If you have examined the code thoroughly, and you are sure the compiler is compiling the right source file, it is time for desperate measures:
1. Divide and conquer: Comment out or temporarily delete half the code to isolate an issue.
- If the program compiles now, you know the error is in the code you deleted. Bring back about half of what you removed and repeat.
- If the program still doesn’t compile, the error must be in the code that remains. Delete about half of the remaining code and repeat.
Tip: In most code editors, one can highlight a block of code and use the keyboard shortcut command + / to comment it out.
2. Print statements for the rescue: Use System.out.println()
to check variable/return values at various points throughout the program.
A lot of the time with logic errors, there was a flawed piece of logic, a miscalculation, a missing step, etc. By printing out the values at different stages of the execution flow, you can then hopefully pinpoint where you made a mistake.
Instructions
Here’s a AreaCalculator.java program that solves for the area of different shapes:
- Triangle:
- Rectangle:
- Circle:
There is a logical error: it is not calculating the areas right for one of the shapes. Find the bug!