Debugging in Python is facilitated by pdb module (python debugger) which comes built-in to the Python standard library. It is actually defined as the class Pdb which internally makes use of bdb(basic debugger functions) and cmd (support for line-oriented command interpreters) modules. The major advantage of pdb is it runs purely in the command line, thereby making it great for debugging code on remote servers when we don’t have the privilege of a GUI-based debugger.

pdb supports:

• Setting breakpoints
• Stepping through code
• Source code listing
• Viewing stack traces

Debugging is an essential skill for identifying and fixing errors in Python code. Here are some tips to help you become proficient in debugging:

Print Statements: Use print statements strategically to display the values of variables and intermediate results at different stages of your code. This can help you identify where the issue might be occurring and track the flow of your program.

Debugging Tools: Python provides powerful debugging tools like the built-in pdb module, which allows you to set breakpoints and step through your code line by line. You can use commands like step, next, print, and continue to navigate and examine variables during execution.

Exception Handling: Wrap problematic code sections with try-except blocks to catch and handle exceptions. This way, you can obtain detailed error messages and tracebacks, which can guide you in understanding and resolving the issue.

Commenting Out: Temporarily comment out sections of your code to narrow down the source of the problem. By selectively disabling certain parts, you can isolate the error and focus on the relevant code.

Online Resources and Documentation: Leverage the wealth of online resources, forums, and documentation available for Python debugging. Communities like Stack Overflow and Python’s official documentation can provide insights, solutions, and tips from experienced developers.

Rubber Duck Debugging: Explain your code line by line to an inanimate object or a colleague. This technique, known as rubber duck debugging, often helps uncover logical errors or misunderstandings in your code as you verbalize the problem-solving process.

Debugging IDEs: Utilize integrated development environments (IDEs) like PyCharm, Visual Studio Code, or PyDev, which offer advanced debugging features such as breakpoints, variable inspection, and step-by-step execution.