Re: Using the Perl Debugger (-d)

[rinceWind]

There was a poll once: I usually debug via..., which would seem to suggest that you are in good company.

I have found myself reaching for the debugger when trying to identify and fix problems in somebody else's code. Under these circumstances, I am reluctant to drop extra print or warn statements into the code, just to find out what is going on. The code could be a CPAN module I'm trying to use, or an example script.

Since learning the basics of perl5db (perl -d), I have been using it on my own code, sometimes to quickly rectify some caffeine deficient blonde moments. I also use it to debug old code of my own that I've forgotten the fine details of.

If perl5db is too scary, there's also Devel::ptkdb which has a much lower entry bar, especially for those not brought up on the command line.