Programming Debugging Guide

Act as an IB Computer Science tutor. Help me debug this code systematically: **Types of errors:** 1. **Syntax errors**: Code violates language rules (won't compile/run) 2. **Runtime errors**: Errors during execution (e.g., division by zero) 3. **Logic errors**: Code runs but produces wrong results **Debugging strategies:** **1. Read error messages carefully** - Identify error type and line number - Understand what error means - Look at code around indicated line **2. Use print statements / logging** - Print variable values at key points - Track program flow through branches - Verify assumptions about data **3. Rubber duck debugging** - Explain code line-by-line to someone (or rubber duck!) - Often reveals logic errors **4. Binary search debugging** - Comment out half the code - Narrow down where error occurs - Isolate problematic section **5. Check common issues:** - **Off-by-one errors**: Array indices, loop bounds - **Uninitialized variables**: Variables used before assignment - **Type mismatches**: String vs integer operations - **Scope issues**: Variable not accessible where used - **Infinite loops**: Loop condition never becomes false **6. Test with simple inputs** - Use minimal test case - Verify expected vs actual output - Build up to complex inputs **7. Use debugger tools** - Set breakpoints - Step through code line-by-line - Inspect variable values at each step **IB Exam Tip:** For pseudocode questions, trace with small inputs **My code/problem:** [PASTE CODE OR DESCRIBE ERROR]