isCOBOL Evolve : SDK User's Guide : Debugger : Debugger Functions
Debugger Functions
The following is a list of available debugger functions, how they are accessed, and their descriptions:
Command
Shortest Form
Key
Menu
Description
n/a
n/a
n/a
Help / About
Displays information about the current version of isCOBOL.
n/a
n/a
n/a
Run / Set command line parameters
Displays a window that allows the user to alter the parameters that were specified on the command line.
n/a
n/a
n/a
Settings / Data
Displays a window that allows you to configure settings for data-items management.
• ‘Hexadecimal’ option default state sets the default value for the ‘Hexadecimal’ flag in the following dialogs:
o Data / Display
o Data / Set Monitor
o Quickwatch
• Monitor default enabled state specifies if new monitors will be enabled or not by default.
• Enable variable hint enables tool-tips shown when you move the mouse pointer over a data item name. The next Delay field sets the delay in milliseconds for the tool-tips.
• Enable hyperlink declaration enables an hyperlink effect activated when you move the mouse pointer over a data item or paragraph name. The next Delay field sets the delay in milliseconds for the hyperlink.
• The Variables view area and the Output view areas allow you to limit the buffers used to host and display item values.
n/a
n/a
n/a
Settings / Breakpoint
Displays a window that allows you to configure the default state of breakpoints.
n/a
n/a
n/a
Settings / Source / Format
Tells the Debugger which source format is used by the current program. This setting is useful only when the Debugger doesn’t automatically recognize the source format and fails to color keywords and comments.
 
 
 
Settings / Source / Expand copy books when loading source
Tells the Debugger to automatically expand the copy books included in the program source code.
n/a
n/a
[Ctrl++]
[Ctrl+-]
Settings / Font size
Sets the size of the font used to display the source code.
n/a
n/a
n/a
Settings / Customize / Commands
Displays a window that allows the user to create an alias for every Debugger command.
n/a
n/a
n/a
Settings / Customize / Shortcuts
Displays a window that allows the user to customize the keyboard shortuct for every Debugger command.
n/a
n/a
n/a
Settings / Customize / Fonts And Colors
Displays a window that allows the user to customize the appearance of the various elements of the debugger window.
n/a
n/a
n/a
Settings / Session
Displays a window that allows the user to customize the debugger session.
 
• Save session automatically enables the automatic save of Debugger sessions on exit.
• Session output file name allows you to specify a custom name for the file where the Debugger session is saved.
• Auto Connect allows you to specify how many seconds the Debugger should wait before connecting to a remote runtime.
• When Force STOP RUN after disconnect is checked, the debugged program will perform a STOP RUN after the remote debugger is either disconnected or closed. If the program is accepting user input, the STOP RUN will occur as soon as the ACCEPT is interrupted.
• Ask confirm... options allows you to enable a prompt message to be shown when the user chooses to terminate the session or exit from Debugger.
n/a
n/a
[F1]
Help / Commands
Displays a window containing a list of debugger commands and their use.
n/a
n/a
[F2]
Data / Display variables on selected line
Displays all variables that appear in the selected source line along with their current value.
n/a
n/a
[F3]
Edit / Clear output
Clears the Output Window.
n/a
n/a
[F4]
Breakpoints / Toggle at current line
Toggles a breakpoint at the current line of the current source code.
n/a
n/a
[F9]
Run / Go to cursor line
Starts or continues the program execution until the line where the cursor is located is reached.
n/a
n/a
[Ctrl+F8]
Edit / Last command
Repeats the last command entered in the Command Area. The command is not immediately executed, so the user can change it before executing.
n/a
n/a
[Ctrl+F]
Edit / Find
Displays a window that searches text in the current source code.
n/a
n/a
n/a
Edit / Expand all copy books
Expands all the copybooks in the current source file
n/a
n/a
n/a
Edit / Collapse all copy books
Collapses all the copybooks in the current source file
n/a
n/a
[Ctrl+G]
Edit / Go To
Displays a window that jumps to a specific part of one of the currently loaded programs.
n/a
n/a
[F12]
Edit / Go to declaration
Having a variable selected in any part of the source, moves the cursor to the variable declaration in Data Division.
n/a
n/a
[Alt+Left]
Edit / Back
Moves the cursor to the previous occurrence of the selected variable in the source.
n/a
n/a
[Alt+Right]
Edit / Forward
Moves the cursor to the next occurrence of the selected variable in the source.
n/a
n/a
[F3]
Edit / Clear output
Clears the content of the output window.
n/a
n/a
[Ctrl+L]
File / Load file
Loads a source file. The purpose of loading a source file is to set breakpoints in that file before executing it.
n/a
n/a
[Ctrl+U]
File / Unload current file
Releases a previously loaded source file.
b0
n/a
n/a
n/a
Usage: b0 [ { -d | -e } ] ProgramName
 
Sets a breakpoint at the beginning of the program ProgramName.
 
If the-d option is used, the breakpoint is disabled.
If the-e option is used, the breakpoint is enabled.
break
br
[Ctrl+B]
Breakpoints / Set
Usage: break
 
Displays a window that allows the user to set breakpoints.
n/a
n/a
Usage: break [{ -d |-e }] { LineNumber | ParagraphName } [SourceCode] [when WhenConditions]
 
Sets a breakpoint. When "-d" is specified, the breakpoint is disabled. When "-d" is specified, the breakpoint is enabled.
 
 
LineNumber is the line number to which the breakpoint refers. That line must contain a statement. If a statement is split between several lines, the breakpoint can only be set at the first line.
 
ParagraphName is the name of a paragraph. The breakpoint will refer to its first line.
 
SourceCode is the optional name of the source code to which LineNumber and ParagraphName refer. If SourceCode is not specified, the current source code is implied.
 
WhenConditions is: [-x][-env] VariableName Operator Value [LogicalOperator VariableName Operator Value] ...
Where:
       VariableName is the data item to monitor.
       Operator can be =, !=, <, >, <=, >=.
       LogicalOperator can be either && or II.
       Value is the value to be tested.
       if -x is used, the value is hexadecimal
       if -env is used, the variable is searched for amongst configuration properties
n/a
View / Breakpoints
Usage: break -l
 
Activates the Breakpoint view in the Information Window. All breakpoints currently set are listed.
clear
cl
n/a
n/a
Usage: clear { LineNumber | ParagraphName } [SourceCode]
 
Clears a breakpoint.
 
LineNumber is the line number where the breakpoint is set.
 
ParagraphName is the name of the paragraph where a breakpoint is set.
 
SourceCode is the optional name of the source code that LineNumber and ParagraphName refer to. If SourceCode is not specified, the current source code is implied.
n/a
Breakpoints / Clear all
Usage: clear -l
 
Clears all breakpoints.
continue
co
[Ctrl+F5]
Run / Continue
Usage: continue
 
Starts or continues program execution.
directory
dir
n/a
n/a
This is a deprecated command. It’s useful only if you’re debugging programs compiled by isCOBOL 2020 R1 or previous.
 
Usage: directory [DirectoryName]
 
If DirectoryName is omitted, then the value of iscobol.debug.code_prefix is shown. Otherwise, the directory specified by DirectoryName is appended to the value of iscobol.debug.code_prefix.
display
dis
[Ctrl+D]
Data / Display
Usage: display
 
Opens a window that displays the value of a variable. Refer to the usages below for details.
n/a
n/a
Usage: display [-x] [-tree] VariableName
 
Displays the value of a data item.
 
When "-x" is specified, the hexadecimal value is shown.
 
When "-tree" is specified, a new tab is added to the information window. It will show the data item and all its sub-levels in a hierarchical structure. It can be updated or removed by right-clicking in the tab to display a contextual menu.
 
When "-x" and "-tree" are specified in the same command, their effects are combined.
 
VariableName is the data item whose value will be displayed.
n/a
n/a
Usage: display [-x] ControlHandle [ property | prop ] PropertyName
 
Displays the current value of a control property.
 
When "-x" is specified, the hexadecimal value is shown.
 
ControlHandle must refer to a valid handle.
 
PropertyName is a the name of a property of ControlHandle.
display
-classversion
dis -classversi
on
n/a
Run / Display isCOBOL version
Usage: display -classversion
 
Prints the version of the Compiler that produced the current class.
display -env
dis -env
n/a
Data / Display Environment variable
Usage: display [-x] -env VariableName
 
Displays the value of an environment variable.
 
When "-x" is specified, the hexadecimal value is shown.
 
VariableName is the name of the environment variable to be displayed.
 
When activated by menu, the following dialog is shown:
down
do
n/a
n/a
Usage: down
 
Shows the next lower stack frame.
env
en
n/a
Run / Display environment variable
Usage: env
 
Opens a window that allows the user to enter the name of the environment variable to be displayed.
n/a
n/a
Usage: env VariableName
 
Displays the value of an environment variable.
 
VariableName is the name of the environment variable to be displayed.
exit
ex
[Alt+F4]
File / Exit
Usage: exit
 
Terminates the debugging session and exits.
f
n/a
n/a
Edit / Repeat find
Usage: f
 
Repeats the last search, with the same options
fb
n/a
n/a
Edit / Find backwards
Usage: fb SearchText
 
Searches backwards for specific text.
 
SearchText is the text to be searched for.
ff
n/a
n/a
Edit / Find forwards
Usage: ff SearchText
 
Searches forward for specific text.
 
SearchText is the text to be searched for.
ft
n/a
n/a
Edit / Find from top
Usage: ft SearchText
 
Searches for specific text from the beginning of the source.
 
SearchText is the text to be searched for.
gc
g
n/a
n/a
Usage: gc
 
Forces the garbage collector to release unreferenced resources and compact the memory heap.
help
h
n/a
n/a
Usage: help
 
Lists all the available debugger commands.
n/a
n/a
Usage: help DebuggerCommand
 
Displays the usage of a specific debugger command.
 
DebuggerCommand is the command to be searched for.
infostack
i
n/a
View / Perform stack
Activates the "Perform stack" tab in the Information window.
jump
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note - this is supported only in programs compiled with -dx option
j
[Ctrl+J]
Run / Jump to
Usage: jump
 
Opens a window that allows the user to jump to a specific line by skipping the code between the current line and the destination line.
n/a
Run / Jump to selected line
Usage: jump line-number [filename]
 
Jump to a specific line by skipping the code between the current line and the destination line.
 
Note: Jumping to lines that are inside blocks is not allowed. In this case the Debugger jumps to the beginning of the block.
n/a
n/a
Usage: jump paragraph-name
 
Jump to a specific paragraph by skipping the code between the current line and the destination line.
n/a
Run / Jump out paragraph
Usage: jump -outpar
 
Jump out of the current paragraph skipping all the remaining statements in the paragraph.
n/a
Run / Jump out program
Usage: jump -outprog
 
Jump out of the current program skipping all the remaining statements in the program.
length
len
n/a
Data / Length...
Usage: length variable-name
 
Displays the lenght in bytes of a data item.
let
le
[Ctrl+Shift+A]
Data / Accept
Usage: let
 
Opens a window that allows the user to change the value of a variable. Refer to the usages below for details.
n/a
n/a
Usage: let [-x] VariableName [=VariableValue]
 
Changes the value of a data item.
 
When "-x" is specified, a hexadecimal value must be entered.
 
VariableName is the data item whose value will be changed.
 
VariableValue is the value that will be set to VariableName. If omitted, the current variable content is shown and you’re allowed to change it.
n/a
n/a
Usage: let ControlHandle { property | prop } PropertyName [=PropertyValue]
 
Changes the current value of a control property.
 
ControlHandle must refer to a valid handle.
 
PropertyName is a the name of a property of ControlHandle.
 
PropertyValue is the value that will be set to PropertyName. If omitted, the current property value is shown and you’re allowed to change it.
n/a
Run / Accept environment variable
Usage: let -env VariableName [=VariableValue]
 
Changes the value of a configuration property.
 
VariableName is the data item whose value will be changed.
 
VariableValue is the value that will be set to VariableName. If omitted, the current property value is shown and you’re allowed to change it.
line
lin
n/a
n/a
Shows information about the current line.
list
lis
n/a
n/a
Shows some lines of code, starting at the current line.
m0
n/a
n/a
n/a
Usage: m0 [ { -d | -e } ][ classname { . | :> | :: } ][ methodname ]( [ signature ] )
 
Sets a breakpoint at the first executable line of classename.methodname.
If classname is not specified, the breakpoint is set on the current debugged class. If signature is not specified and there is only a method named methodname, the breakpoint is set on that method. signature is a comma separated list of class names or primitive types names,
e.g. (java.lang.String,int,java.awt.Rectangle,boolean)
 
If the -d option is used, the breakpoint is disabled.
If the -e option is used, the breakpoint is enabled.
memory
me
n/a
n/a
Shows information about memory usage.
monitor
mo
[Ctrl+M]
Data / Set monitor
Usage: monitor
 
Opens a window that allows the user to enter the parameters needed to set a new monitor
 
Note - the content of the Value field is trimmed, unless you delimit it by quotes.
n/a
n/a
Usage: monitor [-d] [-e] [-x] VariableName [ when Operator Value | always | never ]
 
Monitors a data item. When its value changes or matches a condition, the execution of the program is suspended and the debugger is activated.
 
VariableName is the data item to monitor.
 
Operator can be =, !=, <, >, <=, >=.
 
Value is the value to be tested. If you need to include leading or trailing spaces in the value, delimit it by quotes.
 
 
When "-d" is specified, the monitor is disabled and its value in the Information Window is not updated.
When "-e" is specified, the monitor is enabled and its value in the Information Window is updated.
 
When "-x" is specified, the value is hexadecimal.
 
When the "always" phrase is specified, the debugger is activated each time the value changes.
 
When the "never" phrase is specified, the debugger is never activated, but the value in the Information Window is always updated.
 
 
 
 
Usage: monitor [-d][-e] ControlHandle [ property | prop ] PropertyName [ when Operator PropertyValue | always | never ]
 
Monitors a property of a control. When its value changes or matches a condition, the execution of the program is suspended and the debugger is activated.
 
ControlHandle must refer to a valid handle.
 
PropertyName is a the name of the property of ControlHandle to monitor.
 
Operator can be =, !=, <, >, <=, >=.
 
PropertyValue is the value to be tested.
 
 
When "-d" is specified, the monitor is disabled and its value in the Information Window is not updated.
When "-e" is specified, the monitor is enabled and its value in the Information Window is updated.
 
When the "always" phrase is specified, the debugger is activated each time the value changes.
 
When the "never" phrase is specified, the debugger is never activated, but the value in the Information Window is always updated.
n/a
n/a
Usage: monitor [-d][-e] -env VariableName
 
Monitors an environment variable.
 
When "-d" is specified, the monitor is disabled and its value in the Information Window is not updated.
When "-e" is specified, the monitor is enabled and its value in the Information Window is updated.
 
VariableName is the name of the environment variable to monitor.
n/a
View / Monitors
Usage: monitor -l
 
Activates the Monitors view in the Information Window. All monitors currently set are listed.
next
n
[Shift+F7]
Run / Step over
Usage: next
 
Executes the current statement. If it is a PERFORM statement, it is entirely executed.
offset
of
n/a
Data / Offset...
Usage: offset variable-name
 
Displays the offset of a data item.
outpar
outpa
[Alt+Shift+
F7]
Run / Step out paragraph
Usage: outpar
 
Continues execution until current paragraph exits.
outprog
outpr
[Alt+Shift+
F8]
Run / Step out current program
Usage: outprog
 
Continues execution until current program exits.
pause
p
n/a
Run / Pause
Usage: pause
 
Suspends the program execution.
prog
prog
[Alt+F9]
Run / Run to next program
Usage: prog
 
Continues execution until the runtime enters in the next program compiled in debug mode.
quit
q
[Shift+F5]
Run / Finish session
Usage: quit
 
Stops the execution of the program. The debugging session is still valid and the program can be restarted with the run command.
readsession
re
n/a
File / Load debugger session
Usage: readsession [FileName]
 
Loads monitors and breakpoints from a previously saved debugging session.
 
FileName is the name of the file that contains the debugger configuration. If it is not specified, 'ISCONTROLSET.isd' is implied.
run
ru
[Ctrl+F6]
Run / Start session
Usage: run
 
Starts the execution of the program. No COBOL statements are executed.
step
s
[F7]
Run / Step into
Usage: step [n]
Executes the current statement. If it is a PERFORM statement, the first statement of the paragraph or session that it refers to becomes current. If n is specified and it’s greater than 1, the step command is automatically repeated n times.
stoff
n/a
[Ctrl+F4]
Run / Stop autostep
Usage: stoff
 
Deactivates the autostep function.
ston
n/a
[Ctrl+F3]
Run / Start autostep
Activates the autostep function.
 
Statements are automatically executed at regular intervals. The function can be changed with the selector on right side of the toolbar.
thread
th
n/a
Run / ThreadName
Usage: thread ThreadName
 
Activates a specific thread.
 
ThreadName is the name of the thread to activate.
n/a
View / Threads
Usage: thread -l
 
Activates the Threads view in the Information Window. All monitors currently set are listed.
to
to
[Ctrl+F9]
Run / Continue to line number
Usage: to LineNumber [SourceCode]
 
Starts or continues the program execution until a certain line is reached.
 
LineNumber is the line to reach.
 
SourceCode is the optional name of the source code to which LineNumber refers. If it is not specified, the current source code is implied.
troff
trof
[Shift+F4]
Trace Off
Usage: troff
 
Tracing is suspended.
tron
n/a
[Shift+F3]
Trace On
Usage: tron
 
Tracing is activated. A trace line is appended each time a paragraph starts or ends and each time a program starts or ends. Information is stored in a file called debugger.log, created in the current directory.
unmonitor
u
n/a
n/a
Usage: unmonitor VariableName
 
Removes the monitor on a data item.
 
VariableName is a monitored data item.
n/a
n/a
Usage: unmonitor [-env] VariableName
 
Removes a monitor on an environment variable.
 
VariableName is a monitored environment variable .
n/a
Data / Clear all monitors
Usage: unmonitor -a
 
Clears all monitors.
up
up
n/a
n/a
Usage: up
 
Shows the higher stack frame.
w0
n/a
n/a
Edit / First executable line
Usage: w0
 
Moves the cursor to the first executable line.
w@
n/a
n/a
Edit / Current line
Usage: w@
 
Moves the cursor to the current line.
wb
n/a
[Ctrl+Home]
Edit / Last line
Usage: wb
 
Moves the cursor to the last line of the current source.
wt
n/a
[Ctrl+End]
Edit / First line
Usage: wt
 
Moves the cursor to the first line of the current source.
writesession
w
n/a
File / Save debugger session
Usage: writesession [FileName]
 
Saves monitors and breakpoints to a file.
 
FileName is the name of the file that contains the debugger configuration. If it is not specified, 'ISCONTROLSET.isd' is implied.
Enter Debugger
If a program compiled in debug mode is performing ACCEPT of user input on a graphical window, if you press Pause/Break on the keyboard, you will enter Debugger at the next ACCEPT interruption. For example, if you want to debug what happens when you click on a specific push-button of your window,
1. start the Debugger
2. issue the run command
3. issue the continue command
4. wait for the window with the push-button to appear
5. press Pause/Break on the keyboard
6. click on the push-button
On some keyboards the Pause/Break key is not available. In order to have the same feature associated to another key, set the exception value of that key to 65535. For example, if you want to enter debugger using F6, start the Debugger as follows:
iscrun -d -Discobol.key.f6=exception=65535 MYPROGRAM