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Debugger In Android

In this article, we will discuss about debugging in android.

What Is Debugging?

Debugging is the process of finding and resolving issues in a computer program.

Breakpoint

A break-point in software debugging is an intentional stopping and pausing place.

How To Add Break-Point In Android Studio?

To add a break-point on any line, click on the side-bar on the left-hand side. A red dot will appear. This red dot is the break point

Picture showing the break point in the android studio

Click to Enlarge

This is the first step before you start debugging from android studio.

Build Variant

This is another setting that you have to change. Build variant should always be debug. Please follow this link to change the build variant - http://gyansangrah.com/gyansangrah/article/multiple_versions_of_apk

How To Start Debugging In Android Studio?

You can start debugging using following options

Debug ‘app’ icon

Picture showing the debug app button in the android studio

Click to Enlarge

By pressing SHIFT + F9.
Go to Run and click on Debug ‘app’ option.

Picture showing the debug app menu option in the android studio

Click to Enlarge

Debug Window

When you run the debug option, a debug tag will appear.

Picture showing the debugger window in the android studio when the break point hits

Click to Enlarge

In this window, we will have a variable window where you can see the values of variables.

How To View All Break-Points In Android Studio

To view all the break-points, go to Run → View Breakpoints…

A window will appear to show all break-points

Picture showing the list of break points in android studio

Click to Enlarge

Step Over (F8) And Step Into (F7)

To explain this, consider the following piece of code

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

    PrintCommand();


}

public void PrintCommand() {
    Toast.makeText(this, "Print Activity", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}

If the break-point is on the PrintCommand method in onCreate method.

If you press F8 (Shortcut of step over), then the debugger will move to the next line i.e. closing parenthesis of onCreate method.

If you press F7 (Shortcut of step into), then the debugger will move into the PrintCommand function and debug the function body line by line.

Posted By -	Karan Gupta

Posted On -	Friday, December 6, 2019

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