Debugging

In the world of software development, debugging techniques, including breakpoints and step-by-step execution, are indispensable. This is also true for the no-code automation software XenoGuard, to effectively inspect and optimize ActionScripts.

The following techniques assist you in troubleshooting:

• Debugging: This process helps you identify errors or inconsistencies in your ActionScripts. With XenoGuard's integrated debugging tools, you can pause your script at specific points and inspect the current state of actions to analyze precisely how your script behaves. This enables you to efficiently identify and fix error sources in your script.

• Breakpoints: They are an essential tool in the world of software development and automation, and they are crucial in XenoGuard as well. These small markers in the code allow users to precisely control and monitor the execution flow of their ActionScripts.

• Step-by-Step Execution: This special function allows you to execute your ActionScript step by step. Each action is processed one after the other, allowing you to closely track how data and states change after each action. This technique is particularly valuable if you want to understand the exact process of your script in XenoGuard or if you need to determine where the script might not be functioning as expected.

Setting and Deleting Breakpoints

Breakpoints in XenoGuard are a valuable feature for efficiently and precisely debugging ActionScripts. They can be placed directly within the ActionScripts, preferably at points where you wish to pause the execution and inspect the current state of the script.

Press F9 to set a breakpoint. A red dot next to the action marks it. An empty red circle indicates that the breakpoint is deactivated (as shown in the image). Use the same F9 key to set and remove breakpoints. With XenoGuard, you can place multiple breakpoints simultaneously in different scripts to pause execution exactly where you want to inspect.

Once a breakpoint is activated and the script reaches that point, the execution immediately pauses. This allows you to conduct a detailed examination of the current variables and results to identify potential issues. You can then choose to continue the execution step-by-step in single-step mode or let the script continue by pressing F5. If the script encounters another active breakpoint, the execution pauses again, giving you another opportunity to review the data.

Breakpoints Window

All set breakpoints are displayed in the Breakpoints Window.

Starting a Script in Single-Step Mode

To start a script in single-step mode and pause at the first action, use the F10 key. Continue the single-step execution using F10 as well. This corresponds to the Step command in the ribbon menu:

Step-Into

When XenoGuard pauses during single-step execution at the Script Start action, you can jump directly into the child script using the F11 key and continue the single-step execution there. Alternatively, using the F10 key will skip the script call and continue as usual.

Canceling Script Execution

The Stop command or the CTRL+B keyboard shortcut can be used to prematurely terminate script execution. This also works during single-step execution.

Inspecting Data During Debugging

In XenoGuard, you always have the option to thoroughly analyze data and variables. In single-step mode, after each executed step, the previous action opens up, showing all its parameters. The contents of variables are also displayed when you hover over them with the mouse cursor, with the value appearing in a tooltip. This allows you to keep track of the current operations in the script and easily understand which data is being processed.

Command Overview

Button	Action	Description
Ribbon Menu
	[F5]	Start or continue script execution
	[F10]	Start or continue script in single-step mode
	-	Pause at the next action in the current script
	[CTRL]+[B]	Terminate script execution
	[CTRL]+[R]	Reset script and delete all results
Ribbon Sub-Menu
	[F11]	Continue single-step execution in child script
	[CTRL]+[SHIFT]+[Pause]	Pause at the next action (including in child script)
	[CTRL]+[SHIFT]+[B]	Terminate all running scripts
	[CTRL]+[SHIFT]+[R]	Reset all scripts
Context Menu
	-	Execute selected action(s)
	-	Pause at selected action
ActionScript Toolbar
	[F9]	Set or delete breakpoint
	[CTRL+F9]+[CTRL+P]	Jump to previous breakpoint
	[CTRL+F9]+[CTRL+N]	Jump to next breakpoint
	[CTRL+B]+[CTRL+T]	Set or delete bookmark
	[CTRL+B]+[CTRL+P]	Jump to previous bookmark
	[CTRL+B]+[CTRL+N]	Jump to next bookmark

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