Software Testing - Debugging Testing

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Software is initially developed with a large number of issues, and problems, which should be fixed before it is moved to the production. Debugging is the process of detecting errors, and to fix them. It is a very critical process since it ensures the quality, performance of the software along with satisfying the user requirements. Though this process takes time, it can not be avoided since it works towards building a reliable, and competitive software.

What is Software Debugging?

Debugging is the procedure to fix defects in the software. In situations, wherever there are issues, the developers evaluate the source code to find the root cause. There are numerous debugging tools available in the market, which help to scrutinize every line of the code, narrow down the faults, and to fix them. Debugging is a very important skill used frequently in programming.

Process of Software Debugging

The process of the software debugging are listed below −

Step 1 − Replicate the defect, and the circumstances under which it is produced. Once it has been reproduced at the developers end, it becomes easy to debug it.

Step 2 − Identify the actual defect. The portions of the code which caused the fault are identified by analyzing the errors and the logs generated. Often different tools are used for this process.

Step 3 − Identify the root cause of the defect. Analyze the logic, flow of the code, and determine the conditions in the code that failed and caused the defect. Thus in short, it helps to conclude what actually is not working in the code.

Step 4 − Once the root cause is detected, the defect goes for fixing. Sometimes a defect requires fixes multiple times as the initial ones may be incorrect or they may introduce new bugs. A good version control software namely Git, BitBucket etc are used to track the changes in the code.

Step 5 − Once the defect has been fixed successfully. The below tests are executed −

• Unit Tests − These are run by the developers.
• Integration Tests − These are run by the testers just after the unit testing.
• System Tests − These are run by the testers just after the integration testing.
• Regression Tests − These are run by the testers once a defect has been fixed or for any new code changes.

Step 6 − Document the whole debugging process which includes what defects are identified, what are its root cause, and other related information. The documentation also helps to guide similar scenarios in future.

Why is Software Debugging Important?

Debugging is very important to find errors in the software code. This is because programming only deals with abstract ideas. It is not easy to find the root cause of the defects, and to fix them. The debugging tools come handy in this scenario. They are more quick to find the reasons for the error, and in this way they help the developers. Thus debugging improves the overall quality, and the user experiences of the software.

Different Types of Software Debugging Approaches

The different types of software debugging approaches are listed below −

Brute Force

In this approach, the features of the software are evaluated for a long period of time.

Backtracking

This approach involves tracing the source code backward to the location where failure occurred to identify the errors in the code.

Forward Analysis

This approach involves tracing the source code forward to the location where failure occurred, then adding breakpoints, and print statements to evaluate the outcomes. The sections in the code where the incorrect results are generated point to the cause of error.

Experience

This approach involves using the debugging experience to debug the code for similar defects which occurred in the past.

Static Analysis

This approach involves evaluating the source code without running it to defect probable errors.

Dynamic Analysis

This approach involves evaluating the source code by executing it to identify the defects which are caused at the runtime.

Collaborative Debugging

This approach involves debugging by multiple developers simultaneously to find the root cause of a defect which has impacted numerous modules of the software.

Logging and Tracing

This approach involves usage of various tools to log and trace the various events leading to error in the code.

Automated Debugging

This approach involves usage of various tools to automate the complete debugging process. They use both the static, dynamic techniques, and various machine learning, artificial intelligence approaches to detect errors in the source code.

Examples of Software Debugging Errors

The examples of software debugging errors are listed below −

• Syntax Error
• Logic Error
• Stack Overflow Error
• Runtime Error
• Index Out Of Bound Error
• Typo Error
• Reference Error
• Environment Error
• Input/Output Error
• Infinite Loop Error
• Concurrency Error
• Integration Error

Different Software Debugging Tools

The different software debugging tools are listed below −

• Integrated Development Environment(IDE) − There are numerous IDEs available in the market namely Eclipse, IntelliJ, Visual Studio etc. They help in step debugging, adding breakpoints, and to obtain the values of different variables, and memory.
• Standalone Debuggers − It includes the GNU debuggers which have the features namely conditional breakpoints, watchpoints, and reverse debugging. The standalone debuggers are more powerful than the IDEs.
• Logging Utilities − It describes the state of the code at different stages which help to detect defects. It is mostly used in the production environments.
• Static Code Analyser − These tools help to analyze the code without running it to identify errors in the code.
• Dynamic Analysis Tool − These tools help to analyze the code by running it to identify the errors like memory leak, buffer overflow etc.
• Performance Profilers − These tools identify the performance issues in the code namely the CPU, memory usage, input/output operations etc.

Differences between Software Debugging and Testing

The differences between the software debugging and testing are listed below −

Advantages of Software Debugging

The advantages of the software debugging are listed below −

• The debugging helps to ensure the quality, security, reliability, and performance of the software.
• The debugging helps to ensure that the software is more stable, has very limited downtime and crashes, user-friendly, and is able to solve the end user problems.
• Debugging helps to detect bugs in the early stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC).
• The debugging helps to verify if the software is secure, and there are no security breaches.
• It is easier to make new code changes with the help of software debugging.
• The debugging helps the developers to gather knowledge of the software, and how its different components communicate with each other.

Disadvantages of Software Debugging

The disadvantages of the software debugging are listed below −

• The software debugging takes time, and may delay the development process.
• The software debugging requires experience, skills, and expertise of the developers.
• Sometimes some defects are difficult to replicate, in these scenarios, debugging is difficult.
• Some of the defects are caused by the communication of different components of the software. In these situations, debugging is not easy.
• Some of the defects are caused due to incorrect architecture, and design. In these situations, it is very complex to find the root cause.
• The debugging tools may not give all the details about the defects, and their root causes.
• The software debugging is an expensive process, as it requires involvement of a considerable number of resources, and tools.

Conclusion

This concludes our comprehensive take on the tutorial on Software Debugging. Weve started with describing what is software debugging, what is the process of the software debugging, why is software debugging important, what are the different software debugging approaches, what are the examples of the software debugging errors, what are the different software debugging tools, what are the differences between the software debugging and testing, what are the disadvantages of software debugging, and what are the advantages of software debugging. This equips you with in depth knowledge of Software Debugging. It is wise to keep practicing what youve learned and exploring others relevant to Software Testing to deepen your understanding and expand your horizons.