Changelog Master Feed Debugging (Go Time #309)
7 snips
Mar 26, 2024 A discussion on debugging techniques in production and development, with differing opinions on the use of debuggers. Emphasis on code understanding, effective logging practices, and optimizing systems through tools and metrics. Also touches on app organization based on color cues and muscle memory on mobile phones, and compares app usage and cultural perspectives on travel between US and UK.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Use A 20-Minute Debugger Rule
- If your first instinct is the debugger, stop and try 20 minutes of logging and reasoning first.
- Allow the debugger only after 20 minutes and then analyze why it was needed to prevent future dependence.
Always Fix The Root Cause After Debugging
- If you use the debugger to fix a backend bug, follow up by adding logs, tests, or refactoring to prevent recurrence.
- Treat debugger-driven fixes as temporary until you complete the engineering follow-up.
Debugger As A Learning Tool
- The debugger's greatest value is building mental models of unfamiliar code, not just stepping through bugs.
- Use it to accelerate comprehension, then reduce reliance as understanding grows.