Let’s be honest—debugging can be a pain. You’re coding away, everything seems fine, and then—bam—a bug. But as much as we hate it, debugging is part of the game. And, believe it or not, it’s actually a chance to become a better developer.

In The Clean Coder, Robert C. Martin says debugging isn’t a waste of time—it’s part of the job. So, how do we make the most of it?

Here are a few friendly tips to turn those frustrating moments into learning opportunities:

1. Slow Down – Take a breath. Don’t dive in blindly. Understand what’s going wrong first.
2. Test Before You Debug – Make sure you have tests in place. They help you spot issues faster!
3. Talk It Out – Try explaining the bug to someone—or even a rubber duck. Sometimes, just talking through it helps you see the solution.
4. Stay Chill – It’s easy to panic, but stepping away for a few minutes can make all the difference.
5. Take Small Steps – Don’t try to fix everything at once. Make small changes and test often.

Remember, every bug you fix is a win! Debugging isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about learning and getting better. So, the next time you hit a wall, take a step back, and think of it as an opportunity to level up.