Chapter 6: Advanced .NET Debugging with Visual Studio .NET


Overview

Although the Microsoft .NET Framework takes us past the age-old problem of memory corruptions and leaks, it still hasn't moved us into the realm of "the code does exactly what I mean, not what I type," which means that we still have all the fun of debugging and wondering where the bug lies. In this chapter, I want to cover specific strategies to help make your .NET debugging experiences less painful. I already mentioned some .NET debugging techniques using Visual Studio .NET in the last chapter, but in this chapter I'll go into more depth. We'll start by looking at a few things that are specific to debugging .NET applications of all stripes with Visual Studio .NET specifically, and then we'll move into various tricks and techniques related to .NET debugging in general. Finally, we'll finish up by learning how to use the Microsoft Intermediate Language Disassembler (ILDASM) and how to read Microsoft intermediate language (MSIL).

One new feature that's mentioned in conjunction with Visual Studio .NET 2003 that I won't talk about in this chapter (but will discuss later in the book) is the SOS (Son of Strike) debugger extension support. SOS extension support allows you to get .NET code information out of memory dumps and native debugging. I'll talk about SOS in Chapter 8 because I've found the SOS integration and usage to be much easier when used with WinDBG (strange, but true!) than when used with Visual Studio .NET. I strongly suggest you read the section on SOS if you have any possibility of getting memory dumps from your .NET applications.




Debugging Applications for Microsoft. NET and Microsoft Windows
Debugging Applications for MicrosoftВ® .NET and Microsoft WindowsВ® (Pro-Developer)
ISBN: 0735615365
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 177
Authors: John Robbins

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