> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://prof-rossetti.gitbook.io/intro-to-python/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://prof-rossetti.gitbook.io/intro-to-python/notes/python/debugging.md).

# Debugging

Use the `help()` function to view documentation for a given type of object or datatype:

```python
help(str)
```

Use the `dir()` function to see what methods you can call on a given object.

```python
dir("Hello")
```

## Interactive Console

Reference: <https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html?highlight=breakpoint#breakpoint>.

As of a recent version of Python, you should be able to use the built-in `breakpoint()` function to drop an interactive breakpoint on any line of code. Once you run the script, it will stop at the breakpoint to facilitate further investigation:

```python
v = 1

breakpoint()

v = 2

#> (Pdb) v
#> 1
#> (Pdb)
```

```python
for i in [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]:
    print(i)
    if i == 4:
        breakpoint()

#> 1
#> 2
#> 3
#> 4
#> > /Users/mjr/Desktop/my_script.py(3)<module>()
#> -> for i in [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]:
#> (Pdb) i
#> 4
#> (Pdb)
```