MDL V8 - Debugger Input and Output


Debugger Input & Output

Input to the debugger is always entered at a MicroStation keyboard.

The debugger's output goes to standard out, and the debugger uses some ANSI sequences in the output. The following are standard configurations for debugging with MDL:

Use two monitors but configure MicroStation for one. Start MicroStation from the monitor MicroStation will not use. All debugger output will go to the monitor where MicroStation was started.

Run with standard out directed to an external terminal or terminal emulator by redirecting MicroStation standard out from the command line or by using the MicroStation environment variable MS_DBGOUT to specify the output destination. For example, MS_DBGOUT=com1 writes all output to com1. The debugger uses the keyboard even if the output is redirected.

Run with standard out displayed to MicroStation's text window. This is the default method. If you start MicroStation from a screen that MicroStation uses and you do not specify MS_DBGOUT, then the debugger's output is displayed to MicroStation's text window.

A debugger command can be entered when the mdb> prompt displays in the debugger's output area. Multiple commands can be entered on one line. These commands must be separated by semicolons.

 

The debugger supports some command line editing. Characters can be entered anyplace in a command line that is being edited. Only insert mode is available.

 

Use the up arrow key to move back through the command history, and the down arrow key to move forward. To move through a command line, use the left and right arrow keys. Use the HOME key to move to the beginning of the command line. Use the END key to move to the end of the command line. Use the DELETE key to delete the character to the right of the cursor. Use the BACKSPACE key to delete the character to the left of the cursor. Use <Esc> to clear the command line.

 

You can suspend the debugger's output by pressing <Ctrl-S>; you can resume it by pressing any other key. You can abort the debugger's output by pressing <Ctrl-C>. <Ctrl-Break> also works, and since it overrides any other queued keystroke it may work faster. When the output is aborted, MDL displays the prompt and waits for another command.