What are some best practices or tips for debugging and testing your scripts in technical direction?

1 Use a code editor

One of the first steps to improve your scripting workflow is to use a code editor that supports the language you are using, such as Python, MEL, or VEX. A code editor can help you write, format, and organize your code, as well as provide features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and error checking. Some popular code editors for technical direction are Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, and PyCharm.

2 Follow coding standards

Another way to avoid common mistakes and make your code more readable and maintainable is to follow coding standards and conventions for the language you are using. Coding standards are guidelines for how to name, structure, and document your code, such as using consistent indentation, spacing, and comments. You can find coding standards for various languages online, or use tools such as Pylint or Flake8 to check your code for compliance.

3 Use debugging tools

Sometimes, your code may not work as expected, or produce errors or warnings that are hard to understand. In these cases, you need to use debugging tools to inspect and modify your code while it is running, and find the source of the problem. Depending on the application you are using, you may have different options for debugging tools, such as the Script Editor in Maya, the Python Debugger in Houdini, or the Chrome DevTools in the browser.

4 Test your code frequently

One of the best ways to ensure your code works correctly and efficiently is to test it frequently and thoroughly. Testing your code means running it with different inputs, scenarios, and environments, and checking the outputs and results. You can test your code manually, by using the application's interface or command line, or automatically, by using tools such as PyTest or unittest to create and run test cases.

5 Use version control

Finally, a good practice for any scripting project is to use version control to track and manage the changes you make to your code over time. Version control allows you to save, compare, and restore different versions of your code, as well as collaborate with other developers. Some common version control systems are Git, SVN, and Perforce.