# Debugging Basics — C Programming

Source: https://www.geekswithgeeks.com/en/c/c-debugging

> Find bugs with printf, warnings, and gdb.

## printf debugging

The simplest technique: sprinkle `printf` calls to print variable values and confirm which lines actually run. Fast, but requires editing and recompiling each time.

## Compile with debug symbols

`-g` embeds debug info gdb needs; `-Wall -Wextra` surfaces suspicious code before you even run it.

```bash
gcc -g -Wall -Wextra prog.c -o prog
gdb ./prog
```

## A minimal gdb session

Inside gdb: `break main` sets a breakpoint, `run` starts the program, `next` steps line by line, and `print x` inspects a variable's current value.