A Comprehensive Visual Debugger For Error Resolution in C++
Shailaja Nilesh Uke, Abheerav Patankar, Aaditya Patil, Srujan Patwardhan, Swaraj Phand · 2024
This paper introduces a sophisticated visual debugger that seamlessly integrates $\mathrm{C}++$ code analysis with $\mathrm{C} \mathrm{\#}$ WPF visualisation for an enhanced debugging experience. The tool operates by extracting symbol information from target $\mathrm{C}++$ source files during debugging sessions, utilizing PDB files, specifically tailored for the Visual Studio environment. The core functionality of the tool involves the extraction and storage of symbol information within a meticulously designed stack frame and stack trace classes. Leveraging C++ capabilities, the project captures not only call stack information but also variables and data structures associated with each stack frame, providing a comprehensive view of the program’s execution state. To facilitate interoperability and visualization, the project employs a marshalling mechanism to seamlessly transfer the extracted data from the C++ backend to a C# WPF frontend. The Windows Presentation Foundation application serves as an intuitive and interactive interface, presenting the call stack alongside associated variables and data structures in a visually appealing manner. This tool is positioned to significantly enhance the debugging process for developers working in $\mathrm{C}++$ within the Visual Studio environment. By seamlessly integrating symbol extraction, data structuring, marshalling, and visualization, it provides a holistic and efficient solution for diagnosing complex code scenarios. The resulting visualization aids developers in gaining a deeper understanding of their code’s execution flow, enabling quicker identification and resolution of issues during the debugging process.