Ladebug: an online tool to help novice programmers improve their debugging skills

TLDR

Debugging software is challenging for novices, yet most are not formally taught debugging skills despite its importance. The paper introduces Ladebug, an online tool designed to scaffold novice programmers’ learning of debugging skills. Ladebug provides a structured debugging process where students follow step‑by‑step procedures to locate and correct errors in predefined exercises. Students report positive attitudes toward Ladebug, finding the exercises engaging and helpful.

Abstract

Debugging software is challenging, particularly for novices. Despite the importance of debugging, most novice programmers are not formally taught any debugging skills. This paper describes an online tool, Ladebug, that is designed to scaffold the learning of debugging skills. In this environment, students follow a structured debugging process to find and fix errors in predefined exercises. Overall, we find that students are positive about the tool, and report the exercises to be engaging and helpful.