Debugging Tasks: Quick Reference

This topic describes common tasks you can perform when debugging a project. For more detailed information, click the links in the right column.

To perform this task Follow these steps
Start a local debugging session.
  • To debug the main project, choose Debug > Debug Main Project (Ctrl-F5).
  • To debug any individual project, right-click the project and choose Debug.
Start a remote debugging session.
  1. On the computer where the program is located, start the program in debugging mode.
  2. On the computer where the IDE is running, open the projects that contain the source for the program.
  3. Choose Debug > Attach Debugger.
  4. Select the debugger, specify the connector type, enter any additional required process information and click OK.
Debug a single file.
  1. Select any runnable file in the Projects window
  2. Choose Debug file_name.
Finish a debugging session.
  • To finish the current session, choose Debug > Finish Debugger Session (Shift-F5).
  • To finish any session, open the Sessions window (Alt-Shift-6), right-click the session, and choose Finish.
Set a line breakpoint.
  • In the Source Editor, click in the left margin next to the desired line.
Set any type of breakpoint.
  1. In the Source Editor, select the element of code on which you want to set a breakpoint.
  2. Choose Debug > New Breakpoint (Ctrl-Shift-F8).
  3. In the New Breakpoint dialog box, select the breakpoint type, set any required options, and click OK.
Modify breakpoint properties.
  1. Open the Breakpoints window (Alt-Shift-5).
  2. Right-click the breakpoint, and choose Properties.
  3. Change any required settings and actions and click OK.
Set a watch.
  • In the Source Editor, right-click a variable or expression and choose New Watch (Ctrl-Shift-F7).
Set a fixed watch.
  1. Open the Local Variables window (Alt-Shift-1) or Watches window (Alt-Shift-2).
  2. Right-click a variable or watch and choose Create Fixed Watch.
Modify a watch.
  1. Open the Watches window (Alt-Shift-2).
  2. Right-click the watch, and choose Customize.
Suspend and resume a thread.
  1. Open the Debugging window or Threads window (Alt-Shift-7).
  2. Right-click the thread and choose Suspend or Resume.
Step into JDK classes.
  1. Open the Sources window (Alt-Shift-8).
  2. Select the checkbox for the archive file or directory containing the JDK sources.
Manage which classes the debugger steps into.
  • Open the Sources window (Alt-Shift-8).
  • Uncheck the checkbox for any source directories you do not want the debugger to step into.
Pop the most recent call from the call stack.
Pop multiple calls from the call stack.
  1. Open the Debugging window (Alt-Shift-9).
  2. Right-click the call that you want to remain at the top of the call stack and choose Pop to Here.
Browse information for calls on the call stack.
  • To move one level away from the main routine, choose Debug > Stack > Make Callee Current (Ctrl-Alt-up arrow).
  • To move one level toward the main routine, choose Debug > Stack > Make Caller Current (Ctrl-Alt-down arrow).
  • To make a call current, double-click the call in the Debugging window.

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