Bugs are good
An instructor once told our class to be comfortable with things in a ‘broken’ state. If they were not broken, we wouldn’t have a job! This was a really good lesson, because it’s not easy to stay afloat in the bug infested, red-warning, console-breaking, non-traceable, why-is-this-not-working waters.
Finding your zen, when things are upside down, and learning to cope is really a great first step. It should sit at your foundation, so no matter what new technology, or error comes your way, you’ll have that as your bedrock.
There’s no doubt bugs are annoying little critters. But they can also offer a nice little pot of ‘YES!!!’ gold at the end of their ‘no-good-red-headed-stepchild’ rainbow (I can say that, I’m a red-head). Often, the worse the bug, the better you feel.
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I recently came across a nasty little bug that had me in bed for days. Running a code-fever that had me weak and hangry. This particular bug was nestled in such a wonderful little crack, that it’s warnings and error messages were no where to be seen.
The bug was good though. It was the kind of bug that made you learn. I started examining the code, and dissecting every part. This allowed me to really grasp how the application was working. I was console logging the heck out of everything and eventually traced the bug back to its lair. I was able to correct the code and resolve my issues away!
It was definitely a triumphant moment! Confetti, marching bands, elephants, kids were running through sprinklers, the whole nine. The reality was me in my room, lights off, headphones on, both hands raised high with a big ‘YES!’, but a victory none-the-less!
I encourage you to view your bugs the same way. These are really just chances to better ourselves and learn something new. Debugging is a skill in and of itself. The better you can become at honing in on this skill, the quicker you’ll be able to get back to finishing the app/program you’re trying to complete!
