What is the primary function of a debugger?

The primary function of a debugger is to analyze and debug code step by step. Debuggers are specialized tools designed to help programmers identify and resolve errors in their code. By allowing the programmer to run the program one line or instruction at a time, a debugger provides insight into the program's runtime behavior, including variable values and control flow. This step-by-step execution helps in isolating the source of logical errors, runtime exceptions, or other bugs, making it easier to diagnose and fix issues.

Debuggers also typically offer features such as setting breakpoints, inspecting variables, and stepping through code, which provide programmers with a comprehensive way to monitor their application's state during execution. This facilitates a deeper understanding of how the program operates and helps ensure that it behaves as intended.

Other choices focus on different aspects of programming but do not pertain to the primary function of a debugger: converting high-level code into machine language relates to compilers, tracking changes in programming versions refers to version control systems, and executing the source code directly pertains to interpreters or execution environments rather than debugging itself.