Print is your best debugging tool

Print is your best debugging tool(hamatti.org)

3 points by Hamatti 4 years ago | 4 comments

Bostonian 4 years ago |

You can add a line of code to print a few variables, but it may be easier to add a breakpoint at the same place and use the "info locals" and "info args" commands of gdb to display local variables and arguments.

When do people use print statements vs. gdb? I use print statements out of inertia but wonder if I should gdb more.

Hamatti 4 years ago | |

In my experience, print statements should be the starting point because they offer a fast and easy solution and can help you first of all confirm that you're looking at the right part of the code.

One point when I switch from print to debugger is when I need to run the thing over and over again switching print statements on the way – at that point it makes sense to bring in a debugger tool, halt the execution and explore what's wrong.

pseingatl 4 years ago |

How would you use this for LaTeX?

Hamatti 4 years ago | |

I haven't used LaTeX enough to really have an answer, sorry. Hopefully someone else who's a power user can comment!