IDE Window: Variable Inspector

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Revision as of 13:24, 22 June 2012 by Martin (talk | contribs)
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Important

You must setup the debugger and start the project to debug it. Only then this window will be useful.

Variable Inspector

Also known as "Debug Inspector"

Debug Inspector.png

Allows to watch an expression.

Expressions can be local or global variables, (certain) properties, or pascal expressions (limited support, e.g. "a+1"). See here for more information

If the expression is a structure, then each field is displayed as a separate entry. If the result is a structure that has properties, they may not be included.

Scope (Stackframe, Thread)

The values are evaluated according to the scope set in the Thread and Stack dialog. Default is the current Thread and top stack frame. Both (Stack and Frame) dialog offer to change the "current" Frame/Thread. The watch window will follow this selection.

This dialog is not affected by the History dialog.

Interface

Input/Dropdown
Allows to enter/change the expression for the data to display. The dropdown provides a history of recent expressions.
Data/Method-Tabs
If the data is a structure with methods, they are displayed separately.

Context menu

Debug Inspector context.png

Use Instance class type
Objects are normally shown according to the declaration of the watched expression. Showing "Sender: TObject" will only show you data, that is declared in TObject. However object variables can contain objects of inherited classes. Sender may be a TForm. Using this the debugger will find the actual class of the object and display all data.