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Debugging Checklist

Data Initialization

• Any improperly initialized variables?
• Variables of correct datatype? (x = 2 vs. x = 2.0 vs. x = "2")
• Any misspelled variable names?
• Variables with similar names confused?

Computation

• String subscripts within bounds?
• Any non-integer string subscripts?
• Off-by-one errors in indexing or subscripting operations?
• Mixed-mode computations?
• Intermediate result overflow or underflow?
• Division by zero?
• Floating point inaccuracies?
• Operator precedence understood?
• Integer divisions correct?

Comparisons

• Comparison relationships correct?
• = used instead of ==?
• Floating point comparisons correct?
• Boolean expressions correct?
• Improper comparisons of floating point values
• Operator precedence understood?

Control Flow

• All cases covered in if or case statements?
• Should there be a default case in if..else statements?
• If statement used when elif should be used or vice versa?
• Will each loop terminate?
• Will program terminate?
• Any loop bypasses because of entry conditions?
• Possible loop fall-throughs using case statement correct?
• Any off-by-one iteration errors?
• Indentation correct? Remember indentation is essential for Python syntax.

Method Calls

• Method names spelled correctly?
• Method names capitalized correctly?
• Number of arguments correct?
• Types of arguments correct?
• Order of the arguments correct?
• Package containing method used imported correctly?

Input/Output

• Print used when puts is appropriate or vice versa?
• Format string correct when using str.format
• Spacing correct. Is a sep and/or end argument needed in print statement?
• Input checked for validity?
• Textual or grammatical errors in output?
• Files opened correctly?
• Files closed after using?

Other Checks

• Use of single quotes when double quotes required?
• Warning messages?
• Import statements correct?