Episode 6: Debugging in NetSuite: When Tests Pass but Reality Disagrees
You've written unit tests. They're all passing. Your code review looks solid.
Then someone opens a ticket: "This isn't working in production." Your heart sinks. Sound familiar?
Here's the uncomfortable truth every NetSuite engineer eventually faces: passing tests doesn't guarantee working systems. Tests validate logic under ideal conditions. Reality? Reality is messier.
Let's talk about what happens after the tests pass and how to debug NetSuite systematically when something still breaks.
Why Good Tests Can't Catch Everything
Unit tests are essential. They give you confidence to change code without breaking functionality. But they operate in controlled environments with predictable inputs.
NetSuite production environments? Far from controlled.
You're dealing with:
- Complex user permissions and role configurations
- Varied data states that tests didn't anticipate
- Execution contexts that change based on how scripts trigger
- Feature enablement differences across environments
- Timing issues that only appear under load
This isn't a failure of testing. It's the nature of enterprise systems. Debugging in NetSuite isn't the opposite of testing. It's what completes it.
The Five-Step Framework for Debugging in NetSuite
When tests pass but users report issues, we follow this exact process. No guesswork. No random fixes. Just systematic investigation.
How to Write Unit Tests That Prevent Production Issues
This is where my QA experience shaped how I approach unit testing.
1. Question Your Assumptions, Not Your Logic
If unit tests pass, your core logic is probably correct. The problem usually lies in the assumptions you made while writing those tests.
Ask yourself:
- Did my test data match real-world complexity?
- Did I account for all possible execution contexts?
- Are environmental configurations different than expected?
- Did I test with the actual user roles who'll run this code?
Most bugs aren't logic failures. They're assumption failures.
2. Reproduce the Issue With Precision
Before you touch any code, get specific about the failure conditions:
| What to Document | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Environment | DEV, QA, and PROD often have different configurations |
| User role | Permission issues are the #1 cause of "works for me" bugs |
| Trigger point | UI interactions behave differently than scheduled scripts |
| Record state | The data might be in an unexpected state |
| Timing | Governance limits and async processes create timing issues |
If you can't reproduce the issue on demand, you're not debugging yet. You're guessing.
3. Classify Before You Fix
We never jump straight to solutions. We classify the failure type first:
- 🔐 Permission Issue: Works as Admin but fails for normal users
- 📦 Deployment Gap: Code exists but isn't deployed to the right audience
- 🔁 Data State: Record condition not covered in tests
- ⏱ Governance: Script hit execution limits or timing problems
- ❌ Logic Bug: Actual code error (rarer than you'd think)
This single step eliminates most random fixes and misdiagnosed problems.
4. Log to Prove, Not to Narrate
Logs should validate hypotheses, not tell stories. When debugging in NetSuite, structured logging makes the difference.
Bad Logging:
Javascript
log.debug ('here', data);
Good Logging:
Javascript
log.debug({
title: 'Invoice approval validation',
details: {
recordId: invoiceId,
currentStatus: invoice.status,
expectedStatus: 'Pending Approval',
userRole: context.role
}
});
Use logs to:
- Validate your assumptions about data state
- Confirm which code paths execute
- Prove or disprove specific hypotheses
Once you've fixed the issue, remove or downgrade the logs. Logs are temporary. Tests are permanent.
5. Compare Admin vs Role Behavior
If something works as Administrator but fails for other roles, don't panic. This is one of the most common debugging scenarios in NetSuite.
Systematically compare:
- Record-level permissions
- Field-level access
- Feature enablement
- Script deployment audiences
Many "bugs" are actually permission configurations working exactly as designed.
When to Write New Tests vs Fix the Environment
Here's the decision tree we use:
Write a new test when:
- The logic actually had a flaw
- You discovered an edge case in data handling
- The code behaved unexpectedly under valid conditions
Fix the environment when:
- Permissions weren't configured correctly
- Features weren't enabled properly
- Deployment settings were wrong
- Data was in an invalid state
Debugging teaches you which category applies. That knowledge makes your next test suite stronger.
Building Confidence Through Systematic Investigation
Unit tests reduce fear of change. Debugging in NetSuite restores confidence when reality pushes back.
Great NetSuite engineers don't avoid bugs. They approach them methodically, without ego, and without panic. There's a fundamental difference between these two mindsets:
❌ "NetSuite is unpredictable and unreliable"
✅ "Something violated our assumptions. Let's find it."
That shift in thinking changes everything.
Let's Talk About Your NetSuite Development Process
Strong debugging skills don't develop overnight. They come from systematic approaches, clear frameworks, and team cultures that value thorough investigation over quick fixes.
At ATSOURCE, we help NetSuite development teams build processes that combine solid testing with effective debugging practices. Whether you're struggling with mysterious production issues or want to level up your team's troubleshooting capabilities, let's talk about creating sustainable development workflows that work.
Ready to strengthen your NetSuite development process? Reach out to discuss how ATSOURCE's consulting services can help your team write better tests, debug more effectively, and ship with confidence.
Meet the Author
Jona has over a decade of experience in SuiteCloud Development on the NetSuite platform. She specializes in implementing advanced solutions and has led teams in creating high-quality software. Jona holds multiple certifications and has been recognized with awards like the Summit Award and Quality Champion Award.
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