Systematic Debugging

Walk through a bug methodically — identify root cause, rule out red herrings, and produce a reliable fix.

ClaudeChatGPTGemini

Prompt

I have a bug I need help debugging. Please work through it systematically.

**Bug description:**
[DESCRIBE WHAT IS HAPPENING vs. WHAT YOU EXPECT]

**Error message (if any):**
```
[PASTE ERROR / STACK TRACE]
```

**Relevant code:**
```
[PASTE THE CODE]
```

**What I've already tried:**
[LIST THINGS YOU'VE ATTEMPTED]

**Environment:**
- Language/Runtime: [e.g. Node 20 / Python 3.12]
- Framework: [e.g. Next.js 15 / FastAPI]

Please:
1. Identify the most likely root cause and explain why.
2. List 2–3 alternative causes to rule out.
3. Provide a step-by-step fix with the corrected code.
4. Suggest a way to prevent this class of bug in the future.

Tags: debuggingtroubleshootingroot cause

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