Debugging C++ code with VIM editor

17 Sep 2023

Debugging

VIM editor is a powerful and widely used text editor among developers. While it may not have a built-in debugger like some other IDEs, it still provides several useful features to help you debug C++ code effectively.

Here are some tips and tricks to debug your C++ code using VIM:

1. Compile with Debugging Symbols

When compiling your C++ code, it’s essential to include debugging symbols that will help in the debugging process. Use the -g flag while compiling to include these symbols. For example:

g++ -g myfile.cpp -o mybinary

2. Set Breakpoints

To set breakpoints in your code, you can use the :break command in VIM. Place the cursor on the line where you want to set a breakpoint and execute the command. For example, to set a breakpoint on line 10, use the following command in normal mode:

:break 10

3. Run the Program

To run your C++ program within VIM, use the :! command followed by the binary file’s name. For example, if your binary file is named mybinary, type the following command in normal mode:

:!./mybinary

This will execute your program, and it will halt execution when it encounters the breakpoints you set.

When your program hits a breakpoint, you can debug it using the following commands:

:next or n: Execute the next line of code.
:step or s: Step into a function call.
:finish or f: Continue until the current function returns.
:continue or c: Continue executing until the next breakpoint is encountered.

These commands help you navigate through your code during the debugging process.

5. Inspecting Variables

To inspect the values of variables during debugging, you can use the :print command. For example, to check the value of a variable x, use the following command:

:print x

6. Viewing Stack Trace

In case your program encounters an exception or crash, you can view the stack trace to identify the cause. Use the :backtrace command in VIM to get a detailed stack trace.

Conclusion

While VIM may not offer an integrated debugger, it provides several useful commands that can help you effectively debug your C++ code. By setting breakpoints, navigating through code, inspecting variables, and using other debugging features, you can quickly identify and fix issues in your C++ programs.

#C++ #Debugging