workbench: how to see values of global variables during debugging

Question

Consdier the following package

BeginPackage["packageName`"];
   exportedFunction::usage = "...";
   Begin["`Private`"];
      globalVariable = Null;
      initializePackage[args___] := (globalVariable = workOn1[args]);
      exportedFunction[args___] := 
         Block[{localVariable},
            If[globalVariable===Null, Abort[]];
            localVariable = workOn2[globalVariable, args];
            workOn3[localVariable]
         ];
      workOn1[args___] := ...;
      workOn2[gv_, args___] := ...;
      workOn3[lv_] := ...;
   End[];
EndPackage[];

and assume that is being debugged in a workbench session, and that a break point has been set somewhere in exportedFunction. The debugger reports on the values of localVariable, but I can never see the value of globalVariable. Is there a way to inspect the value of globalVariable as well?

closely related: Inspecting non-variable state from a breakpoint in Workbench — WReach, Mar 26 '14 at 13:17
@WReach: I think, though I might be wrong, that this post is not closely related to the example you linked. In the exapmpel that you are pointing to the variable (a) is local. I am asking specifically about global variables. Did I missunderstood something? — zorank, Mar 31 '14 at 18:36

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:55

3

The Workbench's Expressions debugging view allows to evaluate any arbitrary expression, including global variables. While stopped at a breakpoint, press the Create a new watch expression button in the Expressions view and enter the name of the global variable as the expression. If the Expressions view is not visible, you can open it from the Workbench main menu using Window / Show View... / Expressions.

In contrast, if one wants to inspect a local variable x one must use the watch expression VariableValue[x].

We are not limited to referencing global and local variables. Any expression can be watched (see Inspecting non-variable state from a breakpoint in Workbench for a screenshot).

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:55

Community

1

answered Apr 01 '14 at 13:39

WReach

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I understand finally! I tried it though, and could not make it work. The expression (a global private variable in the package) never evaluates. Do I have to reference with the full name (including the context)? – zorank Apr 04 '14 at 15:36
1

@zorank Yes, a private variable would need to be fully qualified. For example, packageName`Private`globalVariable (from the question). – WReach Apr 05 '14 at 02:57
Domo arigato! It works! Just tested it. – zorank Apr 07 '14 at 09:19

workbench: how to see values of global variables during debugging

1 Answers1

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