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Comment by nneonneo | Hacker News Reader

For an even easier-to-remember alternative, there’s q: https://github.com/zestyping/q

All you need is `import q`. q works like a function (q(x)), like a variable (q|x and q/x, so you get different operator precedences) and like a decorator (@q), so it can be used in practically any circumstance for a quick debug print. Plus, the name sounds like you’re interrogating something.

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I was wondering whether someone would notice that it's a clone of q! Thanks! :)

q has the additional feature that you can decorate any function or method with `@q`, which causes invocations to be logged with arguments, return values, and exceptions. Really handy for tracing what's happening in your program.

A quick look at the intro page was a bit disappointing. You immediately get how ic works because their examples include the code and result.

This is actually really cool. I was going to say that so many people miss the point of print debugging and as a consequence forget to shorten the import line as much as possible.

  from icecream import ic;ic() is 28 characters

  import q;q() is 12 characters

  print() is 7 characters

Why would the amount of characters possibly matter?

I find it important because it lowers the barrier of entry to print debugging. I have found myself using less prints in Java than in Python both because of static typing and having to write the full `System.out.println`.

This is also important to me because I am very cautious of not doing a file-level import (I don't want to commit a file with the dependency). The fewer characters it takes, the easier it is for me to write it all in a single line and remove it afterward.

Do you use typing in Python?

I don't. I've tried it, it just doesn't "click in" for me. I love types and (i.e. I love Rust's type system), but not on Python.

That's why you should write `log.info("message")` ;)

Besides, just use a proper debugger instead.

bc pgmrs r lazy af.

Seriously though... when I'm in debugging mode, speed and efficiency in completing the task is paramount. So, every character I save typing, the better!

reduce the energy barrier to debugging

The article says you can call

    from icecream import install
    install()

in main, and from then on icecream counts as a built-in, so you can just say ic(). Four characters.

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