Isolating Problems
Another important rule is to find a reliable way to reproduce a problem. If your circuit behaves in a funny way at random times, try really hard to figure out the exact moment the problem occurs and what is causing it. This process will allow you to think about a possible cause. It is also very useful when you need to explain to somebody else what's going on.
Describing the problem as precisely as possible is also a good way to find a solution. Try to find somebody to explain the problem to—in many cases, a solution will pop into your head as you articulate the problem. Brian W. Kernighan and Rob Pike, in The Practice of Programming (Addison-Wesley, 1999), tell the story of one university that "kept a teddy bear near the help desk. Students with mysterious bugs were required to explain them to the bear before they could speak to a human counselor."
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.
Read now
Unlock full access