In VS, make print-on-breakpoint use the console - visual-studio

Question

I've made a "when hit, print a message" breakpoint in VS 2010. It works, but it only outputs to the VS "output" pane. Can I make it use my app's console window?
I've tried:
Debug.Listeners.Add(new ConsoleTraceListener());
As well as:
var writer = new TextWriterTraceListener(System.Console.Out);
Debug.Listeners.Add(writer);

Answer 1

It is possible to print this message in your app console window, but for that you need to use the debugger evaluator:
Create a method that you would like to call from the debugger when the breakpoint is hit.
Place a breakpoint, but instead of providing just a text message use your method name in curly braces, eg. {CallFromDebugger()}
Have a look at this code:
static void Main(string[] args)
{
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
{
Console.WriteLine(i);
}
Console.ReadKey();
}
[Conditional("DEBUG")]
static void MessageFromDebugger(string message)
{
Console.WriteLine("I was called from the debugger evaluator: {0}", message);
}
If you place a breakpoint on line 5: Console.WriteLine(i); with When Hit... property set to: {MessageFromDebugger("message from address $ADDRESS")} you should see in your console window:
0
I was called from the debugger evaluator: message from address ConsoleApplication1.Program.Main(string[]) + 0x00000048
1
I was called from the debugger evaluator: message from address ConsoleApplication1.Program.Main(string[]) + 0x00000048
2
What's interesting is that you may pass arguments to your function that are valid in the calling scope as well as the special debugger variables (such as $ADDRESS, $PID, $CALLSTACK etc.). I observed though that special debugger variables are just placeholders and are replaced before submitting to your function, so remember to put them in double quotes, eg. {MessageFromDebugger(#"$CALLSTACK")}