Debugging Techniques for Frontend Development
Written by
Preeti Yadav
Front End Developer
Table of contents
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In the fast-changing world of web development, being good at debugging is important. Special tools in web browsers help developers find and fix problems in their code. Fixing mistakes in code is a very important part of building websites, especially the parts users see. When developers debug well, it saves time and makes their work better.
Fixing mistakes in code can be done in various ways, and one way is by using a tool called a debugger. A debugger helps you go through your code step by step, check the values of variables, and set points where the code stops running (called breakpoints). When the code reaches a breakpoint, it pauses, letting you look at what's happening at that moment in your code.
How do you debug front-end code?
Fixing mistakes in your code is a really important skill for people who work on the parts of websites you see (like buttons and menus). This skill, called debugging, helps make your website work better, and faster and gives users a smoother experience. But how can you become good at debugging the code you see on websites? In this article, we'll give you some easy-to-follow tips and tools to help you fix errors in your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code like a pro.
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Step-by-step guide on how to debug your code
Step 1. To open the Run and Debug view
- Choose the Execute and Debug symbol on the Activity Bar.
- Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+D
Step 2. Start debugging
- Press F5 or Fn+F5 to start Debug (Or you can Click the Start Debugging button in the Debug toolbar)
Step 3. Set a breakpoint in the source code
- Select a line and Right-click to add a breakpoint to the code
- Double-click on the selected line to add a breakpoint
- Breakpoint shown on the debugger toolbar
- Refresh your webpage or trigger the code execution again to pause at the breakpoint.
Use the browser dev tools
When you're fixing problems in the code you see on a website, the browser developer tools are really helpful. They let you check and change the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript parts of your webpage right away, and you can see the changes happen as you make them. The tools also have a console where you can keep track of messages, errors, and warnings. In addition, there's a network tab that helps you see the requests and responses between the front-end and back-end of your site. These tools have cool features like breakpoints, step-by-step execution, and watch expressions, which let you stop and look closely at your code whenever you need to.
Why Is Debugging Important?
Debugging is crucial in the world of programming because it helps identify and fix errors or bugs in code. When writing software, it's common for mistakes to occur, whether they are syntax errors, logic issues, or unexpected behavior. Debugging allows developers to systematically locate and resolve these problems, ensuring that the software functions correctly. This process not only saves time and resources by avoiding trial-and-error approaches but also contributes to code optimization and overall quality.
A detailed tutorial on utilizing developer tools for effective debugging
Fixing mistakes in code is super important for people who build the visible parts of websites (like buttons and menus). One really helpful tool for this is the Developer Tools in your web browser. In this easy-to-follow guide, we'll show you how to use these tools step by step. They are like a superhero kit for finding and solving problems in your website's code.
Step 1. Open Developer Tools
Chrome:
- Right-click on your webpage and select "Inspect" or press Ctrl + Shift + I (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Opt + I (Mac).
- Navigate to the "Console" tab.
Step 2. Start debugging
Debugging with Console Logging is a widely employed method for front-end code, particularly in JavaScript. Learn how to effectively utilize console logging for debugging your frontend code with the following steps:
There are four main types of console logging:
- console.log(),
- console.Error(),
- console.Warn(),
- console.Warn(),
- console.info()
Step 3. set a breakpoint in the source code
- Navigate to the "Sources" or "Debugger" tab in Developer Tools.
- Use Ctrl + p (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + p (Mac). a similar command in Windows and Mac to find the file by name in the file navigator.
- Select the line number where you wish to set a breakpoint. A red dot will appear, indicating the breakpoint.
- Refresh your webpage or trigger the code execution to pause at the breakpoint.
Step 4. Inspect Elements
- Right-click and choose "Inspect" to jump to the corresponding HTML code.
- Go to the "Elements" tab in Developer Tools.
- Hover over an HTML element to highlight it on the page.
- Refresh your webpage or trigger the code execution to pause at the breakpoint.
Step 5. Analyze Network Requests
- Open the "Network" tab in Developer Tools.
- Perform actions on your webpage that trigger network requests (e.g., loading a page, making an API call).
- Inspect each network request for details like status, headers, and response data.
Step 6. Review Console Errors
- Check the "Console" tab for error messages and warnings.
- Click on the error messages to navigate to the source code where the error occurred.
- Inspect the stack trace to understand the sequence of function calls leading to the error.
Conclusion
In the world of making websites, fixing mistakes in code is important. It helps your website work well and gives users a good experience. Debugging, which is like finding and fixing these mistakes, is a crucial skill for web developers.
We've shared simple steps to help you debug your code easily. Whether you're using the Run and Debug view or browser developer tools, these tools let you check and fix issues in your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. Debugging isn't just about fixing errors; it also makes your code better and saves time.