Welcome to Debugging with Visual Studio

As a developer working with Visual Studio, one task that will always require your attention is debugging. The debugging tools available in Visual Studio can come in quite handy when you’re working on a project and need to monitor the values of the variables you’ve created in your code.

Step 1: Setting a Breakpoint

The first thing you need to do to be able to see variables in Visual Studio is to set a breakpoint. Breakpoints are markers that let Visual Studio know to pause the execution of your code and allow you to examine the current values of your variables.

To set a breakpoint, simply click on the margin of the line where you want your code to stop. This will insert a red dot, indicating the location of the breakpoint. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut F9 to set a breakpoint.

Running Your Code

After setting your breakpoint, you’ll want to run your code. You can do this either by clicking the green play button on the toolbar or simply hitting the F5 key.

Examining Your Variables

Once your code runs, it will stop at the breakpoint you’ve specified. At this point, you’ll be able to view the current state of your variables. To see a variable’s value, all you have to do is hover over its name with your mouse, and a pop-up tooltip will display the variable’s current value.

Alternatively, you can make use of the “Locals” and “Autos” windows to view a list of all the variables along with their current values. To access these windows, navigate to the “Debug” > “Windows” > “Locals” or “Autos” menu or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+V, L or A.

Tips and Tricks

To get the most out of your debugging experience, here are some tips and tricks:

• Use the “Watch” window to monitor your variables as they change.
• Set conditional breakpoints to stop your code only when specific conditions are met.
• Use the “Immediate” window to execute commands and test code on the fly.

Recap

Debugging is an important aspect of any developer’s workflow. With Visual Studio’s debugging tools, you can quickly identify issues with your code and fix bugs by examining the state of your variables. Setting breakpoints, using the “Locals” and “Autos” windows, and making use of tips and tricks can help you get the most out of your debugging experience.