How to debug unmanaged code? : Microsoft, Visual Studio, Pro 2008 (9.0), C#, C++, interop, managed, unmanaged, debug

May 17, 2008 01:31am pdt

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03.02.2008 at 01:26PM PST, ID: 23207987

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8.1

How to debug unmanaged code?

Zones: Visual Studio 2008, C++ Programming Language, C# Programming Language

Tags: Microsoft, Visual Studio, Pro 2008 (9.0), C#, C++, interop, managed, unmanaged, debug

I am calling functions in unmanaged dll from a C# application. I have source code for both unmanaged and managed parts. How can I debug/step into/etc the unmanaged code? Breakpoints (in C++ code) are not working. I put a breakpoint right before calling the unmanaged code & tried stepping in via disassembly. that is not working either. including '__asm int 3' in unmanaged code is causes the program to lockup.

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Question Stats

Zone: Microsoft

Question Asked By: jhshukla

Solution Provided By: jkr

Participating Experts: 1

Solution Grade: A

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03.02.2008 at 01:58PM PST, ID: 21027807

Rank: Genius

jkr:

Have you tried a 'DebugBreak()' (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms679297.aspx)?

03.02.2008 at 02:03PM PST, ID: 21027830

jhshukla:

OK, I managed to get it to point where upon triggering the breakpoint, it tells me that the breakpoint was hit & pauses. but it still does not show source code while running.
1. Set the unmanaged dll project as startup project
2. open property page for the dll project & go to debugging category
3. set command = the path to managed exe
4. debugger type = native or mixed. either is ok
5. the break point must be set using inline code, i.e. "__asm int 3"; __debugbreak(); or DebugBreak().

It also shows disassembly & call stack (with function addresses).

03.02.2008 at 02:11PM PST, ID: 21027871

Rank: Genius

jkr:

Try to put the symbol information file in the directory where the binaries reside to fix that.

Accepted Solution

03.02.2008 at 02:58PM PST, ID: 21028059

jhshukla:

Here is the directory structure:
SOLUTION_DIR
+---Carrom.NET // C# project dir
| +---bin
| | \---Debug // managed.exe
| +---obj
| | \---Debug // managed.exe (probably created here first & then copied above)
| | \---TempPE
| +---Properties
| \---Resources
+---CarromObjs
| \---Debug // unmanaged.objs
\---Debug // unmanaged.dll & unmanaged.pdb

Where should I put the pdb?
I tried putting it in Carrom.NET\bin\Debug and in Carrom.NET\obj\Debug. neither shows any change from above.
However when I put the pdb in bin\Debug and run managed.exe separately, i.e. independent of VS2008, there a dialog box prompts me to debug or close the app. I can see source code from here. But not if I start debugging from within VS. I guess VS is not loading the symbols.

03.02.2008 at 03:12PM PST, ID: 21028096

Rank: Genius

jkr:

Actually, any directory in your symbol path is fine. See http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/x54fht41.aspx ("How to: Specify a Symbol Path")

03.02.2008 at 07:29PM PST, ID: 21028874

jhshukla:

sorry, it's not working. I even restarted VS thinking that it might reload environment settings.
Do you need any other info?

03.02.2008 at 07:40PM PST, ID: 21028904

Rank: Genius

jkr:

Any error messages by VS?

03.02.2008 at 08:55PM PST, ID: 21029075

jhshukla:

nope. and VS is loading the symbols. In the output window I see: 'Carrom.NET.exe': Loaded 'C:\...\Carrom.NET\Debug\CarromObjs.dll', Symbols loaded.

03.02.2008 at 09:03PM PST, ID: 21029096

jhshukla:

I found this: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/54k86cs4.aspx (Why Don't My DLL Breakpoints Work?)
My problem seems to fall under the first case described.

03.02.2008 at 09:26PM PST, ID: 21029151

jhshukla:

I don't know what fixed it but at this point it is working. I chose to use __debugbreak() instead of DebugBreak() because it is nothing but inlined 'int 3'.

20080236-EE-VQP-29 / EE_QW_2_20070628