How to Watch Variables in Visual Studio 2017

How to Watch Variables in Visual Studio 2017

When I’m working on my code in Visual Studio 2017, sometimes I need to keep an eye on the values of certain variables. In this guide, I’ll show you how you can easily do that.

Step 1: Set a Breakpoint

The first thing you need to do is set a breakpoint at the line of code where you want to watch the variables. To do this, simply click on the left margin of that line. A red circle will appear, indicating that a breakpoint has been set.

Step 2: Run the Program in Debug Mode

Now, you need to run the program in debug mode. To do this, click on the “Start Debugging” button or press F5 on your keyboard. The program will start running, and execution will stop at the breakpoint you set.

Step 3: Open the “Watch” Window

Next, you’ll need to open the “Watch” window. To do this, go to the “Debug” menu, hover over “Windows”, and then click on “Watch” to open the window.

Step 4: Add Variables to the Watch Window

Once the “Watch” window is open, you can add variables to it. To do this, simply right-click in the window and click on “Add Watch”. You can then enter the name of the variable you want to watch. It will appear in the window, along with its current value.

Step 5: Keep an Eye on the Variables

Now that you have the variables in the “Watch” window, you can keep an eye on their values as you step through your code. The values will update in real-time, allowing you to see how they change at each step.

Conclusion

In conclusion, watching variables in Visual Studio 2017 is a simple and helpful way to monitor their values while debugging your code. By setting breakpoints and using the “Watch” window, you can easily keep track of how variables change and ensure your code is working as expected.

When I code, I don’t always get the results I expect. After spending days or weeks writing code, I need to go through a debugging process to find errors and potential issues.

In this article, I’ll show you how to keep an eye on variables in Visual Studio 2017. I’ll also provide some extra information about the debugging process.

Monitoring Variables in VS

Visual Studio lets you debug all the apps you create. Debugging means running the app with a debugger attached to it. This way, the debugger shows you what’s happening with the code while the app is running.

If you’re in a debugging session, you can monitor variables using the QuickWatch or Watch windows. The Watch windows allow you to see multiple variables at once, while Quick Watch only shows one at a time. This is important because you need to check if the variables have the values you intended them to have. If you find a wrong value, you can look at the call stack or find where the value was set.

Monitoring Variables in the Watch Window

You can keep an eye on multiple variables in different Watch windows. Here’s how:

Observing Variable Values during Debugging

When you’re debugging your code, it can be helpful to observe the values of certain variables. Here are the steps you can follow to do this:

1. First, set a breakpoint. You can do this by selecting “Debug,” then “Toggle Breakpoint,” or simply by pressing F9.
2. Once your breakpoint is set, start the debugging process. You can do this by clicking the green arrow with the word “Start” on it, and then choosing the debugging option, or by simply pressing F5.
3. Now, open the Watch window. To do this, select “Debug,” then “Windows,” and then “Watch” or “Watch 1.” If you want to open additional Watch windows, you can do so by selecting options with numeration 2, 3, and 4.
4. In the Watch window, you’ll see rows where you can observe variables. Find an empty row and select it. Then, enter the name of the variable you want to observe, such as “a,” “b,” or “c.”
5. Finally, continue with your debugging process.

Using QuickWatch to Observe Values

If you want to quickly look at the value of a variable while debugging, you can use QuickWatch. Here’s how:

1. First, I’ll create a breakpoint on the line where a is being updated.
2. Next, I’ll start the debugging process and pause at the breakpoint.
3. I’ll locate the variable “a” in the code and select it.
4. Then, I’ll click on “Debug” and choose “QuickWatch” or press Shift+F9.
5. Once the QuickWatch dialog appears, I’ll find the variable in the Expression box.
6. I can evaluate an expression using the variable, try different types of expressions, and then select “Reevaluate.”
7. If I want to add an expression or variable from QuickWatch to the Watch window, I’ll select “Add Watch.”
8. To close the QuickWatch window, I’ll select a “close” option.
9. Finally, I’ll continue debugging and observe what’s happening with variables in the Watch window.

Debugging Process

Before trying to fix any issues in your app, it’s important to understand what kind of problems you might encounter. Debugging allows you to test your app with a debugger so you can locate and fix problems effectively.

Firstly, you need to have a clear idea of what you can expect from your app. Errors can actually be helpful as they highlight potential issues you may face while using the app.

During the debugging process, you can access every variable and track any changes you’ve made. This helps you identify incorrect values and when they occurred.

Locate the Problem

In debugger mode, the debugger actively analyzes your app and allows you to pause it at any time. This allows you to go through the code line by line and inspect everything in detail. In Visual Studio, debugging can be initiated in three ways:

1. Pressing F5.
2. Using the “Debug” menu and selecting “Start Debugging.”
3. Clicking on the “Start Debugging” button in the “Debugging Toolbar.”

Breakpoints

Visual Studio provides the ability to set breakpoints by placing the cursor on a line and pressing F9. Breakpoints are invaluable for reliable debugging as they indicate where your code can be paused. This allows you to closely examine your variables, memory, code sequence, and other important elements.

Unit Tests

Debuggers are only as effective as the information you provide. By creating unit tests, you can express the intention or purpose of your code. This enables the debugger to effectively identify any mistakes in your code. If you’re not aware of potential problem areas, the debugger won’t be of much help.

Code and Debug

Even the most skilled software developers may write code that doesn’t work as expected. Debugging is a crucial process that every developer must go through to find and correct mistakes effectively.

Now that you know how to watch variables in Visual Studio 2017, you’ll enjoy working with Visual Studio even more.

Have you been using Visual Studio for coding? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your thoughts in the comments below.