Software Testing - Visual Studio Debugging

Software Testing - Visual Studio Debugging

• Visual Studio debugger is an integrated debugger
• Benefits of using it:
  • Convenient
  • Efficient
  • Multi-variable Tracking
• Supports:
  • Breakpoints (including conditional breakpoints)
  • Stepping
  • Stack trace
  • Variable display
  • Variable watch

Overview

• VS Debugger Overview
• Breakpoints
• Run Controls
• Variable Pane
• Watch Pane
• The Call Stack

Breakpoints

• Definition: A debugging technique to examine the state of code, examine variables during runtime, and allowing different execution paths
• Benefits:
  • Examining the state of code
  • Examining the state of all variables
  • Changing variables during runtime
  • Possibility of taking different paths within code using "Run Controls"

Breakpoint Types

• Conditional: Breakpoints hit only when a certain condition is met
• Tracepoint: A breakpoint used to output messages or execute macros
• Temporary: Break code only once
• Dependent: Breaks execution only after another breakpoint is hit first

Action Macros

• $CALLER: Displays the name of the calling function
• $CALLSTACK: Displays the call stack
• $FILEPOS: Displays the file name and line number of the breakpoint
• $FUNCTION: Displays the function name containing the breakpoint
• $TICK: Displays number of milliseconds since computer startup
• Example: "$FUNCTION called from $CALLER: i = {i}" indicates the function called from another

Breakpoint Pane

• Definition: A toolbox to show all breakpoints in one window
• Functionalities:
  • Each breakpoint has a checkbox to temporarily disable it
  • An "X" button to delete a breakpoint
  • A "New" button to create different breakpoint types

Breakpoint Types

• Function breakpoint: The same breakpoint type used previously. Allows typing the function name to suspend execution on its first line
• Data breakpoint: Sets a breakpoint that watches for changes to a specific memory location.

Run Controls

• Continue: Executes until the next breakpoint is hit or the program completes
• Step Into: Executes the next statement, or enters a function
• Step Over: Executes the next statement but does not step into any functions
• Step Out: Steps out of a function. Executes until the function call returns.
• Stop: Stops the current program execution, and restarts it
• Terminates debugging session

Variables Pane

• Autos and Locals windows show variables during debugging.
• Autos: Displays variables around the current breakpoint
• Locals: Displays variables in the local scope

Watch Pane

• Used to watch variable and expression updates
• Displays multiple variables at once during debugging
• Shows any valid expression

The Call Stack

• Shows a sequence of function calls that lead to the currently paused line of code.

Exporting and Importing Breakpoints

• Breakpoints can be exported as an XML file. This facilitates saving and reusing sets of breakpoints. Making it easier to debug a specific issue if it reoccurs.