Process Help

MDEBUG - Interactive source code debugger for the development and testing of macros and menus.

 

Macro Command Name

Menu Path

Link to Command Table

MDEBUG

Access via command line only.

Click here

Introduction

Provides an interactive source code debugger for the development and testing of macros and menus.

How to use

The facility provides features similar to that found in a computer language debugger. MDEBUG is implemented as a soft command and can be accessed in the following ways:  

  1. At the PROMPT input command by typing !MDEBUG  

  2. From the SCREEN F3 function key by entering the command MDEBUG  

  3. As an inline command within a macro or menu  

MDEBUG passes control to the macro debugger and displays the current line number. MDEBUG will display the current line and the action that caused execution to pause at that line. One of three states will be indicated:  

  1. A BREAKPOINT has been previously set, and control has paused at a breakpoint.  

  2. The STEP command has previously been entered from MDEBUG, and control has paused at the next command line.  

  3. An inline MDEBUG command has been read from the macro or menu.  

MDEBUG permits the execution of the following debug commands. Commands can be abbreviated (to one character as each command starts with a unique letter).  

  • ASSIGN <stack variable> <string>

    Assigns value of <string> to <stack variable>. <stack variable> need not already exist.  

  • BREAKPOINT <label>
    BREAKPOINT <line>
    BREAKPOINT

    Set breakpoint at <label>, <line> or list all breakpoints currently set.  

  • CLEAR <label>
    CLEAR <line>
    CLEAR +

    Clear breakpoint set at <label>, <line> or all breakpoints currently set.  

  • DELETE <stack variable>

    Delete <stack variable>.  

  • EXECUTE <full command string (as in a macro)>

    Execute a command.  The full command syntax is required. eg. LIST &IN(myfile).  

  • FIND <string>

    List all lines in current macro which contain <string>.  

  • HELP Show these comments.  

  • INFO Display a summary of the stack file.  

  • LIST
    LIST n1
    LIST n1 n2
    +
    -

    List lines near current position, about line n1 or lines n1 to n2 of the current macro. The initial number of lines listed to the screen as a page is 21. If the command 'List n1 n2' is used, the number of lines listed as a page defaults to n2-n1+1. To list to the end of file use the command 'List n1 +'. The command '+' increments the lines listed to the next page, and command '-' decrements the lines listed to the previous page.  

  • PROCEED
    PROCEED <label>
    PROCEED <line>

    Continue processing from the current line, the line with <label>, or <line>.  

  • REVIEW
    Review commands held on the stack.  

  • STEP
    Execute the current command and break at the next at the next command.  

  • TYPE <stack variable>
    TYPE +
    TYPE

    Show current value of <stack variable>, or all variables.  

 


Files, Fields and Parameters

None


Notes

MDEBUG can be exited with the PROCEED and STEP commands. Entering ! or RETURN is accepted as a PROCEED command.

Validates the syntax of a macro(s) or menu(s) in a character format system file.