ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Debugging pattern

Okay, so let’s say you’re playing with your toys and one of them isn’t working properly. You try to fix it but you’re not sure what’s causing the problem. This is a lot like what developers do when they’re trying to fix a program on the computer.

They use what’s called a debugging pattern to work through the program and find out where the mistake is happening. Think of it like a map that helps them navigate through the different parts of the program.

The debugging pattern has four simple steps:

1. Identify: The first step is to identify where the problem is. Just like you would identify which toy isn’t working properly, developers have to figure out where in the program the mistake is happening.

2. Reproduce: The second step is to reproduce the problem. This means that the developer tries to recreate the mistake that’s happening so they can see what’s going wrong.

3. Isolate: Once they’ve reproduced the problem, the developer needs to isolate the specific code that’s causing the issue. It’s like putting a spotlight on the exact spot where the mistake is happening in the code.

4. Fix: Finally, the developer can fix the mistake and make the program work properly. This is like using a tool to tighten a loose screw on your toy so it works like new.

So, the debugging pattern is like a set of instructions that help developers find and fix mistakes in their programs. Just like when you fix your toys, developers use a detailed process to figure out what’s wrong and make it better.
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