Where's the debugger?

[Clox]

Where's the nice debugger I used to have?
When I was using flash about 2 years ago i could go to debug > debug movie (ctrl+shift+efter) and i would get a window where i could examine each and every object and check their variables and everything, which was really nice.
now when i do that i just get a window with the text

Attemping to launch and connect to Player using URL C:\Documents and Settings\Oscar\Mina dokument\Flash\Test\game.swf
[SWF] C:\Documents and Settings\Oscar\Mina dokument\Flash\Test\game.swf - 2456 bytes after decompression


why is that? how do i get the nice debugger?
Thanks in advance =)

[dr_zeus]

It sounds like you may have installed the "release" version of Flash Player, which does not support debugging. You need the "debug" version. The latest version is available here:

http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads.html#fp9

[Clox]

thanks for your reply dr_zeus, I did what you said, installed the debugger but it didnt seem to make any difference.
i then went to Adobe Flash CS3\Players\Debug\FlashPlayer.exe, and tried to open the swf with that, but it a messagewindow came up saying "Where is the debugger or host application running?" and if i choose "local host", that message will just keep coming up, and if i click cancel the swf will just start playing as normal.. =\

any idea how to fix this?

help is really apreciated...

[Takster]

Well one thing I have learned since using the Flash CS3 IDE is to add breakpoints to the AS code. When you do this and start the debugging all the data starts showing up. This debugger is VERY powerful. If you want a lot more information on it, buy the greatest Actionscript book ever. The ACTIONSCRIPT 3.0 BIBLE. Amazon.com has it fairly cheap and it is great to have around and to read through.

[Clox]

Well one thing I have learned since using the Flash CS3 IDE is to add breakpoints to the AS code. When you do this and start the debugging all the data starts showing up. This debugger is VERY powerful. If you want a lot more information on it, buy the greatest Actionscript book ever. The ACTIONSCRIPT 3.0 BIBLE. Amazon.com has it fairly cheap and it is great to have around and to read through.

Tried that but it didnt seem to make any real difference...

The debugger i used 2 years ago was so nice.. I used it all the time.
It would show every single objects, and you could expland them and see what variables and properties they contained, and expland arrays and so on and check everything during runtime..

that would help me so much right now.

[Takster]

I have been using the new debugger and it allows you to go through everything. Shows you all variables. The key to the new breakpoint method is where you put the breakpoints. I use to use the old debugger from flash 8, and trust me, once you learn the new one it will make everything much easier.

[Clox]

I have been using the new debugger and it allows you to go through everything. Shows you all variables. The key to the new breakpoint method is where you put the breakpoints. I use to use the old debugger from flash 8, and trust me, once you learn the new one it will make everything much easier.

i see. sounds good, if i just could figure out how... =\

[Takster]

Well there are a couple areas i like to put breakpoints. When I assign a value to a variable, that way I can see if it is getting the right value and not something that is undefined or null. When I give an XML object a lot of data. That way I can see everythign that is loaded. And at key points in the application so I can see if everything is where it should be before it continues. I know that the new debugger is different. But it is a lot easier to go through once you get the hang of it. But the key to being able to find what you want is to put the breakpoint where it is needed. I think that will be the hardest part of the new debugger.

[Clox]

Hmm.. Okay, before I didnt have to add any breakpoints at all, I could always use the debugger to see any data i'd wantd no matter what.

Could you attach a fla with breakpoints where you know the debugger is is doing it's job? So I could see if its maybe something else that's wrong..
That would be really apreciated.
Thanks

[Takster]

Ok here is a quick sample. I am extremely tired right now so pardon me if the comments seam a little confusing. I hope this shows you a bit about how breakpoints work. :cool: if you have more questions I will be on and off this site throughout the day.

[Clox]

Ah, I see the problem now.
each time i do Debug Movie I have to go to Window>Debug Panels>Debug Console, then Window>Debug Panels>Variables

Thanks for the help Takster, that's really apreciated =)

Any way I can get the Debug Console and Variables window to open automatically when debugging? It's quite tedious to open them manually each time...

Thanks again =)

[Takster]

Um I am not sure how to get them to open automaticly. They have always opened up right away when I start debugging.