Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process

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The process of locating and fixing errors in your application is known as debugging. There are no magic tricks to debugging, and there is no fixed sequence of steps that works every time. Basically, debugging helps you understand what is happening when your application runs.

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Nội dung Text: Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process

Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process 1 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process Contents Overview 4 Overview of the Debug Process 5 Release Builds and Debug Builds 6 Introduction to the Kernel Debugger 11 Kernel Debugger Windows 14 Demonstration: Kernel Debugger Windows 21 Understanding Windows CE Remote Tools 22 Other Debugging Techniques 30 Other Debugging Techniques (continued) 32 Review 34
2 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process Information in this document, including URL and other Internet Web site references, is subject to change without notice. Unless otherwise noted, the example companies, organizations, products, domain names, e-mail addresses, logos, people, places, and events depicted herein are fictitious, and no association with any real company, organization, product, domain name, e-mail address, logo, person, places or events is intended or should be inferred. Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of the user. Without limiting the rights under copyright, no part of this document may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), or for any purpose, without the express written permission of Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document. Except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Microsoft, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property.  2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT, Visual Studio are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S.A. and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process 3 Overview Overview of the Debug Process Introduction to the Kernel Debugger Kernel Debugger Windows Understanding Windows CE Remote Tools Other Debugging Techniques The process of locating and fixing errors in your application is known as debugging. There are no magic tricks to debugging, and there is no fixed sequence of steps that works every time. Basically, debugging helps you understand what is happening when your application runs. Every development environment is supported by special debugging tools. Debugging tools give you a snapshot of the current state of your application. In this module, you learn about the Windows CE .NET debugging process. You also learn about the different tools and techniques offered by Windows CE .NET to make debugging simple and easy. After completing this module, you will be able to: Describe the Windows CE .NET debug process. Describe the use of kernel debugger. Identify the various kernel debugger window. Identify the use of the remote tools supported by Platform Manager. Recognize alternative debugging techniques.
4 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process Overview of the Debug Process Release Builds and Debug Builds Building a Kernel Debug Image Building a Driver Debug Image Setting Debug Transport In this section, you will learn to differentiate between release and retail builds, and kernel debug image and driver debug image. You will learn how to build debug images and driver debug images. Then, you will also learn how to set debug transport.
Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process 5 Release Builds and Debug Builds Release Build (Retail Image) Built for deployment in the end product Debug Build Creates an operating system image capable of attaching to the debug tools of the Platform Builder Two Techniques for Building Debug Images Kernel Debug Image Driver Debug Image Debug Drivers are DLLS built in debug mode containg debug messages Before you debug a platform, you must build an operating system image that can be debugged after it is downloaded to a target. When you create a project, the IDE automatically creates both a debug configuration and a release configuration, with default options set for each. Depending on which configuration you choose, you can build either a debug operating system image or a release operating system image. In addition, you can build a debugger operating system image that uses the kernel debugger. Release Build / Retail Image A Release build, also known as a Retail image, is the one which is built for deployment in the end product. It does not contain the kernel stub which is used to attach to the kernel debugger. It therefore boots without the connection to the IDE debugger necessary for a debug image. It does not build the object files used by the debugger to watch variables in any given dll. It also does not contain the debug driver builds which are compiled with debug zones and debug messages. The release build: Uses .lib files from the directory %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Common\Oak\Lib\\Retail Places object files in a Release directory Provides no symbolic debugging information Is optimized for maximum speed Has a smaller image size than either a debug or a debugger image Debug Build In order to use the debug tools provided in the Platform Builder IDE, you must first build a Debug image that is capable of attaching to them. A Debug build: Uses .lib files from the directory %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Common\Oak\Lib\\Debug
6 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process Places object files in a Debug directory Provides full symbolic debugging information, in Microsoft format Provides Ethernet debug functions Provides ability to turn debug zones on and off No optimization. Optimization generally makes debugging more difficult. The Debug image contains two independently controllable debugging techniques: Kernel Debug Image Driver Debug Image You can build an image capable of attaching to the kernel debugger which does not contain debug drivers and vice versa. Kernel Debug Image The Kernel Debug Image contains a debug version of the kernel that includes KdStub. This build is required for using the kernel debugger. Driver Debug Image A Driver Debug Image is built with debug drivers. These are DLLs which have been built in debug mode so they contain debug messages. They are also concurrently built with their object files. Object files are used by the kernel debugger for watching variables within the driver. There are three ways to build debug images: 1. Full Kernel Debug image including debug drivers (this is the default debug build and the most common technique). 2. Kernel Debug image without debug drivers (Debug configuration with Build Type set to Retail.). 3. Driver Debug image without KdStub (Retail configuration with Build Type set to Debug).
Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process 7 Building a Kernel Debug Image Two ways to build a Kernel Debug Image: Set the Active Configuration by using the drop-down menu Access the Platform Settings property sheet and independentl y control how your image is built There are two ways to set Microsoft Windows CE Platform Builder to build a Kernel Debug image: From the Platform Builder toolbar, you can set the Active Configuration by using the dropdown menu. A Debug image setup in this way will have both the kdstub for kernel debugging and also the debug drivers. Alternatively, you can access the Platform Settings property sheet and independently control whether your image is built with kernel integrated debugging functionality or debug drivers.
8 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process Building a Driver Debug Image If you change the Active Configuration for the Platform from retail to debug, the default behavior changes both kernel debugging and driver debugging By setting the Build Type to Debug, you are setting up the build to create debug drivers If you change the Active Configuration for the Platform from Retail to Debug, the default behavior changes both kernel debugging and driver debugging. By setting the Build Type to Debug, you are setting up the build to create debug drivers.
Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process 9 Setting Debug Transport Select a transport: Ethernet or Serial The Kernel Independent Transport Layer (KITL) transport is used for communication between the host computer and the target device Platform Manager uses the KITL transport to download and boot the operating system on a target device KITL allows to transfer an operating system image to the target device and perform various forms of debugging To enable the debugging connection, you must select a transport. The transport can be either Ethernet or serial. You can use the Services property sheet of the Configure Remote Connection dialog box. To access the Configure Remote Connection dialog box, from the Target menu, click Configure Remote Connection. The Kernel Independent Transport Layer (KITL) transport is used for communication between the host computer and the target device over any hardware for which the manufacturer supplies an appropriate transport. The KITL transport will download and boot the operating system on a target device. KITL allows remote tools to connect to the target device over the same channel used by the kernel debugger. KITL allows you to transfer an operating system image to the target device and perform various forms of debugging. In previous versions of the Windows CE operating system, only a small number of hard-wired transports were capable of working with communications hardware. KITL is an abstraction layer that makes the physical transport transparent to the tools. This removes the need for development boards and legacy connections to debug the kernel. By using KITL, you can define your own services to communicate between applications running on the development workstation and applications running the target device. To connect to a target device with KITL, you must first configure the connection to the target device using Windows CE Platform Manager.
10 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process Introduction to the Kernel Debugger About the Kernel Debugger Starting the Kernel Debugger In this section, you will learn about the differences between the kernel debugger and the application debugger. You will also learn how to start the debugger.
Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process 11 About the Kernel Debugger Requires a special operating system version Remains active after the DLL being debugged stops DLL remains active after stopping the debugger Can debug modules loaded by Execute-in-Place (XIP) applications Platform Builder provides a kernel debugger that allows you to trace virtually any code, ranging from device drivers to high-level applications. This is different from the application debuggers provided in the Visual Studio. The kernel debugger behaves differently than an application debugger. The major differences are: The kernel debugger requires a special Debug Build of the operating system while an application debugger does not. In order to attach an image to the kernel debugger, you must build an image with the debug kernel. This kernel has a special stub (KdStub) added to the image during the build. When an application being debugged stops, the kernel debugger remains active. An application debugger stops as soon as the debugged application ends. When you stop debugging in the kernel debugger, the system continues to run. With an application debugger, the application is terminated as soon as the debugger is stopped. The kernel debugger can debug modules loaded by Execute-in-Place (XIP) applications.
12 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process Starting the Kernel Debugger Create a Debug Image of the operating system Download the Debug Image to the device Start the debugger Check the debugger status in the Status Bar To make the best use of the kernel debugger, you will most likely want to build a complete debug version of the operating system. You should build debug drivers which incorporate all the symbols, and disables optimizations. It is possible to kernel debug a driver retail build of the operating system, but you lose the information on symbols that helps you to know where you are in the operating system. Create a Debug Image of the Operating System From the Build menu, select a target type that has the word Debug in it, such as Win32 (WCE PPC821) Debug. All other build actions are the same as for a non-debug build. Download the Debug Image to the Device Download the image as normal. Start the Debugger If you built and download a debug image, the kernel debugger starts automatically on system startup. Open the individual windows of the kernel debugger by using the View menu, under Debug Windows. Check the Debugger Status Check the status of the debugger using the status monitor by clicking on it in the Status Bar.
Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process 13 Kernel Debugger Windows Source Code and Disassembly Windows Watch Window Variables Window Call Stack and Registers Windows Advanced Memory Dialog Box In this section, you will learn about the different windows present in kernel debugger that help you in the process of debugging.
14 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process Source Code and Disassembly Windows Source code window displays the program code so that you can execute it step by step Disassembly window: Shows each line of code in black with its corresponding assembly instructions in gray Disassembly window debugs optimized code The source code window displays the program code so that you can execute it step by step. The Disassembly window shows each line of code in black with its corresponding assembly instructions in gray. The Disassembly window is very useful. For instance, you may have several C instructions in the same line. In such a situation, you will not be able to trace each instruction separately in the source code window, but you will be able to do so easily using the Disassembly window. Another important function of the Disassembly window is to debug optimized code. To access the Disassembly window, from the View menu, point to Debug Windows, and then click Disassembly.
Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process 15 Watch Window Tracking Variables Automatic Downcasting Changing the Display Format Displaying Variables From Other EXEs’ Using the Watch Window Tabs The Watch window has several important features: Tracking Variables The Watch window keeps track of the variables that you want to be available during the debugging session. There are four tabs, which allow you to organize the variables into logical groups. All the settings for this window are saved as part of the project. If a value of a variable is displayed in red, it means that it has changed recently. If a variable is an object, a reference, or a pointer to a C++ object, the Watch window automatically displays the most important data at the top level. You can expand the variable to see all of its members. Automatic Downcasting The Watch window also performs automatic downcasting. For example, if a variable that is declared as a pointer to a C++ CObject actually points to a CComboBox, the Watch window recognizes this and adds an extra member so that you can access the CComboBox members. Changing the Display Format Another useful feature of the Watch window is that you can change the display format of values. Let us assume that a long variable that stores an error code value from a GetLastError function call exists. If you type the name of the variable without the format specifier, you can obtain only its numeric value. If you specify a format like variablename, hr, you will receive the value ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED. Displaying Variables from Other EXEs’ You can also display variables from other .exes by using the following format for the variable name:
16 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process {[function],[source],[EXE]} variablename. Example {, TestDbgZones.c, TestDbgZones.exe} dpCurSettings To access the Watch window, from the View menu, point to Debug Windows, and then click Watch. Using the Watch Window Tabs The Watch window contains four tabs: Watch1 Watch2 Watch3 Watch4 Each tab displays a user-specified list of variables and expressions in a spreadsheet field. You can group variables that you want to watch together onto the same tab. Example You could put variables related to a specific window on one tab and variables related to a dialog box on another tab. You could watch the first tab when debugging the window and the second tab when debugging the dialog box.
Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process 17 Variables Window Auto tab displays the variables that are used in the current and the previous statement Locals tab displays the variables that are local to the current function. this tab displays the object that is pointed to by the this pointer The Variables window provides quick access to variables that are important in the current context of the program. The Variables window includes three tabs: Auto tab The Auto tab displays the variables that are used in the current and the previous statement. It also displays return values when you step over a function or out-of a function. Locals tab The Locals tab displays the variables that are local to the current function. this tab The this tab displays the object that is pointed to by the this pointer. The Variables window also supports features such as automatic downcasting and the display format specifier. To access the Variables windows, from the View menu, point to Debug Windows and then, click Variables.
18 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process Call Stack and Registers Windows Call Stack window displays the stack of function calls that are currently active The Registers window displays all the CPU registers of the target platform There are specific features of the Call Stack and Registers windows that help in debugging: Call Stack Window During a debug session, the Call Stack window displays the stack of function calls that are currently active. When a function is called, it is pushed onto the stack. When the function returns, it is popped from the stack. The Call Stack window displays the currently executing function at the top of the stack and older function calls below that. By default, the window also displays parameter types and values for each function call. You can display or hide parameter types and values by using the Debug tab in the Options dialog box or on the shortcut menu. You can navigate to the source code or disassembled object code of a function by double-clicking the function in the Call Stack window. If the source code for the selected function is not available, you will see the object code of the function in the Disassembly window. Note Avoid leaving the Call Stack window open at all times because the debugger will refresh its contents at each debug step, thus slowing the debugging process To access the Call Stack window, from the View menu, point to Debug Windows and then, click Call Stack. Registers Window The Registers window displays all the CPU registers of the target platform. To access the Registers window, from the View menu, point to Debug Windows, and then click Registers.
Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process 19 Advanced Memory Dialog Box Allows the search for data inside the system memory Lists the memory location that matches the search The Advanced Memory dialog box allows you to search for data inside the system memory. It can search for several types of data and then list the memory location that matches the search. You can also move and fill memory.
20 Module 4: Overview of the Windows CE .NET Debugging Process Demonstration: Kernel Debugger Windows In this demonstration, you will identify the different kernel debugger windows.