Western Governors University (WGU) ITSW 2113 D278 Scripting and Programming Foundations Practice Exam

In programming, debugging refers to the process of identifying and fixing errors or bugs in code. This is a crucial step in software development, as errors can cause programs to behave unexpectedly or crash altogether. Debugging involves a range of techniques, such as using debugging tools or inserting print statements to track the flow of execution and monitor variable values.

A programmer may encounter various types of bugs, including syntax errors, logic errors, and runtime errors, and successfully debugging ensures that the code operates as intended and meets the requirements of the project. The iterative nature of debugging is vital because it helps improve not only the quality of the software but also enhances the programmer's understanding of the code's behavior.

The other options refer to different aspects of software development. Writing documentation involves explaining how the code works and is used but does not address errors. Optimizing code for performance focuses on improving the efficiency or speed of the code rather than identifying issues. Compiling code is the process of translating code written in a high-level programming language into machine code that can be executed, which does not include bug identification or resolution. Thus, the most appropriate definition of debugging is the process of identifying and fixing errors or bugs in code.