Debugging a Dialogue Manager Procedure

The Web Console now has a Dialogue Manager Debugger tool. Using this tool, you can execute a procedure that contains Dialogue Manager commands while watching and changing the values of the Dialogue Manager variables in the procedure. You can set and remove breakpoints in the procedure, step into each line of code, step over execution of external procedures, continue to a breakpoint, execute an ad-hoc procedure, and open HOLD files created in the procedure. You can save the session information of one debug session.

While the procedure is executing, the Dialogue Manager Debugger shows the values of all local variables, global variables, and, if requested, system variables. If a TABLE request is executed, the debugger shows the FOCUS stack with the commands being executed. If a variable that has not been defined is used in the procedure, the Dialogue Manager Debugger prompts you for a value.

Note that when the Dialogue Manager Debugger is executing a procedure, it is not running that procedure in an interactive WebFOCUS environment, so interactive Dialogue Manager commands (such as -PROMPT) that require a response from the user are not executed. Also, you cannot edit the procedure in the debugger environment. If you want to edit the procedure, you must do it from the Applications page or in a text editor.

For more information, see the Server Administration technical content.