Data Display

Related Topics:

Adding an Expression

Data Display Window

The Data Display window allows you to watch the changes in the value of an expression during program execution. Your chosen set of expressions is automatically evaluated every time a program stops executing--at a breakpoint, at a step, and when the program is interrupted. When the value of an expression changes, the value is highlighted in boldface.

Monitoring the value of an expression each time the program stops is an effective technique for learning how and when a particular expression or variable changes.

From the Data Display window, small windows pop up to display additional information about an expression, giving you control over the information you are viewing.

Data Display Window

You may enter an expression in the Data Display window after a program has been loaded into the debugger. See Adding an Expression for instructions.

In the Data Display window, values are shown as follows:

• Simple values are shown directly in the main Data Display window.

int count = 42

• String values are shown with both their pointer and quoted-string dereferenced form.

char* name = 0xf102a "a string value"

• Classes/structs and array values are shown with a link in place of the value. {...} is the link for classes/structs; (...) is the link for arrays.

array abc = (...)

Clicking the link brings up the value in a new pop-up window.

Pop-up Windows

The Data Display pop-up windows contain information on a single display item.

You open the pop-up menus by placing the pointer anywhere within the Data Display window and pressing the right mouse button.

The pop-up windows include:

Info	Shows type, context, and address information on one display item at a time. Open this window by selecting an item and choosing Info from the pop-up menu.
Previous Value	Shows the immediately previous value of a display item. Open this window by selecting an item and choosing Previous Value from the pop-up menu.
Current Value	Shows struct, class, and array values. Open this window by selecting an item and choosing Current Value from the pop-up menu.

Because it is easy to lose track of the pop-up windows, the Display menu includes operations for managing the windows as a group: you can bring to the front, cascade, or close all pop-up windows.