rubber duck debugging

This is when a programmer debugs his/her code by reading it out loud to an acutal rubber duck sitting on the desk.

First you need to obtain a rubber duck (bathtub variety)

Secondly you should place the rubber duck on the desk and inform it you are just going to go over some code with it, if that's all right.

Then you explain to the duck what your code is supposed to do, and then go into detail and explain your code line by line

Lastly at some point you will tell the duck what you are doing next and then realise that that is not in fact what you are actually doing. The duck will sit there serenely, happy in the knowledge that it has helped you on your way.

Adam: Hey Joe, could you help me with the debugging of this code, I have no idea what's wrong.
Joe: Here, take this rubber duck, and try some rubber duck debugging.
Adam: Holy shit, that actually worked, thanks.

rubber duck debugging by MrAleksen June 17, 2016