Viewing Variables and Expressions When Debugging

See Also

In the IDE, local variables are listed in the Local Variables window, however it is also possible to evaluate variables directly in the Source Editor.

You can view the values returned by each method call in an expression by stepping through an expression.

Using the Local Variables Window

For each variable within the current call the Local Variables window displays information including the variable name, type, and value. The Local Variables window also displays all of the static fields from the present class and all superclasses for each variable, as well as all of the inherited fields from all superclasses.

You can change the value of a local variable directly in the Local Variables window and then continue running your program with the new value in place.

In some cases, the debugger assigns a pound sign (#) and a number as the variable's value. This number is an unique identifier of the given instance. You can use this identifier to determine if a variable points to the same instance or to a different instance. You cannot edit this value.

Evaluating Variables in the Source Editor

You can also evaluate a variable directly in the Source Editor by moving the insertion point over the variable. If the variable is active in the current context, the value of the variable is displayed in a tool tip. In cases where a program includes different variables with the same name, the Source Editor displays the value based on the current context, and not on the instance of the variable in the source code.

See Also
Stepping Through an Expression
Current Context in the Debugger
Stepping Through Your Program
Using the Call Stack
Debugging Threads in the IDE

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