Debug Mode Compile Options

In AcuBench, a mode is a set of compile options, runtime options, environment variables, and library options for a project. Debug Mode is one of two predefined modes in the workbench. In Debug Mode, the Include all debugging information (-Ga) compile option is automatically set, as well as the standard Name of object file (-o) and Ignore CBLFLAGS environmental variable (-x) options. For remote debugging, the Name of remote object file (-o) option is also set.

To select Debug Mode, use the Project > Set Active Mode command or select Debug Mode from the list box on the Project toolbar. You can also select Debug Mode in the Project Settings dialog box. More information about modes and how to add and delete them in AcuBench can be found in Modes.

AcuBench allows three levels of debugging: source, symbolic, and low. Source level debugging lets you view your source code while you are debugging. With symbolic debugging, your source code is hidden, but the Output window displays any error messages and warnings. To access the low-level debugging function from within AcuBench, compile with the -d option. Refer to the ACUCOBOL-GT User's Guide for further information on these three levels of debugging.

Before you enter the AcuBench debugger, you should compile your program with at least one of the following compile options available from the Project Settings dialog box:

-Ga Turns on all debugging options
-Gd Includes the source code in the compiled object file
-Gl Includes line number information
-Gs     Includes extra symbol information for symbolic debugging. This allows AcuBench to traverse the symbol table of the COBOL program and show group data items in a tree view control
-Gy Includes minimal symbol information for basic symbolic debugging

You can change debug compiler options in the Project Settings dialog box. Simply select the Compiler tab, choose Debugger Options from the catalog drop-down list box, clear the -Ga option, and select from among the other listed options.