Front-end development is critical in today’s digital landscape, posing constant challenges and necessitating continuous advancement in front-end technologies. Online debugging of JavaScript (JS) code is common for advanced front-end developers. However, debugging JS code can be difficult due to the ever-changing nature and widespread application of front-end technologies.
JavaScript debugging is how developers examine JavaScript code for syntax, style, and logical flaws. It is a test in which all problems that could prevent a JavaScript program from running are identified and fixed.
The Process
The steps in this process are as follows.
- Finding the bug
This is the first step in the debugging procedure, also known as the bug detection step. The bug is identified here through error messages and notifications.
- Identifying the source of the problem
The developers identify the section of code that is causing the error here.
- Determining the source of the error
This step examines the code to determine which line/function is generating the error message. Developers can also attempt to duplicate the error message.
- Resolving the problem
The next step is to fix the bug once the location and source have been identified. There are numerous methods for correcting an error. The developer typically employs these approaches sequentially and runs the code to see the final result. They deploy the code in production systems after deciding on an approach.
Why Is JavaScript Code Debugging Necessary?
Debugging is an important part of software development and ensures customer satisfaction. So, let’s look at how debugging helps JavaScript projects.
One of the most obvious benefits of debugging is that it ensures that the code added to your repository works properly and is error-free. Bugs can be difficult to detect after the code has been deployed at the customer’s site. They are also more expensive to repair. This process enables developers to address minor issues during the development phase rather than later when bugs can only be addressed by releasing a new project version. When debugging JavaScript, using breakpoints can assist developers in determining the flow of the code. You can also use it to learn about the various attributes of the code, such as variables, data structures, methods, and so on. Shipping untested and error-prone code to the customer’s site can expose the software development company to significant liability.
What Kinds of Debugging Tools Are There?
Browser-based Consoles
All major browsers, including Chrome, Opera, Edge, and Safari, include debuggers that enable developers to debug JavaScript via a console. You can also use them to inspect and set breakpoints for specific page elements.
Standalone Debuggers
These are standalone tools developers use to test and fix JavaScript code. Debug Node.js This is a command-line debugging tool for Node.js applications that developers can use.
Debug Extensions
Add JavaScript debugging extensions to code editors like Visual Studio and Sublime Text to debug your code.
2023’s Top 7 JavaScript Debugging Tools
- JS Bin
JS Bin is a JavaScript debugging tool that is open-source and free to use. It is frequently used by developers who want to make small changes to small-scale projects. It was designed for collaborative debugging, a process in which many developers work together to resolve code issues. This tool includes a comprehensive set of debugging features for updating JavaScript code. It also allows you to access the website and troubleshoot scripts written by other developers. However, any module you debug is technically publicly exposed unless you pay a fee.
- Airbrake
Airbrake is a JavaScript debugger that provides the user with real-time bug updates. Other languages supported include PHP, Python, and Java. You can also integrate this tool with quick notification tools like Trello. It has code snapshotting options that allow developers to keep track of their software using breadcrumbs. Its performance monitoring options enable users to track performance data and monitor CI/CD pipeline deployments.
- Mozilla Firefox JavaScript
Debugger This JavaScript debugging tool allows users to test JavaScript code locally on the Firefox browser. Users can also set breakpoints (conditional and XHR) for debugging and error handling. It lets developers add watchpoints to check their code’s variables and expressions. It is both free and simple to use. QA engineers can also use it to perform cross-browser and accessibility testing.
- ESLint
A free debugging tool for JavaScript that examines static code is called ESLint. to check coding syntax and quality issues such as typos and bracket errors. It can also be used to check for suspicious constructs and style errors. Developers can also add linting rules for text customization. Additionally, developers can customize the text by adding their own linting rules.
- Raygun
This is a cloud-based performance monitoring and debugging tool. It can also gather data on end-user issues via crash reporting and bug feedback. It can also track service-side performance and analyze end-user faults. It can also be integrated with outside tools like Jira to track bugs and conduct analysis.
- Rollbar
Rollbar is a popular JavaScript debugger with features like deployment monitoring, exception reporting, and real-time error notifications. Quality assurance professionals widely use it for error logging and bug analysis. This tool provides users with bug-fixing recommendations and the impact of bugs. You can also prioritize and categorize bug reports and issue reports. It also has workflow triggers that notify users if a module is shipped with known issues so developers can fix them before it is released.
- GlitchTip
This is a free and open-source debugger that can be run locally. It allows developers to review, modify, and rerun JavaScript modules. This tool can be used for error tracking and logging via log messages and exceptions. It can also detect security flaws and application sluggishness.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, JavaScript is a popular scripting language mostly used for developing websites and web-based applications. However, developers may encounter issues in the production environment while coding, such as the code not behaving as expected.
Developers use monitoring and debugging tools for your JavaScript project to detect and correct code errors and other issues. When choosing one for your project, ensure it has intelligent debugging utilities and error-reporting features. These features will help to improve the performance of Javascript bug monitoring.
