My 12-year-old son tried to create an interactive generator/visualizer for the Mandelbrot set, a type of fractal, but he's running into issues and is feeling frustrated. As someone who doesn't have much knowledge in coding, I'm here seeking advice on how he can troubleshoot effectively. Any pointers or assistance would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Creating something like a Mandelbrot set visualizer is no small feat! I’d suggest a few things: 1. Look into p5.js—there are existing implementations that can be really useful. 2. When debugging, try breaking the code into smaller, manageable pieces rather than thinking of it as a whole program that works or doesn't. 3. If he's using JavaScript, he should definitely familiarize himself with the debugger tool. 4. Don’t hesitate to use coding platforms for guidance; there are always people willing to help.
While not the answer you want to hear, a big part of coding is learning how to communicate the problem clearly to get help. Having him write down what he’s trying to accomplish, what the issue is, and what he’s tried can really clarify things. Often, just working through it helps him discover the solution himself or at least leads him to ask better questions later on.
First off, it’s important for him to talk about what specifically isn’t working. He should share what he did and his expectations for that step. Checking for error logs could really help. If he created the code himself, that's great! Otherwise, debugging will be trickier since he'll need to understand how things are supposed to function first.
I get that! This is pretty complex territory for someone his age.
Haha, I totally understand! That’s why I’m asking for help here!