Console.log() - debugging smarter in complex codebases

The very first modern line of code ever written was the famous printf("Hello, world");. Over 50 years later, the practice of outputting results to a console remains a core part of many developers' workflows. Despite the rise of sophisticated debugging tools, there’s something enduring about console.log() and its variants that keeps them firmly rooted in both the novice’s and seasoned engineer’s toolkit.

For many new developers, it’s often the very first bit of code they learn. But why is it that for some, it becomes as common as declaring a variable, while for others, it’s only used to test if the newly installed environment runs properly? Why does this seemingly simple method still hold such value in modern development?

Advantages and pitfalls of console.log

There is no question that there are valid use cases that make console.log() a viable option. For instance, when you are assigned to a project you haven’t seen before, trying to understand how execution timing works - especially when dealing with asynchronous code. However, relying solely on it can come with unexpected problems, particularly in large applications.

Each call of console.log() forces the browser to halt script execution momentarily, which becomes more pronounced when dealing with complex objects or frequent log entries. In modern frameworks like React or Angular, which rely heavily on numerous components, excessive logging during state updates or component renders can further compound performance issues. Additionally, console.log() can be misleading when used in asynchronous code, as the console keeps a reference to data objects as they appeared at the time of logging. So, what’s the alternative? Using the debugger!

Debugger

Debugger is a powerful tool found in most modern IDEs and browser developer tools that allows developers to pause code execution at specific points called breakpoints. Unlike console.log(), breakpoints give you the ability to inspect the application state (such as variable values, the call stack, and the scope) without cluttering your code with log statements.

  1. Fine-grained control: You can pause at any line of code and inspect the entire execution context. You can see the values of variables at that specific point in execution. You can also view the entire call stack leading to the breakpoint. This is what often allows our dev team to quickly identify and resolve bugs for our clients.
  2. Dynamic inspection: You can navigate through the paused code step by step (step into, step over, step out) to see how it executes in real time.
  3. Non-intrusive: Breakpoints don’t require modifying the codebase with additional logging statements that need to be cleaned up later.
  4. Conditional breakpoints: You can set conditions so the breakpoint only triggers when specific criteria are met, such as a variable reaching a particular value. This prevents the need for repetitive logging statements and helps avoid unnecessary noise

Let’s be honest, most software developers are control freaks. That’s why we love using the debugger - it allows us to see exactly what’s going on in our codebase. Tools like the debugger are one of the reasons why we can quickly respond to our clients’ needs. Interested in seeing what we could do for you? Fill out the contact form below!

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