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14-Collaborative Activity Software Debugging

The document outlines a collaborative learning activity called 'The Debugging Dojo,' designed for small groups to practice debugging skills through three coding challenges in Python and Java. Each challenge involves identifying and fixing bugs in provided code snippets, with guiding questions for debriefing to enhance understanding. The activity aims to develop systematic debugging processes, hypothesis testing, and the use of peer discussion to solve problems within a 45-60 minute timeframe.

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10 views4 pages

14-Collaborative Activity Software Debugging

The document outlines a collaborative learning activity called 'The Debugging Dojo,' designed for small groups to practice debugging skills through three coding challenges in Python and Java. Each challenge involves identifying and fixing bugs in provided code snippets, with guiding questions for debriefing to enhance understanding. The activity aims to develop systematic debugging processes, hypothesis testing, and the use of peer discussion to solve problems within a 45-60 minute timeframe.

Uploaded by

fahadmehmood63747
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Collaborative Learning Activity: "The Debugging Dojo"

Activity Type: Small Group Challenge (Pairs or Trios)​


Time Allotment: 45-60 minutes​
Learning Objectives:

●​ Practice the systematic process of debugging.

●​ Develop skills in forming and testing hypotheses.

●​ Utilize peer discussion and "rubber ducking" to solve problems.

●​ Experience different debugging tools and strategies.

Materials Needed:

●​ Pre-written buggy code snippets (provided below).

●​ Computers with a relevant programming environment/IDE installed.

●​ (Optional) Printed copies of the code snippets and worksheets.

The Challenges

Groups can work on these chellenges in sequence, or you can assign different
challenges to different groups.

Challenge 1: The Logical Labyrinth

Language: Python​
Task: This function is supposed to find the largest number in a list. It sometimes works
but often returns the wrong value. Find and fix the bug.

python

def find_largest(numbers):

largest = 0

for num in numbers:

if num > largest:

largest = num

return largest
# Test Cases (Provide these to students)

print(find_largest([1, 5, 3, 9, 2])) # Expected: 9, Actual: 9 (seems ok!)

print(find_largest([-5, -2, -10])) # Expected: -2, Actual: 0 (WRONG!)

print(find_largest([3, 3, 3])) # Expected: 3, Actual: 3 (ok)

Guiding Questions for Debrief:

●​ What was your initial hypothesis when the first test case passed?

●​ How did the second test case change your hypothesis?

●​ What is the flaw in the initial assumption of setting largest = 0?

Challenge 2: The Off-by-One Odyssey

Language: Java​
Task: This function should print a countdown from a given number n down to 1. It's off
by one.

java

public class Counter {

public static void countdown(int n) {

for (int i = n; i >= 0; i--) {

[Link](i);

[Link]("Blastoff!");

public static void main(String[] args) {

countdown(5);

// Expected: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Blastoff!

// Actual: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, Blastoff! (WRONG!)


}

Guiding Questions for Debrief:

●​ How did you localize the issue? Did you use the debugger to step through the
loop?

●​ What is the precise loop condition that causes the extra number to be printed?

●​ Why are "off-by-one" errors so common?

Challenge 3: The Resource Riddle

Language: Python (simulating a common bug)​


Task: This code is meant to read a file and print each line. It works but is inefficient and
could lead to problems with larger files. What's the issue, and how do you fix it?

python

def print_file_lines(filename):

file = open(filename, 'r')

lines = [Link]()

for line in lines:

print([Link]())

# The function is called

print_file_lines('[Link]')

Guiding Questions for Debrief:

●​ What happens if an exception is thrown before [Link]() is called?

●​ What is the best practice for handling resources like files in your language?
(Answer for Python: use a with block).

●​ This isn't a "crashing" bug. Why is it still considered a bug?


Part 3: Group Debrief and Reflection (10-15 minutes)

Bring the entire class back together. For each challenge, ask one or two groups to
present their findings.

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