The author introduces Hash-Based Bisect Debugging, a magic-like tool to pinpoint code errors in unfamiliar projects. The tool uses binary search techniques to find the root of bugs in data or version history. Controversial information includes comparing debugging to magic and focusing on compiler and runtime issues. The author gives examples of using binary search for debugging from the 80s to the early 2000s. Surprisingly, they highlight how Git bisect can be used to pinpoint the exact commit causing a bug in testing. A unique feature is the author’s tool, named ‘bisect,’ which can locate problematic code paths using binary search.
https://research.swtch.com/bisect