Debugging is the process of identifying, isolating, and fixing bugs or errors in a software program. It is an essential skill for developers, as even the most meticulously written code can contain issues that affect its functionality. Debugging involves using various tools and techniques to track down issues such as logical errors, runtime errors, or performance problems. Modern integrated development environments (IDEs) offer built-in debugging tools that allow developers to step through their code, inspect variables, and evaluate expressions to pinpoint the source of the error.

Definition: Debugging is the process of identifying, isolating, and fixing issues or errors (bugs) in a computer program. It involves using tools or manual methods to trace the source of a problem and correct it.

There are several methods for debugging, including print-based debugging, where developers insert print statements into their code to observe variable values, and more sophisticated techniques like breakpoints and watch expressions. Breakpoints allow developers to pause the execution of a program at specific points, so they can inspect the state of the application at that moment. Debugging tools also provide features such as memory dumps, stack traces, and error logs that make it easier to track the flow of execution and identify the problematic areas.

Debugging Process:
1. Identify the bug
2. Isolate the bug location in the code
3. Investigate the cause of the bug
4. Fix the code and test again
5. Repeat if necessary

Effective debugging is not just about fixing bugs; it’s also about improving the overall quality of the software. It helps ensure that applications are reliable, efficient, and free of unexpected crashes or performance bottlenecks. With the growing complexity of software systems, automated debugging tools and techniques like static code analysis and unit testing have become increasingly important, helping developers ensure that their code is as bug-free as possible before deployment.