Ask AI: What is the first step to debugging a computer program?

The first step to debugging a computer program is to **identify and reproduce the problem**. Here's how you can do that effectively: 1. **Define the Problem**: Clearly understand what the issue is. Look for symptoms or error messages that indicate something is wrong. 2. **Reproduce the Issue**: Try to consistently reproduce the problem. This helps you to understand under what conditions the bug occurs. Make sure you note the steps to reproduce it. 3. **Collect Information**: Gather all relevant information such as inputs, expected outputs, actual outputs, and the environment in which the problem occurs (e.g., operating system, software version). By accurately identifying and reproducing the problem, you can proceed with diagnosing and fixing the issue more efficiently.