The Debug Menu Commands

The Debug menu contains commands you use for performing debugging tasks. The Debug menu commands are:

Attach Debug

Starts the debugger by attaching it to a running process.

Step Into

Executes the current execution line and advances to the next executable line. Use to advance program execution line-by-line and to step into nested subprogram calls.

Step Over

Executes the current execution line and advances to the next executable line, stepping over any calls to nested subprograms, i.e., nested subprograms are executed without stepping into the program body.

Step Out

Resumes and completes execution of a nested subprogram, suspending at the next executable statement in the calling program.

This command allows you to quickly finish executing the current subprogram after determining that a bug is not present in the subprogram.

Run to Cursor

Resumes execution of the suspended application to the location of the cursor in a source unit. Equivalent to setting a temporary breakpoint at a cursor location.

Go

Starts or resumes program execution in debug mode until the currently executing thread of execution either terminates or is interrupted by a breakpoint.

Pause

Suspends execution of a module running in debug mode. The debug windows are populated with information relevant to the current execution context. If the module is executing PL/SQL, the PL/SQL Editor opens and displays the source unit at which the pause occurred.

Note: There are some limitations to this functionality. For example, stored procedures will not suspend. The scenarios in which the debugger will suspend are as follows:

  • If the module is executing an event loop and there are no immediate actions to perform, the debugger will suspend immediately.
  • If Forms is executing something other than PL/SQL, the debugger will suspend after all tasks have been completed.
  • If Forms is executing PL/SQL, the debugger will suspend when it starts a new trigger or when a certain number of statements have been executed, whichever occurs first.

Stop

Terminates the debugging session and exits from the running program. The Debug Console and any floating debug windows close.

Note: There are some limitations to this functionality. For example, stored procedures will not stop. The scenarios in which the debugger will stop are as follows:

  • If the module is executing an event loop and there are no immediate actions to perform, the debugger will stop immediately.
  • If Forms is executing something other than PL/SQL, the debugger will stop after all tasks have been completed.
  • If Forms is executing PL/SQL, the debugger will stop when it starts a new trigger or when a certain number of statements have been executed, whichever occurs first.

Debug Console

Toggles displaying and hiding the Debug Console.

Debug Windows

Contains a submenu of the debug windows. Toggles displaying and hiding the debug windows.

Insert/Remove Breakpoint

Toggles inserting and deleting a breakpoint at the source line where the cursor is currently placed in the PL/SQL Editor.



The Debug Console and Windows

The Debugger

The Debug Toolbar Buttons

The Debugging Process