Debug Code

Use the Debugger to find errors in the script.

Watch Window

Use the Watch window to monitor variable values while stepping through scripts.

The Watch window is accessible only in debugging mode. And, by default, the Watch window is not displayed. Use the Debug > Windows menu to show/hide the Watch window.

Variable names can be typed in the first column or can be dragged and placed there from the Editor. Alternatively, they can be added by highlighting them in the Editor and selecting the context menu option Add Selection to Watch. The variable’s current value (or values) is displayed in the second column and its type is displayed in the third column. The value can be overwritten by typing a new value. The changed value is used next.

Figure 1.


Call Stack Window

The Call Stack window displays the paths traced while executing scripts.

The Call Stack window is accessible only in debugging mode. And, by default, the Call Stack window is not displayed. Use the Debug > Windows to show/hide the Call Stack window.

All functions that have been traversed from the main level to the current execution point are shown in the order they have been traversed, with the last function called being at the top. The item <main>() refers to the top level. Double-clicking a function goes to the execution point of the call to that function.
Figure 2.


Breakpoints Window

The Breakpoints window displays all breakpoints in the debugging session. Each breakpoint is listed along with its host file and the line number.

The Breakpoints window is accessible only in debugging mode. And, by default, the Breakpoints window is not displayed. Use the Debug > Windows menu to show/hide the Breakpoints window.

Individual breakpoints can be disabled by deactivating the box next to it. Breakpoints can also be created and deleted from this window. Clicking a breakpoint positions the cursor at that location in the Editor.
Figure 3.


Debug Scripts

Click the Debug icon to activate Debug mode.

  1. From the Debug menu, select Start Debugging, or use the Debug icon .
    Other windows become available once Debugging Mode is activated.
  2. Set the breakpoints by clicking the left margin next to the desired line.
  3. Click Run File to start the debugging process.
    Once a breakpoint is hit, a yellow arrow is displayed inside of it. This indicates the next line of execution.
  4. Once a breakpoint is hit, select the next option:
    • Click Step Over to execute the current line and move over to execute the next one. The yellow arrow on the margin moves to that point.
    • Click Step Until to resume execution until the next breakpoint is hit in the remaining execution path or the end of script is reached.
    • Click Step Into to enter any user written function call at the current line of execution. If none exists, it behaves like Step Over.
    • Conversely, click Step Out to come out of the current function and to the point where the function was called.