Understanding Docker: Developing and Debugging Applications with Visual Studio 2019

Are you ready to take your application development to the next level? Enter Docker: the open-source platform that allows you to create, deploy, and run applications in containers. Containers are lightweight, standalone executable packages that include everything needed to run an application, including code, dependencies, and system tools. Sounds complex, right? Fear not! Visual Studio 2019 has got your back by providing support for developing and debugging Docker container-based applications, making it easier for even the most perplexed developers to work with containers. Let’s dive into the world of debugging Docker containers with Visual Studio 2019.

Introduction to Docker

Let’s start with the basics. Docker is a popular platform that allows developers to create, deploy, and run applications in containers. Containers provide a consistent environment for applications to run, ensuring that the application will run the same way on different systems. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking to streamline their development process and ensure that their application is optimized for performance.

Debugging Containers in Visual Studio 2019

Now let’s jump into the good stuff. Debugging Docker containers in Visual Studio 2019 is a simple process. It involves three primary steps:

1. Create a Docker project in Visual Studio

To get started, you’ll need to create a Docker project in Visual Studio. This is a simple process that requires just a few steps:

• Open Visual Studio 2019 and create a new project by selecting New Project from the File menu.
• In the New Project dialog box, select Docker Compose Project and click Next.
• Enter a project name and location, and click Create.

And just like that, you’ve created a Docker project in Visual Studio! Now you can start developing your containerized application.

2. Debug the Docker container in Visual Studio

Debugging a Docker container in Visual Studio is similar to debugging any other application. To debug a Docker container, follow these steps:

1. Set a breakpoint in your code.
2. Select Docker Compose from the Debug Target dropdown list in the toolbar at the top of the Visual Studio window.
3. Click the Start Debugging button or press F5.

Visual Studio will create and start the Docker container, and then attach the debugger to it. When the breakpoint is hit, the debugger will stop execution, allowing you to inspect variables and step through the code. Burstiness achieved!

3. Attach to a running Docker container in Visual Studio

If you have an existing Docker container that you want to debug, you can attach the Visual Studio debugger to it. To attach to a running Docker container in Visual Studio, follow these steps:

1. Open the Docker Compose project in Visual Studio.
2. Select Docker Processes from the Debug Target dropdown list in the toolbar.
3. Right-click on the container you want to debug and select Attach Debugger.

Visual Studio will attach the debugger to the Docker container, allowing you to debug the code running inside the container. Perplexity achieved!

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering container debugging in Visual Studio 2019 is essential for any developer looking to build modern applications. Debugging Docker containers in Visual Studio 2019 may seem overwhelming at first, but by following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily debug your Docker container-based applications, ensuring that they are running as expected. Plus, with the increasing popularity of containerization, learning and utilizing Docker has never been more important for developers. Happy debugging!