In Oracle development, explain how you can debug a PL/SQL program, mentioning typical tools, techniques, and debugging steps.

Introduction / Context:
Writing PL/SQL is only half the job; the other half is verifying that it behaves correctly. Debugging allows you to step through code, watch variables, and understand why logic does not produce the expected results. This question asks how you can debug PL/SQL programs in an Oracle environment, an essential skill for serious development work.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The database is Oracle and PL/SQL code is stored as packages, procedures, functions, or triggers.
• Developers have access to development tools like Oracle SQL Developer or PL/SQL Developer.
• There is permission to use DBMS_OUTPUT and possibly custom logging tables.
• The goal is to identify and fix logic errors or runtime exceptions.

Concept / Approach:
PL/SQL debugging can be done in two main ways. First, interactive debuggers in tools like SQL Developer let you set breakpoints, run code step by step, inspect variables, and evaluate expressions. Second, instrumentation techniques such as DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE, DBMS_APPLICATION_INFO, and custom logging tables provide traces that show execution flow and important variable values. Combining these methods with good exception handling and unit tests results in maintainable and observable PL/SQL code.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Enable the debugger in your IDE, connect to the database, and compile the PL/SQL program with debug information.Step 2: Set breakpoints at key lines such as the start of a procedure, inside loops, or just before complex queries and updates.Step 3: Run or invoke the PL/SQL program through the debugger so that execution pauses at the first breakpoint.Step 4: Step through the code line by line or statement by statement while watching variable values, cursor states, and exception handlers using the IDE watch windows.Step 5: Supplement debugger use with DBMS_OUTPUT messages and inserts into log tables to capture runtime information for long running jobs or environments where interactive debugging is not available.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify a bug fix, rerun the program under the debugger and confirm that execution follows the intended path and that variables take on correct values. Reviewing logs produced by DBMS_OUTPUT or custom tables should show consistent, expected sequences of events. If exceptions occur, examine the call stack and log context to trace back to the root cause, confirming whether your changes resolved the issue.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B incorrectly states that PL/SQL cannot be debugged and suggests rewriting in another language. Option C describes an impractical and ineffective debugging strategy. Option D suggests hiding errors, which prevents you from finding problems and makes systems unstable and insecure.

Common Pitfalls:
One pitfall is relying only on DBMS_OUTPUT in production, where output may be disabled or difficult to capture. Another is leaving debug code, such as heavy logging, enabled in production, which can hurt performance. Good practice is to design PL/SQL with configurable logging levels, structured exception handling, and clear error messages to make debugging efficient and safe.

Final Answer:
You can debug PL/SQL using tools such as SQL Developer or PL/SQL Developer with breakpoints, step execution, variable inspection, and by instrumenting code with DBMS_OUTPUT or logging tables to trace values and flow.