[TECH ED] Watch The VSCode Debugger Video

Mar 13, 2025 by ADMIN 42 views

**Unlocking the Power of Debugging in VSCode: A Step-by-Step Guide**

Introduction

As software developers, we've been building a toolkit to help us write great software. Our toolkit includes specifications, tests, asking questions, playing computer, and audits. Now, we can add debuggers to our toolkit, which are tools that help us find and fix problems, or "bugs", in our JavaScript code. In this article, we'll explore the key reasons we use debuggers and how to use the VSCode Debugger to step through our code line-by-line while it runs.

Why Debuggers are Essential

Debuggers are an essential tool in any developer's toolkit. They let us see what's happening inside functions, check if variables have expected values, pause execution and step through slowly, and find exactly where mistakes happen. JavaScript debuggers give control over execution flow to methodically test and fix bugs.

Key Reasons to Use Debuggers

See what's happening inside functions: Debuggers allow us to step through our code line-by-line while it runs, giving us a clear understanding of what's happening inside functions.
Check if variables have expected values: Debuggers enable us to check if variables have the expected values, helping us identify any discrepancies.
Pause execution and step through slowly: Debuggers allow us to pause execution and step through our code slowly, giving us a chance to analyze what's happening.
Find exactly where mistakes happen: Debuggers help us find exactly where mistakes happen, making it easier to fix bugs.

Using the VSCode Debugger

The VSCode Debugger is a powerful tool that allows us to step through our code line-by-line while it runs. To use the VSCode Debugger, follow these steps:

Open the VSCode Debugger: Open the VSCode Debugger by clicking on the "Run" button in the top menu bar or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + D on Windows or Cmd + Shift + D on Mac.
Create a new launch configuration: Create a new launch configuration by clicking on the "Create a launch configuration" button or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + L on Windows or Cmd + Shift + L on Mac.
Select the Node.js environment: Select the Node.js environment by clicking on the "Node.js" button or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Cmd + Shift + N on Mac.
Set breakpoints: Set breakpoints by clicking on the "Breakpoint" button or by pressing F9 on Windows or F9 on Mac.
Start the debugger: Start the debugger by clicking on the "Start Debugging" button or by pressing F5 on Windows or F5 on Mac.

Exploring the VSCode Debugger Interface

The VSCode Debugger interface is divided into several sections:

Debugging panel: The debugging panel displays the current state of the debugger, including the current line of code, the variables, and the call stack.
Variables panel: The variables panel displays the current values of the variables, including their type and value.
Call stack panel: The call stack panel displays the current call stack, including the functions that are currently executing.
Breakpoints panel: The breakpoints panel displays the current breakpoints, including their location and type.

Example: Finding a Bug in a Node Script

Let's say we have a Node script that contains a bug. We can use the VSCode Debugger to find the bug by setting breakpoints and stepping through the code.

Here's an example of a Node script with a bug:

const i = 10;
const this = 'hello';

console.log(i);
console.log(this);

To find the bug, we can set a breakpoint on the line console.log(i) and then step through the code. When we reach the breakpoint, we can examine the variables and see that i is undefined and this is undefined.

Getting Help with the VSCode Debugger

If you're having trouble using the VSCode Debugger, you can get help from AI or your friendly humans in Slack. Here's an example of how to get help from AI:

Act as a friendly, supportive, knowledgeable programming mentor: Act as a friendly, supportive, knowledgeable programming mentor and provide a simple example of a Node script with a bug in it.
Talk me through the interface step by step: Talk me through the interface step by step, providing a simple example of a Node script with a bug in it.
Provide a simple example of a Node script with a bug in it: Provide a simple example of a Node script with a bug in it and walk me through finding the bug by setting breakpoints with the debugger.
Don't tell me what the bug is: Don't tell me what the bug is, but instead, let me find it myself by setting breakpoints and stepping through the code.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the VSCode Debugger is a powerful tool that allows us to step through our code line-by-line while it runs. By using the VSCode Debugger, we can see what's happening inside functions, check if variables have expected values, pause execution and step through slowly, and find exactly where mistakes happen. With the help of AI or your friendly humans in Slack, you can get help with the VSCode Debugger and become a proficient debugger in no time.

Maximum Time in Hours

.25

How to Get Help

AI can help you here: AI can help you here by providing a simple example of a Node script with a bug in it and walking you through finding the bug by setting breakpoints with the debugger.
Code along with AI: Code along with AI so it has the context and ask it when you get stuck.
Use this starting prompt: Use this starting prompt to get help from AI: "Act as a friendly, supportive, knowledgeable programming mentor. I am learning the debugger in VSCode. Talk me through the interface step by step. Provide a simple example of a Node script with a bug in it and walk me through finding the bug by setting breakpoints with the debugger. Don't tell me what the bug is. When I get stuck, answer my questions in CEFR B2 English meant for an adult professional speaking in a second language. When I ask for hints, give me useful pointers. Say okee dokee if you understand and begin your walkthrough."
VSCode Debugger Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers ====================================================================

Q: What is the VSCode Debugger?

A: The VSCode Debugger is a powerful tool that allows us to step through our code line-by-line while it runs. It helps us see what's happening inside functions, check if variables have expected values, pause execution and step through slowly, and find exactly where mistakes happen.

Q: How do I use the VSCode Debugger?

A: To use the VSCode Debugger, follow these steps:

Open the VSCode Debugger: Open the VSCode Debugger by clicking on the "Run" button in the top menu bar or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + D on Windows or Cmd + Shift + D on Mac.
Create a new launch configuration: Create a new launch configuration by clicking on the "Create a launch configuration" button or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + L on Windows or Cmd + Shift + L on Mac.
Select the Node.js environment: Select the Node.js environment by clicking on the "Node.js" button or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Cmd + Shift + N on Mac.
Set breakpoints: Set breakpoints by clicking on the "Breakpoint" button or by pressing F9 on Windows or F9 on Mac.
Start the debugger: Start the debugger by clicking on the "Start Debugging" button or by pressing F5 on Windows or F5 on Mac.

Q: What are the key features of the VSCode Debugger?

A: The key features of the VSCode Debugger include:

Step-through debugging: The VSCode Debugger allows us to step through our code line-by-line while it runs.
Breakpoint support: The VSCode Debugger supports breakpoints, which allow us to pause execution at specific points in the code.
Variable inspection: The VSCode Debugger allows us to inspect variables and see their current values.
Call stack display: The VSCode Debugger displays the current call stack, which shows the functions that are currently executing.

Q: How do I set breakpoints in the VSCode Debugger?

A: To set breakpoints in the VSCode Debugger, follow these steps:

Open the VSCode Debugger: Open the VSCode Debugger by clicking on the "Run" button in the top menu bar or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + D on Windows or Cmd + Shift + D on Mac.
Select the file: Select the file that contains the code you want to debug.
Click on the line number: Click on the line number where you want to set the breakpoint.
Click on the "Breakpoint" button: Click on the "Breakpoint" button or press F9 on Windows or F9 on Mac to set the breakpoint.

Q: How do I inspect variables in the VSCode Debugger?

A: To inspect variables in the VSCode Debugger, follow these steps:

Open the VSCode Debugger: Open the VSCode Debugger by clicking on the "Run" button in the top menu bar or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + D on Windows or Cmd + Shift + D on Mac.
Select the file: Select the file that contains the code you want to debug.
Click on the "Variables" panel: Click on the "Variables" panel to display the current values of the variables.
Select the variable: Select the variable you want to inspect.
Click on the "Inspect" button: Click on the "Inspect" button to display the current value of the variable.

Q: How do I use the call stack display in the VSCode Debugger?

A: To use the call stack display in the VSCode Debugger, follow these steps:

Open the VSCode Debugger: Open the VSCode Debugger by clicking on the "Run" button in the top menu bar or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + D on Windows or Cmd + Shift + D on Mac.
Select the file: Select the file that contains the code you want to debug.
Click on the "Call Stack" panel: Click on the "Call Stack" panel to display the current call stack.
Select the function: Select the function that you want to inspect.
Click on the "Inspect" button: Click on the "Inspect" button to display the current call stack.

Q: How do I get help with the VSCode Debugger?

A: If you're having trouble using the VSCode Debugger, you can get help from AI or your friendly humans in Slack. Here's an example of how to get help from AI:

Act as a friendly, supportive, knowledgeable programming mentor: Act as a friendly, supportive, knowledgeable programming mentor and provide a simple example of a Node script with a bug in it.
Talk me through the interface step by step: Talk me through the interface step by step, providing a simple example of a Node script with a bug in it.
Provide a simple example of a Node script with a bug in it: Provide a simple example of a Node script with a bug in it and walk me through finding the bug by setting breakpoints with the debugger.
Don't tell me what the bug is: Don't tell me what the bug is, but instead, let me find it myself by setting breakpoints and stepping through the code.

Q: What are the benefits of using the VSCode Debugger?

A: The benefits of using the VSCode Debugger include:

Improved debugging efficiency: The VSCode Debugger allows us to step through our code line-by-line while it runs, making it easier to find and fix bugs.
Increased productivity: The VSCode Debugger saves us time and effort by allowing us to quickly identify and fix bugs.
Better code quality: The VSCode Debugger helps us write better code by allowing us to test and debug our code more efficiently.

Q: Can I use the VSCode Debugger with other programming languages?

A: Yes, you can use the VSCode Debugger with other programming languages, including Python, Java, and C++. However, the VSCode Debugger may not support all the features and functionality of these languages.

Q: How do I update the VSCode Debugger?

A: To update the VSCode Debugger, follow these steps:

Open the VSCode Debugger: Open the VSCode Debugger by clicking on the "Run" button in the top menu bar or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + D on Windows or Cmd + Shift + D on Mac.
Click on the "Update" button: Click on the "Update" button to check for updates.
Click on the "Update" button again: Click on the "Update" button again to apply the updates.

Q: How do I uninstall the VSCode Debugger?

A: To uninstall the VSCode Debugger, follow these steps:

Open the VSCode Debugger: Open the VSCode Debugger by clicking on the "Run" button in the top menu bar or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + D on Windows or Cmd + Shift + D on Mac.
Click on the "Uninstall" button: Click on the "Uninstall" button to uninstall the VSCode Debugger.
Confirm the uninstallation: Confirm the uninstallation by clicking on the "Uninstall" button again.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the VSCode Debugger?

A: To troubleshoot issues with the VSCode Debugger, follow these steps:

Check the VSCode Debugger logs: Check the VSCode Debugger logs to see if there are any error messages or warnings.
Check the VSCode Debugger settings: Check the VSCode Debugger settings to see if there are any configuration issues.
Check the VSCode Debugger documentation: Check the VSCode Debugger documentation to see if there are any known issues or workarounds.
Contact the VSCode Debugger support team: Contact the VSCode Debugger support team for further assistance.