On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 6:13 AM, David Hamill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Thomas wrote:
>> If you are
>> learning C/C++, the ability to step through code line by
>> line and see
>> what is wrong is invaluable.
>
> I have to disagree with this. IMO reliance on a debugger,
> especially by beginners, encourages sloppy thinking, poor
> understanding, and suck-it-and-see coding practices.
I don't think using a debugger encourages sloppy thinking or poor
understanding at all -- if anything, it helps increase one's
understanding of the code. It's very useful for a beginner to
understand the internal state of a program, and learning how to watch
data structures change internally during a run of the program is very
educational. It's especially helpful for learning how pointers work.
Of course, one can skip a debugger and use printf statements and
similar methods to display the internal state of a program, but
sometimes a debugger in indispensable. I use a debugger almost daily.
I have to, it's my job to fix bugs other people have created. :-)
Learning good coding and design is a great idea, of course, but it's
only one aspect of learning software development.
-- Brett
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"In the rhythm of music a secret is hidden;
If I were to divulge it, it would overturn the world."
-- Jelaleddin Rumi
