Top 10 Debugging Tools : The Only List You Need!

You will find multiple options that will suit your project or software the best, to test and debug the errors at a faster rate. In this article, we will focus on the best debugging tools . But before we move ahead, let’s understand What is Online Debugging, why it is required and then focus on the debugging tools!

What are Debugging Tools?

Debugging tools are software that help us find and fix errors (bugs) in code. They let us check how an app behaves while it runs. We can use these tools to understand why a problem happens and fix it faster. Debugging tools are very important to make sure software works properly. They also help us meet performance and reliability needs. These tools support many programming languages and environments. So, we can use them to debug apps for desktop, mobile, web, or even embedded systems.

Key Features of Debugging Tools

• Breakpoints: Let us stop the code at certain lines to check variable values and program flow.

• Step Execution: Allow us to run the code step by step. This helps us see the flow and find where bugs are.

• Variable Monitoring: Show us the values of variables in real time during execution. This helps spot strange behavior.

• Call Stack Analysis: Show the order of function or method calls. This makes it easier to trace and fix errors.

• Memory Management: Help find memory leaks, buffer overflows, or other memory-related problems in the app.

• Exception Handling Insights: Show uncaught exceptions and give detailed error messages to fix runtime errors.

• Logging and Tracing: Create logs and traces. These help us track app activity and find issues in async operations.
• Integration with IDEs: Many debugging tools work directly with IDEs. This gives us a smoother debugging and development process.

Best Debugging Tools

Testsigma

Testsigma is a leading open-source test automation platform with a unified, fully customizable platform that works out of the box. It allows you to build end-to-end tests 10x faster for web, mobile apps, & APIs with English scripts that self-heal, enabling maintenance-free testing.

Here are some of the reasons why Testsigma is a leading debugging tool – 

• A codeless test automation approach makes it easier for an individual to create quality programs.
• The NLP-based approach helps you to create and maintain test cases especially needed for fast-paced continuous testing.
• Auto-heals failing test cases with Testsigma’s engine finding a probable solution/fix to an issue
• Customize your test attributes as per the need and gather only the details which are required.
• An open-source unified platform for Android, iOS apps, websites etc.
• Offers end-to-end automation including UI, API, DB etc.
• Enterprise-level capabilities and data management efficiency, not just restricted to excel sheets.

Airbrake

Airbrake is a bug-reporting solution which is ideally suited for small and midsize business requirements. It is primarily cloud-based, and a developer-centric tool that can be integrated with the applications as well.

One of the reasons to choose Airbrake is that it can be installed in a matter of few minutes in multiple languages such as JAVA, Python, Ruby etc. It enables a simple error-monitoring system that makes it very easy to spot all project issues and errors. 

There are flexible usage-based pricing with Monthly or Yearly plans based on your requirements.

Here are some reasons Airbrake is one of the best debugging tools available:

• Real-time error alerts.
• You can discover errors right down to the lines of code.
• Easy installation.
• Low maintenance.

Chrome DevTools

Being the number one web browser, Google Chrome is the 1st choice for any user. Chrome DevTools, are debugging tools built right into the browser. With these tools, you can edit pages and debug the problems quickly in minimal time, which in turn helps you work and deploy better websites faster.

Now here is why DevTools is considered one of the best – 

• Gives you powerful tools for inspecting and editing your code.
• Allows you to measure the performance of your pages with the help of performance panels.
• Analyze and review how your pages perform on different browsers and devices.

dbForge SQL Tools

dbForge SQL tools offer a comprehensive toolkit to the users with different features which include –

• Version controlling of databases with comprehensive scripts
• Record database commits 
• Improve the efficiency and productivity of SQL coding twice
• Speed tasks with continuous integration

It offers tools for database development, administration, and SQL query tools. With dbForge, you can easily access and hunt for data in multiple databases.

Now here is why dbForger is considered one of the best –

• A terrific built-in debugger of stored procedures and triggers.
• Quickly create a database schema
• Trace, recreate, and troubleshoot problems in MySQL

For a detailed insight, hop on here.

ReSharper

ReSharper is a Microsoft Visual Studio productivity plugin for developers. The majority of what can be automated in your coding procedures is automated by it. As you type, it looks for compiler problems, runtime errors, redundancies, and code, and suggests intelligent fixes.

It provides continuous code quality analysis and detects errors and problems, before you even compile, it right in the code editor.

ReSharper provides continuous code quality analysis, and detects errors and problems, before you even compile, right in the code editor.

A separate pricing model exists for individual customers and for organizations. There are quite a bit offers and discounts as well for startups, educational organizations etc. (See more here)

Now here is why you should use ReSharper –

• Symbol Completion & Smart Completion
• Smartly distinguish aspects in code via syntax highlighting.
• Support for different code templates

Memfault

Memfault if a cloud-based platform that helps to streamline software development allowing a user to monitor their devices, debug etc. Companies build IoT products across different industries, such as smart homes, industrial automation, healthcare, etc.

Memfault is modular and can work with Android or any real-time operating system, allowing you to scale the devices and build better and smarter IoT devices. 

Here is why you should consider Memfault –

• More scalable and sustainable strategy to transform your device
• Resolve all the issues on the cloud even before it affects the end-user

GDB

For UNIX systems and several programming languages, including C and C++, GDB, or GNU Project Debugger is an open-source debugging tool. It has a command line interface where the developer can perform various tasks, call functions independently and monitor different internal variables, also allowing you to debug remotely.

Progress Telerik Fiddler

Progress Telerik Fiddler is all about the straightforward debugging and troubleshooting approach. With Fiddler, the user’s pain points are addressed and resolved effectively in the longer run. By collecting the network traffic between the internet and test systems, this tool can aid in the debugging of online applications. To track requests and responses, you may easily keep an eye on both incoming and outgoing data.

With a free trial of any Fiddler product, you get full access to the documentation, a fully functional version of the necessary software, data privacy protection, and an easy upgrade to the licensed version.

Here is why Fiddler is one of the best tools – 

• It gives you visibility into cookies, headers & cache
• Easy interface to debug APIs

SonarLint

SonarLint is an IDE extension that makes sure that your coding is error-free and of the highest calibre possible. From the moment you begin coding, it helps in identifying bugs and correcting defects and security-related problems. The flaws are displayed similarly to a spell checker so they can be rectified before the code commits. SonarQube is a different tool, however, SonarLint is favoured since it provides immediate feedback.

Here is why SonarLint is one of the best debugging tools available –

• Get real-time feedback and detect common mistakes.
• Can be easily integrated with the existing IDE workflow.

IBM Rational Software Analyzer

A rational software analyzer is a software debugging tool that can help you identify bugs and issues early on in the software development cycle.

The IBM Rational Software Analyzer also provides seamless integrations with third-party tools.

Here is why you should choose the IBM Rational Software Analyzer for your team –

• Higher focus on coding and product development
• Useful when the investment on QA is high
• Allows you to do the fixings early on in the SDC

Some of the other best known debugging tools are – 

• Sourcery CodeBench
• Xpediter
• Siemens Questa
• IDA Pro
• Rookout
• SmartBear AQTime Pro
• DevPartner
• PlatformIO
• Bugfender
• Honeycomb.io

Check here – Testing vs Debugging

How to Install Debugging Tools for Windows

Debugging Tools for Windows are available as a standalone tool set or as a component of a development kit:

i. As part of the WDK

Debugging Tools is included in the Windows Driver Kit (WDK). Download them here.

ii. As part of the Windows SDK

Debugging Tools for Windows is also included in the Windows Software Development Kit (SDK). Download it here.

iii. As a standalone tool set

You can install the Debugging Tools for Windows alone by starting the installation of the Windows SDK and then selecting only Debugging Tools for Windows in the list of features to install (and clearing the selection of all other features).

To download the installer, click here.

How do you Select the Right Debugging Tool?

Picking the right debugging tool is very important. It helps us find and fix problems in our app faster. The tool should match our project needs, programming setup, and the team’s skill level. By checking things like how easy it is to use and its features, we can make debugging simpler and solve errors quickly.

Key Factors to Consider

• Compatibility: Make sure the tool works with your programming language and operating system.
• Ease of Use: Choose a tool that is simple to understand and has user-friendly options.
• Integration: Look for tools that work well with your IDE or development setup.
• Performance Analysis: Pick tools that show performance issues and help fix bottlenecks.
• Real-Time Debugging: The tool should let us debug live apps while they are running.
• Community Support: Check if the tool has good community help or vendor support for issues.
• Cost: Match the tool’s price with your budget and the features it offers.
• Scalability: Make sure the tool can handle big or complex apps easily.
• Breakpoints and Step Debugging: The tool should have features like breakpoints and step-by-step debugging.
• Error Reporting: Check if it gives detailed error info and stack traces to make debugging easier.
• Cross-Platform Support: If your app works on many platforms, pick a tool that supports all of them.
• Collaboration Features: Look for tools that let the team work together, like shared debugging sessions.
• Memory and Resource Analysis: The tool should find memory leaks or performance problems.
• Customizability: Ensure the tool can be customized with plugins or scripts for your project.
• Trial Versions or Demos: Try tools with free trials or demos to check how well they work before buying.

Why choose Testsigma as a Debugging Tool?

Testsigma is a test automation platform. It not only makes testing easy but also helps us debug better. It has a simple interface, smart debugging features, and works well with other tools. With its cloud setup and strong analytics, we can fix problems faster. This means less downtime and better teamwork.

Key Benefits of Using Testsigma for Debugging

• Real-Time Error Reporting: Shows errors right away during tests with clear logs and messages.
• Visual Debugging: Gives screenshots and videos of tests to make debugging simple and quick.
• Breakpoints and Conditional Logic: Lets us set breakpoints and add conditions for better debugging of automated tests.
• Easy Integration: Works smoothly with CI/CD setups and other tools to keep workflows smooth.
• Collaborative Debugging: Makes it easy for teams to work together by sharing test results and debugging details.
• AI-Powered Analysis: Uses AI to find possible fixes and show the root cause of test problems.
• Cross-Platform Debugging: Helps debug on web, mobile, and API platforms without trouble.
• Cloud-Based Accessibility: Debugging is done on the cloud. So teams can fix problems from anywhere without worrying about setup.

Conclusion:

Now, since you have an idea about some of the best known and widely used debugging tools that are going to make an impact, it would be easier for you as an individual or organization, to select which debugging tool suits the requirements the best. The tools are a combination of multiple features such as third-party integrations, real-time syntax highlighting, intuitive UI and Dashboards, etc. With that being set, even before you finalize a tool, always look at – 

1. Price
2. Business Requirement
3. Ease of Use
4. Capabilities and Features are being offered

But if you have to choose one tool, which is a complete package of everything advanced and talks innovation in testing functionalities, then Testsigma is one of the best that exists. Testsigma offers all the functions and advanced NLP, AI features inbuilt along with its no-code testing platform, which makes the development less of a hassle and optimizes the team’s effort and time. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the 3 debugging tools in an embedded system?

The 3 debugging tools in an embedded system are – 

1. Simulators
2. Microcontroller starter kits
3. Emulator