The 6 Stages of Debugging

Log in or register to post comments
Go To Last Post
22 posts / 0 new
Author
Message
awneil
awneil's picture
Level: 10k+ Postman
Joined: Fri. Jul 1, 2005
Posts: 17634 View posts
Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
#1
Posted by awneil: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 10:51 AM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

 

Image may contain: text

Top Tips:

  1. How to properly post source code - see: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment... - also how to properly include images/pictures
  2. "Garbage" characters on a serial terminal are (almost?) invariably due to wrong baud rate - see: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/serial-communication
  3. Wrong baud rate is usually due to not running at the speed you thought; check by blinking a LED to see if you get the speed you expected
  4. Difference between a crystal, and a crystal oscillator: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  5. When your question is resolved, mark the solution: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  6. Beginner's "Getting Started" tips: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...

Tags:

Tools, Compilers and General Programming
Top
jgmdesign
jgmdesign's picture
Level: Moderator
Joined: Mon. Mar 19, 2007
Posts: 16624 View posts
Location: Long Island New York
Posted by jgmdesign: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 12:11 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

Those are common replies to OP's around here...............

 

 

JIm

I would rather attempt something great and fail, than attempt nothing and succeed - Fortune Cookie

 

"The critical shortage here is not stuff, but time." - Johan Ekdahl

 

"Step N is required before you can do step N+1!" - ka7ehk

 

"If you want a career with a known path - become an undertaker. Dead people don't sue!" - Kartman

"Why is there a "Highway to Hell" and only a "Stairway to Heaven"? A prediction of the expected traffic load?"  - Lee "theusch"

 

Speak sweetly. It makes your words easier to digest when at a later date you have to eat them ;-)  - Source Unknown

Please Read: Code-of-Conduct

Atmel Studio6.2/AS7, DipTrace, Quartus, MPLAB, RSLogix user

Top
awneil
awneil's picture
Level: 10k+ Postman
Joined: Fri. Jul 1, 2005
Posts: 17634 View posts
Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
Posted by awneil: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 12:16 PM (Reply to #2)
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

exactly!

 

laugh

Top Tips:

  1. How to properly post source code - see: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment... - also how to properly include images/pictures
  2. "Garbage" characters on a serial terminal are (almost?) invariably due to wrong baud rate - see: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/serial-communication
  3. Wrong baud rate is usually due to not running at the speed you thought; check by blinking a LED to see if you get the speed you expected
  4. Difference between a crystal, and a crystal oscillator: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  5. When your question is resolved, mark the solution: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  6. Beginner's "Getting Started" tips: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
Top
kk6gm
kk6gm's picture
Level: Raving Lunatic
Joined: Fri. Sep 11, 2009
Posts: 3719 View posts
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posted by kk6gm: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 03:18 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 1

In my work I often add

 

7. How could I have been so stupid?!

Top
jgmdesign
jgmdesign's picture
Level: Moderator
Joined: Mon. Mar 19, 2007
Posts: 16624 View posts
Location: Long Island New York
Posted by jgmdesign: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 03:42 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

kk6gm wrote:

In my work I often add

 

7. How could I have been so stupid?!

 

+1

 

Jim

I would rather attempt something great and fail, than attempt nothing and succeed - Fortune Cookie

 

"The critical shortage here is not stuff, but time." - Johan Ekdahl

 

"Step N is required before you can do step N+1!" - ka7ehk

 

"If you want a career with a known path - become an undertaker. Dead people don't sue!" - Kartman

"Why is there a "Highway to Hell" and only a "Stairway to Heaven"? A prediction of the expected traffic load?"  - Lee "theusch"

 

Speak sweetly. It makes your words easier to digest when at a later date you have to eat them ;-)  - Source Unknown

Please Read: Code-of-Conduct

Atmel Studio6.2/AS7, DipTrace, Quartus, MPLAB, RSLogix user

Top
avrcandies
avrcandies's picture
Level: Raving Lunatic
Joined: Wed. Jun 30, 2004
Posts: 3981 View posts
Location: Cincinnati Oh
Posted by avrcandies: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 04:38 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 3

after a few months....

 

#8 Is that happening AGAIN???

When in the dark remember-the future looks brighter than ever.   I look forward to being able to predict the future!

Top
frog_jr
frog_jr's picture
Level: Posting Freak
Joined: Sat. Jan 15, 2011
Posts: 1832 View posts
Location: Woodway, Texas
Posted by frog_jr: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 06:43 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

avrcandies wrote:
#8 Is that happening AGAIN???
Immediately followed by, "DRAT! What was it I did to fix this the last time?"wink

David (aka frog_jr)

Top
kk6gm
kk6gm's picture
Level: Raving Lunatic
Joined: Fri. Sep 11, 2009
Posts: 3719 View posts
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posted by kk6gm: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 06:46 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

frog_jr wrote:

avrcandies wrote:
#8 Is that happening AGAIN???
Immediately followed by, "DRAT! What was it I did to fix this the last time?"wink

I was thinking more along the lines of "I fixed this!  What the heck did you guys change?!"

Top
ka7ehk
ka7ehk's picture
Level: 10k+ Postman
Joined: Fri. Nov 22, 2002
Posts: 20752 View posts
Location: Tangent, OR, USA
Posted by ka7ehk: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 06:52 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

In my case that would be: I am sure I fixed it - is my memory really that bad?

Jim trying new iPad Touch

Jim Wagner Oregon Research Electronics, Consulting Div. Tangent, OR, USA http://www.orelectronics.net

Top
westfw
westfw's picture
Level: Raving Lunatic
Joined: Wed. Jun 19, 2002
Posts: 4242 View posts
Location: SF Bay area
Posted by westfw: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 07:30 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

9.  "Oh crap, look at all this other questionable code near there..."

 

Top
jgmdesign
jgmdesign's picture
Level: Moderator
Joined: Mon. Mar 19, 2007
Posts: 16624 View posts
Location: Long Island New York
Posted by jgmdesign: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 07:51 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

10. Why the hell did I use a PIC!?

 

JIm

I would rather attempt something great and fail, than attempt nothing and succeed - Fortune Cookie

 

"The critical shortage here is not stuff, but time." - Johan Ekdahl

 

"Step N is required before you can do step N+1!" - ka7ehk

 

"If you want a career with a known path - become an undertaker. Dead people don't sue!" - Kartman

"Why is there a "Highway to Hell" and only a "Stairway to Heaven"? A prediction of the expected traffic load?"  - Lee "theusch"

 

Speak sweetly. It makes your words easier to digest when at a later date you have to eat them ;-)  - Source Unknown

Please Read: Code-of-Conduct

Atmel Studio6.2/AS7, DipTrace, Quartus, MPLAB, RSLogix user

Top
js
js's picture
Level: Moderator
Joined: Wed. Mar 28, 2001
Posts: 29210 View posts
Location: Sydney, Australia (Gum trees, Koalas and Kangaroos, No Edelweis, but plenty of smoke)
Posted by js: Thu. Aug 9, 2018 - 10:36 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

Isn't "blaming the innocents" a step too?

John Samperi

Ampertronics Pty. Ltd.

www.ampertronics.com.au

* Electronic Design * Custom Products * Contract Assembly

Top
Kartman
Kartman's picture
Level: 10k+ Postman
Joined: Thu. Dec 30, 2004
Posts: 23191 View posts
Location: Melbourne,Australia
Posted by Kartman: Fri. Aug 10, 2018 - 12:41 AM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 1

You also have to blame the guy who worked on it last and has left the company.

Top
valusoft
valusoft's picture
Level: Moderator
Joined: Sat. Jul 2, 2005
Posts: 14995 View posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted by valusoft: Fri. Aug 10, 2018 - 12:46 AM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

It wasn't me. Before my time...

 

Ross McKenzie ValuSoft Melbourne Australia

Top
joeymorin
joeymorin's picture
Level: 10k+ Postman
Joined: Tue. Jul 17, 2012
Posts: 11424 View posts
Location: Location, Location
Posted by joeymorin: Fri. Aug 10, 2018 - 05:05 AM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

3.1 - I must have found a compiler bug!

3.2 - Nope, obviously this is a silicon errata!

5.1 - F**K me blind, I should have waited to posted that compiler bug report!

"Experience is what enables you to recognise a mistake the second time you make it."

"Good judgement comes from experience.  Experience comes from bad judgement."

"Wisdom is always wont to arrive late, and to be a little approximate on first possession."

"When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not unicorns."

"Fast.  Cheap.  Good.  Pick two."

"We see a lot of arses on handlebars around here." - [J Ekdahl]

 

Top
awneil
awneil's picture
Level: 10k+ Postman
Joined: Fri. Jul 1, 2005
Posts: 17634 View posts
Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
Posted by awneil: Fri. Aug 10, 2018 - 06:53 AM (Reply to #15)
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/sma...

 

frown

Top Tips:

  1. How to properly post source code - see: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment... - also how to properly include images/pictures
  2. "Garbage" characters on a serial terminal are (almost?) invariably due to wrong baud rate - see: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/serial-communication
  3. Wrong baud rate is usually due to not running at the speed you thought; check by blinking a LED to see if you get the speed you expected
  4. Difference between a crystal, and a crystal oscillator: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  5. When your question is resolved, mark the solution: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  6. Beginner's "Getting Started" tips: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
Top
MarkThomas
MarkThomas's picture
Level: Posting Freak
Joined: Sat. Sep 3, 2011
Posts: 1309 View posts
Location: San Francisco
Posted by MarkThomas: Fri. Aug 10, 2018 - 04:16 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

If you are debugging software, the first stage is to blame it on the hardware guys.  If that doesn't work call it a compiler bug.  If it is hardware you are debugging, the first stage is to blame it on the software guys.

Top
js
js's picture
Level: Moderator
Joined: Wed. Mar 28, 2001
Posts: 29210 View posts
Location: Sydney, Australia (Gum trees, Koalas and Kangaroos, No Edelweis, but plenty of smoke)
Posted by js: Fri. Aug 10, 2018 - 09:37 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

I have given myself several black eyes as I do both.....

John Samperi

Ampertronics Pty. Ltd.

www.ampertronics.com.au

* Electronic Design * Custom Products * Contract Assembly

Top
MarkThomas
MarkThomas's picture
Level: Posting Freak
Joined: Sat. Sep 3, 2011
Posts: 1309 View posts
Location: San Francisco
Posted by MarkThomas: Sat. Aug 11, 2018 - 05:07 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

Yeah, I do too these days.

Top
KerimF
KerimF's picture
Level: Hangaround
Joined: Mon. Jan 26, 2015
Posts: 448 View posts
Location: Aleppo-Syria
Posted by KerimF: Sat. Aug 11, 2018 - 05:25 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

Anytime I write a code for a new project (besides designing its board) I prepare myself in advance that I will need to fix many silly bugs (hardware and/or firmware) during the tests. The number of bugs likely varies from 50 (if I am lucky laugh ) up to 500 (if I am not crying ).

 

My problem is that I can't sleep well till I finish properly every project I start.

 

Top
awneil
awneil's picture
Level: 10k+ Postman
Joined: Fri. Jul 1, 2005
Posts: 17634 View posts
Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
Posted by awneil: Sat. Aug 11, 2018 - 05:33 PM (Reply to #20)
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 0

A very good point: it is important to consider, as part of the design, how you will debug your project - something so often missing in problems posted here!

 

frown

Top Tips:

  1. How to properly post source code - see: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment... - also how to properly include images/pictures
  2. "Garbage" characters on a serial terminal are (almost?) invariably due to wrong baud rate - see: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/serial-communication
  3. Wrong baud rate is usually due to not running at the speed you thought; check by blinking a LED to see if you get the speed you expected
  4. Difference between a crystal, and a crystal oscillator: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  5. When your question is resolved, mark the solution: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
  6. Beginner's "Getting Started" tips: https://www.avrfreaks.net/comment...
Top
digitalDan
digitalDan's picture
Level: Resident
Joined: Sat. Nov 1, 2008
Posts: 510 View posts
Posted by digitalDan: Sat. Aug 11, 2018 - 06:35 PM
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Total votes: 1

Last step of new board circuit design:  Where's the best points to place test point loops (especially on boards that have analog parts).

Letting the smoke out since 1978

 

 

 

 

Top