VS2010 Beta 2 : Pin to Source for debugging – COOL! But with a caveat

Friday, October 23 2009 - dotNET

There’s a new debug feature called Pin to Source.

You can use it from a DataTip or the from context menu.

Here’s the pin on the DataTip. You need to click it to engage it and then click again to pin it down.

ptsa

When you want to inspect a variable, this will leave the DataTip hanging around in the code window while you continue debugging. (Another benefit of the new WPF code editor.)

 ptsb

So as I continue debugging, I can scroll back to that code line and the DataTip is still there.

You can even add notes to the tip.

 ptsc

The only downside is that the designers of this decided not to add yet another item to the context menu. Instead they have grouped the QuickWatch, Add Watch and new Pin to Source items in a sub menu under Expression:. I use the QuickWatch window all of the time and the extra step is really hard for me to get used to.

 

watch

#1 Steve Bohlen on 10.23.2009 at 11:40 AM

I too make extensive use of the QuickWatch window, but near-always just access it with CRTL-F9 vs. context menu; assume this approach will still work in VS2010...?

#2 Rich on 10.23.2009 at 4:15 PM

Thanks for the feedback (I'm the guy who wrote this). We've had a bunch of folks complain about the new popout menu. Hopefully we'll be able to change it before RC.

#3 Julie on 10.23.2009 at 4:21 PM

Hey, cool Rich. Now I don't have to bother with submitting to connect. :)

#4 Kirti on 10.26.2009 at 12:37 AM

nice

#5 usama wahab khan on 10.27.2009 at 1:47 AM

its really wonderfulness its really help allot thank to Microsoft again

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