VS debugging and watching a variable for changes

Question

I have a property inside a class that is getting changed by something. The only place I change the value of this code is a line that looks like this:

pushpin.Pos         


        

Answer 1

You can set a conditional breakpoint by setting the bp and then right-click to specify a condition upon which to break at that line.

You can add a 'Watch' to a variable and specify to break anywhere/anytime the value changes.

Answer 2

You need to set a data breakpoint. A data breakpoint will cause the debugger to break when a certain memory address has changed.

More detailed description and instructions how to set a data breakpoint.

Answer 3

If this is a property then you can do this by adding a breakpoint to the set method of the property. Putting the cursor in the set statement and hit F9 will create the break point.

If this is a field then there's no way to watch this directly. Breaking when a field changes a value is a supported operation in C++, known as data break points, but is not supported in the CLR. The best work around is to convert the field to a property temporarily and break on the set statement.

EDIT

Updating based on OP saying it's a 3rd party DLL.

In this case you want to use the Break at Function feature of Visual Studio. The first step is to disable Just My Code.

• Tools -> Options -> Debugger
• Uncheck "Enable Just My Code"

Next actually set the named break point

• Open up the break points window (Debugger -> Windows -> Break Points)
• Click on the new button and select "Break at function"
• Enter the name of the property. For example: Position.set_Altitude

You may need to fully qualify the name in order to get it to work