.gif) | BreakpointsVisual Basic Express makes it easy to essentially "pause" your application while running. Simply add a breakpoint to the line of code that you want to examine more closely. You can then step through each line of code and examine the state of all variables as the code executes. This is incredibly useful for tracking down pesky bugs! |
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.gif) | Instant feedback on your codeThe Visual Basic compiler is constantly running in the background, so your errors are displayed immediately using squiggly lines. This can help you find errors as you type, without needing to wait until you compile the program. |
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.gif) | Edit and ContinueEdit and Continue (E&C) is a feature that enables you, while on a breakpoint, to change your source code in mid-execution. You can add new code, update existing code, or change variable values. You can even rewind your application to execute your newly updated code by simply dragging up the yellow insertion point arrow in the left column to the line of code you want to execute. |
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.gif) | AutoCorrectAutoCorrect is a Visual Basic feature that, like Microsoft Word, provides context-sensitive squiggly lines to help to fix errors in your code. The AutoCorrect feature in Visual Basic Express watches for errors and presents a small warning icon where the error occurred. Clicking the warning icon displays suggestions for fixing the problem. Double-clicking a suggestion inserts the corrected code. In this diagram you see what happens when you declare a Load event handler without a closing End Sub statement. |
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.gif) | Exception AssistantThe Exception Assistant provides detailed information about any exceptions you encounter when debugging your application, and more importantly, it also provides recommendations for how to fix any errors. |
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.gif) | Debugger Data TipsDebugger Data Tips provide support for quickly inspecting variables while debugging your Windows application. To use debugger Data Tips, simply place your mouse cursor over a type and you can then drill directly into the type's content. |
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.gif) | Debugger VisualizersWhen examining variables, it is easy to make sense of a simple numeric type, but more complex types (such as an XML file) may be harder to visualize. Debugger Visualizers provide a visual representation of your objects so that you can "see" your data while debugging. For example, you can see a graphical representation of an XML string, such as an RSS feed using the XML Visualizer. |
.gif) | You can also use the DataSet Visualizer to easily view and navigate the contents of a DataSet. |
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