Setting breakpoints – PB Docs 2021

Sharing targets

If multiple developers use the same target without using
source control (a practice that is not recommended) individual
developers can save the breakpoints they set in a separate file by
adding the following entry to the [pb] section of their pb.ini
file:

where abc might be the developer’s name or initials.
Breakpoints set by the developer would be saved in a file called
appname_abc.usr.opt.

To set a breakpoint on a line in a script

1. Display the script in a Source view and place the cursor
   where you want to set the breakpoint.

   For how to change the script shown in the Source view, see
   Using the Source view.

2. Double-click the line or select Add Breakpoint from the
   pop-up menu.

   PowerBuilder sets a breakpoint and a red circle displays at
   the beginning of the line. If you select a line that does not
   contain executable code, PowerBuilder sets the breakpoint at the
   beginning of the next executable statement.

1. Click the Edit Stop button on the PainterBar

2. Select Breakpoints from the pop-up menu in the Source,
   Variables, Watch, or Breakpoints view

3. Select Edit>Breakpoints from the menu bar

4. Double-click a line in the Breakpoints view

• If you specify an
  occurrence

  Each time PowerBuilder passes through the specified
  location, it increments a counter by one. When the counter reaches
  the number specified, it triggers the breakpoint and resets the
  counter to zero.

• If you specify a
  condition

  Each time PowerBuilder passes through the specified
  location, it evaluates the expression. When the expression is
  true, it triggers the breakpoint.

• If you specify both an occurrence and
  a condition

  Each time PowerBuilder passes through the specified
  location, it evaluates the expression. When the expression is
  true, it increments the counter. When the counter reaches the
  number specified, it triggers the breakpoint and resets the
  counter to zero.

To set an occasional or conditional breakpoint

1. On the Location tab in the Edit Breakpoints dialog box,
   specify the script and line number where you want the
   breakpoint.

   You can select an existing location or select New to enter a
   new location.

   Set a simple breakpoint first

   You must specify a line that contains executable code. Set
   a simple breakpoint on the line before opening the Edit
   Breakpoints dialog box to ensure the format and line number are
   correct.

2. Specify an integer occurrence, a condition, or both.

   The condition must be a valid boolean PowerScript expression
   (if it is not, the breakpoint is always triggered). PowerBuilder
   displays the breakpoint expression in the Edit Breakpoints dialog
   box and in the Breakpoints view. When PowerBuilder reaches the
   location where the breakpoint is set, it evaluates the breakpoint
   expression and triggers the breakpoint only when the expression is
   true.

To set a breakpoint when a variable changes

• Do one of the following:

  • Select the variable in the Variables view or Watch view
    and select Break on Change from the pop-up menu.

  • Drag the variable from the Variables view or Watch view
    to the Breakpoints view.

  • Select New on the Variable tab in the Edit Breakpoints
    dialog box and specify the name of a variable in the Variable
    box.

  The new breakpoint displays in the Breakpoints view and in
  the Edit Breakpoints dialog box if it is open. PowerBuilder
  watches the variable at runtime and interrupts execution when the
  value of the variable changes.

To disable a breakpoint

• Do one of the following:

  • Click the red circle next to the breakpoint in the
    Breakpoints view or Edit Breakpoints dialog box

  • Select Disable Breakpoint from the pop-up menu in the
    Source view

  • Select Disable from the pop-up menu in the Breakpoints
    view

  The red circle next to the breakpoint is replaced with a
  white circle.

  You can enable a disabled breakpoint from the pop-up menus
  or by clicking the white circle.

  Disabling all breakpoints

  To disable all breakpoints, select Disable All from the
  pop-up menu in the Breakpoints view.

To clear a breakpoint

• Do one of the following:

  • Double-click the line containing the breakpoint in the
    Source view

  • Select Clear Breakpoint from the pop-up menu in the
    Source view

  • Select Clear from the pop-up menu in the Breakpoints
    view

  • Select the breakpoint in the Edit Breakpoints dialog box
    and select Clear

  The red circle next to the breakpoint disappears.

  Clearing all breakpoints

  To clear all breakpoints, select Clear All in the Edit
  Breakpoints dialog box or from the pop-up menu in the
  Breakpoints view.