Hierarchical problem-solving in software debugging

Debugging is a problem-solving process, where the programmer searches through the code using strategic skills to locate and identify the bug. Two major approaches have been identified in debugging (Yoon and Garcia, 1995): the comprehension approach and the isolation approach. In order to investigate how programmers select and apply the comprehension and isolation approach while locating bugs, we performed an experiment using expert programmers. Our initial analysis shows that experts use hierarchical problem-solving strategies in debugging.