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Perl IDE and Stack

by saintex (Scribe)
on Dec 11, 2010 at 17:22 UTC ( [id://876610]=perlquestion: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??

saintex has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hello Monks,
I'm searching for a IDE (PADRE, EPIC?) that shows variables status on the stack and on the heap, while the program is running.

It exists?

If exists, please can you suggest me one of these with such features?
Thank you!

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Perl IDE and Stack
by chrestomanci (Priest) on Dec 11, 2010 at 20:50 UTC

    I am not entirely sure what you mean by stack and heap variables, as those terms make more sense with C programs that have explicitly allocated memory (malloc and free).

    I am guessing that you want to be able to examine variables that are in scope in the current function, variables in scope in the functions that called the current function further up the call stack, and global and perl internal variables that are in scope everywhere.

    I have used both EPIC and Devel::ptkdb and they will both allow you to examine variables further up the call stack. In each case you get a graphical representation of the stack, with the current function at the top, and if you click on other stack frames the dialog box of current variables in scope and their values, and the source code viewer both change.

    EPIC will show you all local variables in scope by default, but you can chose to show global and perl internal ones as well if you like, though I rarely find it useful to do so. With ptkdb you have to specify the variables you are interested in, so you can specify any type of variable, but it will not show you a list of all in scope. This means less clutter, but you don't get a counitously updating view of variables as you step through a program, unless you setup those variables first.

    Having said that, In most cases, I usually prefer to use the perl command line debugger, as it gives me more control, compared with the graphical alternatives, which feel to cumbersome. I have also found that the EPIC debugger crashes fairly often, so these days I mostly use EPIC as a perl editor but not a debugger.

    I have not hand any success with the debugger within Padre, again it always crashes for me, so I tend to use Padre as an editor for quick jobs.

      We know that the debugger in Padre is far from being good but I am not sure we saw reports about it crashing frequently. We would be happy to see your reports or even better if you could give us a hand fixing it. After all it is written in Perl.

      The best way to contact the developers is via IRC or via our mailing list

        Thank you all for replies!!
Re: Perl IDE and Stack
by wjw (Priest) on Dec 12, 2010 at 06:13 UTC

    I like Devel:ptkdb for the following reasons:

    • It has been rock solid on multiple platforms for me.
    • I can save the current configuration, which includes any variables I have added to the watch list. So the next time I go in to debug, those I have set up in the saved session are available.

    Other graphical IDE/debug tools like DDD, Komodo, EPIC ... are ok, but less reliable and a bit clunky for my tastes.

    • ...the majority is always wrong, and always the last to know about it...
    • The Spice must flow...
    • ..by my will, and by will alone.. I set my mind in motion
Re: Perl IDE and Stack
by LanX (Saint) on Dec 12, 2010 at 01:28 UTC

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