Debugging

Debugger and extended Debugger

XOTcl have two browsers suitable for debugging. Up from Version 0.39 XOTclIDE support an extended debugger based on atkdebugger. This debugger can be loaded into IDE as add-ins. (See the Section called Extended Debugger)

Debugger Browser

This Browser let you stop the program flow in one point and view calling stack method and local variables. To set a break point call halt method

[self] halt
# or
my halt
# or if not in XOTcl method
Object halt

The comfort function as stepping throw methods, setting break points per editor are implemented only in extended debugger.

Stack Error Browser

This browser is can parse the error stack info "errorInfo". XOTclIDE modify the bgerror method and add new button to standard error message (XOTclIDE browser). Tcl do not let to inspect the calling stack by errors. So there are all information that are possible by error. You can also view (Button errorInfo) the original errorInfo. The browser try to highlight the called methods. By extended debugger the error cause the invoking of debugger direkt in error place.

Tracker Browser

This is a GUI for something like tracker known from XOTcl package xotcl::tracker. So you can track calls to every objects for chosen class. To Track some class select menu "Track Class" from Class Menu in Component Browser. You can customize the tracker to show

• only methods entry or exit points

• ignore internal call. Form the same object

• do not show arguments or return values

• do not show calling information

Variable access tracking and watching

XOTclIDE can be used to track read or write access on global variables or object variables. To add some track use variable menu in global variables browser or object inspector. The some selected access occurs the debugger will be invoked in access place. You can inspect in debugger the access context and resume the operation per button resume. The variables can be also watched in entry Tk widget link per -textvariable with chosen variable.

To add new tracks for chosen variable use Object Inspector or Global Vars Browser. For example Variables->Debug on Write Access to add write access track. You can have multiple tracks (read, write, watch) on one variable.

Watches on variables can prevent proper unset of variables. Therefore watches can influence program flow.