Visual Studio Code Mastery · Step 5 of 15
Debugging in VS Code
Stop guessing why your code broke — learn to watch it run line by line in VS Code.
What you’ll walk away with
- Set and use breakpoints in the Run and Debug view to pause code exactly where you need to inspect it
- Configure launch.json so debugging actually starts correctly for your specific project setup
- Write conditional breakpoints that only trigger when a specific condition is met, saving time on repetitive bugs
- Use Logpoints to log values without littering your code with console.log statements
- Walk through a real, hands-on debugging session to find and fix an actual issue using these tools together
Questions people ask before they start
Do I need debugging experience before starting this course?
No. The course starts with the basics of breakpoints and the Run and Debug view, then builds up to launch.json configuration and more advanced techniques like conditional breakpoints and Logpoints.
Is this course specific to VS Code, or does it cover other editors?
It's entirely focused on VS Code's built-in debugging tools — breakpoints, the Run and Debug view, launch.json, conditional breakpoints, and Logpoints.
What's the difference between a regular breakpoint and what I'll learn about conditional breakpoints and Logpoints?
A regular breakpoint always pauses execution when hit. The course covers conditional breakpoints, which only pause when a condition you set is true, and Logpoints, which let you log information without stopping execution or adding console.log statements to your code.
Why does launch.json matter if I can just click 'Run'?
The launch.json lesson covers how debugging actually starts under the hood — configuring it properly means debugging works the way you expect for your project instead of behaving unpredictably or failing to attach.
Is there a practical exercise, or is it all concept explanations?
The final lesson, 'Hands-On: Debug a Real Issue,' has you apply breakpoints, launch.json, conditional breakpoints, and Logpoints together to track down and fix an actual bug.
How does this fit into AI University's focus on building software with AI?
This course teaches you how to verify what your code — including AI-generated code — is actually doing at runtime, rather than just trusting it or guessing when something goes wrong.