What are the best practices for debugging PHP functions that appear to work correctly in some scenarios but fail in others?

When debugging PHP functions that work in some scenarios but fail in others, it is important to thoroughly test the function with different inputs to identify the specific conditions causing the issue. Use debugging tools like var_dump() or echo statements to inspect variable values and control flow. Consider potential edge cases and unexpected input values that could be causing the problem. Additionally, reviewing the function logic and ensuring error handling is in place can help pinpoint and resolve the issue. 

function exampleFunction($input) {
    // Add debugging statements to track variable values and control flow
    var_dump($input);
    
    // Review function logic and consider edge cases
    if ($input === 'special_case') {
        return 'Special case handled correctly';
    } else {
        return 'Function failed for input: ' . $input;
    }
}

// Test the function with different inputs
echo exampleFunction('normal_input') . "\n";
echo exampleFunction('special_case') . "\n";

Keywords

PHP debugging functions scenarios errors

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