Step 5: Looking for a Cause

The unwanted error message is issued because err_silent is not > 0. Take a look at the value of err_silent with balloon evaluation.

1. Put your cursor over err_silent in line 31 and wait for its value to be displayed.

   

   Follow the stack to see where err_silent was set.

2. Click Make Caller Current twice to evaluateField(), which has already called evaluateFieldPrepare() simulating a complex function that might be manipulating err_silent.

   

3. Click Make Caller Current again to get to printField(), where err_silent is being incremented. printField() has also already called printFieldPrepare(), also simulating a complex function that might be manipulating err_silent.

   

   Notice how err_silent++ and err_silent-- bracket some code.

   err_silent could go wrong in either printFieldPrepare() or evaluateFieldPrepare(), or it might already be wrong when control gets to printField().