Best practices and tips for PHP debugging?

PHP debugging best practices include: 1. Use debugging tools such as var_dump(), print_r(); 2. Enable error/warning reporting; 3. Use logging to record errors and information; 4. Use breakpoints and monitors Check variables and code execution.

Best Practices and Tips for PHP Debugging

Debugging in PHP can be a daunting task, especially When working with complex or large applications. However, by adopting a few best practices and tips, you can simplify the process significantly.

Using debugging tools

PHP provides built-in debugging tools, such as var_dump(), print_r() or error_log(), can be used to check the value of a variable or track the execution of code. These tools are easy to use and help identify and resolve problems quickly.

Enable Error/Warning Reporting

Make sure error and warning reporting is enabled so that any issues that occur at runtime are logged. This can be done by modifying the php.ini file or using the error_reporting() function.

Using logging

For higher level debugging, logging is essential. You can log error, warning, and information messages to a log file by using libraries such as logger or Monolog. This can help later analyze the problem or troubleshoot issues in code execution.

Using breakpoints and monitors

IDEs (integrated development environments) usually provide the function of setting breakpoints and monitors. Breakpoints allow you to stop execution at a specific line of code and examine the value of a variable. Monitors allow you to monitor variable values ​​or expressions while your code is running.

Practical case

Consider the following code:

function calculateTotal($items) {
  $total = 0;
  foreach ($items as $item) {
    $total += $item['price'];
  }
  return $total;
}

Assuming that the $items array is empty, this function will return 0. To debug this problem, we can use the following trick:

1. Set a breakpoint at the beginning of the loop.
2. Check the value of $items to confirm it is empty.
3. Modify the code to handle the case of empty arrays.

Improved code:

function calculateTotal($items) {
  if (empty($items)) {
    return 0;
  }

  $total = 0;
  foreach ($items as $item) {
    $total += $item['price'];
  }
  return $total;
}

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