5 Debugging Tips Every Beginner Programmer Should Know

"Why isn't this working? It was fine 5 minutes ago."
— Said Every Developer Ever
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Learning to code is exciting, but bugs can really feel like roadblocks that squash your momentum. If it's any consolation, we've all been there—from the first time programmer to the most experienced developer. It's honestly what makes programming one of the most frustrating and yet rewarding jobs out there. 

My advice to you is this: Don’t Worry—debugging is a skill you’ll master with practice. Here are 5 simple tips to help you squash those errors fast and build confidence as a beginner programmer.

1. Read the Error Message First

In some ways this might seem like very obvious advice, but its one that too many programmers neglect or don't dive deeply into when trying to solve bugs. Beginners often skip it, thinking "I'm pretty sure I did everything right!"—but there's usually always an underlying issue. When your code crashes, the error message is your 1st and sometimes only clue. It might look cryptic, but it often points to the problem—like a missing semicolon or a typo. Start by scanning the line number and key words (e.g., “undefined” or “syntax”) as the compiler will often tell you the exact line the issue occurred. 
 Always trust the Error Message!
The compiler threw that error for a reason so even if the Error Message goes against what you believe to be true, trust it! Take a common error like “ReferenceError: username is not defined.” You’re sure you defined username in your properties file—it’s right there! If you trust the error and try to think about why the error was thrown you might realize that the real problem might be that the file path linking it (e.g., a missing import or wrong source) isn’t isn't connected properly. So rather than being undefined, the compiler throws that error out because its really saying “I can’t find it where you told me to look.” The error isn't lying, it's just your job to figure out the underlying context/issue behind it. 

2. Use Print Statements to Check Your Work

One of the first things every programmer should learn is to use print statements, statements that print out to the console, to help them debug. Don't be afraid to temporarily add a console.log() in Javascript or a print() in Python in order to take a peek at the inside of your code. For complicated logic that involve loops and function calls feel free to output useful messages like console.log("Got Here!") to see if the flow of execution reached places in your code that you expect it to. Also use print statements to output variable and double check variable values.

Using print statements is like leaving breadcrumbs in your code to track your program's path and state. Use them to your advantage, just remember to remove print statements when they aren't needed any longer. 

3. Use a Debugger

Speaking of a breadcrumb trails, sometimes your Stack Trace is long and sprinkling a bunch of print statements isn't always the most efficient debugging solution. Something every programmer needs to learn to use is a debugger. A debugger is a tool that helps you test and debug your code. With a debugger, you don't have to actually guess what happens when your code executes—you can set "breakpoints" in your code and step through line by line and see what your compiler sees. Tools like the Chrome Dev Tools allow you to pause your Javascript and walk through your code in areas where you feel are causing issues. 

4. Lean on AI and the Web

Have you ever heard the phrase "Google is a programmer's best friend?" That's because almost every issue or bug you run into has most likely already been encountered and solved by another programmer out there. Google and developer forums like Stackoverflow have been saving the lives of Software Engineers for years, so don't shy away from using them. 

The great thing with the advent of AI is that it has expedited this process tremendously. Now more than ever, experience programmers are using AI tools like Grok and ChatGPT to help them find the information they need faster and more efficiently. Built-in tools like Github's CoPilot have also made debugging issues easier by offering solutions right inside your code editors. Professionals use these new tools all the time time so use these tools as a means to learn quicker. At Codeclassroom we've also created our own AI chatbot, Buddy, integrated into Discord! He solves our students' coding questions and makes sure they get 24/7 help!

5. Take a Break!

This last piece of advice is one that I neglected so much that I ended up framing it above my computer in order to remind myself! Every programmer has felt the agony of taking days or weeks staring at a bug. Sometimes it really does feel hopeless, but whenever you find yourself staring at a bug for too long just Step Away! 

Stepping away from the problem and from your computer for even just 5 or 10 minutes might honestly be the best remedy to a nasty programming bug. There's been too many times where I spent hours pulling my hair out over a bug only to get some fresh air and then instantly pinpoint my mistake. A fresh perspective is often the solution to all programming problems. After all coding isn't about brute force, it's about smart problem-solving—something you can't do without a clear head. 
Encountering bugs doesn't mean you're failing—it means you're learning!
Try these tips the next time you encounter issues, and turn them into learning wins. Overcoming bugs is one of the rites of passage to become a Software Engineer and its a frustration that never truly goes away.

At Codeclassroom we built a growing community and cohort-based courses so that our students can have the support and help they need when facing bugs and other issues. Sometimes all you need is a hint from a more experienced programmer or just a brainstorming session with another programmer. Whether its in our forums or in our Discord channels our students are always collaborating, learning, and solving problems together!

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