The purpose of a debugging tool in software development is to identify and fix errors or "bugs" within a program. These tools help developers monitor, analyze, and control the execution of their code to pinpoint issues that cause unexpected behavior. Debuggers provide features such as setting breakpoints, inspecting variable values, and stepping through code line by line. Effective debugging is crucial for maintaining code quality, ensuring application reliability, and enhancing overall performance. It facilitates a smoother development process by allowing developers to resolve issues before deployment.