Tracing execution
You can trace execution of an executable file built with
PowerBuilder. By tracing execution, you can troubleshoot your
application if it does not behave the same way when run as an
executable file as it does when run in the PowerBuilder development
environment. You can also use the trace output to profile your
application: for example, you can see how many times particular
scripts and functions are being executed.
Two kinds of trace files
You can generate two kinds of trace files:
-
With timing
informationYou collect trace information by adding code to the scripts
in the application or adding a window that lets users turn tracing
on and off. PowerBuilder generates a binary trace file that you
analyze using a comprehensive set of objects and functions or the
Profiling tools. For more information about tracing and profiling,
see About tracing and profiling an
application. -
Without timing
informationYou collect information by running the application with the
/pbdebug command-line switch. PowerBuilder generates a text file
that logs the creation and destruction of objects and the
execution of scripts and functions.
Tracing execution using
/pbdebug
You generate PBDebug trace information for an executable file by
invoking the executable with a command-line switch.
To generate PBDebug trace information:
-
Invoke the executable file using the /pbdebug command-line
switch:1EXEFILE /pbdebugAs the application executes, PowerBuilder records the trace
output in a file called exefile.dbg, which is a text file that you
can read in any editor. For information about PBDebug tracing in
the development environment, see Generating a trace file without timing
information.
Enabling tracing
If you are compiling machine code, you must enable tracing at
compile time by selecting Trace Information in the Project painter
Compile Options group. If you have not enabled tracing when you
compile for machine code, no trace information is generated and the
/pbdebug switch has no effect.
If you compile your project in Pcode, the compiler
automatically adds the information needed to enable tracing.