Talking Drupal #133 - Debugging

In episode 133 we talk about something that everyone does when
building and supporting websites, debugging.
Show Notes

Can you determine where the issue originates from? Is it
front end, backup, css, or a module.

RIR Strategy - Reproduce, Isolate and Resolve.

Reproduce

Gather pertinent information to help resolve a bug
quicker

Train your customer and provide a bug report form to help
them provide you the best information.

When trying to reproduce an issue, make sure your
development/QA enviroments mirror the production environment.
For example, do you PHP version match? Listen to show #127
Local Development with Vagrant.

If an issue cannot be reproduced in a development
environment, look at the server configuration and data.



Isolating

When the issue can be reproduced, isolating it is the
next step.

Tools and techniques you can use to help

Drupal and server logs - check your log files first.

Turn on error reporting for PHP to display errors

Inspector - use the Console and Networking sections
in the inspector. This will help identify front end
issues. I common issue is javascript not loading from
third parties.

What are the last things that changed? Looking back
at the most recent code or configuration changes will
uncover the source of a bug.

Peer Programming - work with someone else to resolve
a problem. Often, just explaining it will help resolve
it.

Walk Away - Taking a short break from a difficult bug
will you have fresh perspective.

Note Pad - Take notes during the research will help
you organize your isolation process.





Resolve

Fix it.

Think about how you can prevent this in the future.

Document it.



Module of the Week

Search API - https://www.drupal.org/project/searchapi


This module provides a framework for easily creating searches on
any entity known to Drupal, using any kind of search engine. For
site administrators, it is a great alternative to other search
solutions, since it already incorporates faceting support and the
ability to use theViews module for displaying search results,
filters, etc. Also, with the Apache Solr integration, a
high-performance search engine is available for this module.


Developers, on the other hand, will be impressed by the large
flexibility and numerous ways of extension the module provides.
Hence, the growing number of additional contrib modules,
providing additional functionality or helping users customize
some aspects of the search process.
Bonus Content

Download Sample Bug Report PDF and Webform version.
Hosts

Stephen Cross - www.ParallaxInfoTech.com @stephencross


John Picozzi - www.oomphinc.com @johnpicozzi


Nic Laflin - www.nLightened.net @nicxvan