Types of bugs (Bohr bug, Heisenbug, Mandelbug, Schrodinbug). Systematic reproduction process.

Fun fact: Mad laptop bug.

Practice: Building a statistic debugging tool.

Lesson 6: Learning from Mistakes

Theory: Bug database management. Classifying bugs. Bug maps. Learning from mistakes.

Fun fact: Programmer with the most buggy code.

Practice: Improving your tools and practicing on a real world bug database.

Required Knowledge

Basic knowledge of programming and Python at the level of Udacity CS101 or better is required. Basic understanding of Object-oriented programming is helpful.