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Android Studio removes all my watch expressions after each debug.
How can I force it to keep my watches and save them in project?
There's no way to do save watches that I know of. However you can use "Auto-Variables-Mode" (bottom left debugger tab >> settings button). This will clean up some of the less desired variables in the debugger variables window, then hopefully you'll need less watches.
I have found that variables entered when not in debugging mode are lost since the interface cannot figure out the statements when they are not compiled and running.
Hopefully you have the same problem as me and starting debugging before entering your variables fixes it.
I'm working on a ColdFusion project for a while now, and Visual Studio started to behave strange for me at least.
I observed that when I started debugging, it built the project, it started the deploy, and the deploy finished and it was starting to load symbols for my project.
But it was very slow, and I don't know why it started to do this step. What may I have done?
Is this symbol loading step necessary? How can I disable it?
In the Tools -> Options -> Debugging -> Symbols dialog there is no Symbol file (.pdb) location added. And I pointed in my project's debug directory at the field below, and I checked the "Search the above directory only when symbols are ...." checkbox. How should I set up this dialog to turn off symbol loading?
I looked in the Modules window which symbols are loaded, but it says nothing to me. What is the problem?
Debug -> Delete All Breakpoints ( http://darrinbishop.com/blog/2010/06/sharepoint-2010-hangs-after-visual-studio-2010-f5-debugging )
After that you can use them again, but do it once. It will remove some kind of "invalid" breakpoints too and then loading symbols will be fast again. I was chasing this issue for days :(.
Another reason for slow loading is if you have disabled "Enable Just My Code" in Debugging options. To enable this go to:
Tools -> Options -> Debugging -> General -> Enable Just My Code (Managed Only)
Make sure this is checked.
Just had this problem.
I fixed it by navigating to:
Tools -> Options -> Debugging -> Symbols
Then unchecking all non-local sources for Symbol file (.pdb) locations
e.g. Microsoft Symbol Servers and msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
Configure in Tools, Options, Debugging, Symbols.
You can watch the output window (view, output) to see what it's doing usually. If it's really slow that probably means it's hitting a symbol server, probably Microsoft's, to download missing symbols. This takes three HTTP hits for each file it can't find on every startup - you can sometimes see this in the status bar at the bottom or in e.g. Fiddler. You can see which modules have loaded symbols in Debug, Windows, Modules whilst you're debugging.
Symbols mean you get useful stack trace information into third party and system assemblies. You definitely need them for your own code, but I think those get loaded regardless. Your best bet is to turn off any non-local symbol sources in that menu and, if you're loading lots of symbols for system assemblies that you don't need to debug into you can temporarily disable loading those to speed up debug start - but they're often useful to have loaded.
I faced a similar problem. In my case I had set _NT_SYMBOL_PATH to download from Microsoft Servers for use in WinDbg and it looks like when set, Visual Studio will use that with no way to ignore it. Removing that environment variable resolved my issue.
You can try the following answer to Visual Studio debugging/loading very slow:
Go to Tools -> Options -> Debugging -> General
CHECK the checkmark next to "Enable Just My Code".
Go to Tools -> Options -> Debugging -> Symbols
Click on the "..." button and create/select a new folder somewhere on your local computer to store cached symbols. I named mine "Symbol caching" and put it in Documents -> Visual Studio 2012.
Click on "Load all symbols" and wait for the symbols to be downloaded from Microsoft's servers, which may take a while. Note that Load all symbols button is only available while debugging.
UNCHECK the checkmark next to "Microsoft Symbol Servers" to prevent Visual Studio from remotely querying the Microsoft servers.
Click "OK".
Also try to delete all the breakpoints(Debug>Delete all the breakpoints),
See Also: Visual Studio 2015 RC1 Hangs in Debug mode while loading symbols
For me, it seems related to breakpoints, as indicated in the accepted answer. However, I found two workarounds that did not involve deleting all the breakpoints:
Restarting Visual Studio seemed to fix it temporarily.
Clicking the "X" button to close Visual Studio while debugging causes the "Do you want to stop debugging?" message box to pop up; while this message box is up, the symbols load at ordinary speeds. Once all the symbols are loaded, you can click "No" to cancel the close.
Just encountered this issue.
Deleting breakpoints didn't work, or at least not just on its own.
After this failed I Went Tools > Options > Debugging > Symbols and "Empty Symbol Cache"
and then cleaned the solution and rebuilt.
Now seems to be working correctly. So if you try all the other things listed, and it still makes no differnce, these additional bits of info may help...
Visual Studio 2017 Debug symbol "speed-up" options, assuming you haven't gone crazy on option-customization already:
At Tools -> Options -> Debugging -> Symbols
a. Enable the "Microsoft Symbol Server" option
b. Click "Empty Symbol Cache"
c. Set your symbol cache to an easy to find spot, like C:\dbg_symbols or %USERPROFILE%\dbg_symbols
After re-running Debug, let it load all the symbols once, from start-to-end, or as much as reasonably possible.
1A and 2 are the most important steps. 1B and 1C are just helpful changes to help you keep track of your symbols.
After your app has loaded all the symbols at least once and debugging didn't prematurely terminate, those symbols should be quickly loaded the next time debug runs.
I've noticed that if I cancel a debug-run, I have to reload those symbols, as I'm guessing they're "cleaned" up if newly introduced and suddenly cancelled. I understand the core rationale for that kind of flow, but in this case it seems poorly thought out.
In my case Visual Studio was looking for 3rd-party PDBs in paths that, on my machine, referenced an optical drive. Without a disc in the tray it took about Windows about ~30 to fail, which in turn slowed down Visual Studio as it tried to load the PDBs from that location. More detail is available in my complete answer here: https://stackoverflow.com/a/17457581/85196
I had the same problem and even after turning the symbol loading off, the module loading in Visual Studio was terribly slow.
The solution was to turn off the antivirus software (in my case NOD32) or better yet, to add exceptions to it so that it ignores the paths from which your process is loading assemblies (in my case it is the GAC folder and the Temporary ASP.NET Files folder).
My 2 cents,
I was having a similar problem while trying to get a (Visual Studio 2013) Diagnostics Report in x64 Release Mode (CPU Sampling) and while the symbols for the needed dll files were loaded, the symbols for my executable would fail to load.
I didn't change anything in the Symbols menu, I instead made some changes within the Property Pages of my executable's thread in the Solution Explorer, namely
Configuration Properties / General / Enable Managed Incremental Build to YES
Configuration Properties / Debugging / Merge Environment to NO
Configuration Properties / C/C++ / Enable Browse Information to YES (/FR)
Configuration Properties / Linker / Enable Incremental Linking to YES (/INCREMENTAL)
EDIT : This last one does the trick
....
Configuration Properties / Linker / Debugging / Generate Debug Info to Yes (/DEBUG)
....
After that it worked and it loaded the symbols fine.
I'm sure one or more of the above did the trick for me (although I'm not sure exactly which) and just want to let others know and try this..
peace
Try right clicking at one of the breakpoints, and then choose 'Location'. Then check the check box 'Allow the source code to different from the original version'
Unchecking "Enable JavaScript debugging for ASP.NET (Chrome and IE)" in Tools->Options->Debugging->General resolved my case with unavailability to launch VS2017 debugger with pre-set breakpoints.
The only thing that worked for me was changing the code type.
In the Attach to Process window, I changed the Attach to: selection to Automatically determine the type of code to debug, then my breakpoints were hit.
I previously had only Native code selected.
goto project properties -> debug -> uncheck enable native code debugging
I had a similar issue where visual studio keeps loading symbol and got stuck.
It turns out I added some "Command line arguments" in the Debug options, and one of the parameters is invalid(I am supposed to pass in some values).
After I remove the extra parameter, it starts working again.
I am working on a C#.NET class library project in VS2010. In my project settings -> debug settings, I have the project set to start an external program (C:\Windows\SysWOW64\wscript.exe) which runs a very simple jscript file (test.js). The script simply creates an instance of the class and calls one of it's methods.
The problem is when I start debugging, VS2010 does not stop at any of my breakpoints. If I open up the exact same project in VS2008 it does stop at the break points. Is there a new setting somewhere that is preventing the breakpoints from being hit? Has anyone else ran into this issue?
My first check would be to disable "Just My Code"
Tools -> Options
Debugger
Uncheck "Enable Just My Code"
Try the scenario again.
To solved this problem by creating a config file for the application which is using the component to debug with the following data:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<configuration>
<startup>
<supportedRuntime version="v2.0.50727"/>
</startup>
</configuration>
With this file you tell the debugger to use the right runtime version for debugging (it seems the debugger uses version 4.0 by default).
I have a tried a whole day to find out why I couldn't debug my visual studio 2012 console application, and the answer was embarrassing.
I was running it in "RELEASE" mode.
Sometimes the obvious is the hard to find.
Close the Visual Studio IDE and Open it. Now it will work. For me it also face the same issue. I used this way to overcome
I had a "Rebuilt" VS2013 project that I couldn't debug (no symbols). Finally, I saw Optimization was checked (Project->Properties->Build). I unchecked it and Rebuilt. Symbols loaded finally. My two cents, only use (compile) Optimization when absolutely necessary.
While I can't answer why it happens, I can provide you with workaround.
Include
using System.Diagnostics;
At the very beginning of your code (Class constructor for instance) place the following lines:
#if (DEBUG)
while(!Debugger.IsAttached);
Debugger.Break();
#endif
Start debugging.
Menu Tools→Attach to Process
Attach to your process.
breakpoint should trigger in your code.
Other breakpoints should trigger as well.
Could be a number of reasons. Usually it's because you're trying to debug against the wrong version.
These actions work about 80% of the time.
Get the latest code
Clean
Rebuild
Restart IIS
Try again
If no good, go to Debug > Windows > Modules and if the relevant dll is there, right click it and load symbols.
If it's not in the list, try running the code anyway. Sometimes even though it says the breakpoint will not be hit, it's only because the dll is not loaded until you enter a scenario that needs it. Try the scenario that depends on the dll, and it may just hit the breakpoint anyway.
Oh one more idea, restart your browser. You might have something cached from an older dll.
If the reason is wrong .NET runtime version (which was my problem), instead of creating configuration file you can simply choose the right version in the Attach to process dialog.
In the dialog, next to Attach to click on Select and switch from Automatically... to Debug these code types where you should check the right version.
If this was your problem also, then you probably had "Symbols not loaded" message on your breakpoints. Immediately after selecting the right version you should see that this error is no longer reported.
For me it was fixed by:
Open the project properties is VS2010
Goto Compile -> Advanced Compile Options
Change 'Generate debug Info' from 'None' to 'Full'
The problem could be your browser is using a cached version of the page, you are working with.
Try to add som nonsense extra querystring in your adress line of the browser f.x. add ?NONSENSE=1234
This forces the browser to use a new version of the web page since it does not know if the page should look different with this Query in the end. Next time use ?NONSENS=1235.
I had a problem with misplaced breakpoints in my native c++ code.
The reason was I had been editing the code so some line ends in the code was not \r\n. It was not possible to see in the code unless you searched for \r\n.
After inserting the proper line ends \r\n the debugger worked.
I encountered the similar issue but its in a CLR project. I had some old c++ syntax in the CLR project. For me after I enabled 'Use managed compatibility mode' in Tools>options>Debugging>General it started to hit the break points.
Sometimes I get the message that the breakpoint will not be hit, and no symbols will be loaded.
The red icon in vs.net changes color, and the debug mode just doesn't work.
what is the reason for this?
You may be running your project in Release mode. If so, then switch to Debug mode
From Visual studio debugging issue with files of the same name by Philip Carney
Do each bullet in the link below ONE AT A TIME, but repeat my steps below with each one you try.
Stop debugging (press red square icon) in Visual Studio
Clean Solution
Build Solution
Tools > Attach to Process (or start with debugging)
Start the program that you're attaching to, and run it such that your code will get hit
If attaching to nunit.exe, then open NUnit and run a test so your breakpoint will be hit
If attaching to w3wp.exe (IIS site), then open your site in the browser and go to the page that will hit your breakpoint
for manage code only - theres a good answer for this problem on the following site:
http://geekswithblogs.net/dbutscher/archive/2007/06/26/113472.aspx
for native + managed code - in the startup solution properties-> Debug tab
make sure that "enable unmanaged code debugging" check box is checked
After trying several suggested fixes for this I did the following to get it working.
Right Clicked my Project in the Solution Explorer and selected "Properties".
Went to the "Web" section and made sure "Start Action" was set to "Current Page".
Spent 3 1/2 hours on that... I'm going to go get a drink now.
I resolved this problem by selecting Automatic:Native Code for the "Attach to" field in "Attach To Process" form
Next to the "Debug/Release" dropdown list, there is another one with "Any CPU/Configuration Manager...". Click "Configuration Manager...", and you will see some of your projects might be in Release mode. Change all of them to Debug.
This can happen if the symbol fiels are different from the assembly (remote debugging), or when there is no "direct path", so the assembly hasent been load, but might be loaded using reflection and loading of the required assembly at run time.
This can also happen if the debugger is not attached to the process for whatever reason. If it's the case, you can always go to Debug - Attach to Process... and choose the right process. Your breakpoints should return to normal once VS determines it can hit them.
What does it say when you hover the mouse over the disabled breakpoint? It will usually tell you the problem. My favorite is the old 'source code is out of date', especially when I'm debugging a DLL. Another favorite is when the file you're looking at isn't the one you're debugging (a copy in another folder?). If it's a case where you can breakpoint a caller routine, but not the callee, stepping into the callee will force VS to open the 'proper' source file and you'll be able to set breakpoints. Confusing, I usually swear at VS at this point, it seems to help.
I had the same problem. Which I know is normally if the build versions are different, and something isn't matching up. I cleaned my project, rebuilt it, and then deployed and that got everything back in-sync.
I do not like to play with knives but the only thing that worked for me involved editing the .csproj file itself. So, unload the project file, edit it by cutting and pasting the three asp.net files so that they are together in the ItemGroup. However, sometimes it is necessary to go further as explained here: http://carnotaurus.tumblr.com/post/4130422114/visual-studio-debugging-issue-with-files-of-the-same - Also, I give a list of other proposed solutions that did not work for me. I hope it helps.
I have tested with both deployed application and service, what I have found out that If the deployed code is different than a code in visual studio then breakpoint will not hit. Even small changes will affect and the breakpoint will not hit. So, It is better to debug the same version which is there on vs code and also in deploy application or service.
To fix this I had to re-create the virtual directory. I'm using Asp.Net 4.7 Framework and IIS Express. Went to Web project > property page > Web tab > clicked the "Create Virtual Directory" button next to Project Url textbox.
I forgot I had clicked this button in my "Main" branch, but then had switched to my "Sprint" branch. It kept running the "Main" code until I clicked "Create Virtual Directory" on my "Sprint" branch.
For me it was giving this because I haven't started the relevant project at start of application , it worked after I added project run on start
Is there a good way to debug errors in the Visual Studio Designer?
In our project we have tons of UserControls and many complex forms. For the complex ones, the Designer often throws various exceptions which doesn't help much, and I was wondering if there's some nice way to figure out what has gone wrong.
The language is C#, and we're using Visual Studio 2005.
I've been able to debug some control designer issues by running a second instance of VS, then from your first VS instance do a "Debug -> Attach to Process" and pick "devenv".
The first VS instance is where you'll set your breakpoints. Use the second instance to load up the designer to cause the "designer" code to run.
See Debugging Design-Time Controls (MSDN).
It has been a pain in 2005 and still is in 2015. Breakpoints will often not hit, probably because of the assemblies being shadow copied or something by the designer(?). The best you can do is to break manually by introducing a call to Debugger.Break(). You may wrap it into a compiler conditional as so:
#if DEBUG
System.Diagnostics.Debugger.Break();
#endif
int line_to = break; // <- if a simple breakpoint here does not suffice
I have had this happen many times and it is a real pain.
Firstly I'd suggest attempting to follow the stack trace provided by the designer, though I found that often simply lists a bunch of internals stuff that isn't much use.
If that doesn't work then try compiling and determining the exception from there. You really are flying blind which is the problem. You could then try simply running the code and seeing what exception is raised when you run it, that should give you some more information.
A last-gasp approach could be to remove all the non-generated code from the form and gradually re-introduce it to determine the error.
If you're using custom controls you could manually remove the generated code related to the custom controls as well if the previous method still results in an error. You could then re-introduce this step-by-step in the same way to determine which custom control is causing the problem, then go and debug that separately.
Basically as far as I can tell there's no real way around the problem other than to slog it out a bit!
I discovered why sometimes breakpoints are not hit. In the Attach to Process dialog, "Attach to:" type has to be "Select..."'d.
Once I changed to "Managed 4.0, 4.5", breakpoints for a WinRT application were hit. Source: Designer Debugging in WinRT.
Each one is different and they can sometimes be obscure. As a first step, I would do the following:
Use source control and save often. When a designer error occurs, get a list of all changes to the affected controls that have occurred recently and test each one until you find the culprit
Be sure to check out the initialization routines of the controls involved. Very often these errors will occur because of some error or bad dependency that is called through the default constructor for a control (an error that may only manifest itself in VS)
You can run a second instance of VS and attach it to the first instance of VS (Ctrl+Alt+P). In the first instance set the breakpoints, in the second instance run the designer, and the breakpoint will fire. You can step through the code, but Edit-and-Continue will not work.
For Edit-and-Continue to work, set you control library's debug options to run a VS with the command line argument being the solution filename. Then you can simply set the breakpoints and hit F5. It will debug just like user code! As a side note, you can do this will VS and Office add-ins also.
This worked for me for Visual Studio 2022:
I opened a second Visual Studio instance
In the second instance I clicked Debug -> Attach to Process...
I selected DesignToolsServer from the process list
More details: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/desktop/winforms/controls/walkthrough-debugging-custom-windows-forms-controls-at-design-time?view=netframeworkdesktop-4.8