C and C++ SoftBench User's Guide

Using SoftBench Debugger

Viewing Assembly Language and CPU Registers

Chapter 7 211

Viewing Assembly Language and CPU

Registers

SoftBench Debugger is intended as a high-level (source language)

debugging aid. However, sometimes it is useful to examine your

program's behavior at the assembly language level. This can help you

determine when you have misunderstood something about the way the

compiler works.

You can examine the machine code produced by the compiler for your

program and step your program at the assembly code level. You can

examine processor and ﬂoating point registers and see how these change.

Tracing Assembly Language

The "Show: Assembly Instructions…" menu choice brings up the

"Assembly Instructions" window. (See Figure 7-11.) This dialog box

contains a scrollable view of the assembly language code for the current

procedure of your program. The format of the code depends on your

system. The window normally shows the following:

• Source line number

• Memory address

• Disassembly listing of the actual machine code

To set a breakpoint at the assembly level:

1. Select the address (in the "Assembly Instructions" window). This

copies the address into the "()" input box.

2. Choose "Break: Set At Hex Address ( )".

You can also click the left mouse button in the Annotation Margin of the

"Assembly Instructions" window, or press the right mouse button on

the desired assembly line, to set or clear breakpoints.