Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that provide an integrated debugger simulator. A debugger is provided that allows a user to debug an application in a live mode. A simulator is provided to read recorded data from an earlier point in time in an execution of the application. An integrated debugger simulator is provided by multiplexing the debugger between the application in the live mode and the simulator that reads the recorded data. A simulation mode is provided to allow the user to interact with the recorded data using the debugger. In this simulation mode, the user is able to interact with the recorded data using commands and data views available in the debugger. The user can multiplex between the live mode and the simulation mode from within the debugger.

Abstract: Displaying data sub-items corresponding to a cursor-selected object displayed on a computer screen involves determining that a cursor is positioned to point at an object on the computer screen, loading the cursor-selected object, evaluating the cursor-selected object to determine it has a fixed value, has related data sub-items or if the related data sub-items are capable of expansion into lower-tier sub-items. The values for the object and the related data sub-items are assembled and displayed in a window that indicates the values of the object and the related data sub-items along with an indication of a presence of lower-tier sub-items which can in turn be further examined.

Abstract: When an expression is first entered into a debugger, the expression may be automatically evaluated. Later, when the debugger detects an action that causes the value of the expression to become stale, the expression may be reevaluated with a setting to disable the automatic reevaluation of certain designated disabled expressions. The disabled expressions may be expressions such as, for example, explicit expressions, which are more likely to result in side effects. Alternatively, for even greater protection against side effects, the disabled expressions may include both explicit and implicit expressions.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that provide an integrated debugger simulator. A debugger is provided that allows a user to debug an application in a live mode. A simulator is provided to read recorded data from an earlier point in time in an execution of the application. An integrated debugger simulator is provided by multiplexing the debugger between the application in the live mode and the simulator that reads the recorded data. A simulation mode is provided to allow the user to interact with the recorded data using the debugger. In this simulation mode, the user is able to interact with the recorded data using commands and data views available in the debugger. The user can multiplex between the live mode and the simulation mode from within the debugger.

Abstract: A sub-tree bar control is provided that aggregates a group of sub-tree view controls. The sub-tree bar control contains user interface elements that are associated with sub-tree view controls. Each sub-tree view control enables an application program to display a list of items as a hierarchical sub-tree in a window. When a user selects the user interface element associated with the node, the sub-tree view control is displayed in a window. By displaying a sub-tree view control, the user views only the information that the user is interested in viewing. Since the sub-tree view control displays only a sub-tree, instead of an entire tree, it typically takes up less display space on the video display than a control that contains an entire tree. Additionally, the sub-tree view control automatically ceases to be displayed based on certain events. The window in which the sub-tree view control is displayed can be resized, either vertically or horizontally. Nodes in the sub-tree can be expanded or contracted.