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Debugging

If testing reveals a problem with a script, the next step is debugging. “A problem” usually means that the script is, in some way, not performing to the programmer's expectations. If this is the case, we need to carefully determine exactly what the script is actually doing and why. Finding bugs can sometimes involve a lot of detective work.

A well designed script will try to help. It should be programmed defensively, to detect ab- normal conditions and provide useful feedback to the user. Sometimes, however, prob- lems are quite strange and unexpected, and more involved techniques are required.

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