This is a beginner question, but I searched for an hour and couldn't find an answer. 
I am trying to write a simple data query which I included in my HomeController

```
<?php

class HomeController extends BaseController {

        public function showWelcome()
        {
                return View::make('hello');
        }

}
$programs=DB::table('node')->where('type', 'Programs')->get();

```

$programs is undefined so I am guessing that my query didn't work but I have no idea how to debug it. I tried installing firebug and phpbug and chromphp tools but they don't seem to show anything. My apache log doesn't show anything either. Am I missing something? How do I debug this?