Supported Visual Studio Breakpoint Features

Dependent Breakpoints

A dependent breakpoint only executes if another breakpoint is first hit.

Available in Visual Studio 2022

To create a dependent breakpoint:

1. Click on the left margin of the line you want the first breakpoint to occur.
2. Click on the left margin of the line you want the dependent breakpoint to occur.
3. Hover over the dependent breakpoint and click the Settings icon.
4. Select the Only enable when the following breakpoint is hit check box.
5. Click on the drop down menu and select the first breakpoint.

Temporary Breakpoints

A temporary breakpoint is executed once and deletes itself upon execution.

Available in Visual Studio 2022

To create a temporary breakpoint:

1. Click on the left margin of the line where you want the breakpoint to occur.
2. Hover over the breakpoint and click the Settings icon.
3. Select the Remove breakpoint once hit check box.

Force Run To Cursor

Force Run To Cursor disables all breakpoints until the program hits the line specified as Force Run To Cursor.

Available in Visual Studio 2022

to enable Force Run To Cursor:

1. Right-click the line of code you want to specify as Force Run To Cursor.
2. Select Force Run To Cursor.

Drag and Drop Breakpoints

Breakpoints can be dragged into new locations in the code and while retaining their current settings.

Available in Visual Studio 2022

TracePoints

TracePoints allow you to log information to the Output window under configurable conditions without modifying or stopping your code. This feature does not create a breakpoint in the code.

Available in Visual Studio 2015/2017/2019/2022

to create a tracepoint:

1. Create a breakpoint by clicking on the left margin of the line you want the tracepoint to occur.
2. Hover over the breakpoint and click the Settings icon.
3. Select the Actions check box.
4. Type the desired message into the Show a message in the Output Window text box.

The breakpoint icon will appear as a diamond to indicate it is now a tracepoint.

NOTE: For more information on the features above, see the following link: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/debugger/using-breakpoints?view=vs-2022