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The tools for debugging have changed yes. But the high-level process is the same whether it is fixing a NAND gate, figuring out the cause of a segfault, or finding a the location of the leak in a water pipe.

There is a problem. Many of the interns and recent CS grads I have worked with or hired have struggled with debugging. On a day to day basis, debugging is one of the most important skills. I would argue it is also an important skill in research settings, not just industry.

I don't know the answer, but maybe somehow integrating debugging into every CS class over the four years would help. Because you are right, it also requires a lot of practice/experience to get good at it so it is unlikely that just adding a class would solve the problem.

That is what the Purdue psychology program (I have a minor) does in its undergraduate program. The first 2-4 weeks of every class is spent on research methods often specific to the particular topic of the class. After taking the 4-5 classes to complete the minor, how to reduce bias in surveys, usability tests, etc was beaten into my brain.



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