How to Debug Your NodeJs Application like a Pro? 6 Tips

Is writing proper code enough for creating robust applications?  

Nah!!! It is not. 

Even proficient developers make mistakes when writing codes. Now, imagine you release your application with these errors. In the end, your product may not work as expected. For this reason, testing and debugging are crucial during software development. 

With testing, you can identify the errors. On the other hand, debugging allows you to locate and solve the issue. If you want to build a high-performing NodeJs application, do not forget to debug. 

When it comes to debugging NodeJs applications, many developers use traditional methods like console.log(). Most of the older ways are time-consuming and tedious. But debugging NodeJs does not have to be tiresome. These days, NodeJs development companies in Albania go for cutting-edge methods of debugging, which are faster. Below, we will list some expert tips to debug Node.Js applications.  

• Pro tips for debugging your NodeJs application 

1. Leverage testing
   Many NodeJs developers in Albania and other regions have neglected to test. As a result, they called for trouble. Therefore, consider test-driven NodeJs app development. In this, a developer creates unit tests before writing the code. These tests involve recurring small development cycles. Remember, the requirements vary from one test case to another.
   You must be wondering how do these unit tests work, right? Do not worry! Our experts can help you understand it. First, the developer creates a test, which fails because there is no code. After this, the NodeJs programmer writes code and runs the test. If the test passes, it is clean and accurate. But failed test means they need to re-write the code.

2. Choose alternative console methods
   As mentioned already, NodeJs debugging is associated with the console.log() function. But not many developers know about other alternative console methods. There are quite a few. Here is one example.
   Console.group() – By calling console.group() function, you can result into a creation of JavaScript console logs collection. With this, you can group logs in the browser. Besides this, you can use a console.table(), console.dir(), etc.

3. Explore the debugger statement
   Another simple yet pro method to debug your NodeJs application is by using the debugger statement. The statement works when you pause the code execution when the developer tools are opened. Since NodeJs does not have a developer console, you should do this by inspecting it. You will get access to an interactive debugger that drives you towards code execution. Remember, this method is suitable for small-scale applications.

4. Use APM tooling/logging
   You cannot debug an application in production as you did when interpreting your container requests. For this reason, it is advisable to debug your application locally as you do in production. For example, one of your tools will log in to a remote server for viewing the console logs. It is the same as you did on local. Indeed, it is a time-consuming process. Therefore, you can use tools to ensure log aggregation.
   Using these tools, you can collect the logs from your NodeJs application. After this, move these logs to the same location. In addition to this, you can handle processes like parsing and viewing logs effortlessly using these tools.
   We also have APM (Application Performance Monitoring), an excellent tool for debugging NodeJs applications. It allows you to accumulate stack traces from the code, which can transfer to a single location.

5. Test performance
   When people think about application debugging, the first thing that comes to their minds is interactions with debuggers. But test performance can help you identify issues when the applications are under stress. Several tools are available for performance testing NodeJs applications.
   One of the most popular and trustworthy test performance tools is Artillery. It allows your NodeJs development services provider in Albania to build a YAML configuration file. It helps in specifying the types of performance tests you may conduct.
6. Utilize Flame Graphing
   When you use a JavaScript-based framework, it is vital to understand the execution of functions. Thanks to Flame Graphs, you can visualize how your functions are processed. A Flame Graph is nothing but a representation of your call stack.
   For example, when a particular function runs, it might call one after another until it creates a chain of functions. After this, one returns to the next function, which goes back to the one called it. The process goes on until the stack becomes clear. 

The bottom line 

These are some ways you can debug your NodeJs application. With the above-discussed debugging methods, you can spot issues, which may not be possible with console.log(). Moreover, they are faster and more efficient than traditional debugging. When you hire a company that offers NodeJs development in Albania, check their knowledge about testing and debugging before deciding. 

If you are searching for a trustworthy NodeJs development company in Albania, contact DigiDuck. We have years of experience delivering impeccable services.