Specifications

Debugging and Testing Tools
9.1 OpenVMS Debugger
Initialization Files
You can create an initialization file containing commands to set your default
debugging modes, screen display definitions, keypad key definitions, symbol
definitions, and so on. When you invoke the debugger, those commands are
executed automatically to tailor your debugging environment.
Log Files
You can record in a log file the commands you enter during a debugging session
and the debugger’s responses to those commands. You can use log files to keep
track of your debugging efforts, or you can use them as command procedures in
subsequent debugging sessions.
Symbol Definitions
You can define your own symbols to represent lengthy commands, address
expressions, or values in abbreviated form.
9.1.5 Convenience Features of the DECwindows Interface
The following paragraphs highlight some of the convenience features of the
debugger’s default DECwindows interface.
Source-Code Display
The debugger is a source-level debugger. The source-code display in the source
window is automatically updated to show where program execution is paused
currently. You can enable and disable the display of compiler-generated line
numbers.
A source browser feature lists the modules and routines of your program and lets
you display source code in arbitrary modules and set breakpoints on routines. By
double clicking on program names and module names, you can list the underlying
hierarchy of modules and routines.
Call-Stack Navigation
A menu on the source window lists the sequence of routine calls currently on
the call stack. By clicking on a routine name, you can set the context (scope)
for source display, instruction display (in the instruction window), and symbol
searches to any routine on the stack.
Breakpoints
You set, deactivate, and activate breakpoints by clicking on buttons next to the
source lines in the source window. You can set conditional breakpoints or action
breakpoints. The latter execute one or more debugger commands when the
breakpoint triggers. The source window buttons and the Breakpoint View give a
visual indication of activated, deactivated, and conditional breakpoints.
Push Buttons
Push buttons in the control panel control common operations: by clicking on a
button, you can start execution, step to the next source line, display the value of
a variable selected in a window, interrupt execution, and so on.
You can add, modify, and remove buttons and the associated debugger commands.
Displaying and Manipulating Data
To display the value of a variable, you select its name from the source window
and click on a button.
The Monitor View automatically displays the updated values of specified variables
whenever the debugger regains control from your program.
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