The document describes the scientific method of troubleshooting problems by defining the problem, doing research, establishing a hypothesis, designing an experiment, gathering data, analyzing results, and sharing knowledge. It emphasizes defining the expected and actual behaviors, dividing problems into testable parts, embracing successes, and documenting work through lab notebooks, commit messages, and updated documentation to help others. The scientific method provides a systematic approach for acquiring knowledge to solve problems.

1. The
Scientific Method
of Troubleshooting

2. @blithe

4. Scientist

5. PhD in
Physical
Chemistry

6. Physics

7. Chemistry

8. 6 Years!

9. Experiments

10. Scientific
Method

11. Developer
< >

12. StackOverflow

13. Problem solved?

14. Learn anything?

15. Most Important Part

16. Scientific
Method

17. Set of Techniques
For Acquiring
Knowledge

18. Methodical

19. Systematic

20. “Has anyone seen
string interpolation
fail?”

21. Define
the Problem
2 3 4 5 6 71

22. Expected behavior?

23. Expected behavior?
Actual behavior?

24. Expected behavior?
Actual behavior?
Criteria for success?

25. Do Your
Research
3 4 5 6 7Define 2

26. Know your
environment

27. Read the literature

28. Discussions

29. Make it fail!

30. Establish a
Hypothesis
5 6 7Define Research 43

31. Design
the Experiment
6 7Define Research Hypothesis 54

32. Divide and conquer!

33. Limit the variables

34. Try something weird

36. Hierarchy of Blame

37. Gather
Data
6 7Define Research Hypothesis Experiment 5

38. Current status?

39. Read the error
message!

40. Analyze
Your Results
7Define Research DataHypothesis Experiment 6

41. Problem solved?
Learn anything?

42. Understand the Why

43. Future Experiments

44. Embrace the Success

45. Keep a Good
Lab Notebook
Define Research DataHypothesis Experiment Analyze 7

47. You won’t
remember

48. Logs aren’t enough

49. Commit Messages

50. Update the Docs

51. Contribute

53. Share
the
Knowledge

54. Questions?
Thanks!
@blithe