# Question about debugging

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/question-about-debugging/324946>\
**Category:** flash\
**Created:** [September 17, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/question-about-debugging/324946 "2011-09-17T02:53:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sogj](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/sogj/32/3189_2.png) [@sogj](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/sogj)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/question-about-debugging/324946/1 "2011-09-17T02:53:27Z")

</div>

I added a trace line and it broke my entire app. No lie. A trace line. I took it out and it didn’t help. Now I’ve got a broken parent and I can’t figure out why. I’m about to have a meltdown. I’m right on the verge of naming my shoelaces, refusing to eat anything but carrots dipped in ketchup and making everyone call me “Lady Penguin” for the rest of my life. HELP!!!

```auto
trace (this.dropTarget.parent); //traces the correct object

if (currentObjOver.parent != null && currentObjOver.isLocked == true) {
                trace (this.dropTarget.parent); //traces the correct object
                currentObjOver.gotoAndStop ("Lock");
            }
            else if (currentObjOver.parent != null && currentObjOver.isLocked == false) {
                trace (this.dropTarget.parent); //traces the correct object
                currentObjOver.gotoAndStop ("Off");
            }
            trace (this.dropTarget.parent); //traces null and BREAKS EVERYTHING
}

```

Why? Where did my parent go? I JUST WANT MY MOMMY!!!

[/desperate plea for help]