How To Load an Executable File into the Visual C++ Debugger (138081)


The information in this article applies to:

  • The Integrated Debugger, when used with:
    • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions 4.0
    • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 5.0
    • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 5.0
    • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 6.0
    • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 6.0
    • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition 6.0
This article was previously published under Q138081

SUMMARY

If you have the Visual C++ developer studio (Msdev.exe) running, you can load an executable file for the purpose of debugging without loading the associated workspace.

MORE INFORMATION

To load the .exe file, click Open Workspace on the File menu, and enter the name of the executable including the .exe suffix. The .pdb file must either be at the location specified by the executable file or must be in the same directory as the executable file. Source files can be loaded by clicking Open on the File menu. When you finish debugging, you will be asked if you want to save the workspace information. This way the files you've loaded will be reloaded in future debugging sessions.

As in versions 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2, versions 4.0 and 5.0 executables can also be debugged if loaded as a command line option as in this example: 
   MSDEV Test.exe
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/1/2004
Keywords:kbhowto KB138081
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