Debugger Windows

See Also

Whenever you start a debugging session, the IDE opens debugging windows below the editing area. Each debugger window has a tab and shares space with the Output window. You can open any debugger window by choosing Window > Debugging > window-name (for example, Window > Debugging > Breakpoints).

A set of debugger windows opens automatically when you start a debugging session. The Local Variables, Watches, and Call Stack windows open by default with every debugging session. You can open any other debugger window by choosing View > Debugging > window-name.

In each debugger window, information is organized into lists. Each list item represents a single object. Each column represents a property of the object. Data displayed in blue underlined text is linked to the source code.

Each debugger window displays a variety of icons to relay information about the object. For example, the Breakpoints window uses a small red square to indicate a breakpoint set on a line. Some windows also include a node expansion control in the left column. Clicking this control expands and collapses the object.

Some elements of a window's list have editable properties, such as the value property of a variable in the Variables window. If you select a property and the property has a white background, then you can edit the property. A selected property with a gray background cannot be edited.

In a debugger window's list, you can size a column to fit its contents by dragging the column border. You can move a column by dragging the column header. Clicking Change Visible Column icon (to the right of the column titles) opens a dialog box that provides a list of all possible columns that can be shown. Using this dialog box, you can choose to show or hide a column of information.

Each window also includes a pop-up menu, which you open by right-clicking inside the window. Most items in this menu apply to the selected object. One menu item, List Options, opens a submenu with commands for operating on the list, including which column the list is sorted on and whether the objects in the list are sorted in ascending or descending order. Clicking the column header is another way to switch the sort order between ascending and descending order.

See Also
Local Variables Window
Watches Window
Call Stack Window
Loaded Classes Window
Instances Window
Breakpoints Window
Sessions Window
Threads Window
Sources Window
Customizing a Debugger Window

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