Debugging Classes

JMU

Debugging Classes
Common Mistakes made by Beginning Programmers

Prof. David Bernstein
James Madison University

Computer Science Department

bernstdh@jmu.edu

Desk Checking Attributes

Look for attributes that are inappropriately declared static
Look for attributes and local variables with the same name
Look for confusing aliases, shallow copies, and deep copies

Desk Checking Methods/Functions

Make sure you are returning the right value/variable
Avoid multiple return statements; if you use them make sure they are correct
Look for missing constructors
Look for the misuse of overloaded methods

Desk Checking Derived Classes

Look for the accidental inclusion of a shadow attribute
Look for a dailure to call the parent's constructor
Look for the misuse of overridden methods