Even You

Can Debug

WordCamp Birmingham 2014

Introduction

Hi, I'm Brian DiChiara, Freelance Web Developer

http://briandichiara.com

@solepixel

What Is Debugging?

The process of

identifying and removing errors

from computer software

What is the Problem?

It's not working.
I get an error.
It doesn't look right.
It's doing something funky.

Help me help you

What specifically is not working?
Can you please tell me the error message you are getting?
What are you expecting to happen?
What about it makes you think it's doing something funky?

Gather Data

Steps to Reproduce!
Browser/OS

supportdetails.com
Help > About

What is the URL?
Authentication Credentials (and test them!)
Screenshot

Print Screen / CMD+SHIFT+3 or 4
CloudApp or FluffyApp / Jing

Gist (gist.github.com)
File / Line Number

Locate the problem

DNS Issues

Who.is (Chrome Extension)
Check Name Servers
Verify A Records
Whoishostingthis.com

Browser Error Console (Chrome/Firefox/Safari)

F12 (Windows) or CMD+OPT+i (Mac)

Switch to another theme (Twenty Fourteen)
Disable Plugins

USE A STAGING SITE

Hosts

Database String Replace

Setup Your Own:

staging1.domain.com

domain.staging.company.com

WP Engine
Site Ground

My Ideal Setup

1. Private Repo in BitBucket

At minimum Dev, Staging, and Master Branch
Ignore wp-config.php and wp-content/uploads

2. Setup Locally, using AMPPS, XAMPP, MAMP Pro, or a custom *AMP setup.

Host file and VirtualHosts in Apache
Local Database and DB String Replace

SQLYog (Windows) or Sequel Pro (Mac)
Match wp-config.php

3. FTPloy

Tools of the trade

Editors/IDEs

Sublime Text (Mac/Windows/Linux)
PhpStorm (Mac/Windows/Linux)
phpDesigner (Windows)
Codebug (Mac)
Coda 2 (Mac)

In-line Debugger

Debugging Resources

Plugins

Debug Bar Plugin
Query Monitor Plugin
Developer Plugin

3rd Party Applications

Nitty Gritty

Enable WP_DEBUG

WP_DEBUG_LOG (true)
WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY (false)

Prefix ALL the things!
Use function_exists(), class_exists(), defined(), and isset()
Avoid using @; use try / catch instead

OuTPUT Variables

console.log()
alert()

Last Resort

die('1');

Pink Sombrero

Disclaimer: Cowboy coding (or live site debugging)

is looked down upon and is the worst way

to debug a website.

$_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR']

$_SERVER['HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR']

Check against your IP address!

what is my ip?

Rubber Ducks!

The End

Any Questions?

Other Resources

WordPress Codex

Mario Peshev (@no_fear_inc)

WordSesh

WP Realm Article

Mo Jangda (Toronto)

Debugging for WordPress Developers

THank you!

briandichiara.com

@solepixel