Break List

version 6.5 (Modified)

The Break List is a page of the Runtime Explorer that enables you to manage the persistent Break Points created in the Debugger Window or in the Method Editor.

To open the Break List page:

1. Switch to the Design environment if you are not already there.

2. Choose Runtime Explorer from the Tools menu.

The Runtime Explorer can be displayed in a floating palette. In this case, the floating palette always remains displayed in the front. To do this, hold down the Shift key while selecting Runtime Explorer from the Tools menu, or press Ctrl+Shift+F9 on Windows or Command+Shift+F9 on Mac OS.

The Runtime Explorer window appears.

3. Click on the Break tab control to display the Break List:

The Break List is composed of two columns:

• The left column displays the Enable/Disable status of the break point, followed by the name of the method and the line number where the break point has been set (using the Debugger window or the Method Editor).

• The right column displays the condition associated with the break point, if any.

Using this window, you can:

• Set a condifition for a break point,

• Enable, disable or delete each break point,

• Open a Method Editor window displaying the method in which a break point is defined, by double-clicking on the break point.

However, you cannot add a new persistent break point from this window. Persistent break points can only be created from within the Debugger window or the Method Editor.

To set a condifition for a break point, proceed as follows:

1. Click on the entry in the right column

2. Enter a 4D formula (expression or command call or project method) that returns a Boolean value.

Note: To remove a condition, delete its formula.

To disable or enable a break point:

1. Select the entry by clicking on it or by using the arrows to navigate through the list (if the current selected entry is not already in edit mode).

2. If the entry is in edit mode, press Enter or Return to switch it to select mode.

3. Click on the Enable/Disable button or choose Disable from the speed menu.

Shortcut: Each entry in the list may be disabled/enabled by clicking directly on the bullet (•). The bullet changes to a dash (–) when disabled.

To delete a break point:

1. Select the entry by clicking on it or by using the arrows to navigate through the list (if the current selected entry is not already in edit mode).

2. If the entry is in edit mode, press Enter or Return to switch it to select mode.

3. Press the Delete key or click on the Delete button.

Note: To delete all the break points, click on the Delete All button or choose Delete All in the speed menu.

• Adding conditions to break points slows the execution, because the condition has to be evaluated each time an exception is met. On the other hand, adding conditions accelerates the debugging process, because it automatically skips occurrences that do not match the conditions.

• Disabling a break point has almost the same effect as deleting it. During execution, the debugger spends almost no time on the entry. The advantage of disabling an entry is that you do not have to recreate it when you need it again.

Break Points, Catching Commands, Debugger, Source Code Pane, Why a Debugger?.