Creating Debugger Visualizers with Visual Studio 2005
With debugger visualizers, you can define the information you would like to see about a specific .NET or custom class during debug mode. And as the name suggests, you can also choose how you would like to visualize these details.
by Julia Lerman
April 1, 2005
ne of the many cool new features in Visual Studio 2005 is the debugger visualizer. Debug info is no longer limited to what comes in the box with Visual Studio .NET. Visual Studio 2005's new debugger visualizers enable you to inspect classes in more useful and complex ways. You can write your own visualizer for .NET classes or custom classes to see the information that you find useful while debugging. In addition, Microsoft has written a handful of helpful visualizers to get you started.
Visual Studio 2005 has some pre-existing visualizers that you will discover during debug mode. You can access the visualizers by using a dropdown list on the left side of the new DataTips between the selection and its value. (Note that prior to the November Community Technical Preview (aka CTP), the dropdown was on the right. You will find the new position much more convenient.) For example, if you point to a string object in Debug mode as in Figure 1, or even an actual string as in Figure 2, you will have access to three debugger visualizers: Text, XML, or HTML.
It's quick, easy and you get access to all the articles on DevX.
This registration/login is to allow you to read articles on devx.com. Already a member?
To become a member of DevX.com create your Member Profile by completing the form below. Membership is free!
ne of the many cool new features in Visual Studio 2005 is the debugger visualizer. Debug info is no longer limited to what comes in the box with Visual Studio .NET. Visual Studio 2005's new debugger visualizers enable you to inspect classes in more useful and complex ways. You can write your own visualizer for .NET classes or custom classes to see the information that you find useful while debugging. In addition, Microsoft has written a handful of helpful visualizers to get you started.
