When should you prefer perl -d debugger, and when should you avoid it?

Using the Perl debugger, perl -d, can be an invaluable tool when developing and troubleshooting your Perl scripts. However, there are specific scenarios where you should either prefer or avoid using it.

When to Prefer perl -d Debugger

• Complex Bugs: If your script has intricate logic or multiple interactions, using perl -d allows you to step through the code, set breakpoints, and inspect variables.
• Learning Perl: New Perl developers can greatly benefit from stepping through code to understand how it works and how different parts interact.
• Real-Time Data Inspection: When you need to monitor the state of your variables at runtime, the debugger provides a way to do this effectively.

When to Avoid perl -d Debugger

• Performance Concerns: Debugging can significantly slow down your script. If performance is critical, consider other debugging techniques like logging.
• Simple Scripts: For straightforward or small scripts, using the debugger might be overkill compared to simply adding print statements for quick checks.
• Deployment: Never use the debugger in a production environment as it can expose sensitive information and may impact performance.