Online Documentation for SQL Manager for Oracle

Using PL/SQL code debugger


PL/SQL Code Debugger is the cutting edge feature of SQL Manager for Oracle. This tool is provided for step-by-step code debugging: anonymous blocks, procedures, functions, packages, triggers, object types. Much of the power of the debugger comes from toggling breakpoints, getting variables' values, and fetching call stacks.

 

The Edit tab of the PL/SQL Code Debugger window contains the following areas:

  • the Debug panel of the Navigation bar;
  • the Watches list;
  • the PL/SQL code area;
  • the Call stack box;
  • the Breakpoints list.

 

Note: All areas within the Edit tab of the PL/SQL Code Debugger window are dockable, i.e. you can drag an area to any location within the parent form.

 

The Logs tab of the PL/SQL Code Debugger window displays the debug log.

 

SQL Editor - Using Code Debugger

 

The Debug panel of the Navigation bar provides several debug commands:

iconDebug Start: this command is used to start the debugging session;

iconDebugger_Break Break: this command stops the current debugging session;

iconExecute Continue: use this command to continue execution up to the next breakpoint;

iconDebugger_StepOver Step over: traces the code disregarding the object body (procedure, function);

iconDebugger_TraceInto Trace into: traces the code using the object body (procedure, function);

iconDebugger_TraceOut Trace out: traces the code up to the point of leaving the object body (procedure, function);

iconDebugger_RunToException Run to exception: traces the code up to the nearest exception point;

iconDebugger_ToggleBreakpoint Toggle breakpoint: use this command to add/remove breakpoints;

iconClear Clear watches: allows you to clear the variables added to the Watches list.

 

The Watches list allows you to watch the variables that have been declared in the code, and the value of each variable. The following attributes are listed for each watched variable:

Watch name

Value

You can delete the selected watch by pressing the Del button.

 

The PL/SQL code area presents the statement being debugged. All points that have been set within the code are marked with corresponding signs. Active breakpoints are highlighted red, and inactive breakpoints are highlighted green.

 

The Call stack box lists the call stacks, if applicable.

 

The Breakpoints list displays the currently toggled breakpoints. The following attributes are listed for each breakpoint:

Line

Status

Unit owner

Unit name

 

Compile with debug info

To debug a PL/SQL object you need it to compile it with debug info. PL/SQL objects are: packages, package bodies, procedures, functions, triggers, object types, object type bodies.