Enhance Your JavaScript Debugging Skills in 2023
Written on
Chapter 1: Mastering Console.log() for Debugging
As a JavaScript developer, you likely utilize console.log() frequently in your daily tasks. It's an essential tool for debugging, allowing for quick display of strings or variables. I have often taken it for granted, but I've recently discovered that console.log() can do far more than just output random statements haphazardly.
You might be surprised to learn that you can present data in tables or group related information together. By mastering the various functionalities of console.log(), you can impress your colleagues and enhance your credibility as a developer. Investing time in understanding its capabilities will undoubtedly benefit your future self.
Section 1.1: Displaying Data with console.table()
Using table formatting is an excellent way to present extensive data sets clearly. For instance, the following command utilizes console.table() to display an array in a neat table format:
console.table(["apples", "oranges", "bananas"]);
This command will take an array and format it into a table, organizing strings, numbers, and even longer entries in an easily readable way. You can test this in a Node.js interactive shell or directly in a Chrome browser console by simply copying the code above. The output will remain consistent across both environments.
Chapter 2: Grouping Information with console.group()
Console.group() serves as a powerful method for organizing related pieces of information. This functionality allows you to collapse and expand sections as needed. Try the following example in the Chrome debugger:
console.log("I'm Outside");
console.group();
console.log("Going Deeper");
console.group();
console.log("...Event Deeper");
console.warn("Too Deep!");
console.groupEnd();
console.log("Let's get out of here!");
console.groupEnd();
console.log("Phew!");
After executing this, you will notice that the information is neatly grouped and labeled, making it more manageable to follow.
Section 2.1: Enhancing Console Outputs with Styling
Did you know that console log statements can also be styled? Applying different colors and font styles can make your log outputs easier to read. For example, you can change the text color to green with the following command:
console.log("%cThis will be green", "color: #00FF00;", "Told You!");
If you'd like to explore more about styling options for console logs, refer to this comprehensive article from Google.
Section 2.2: Utilizing console.assert() for Error Logging
The console.assert() method is another useful tool for logging errors. For instance, you can utilize it within a for loop to check for even numbers. Here's how you can implement it:
const errorMsg = "the # is not even";
for (let number = 2; number <= 5; number++) {
console.log(the # is ${number});
console.assert(number % 2 === 0, '%o', { number, errorMsg });
}
This method allows for detailed error logging, significantly improving your development efficiency.
Conclusion: Expanding Your Debugging Toolkit
As demonstrated, there are numerous innovative ways to utilize console log statements effectively. I hope you've discovered a new technique for logging errors or verifying outputs that enhances your development process. If you have additional tips that were not covered here, please share them. Thank you for reading! For more insights, check out PlainEnglish.io and subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Discord. If you're looking to scale your software startup, Circuit is worth a look.