Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates debugging computer code within an operating system kernel. The system operates by first receiving a source file containing a data structure definition. The system searches the source file for the data structure definition and, upon finding the data structure definition, saves the data structure definition in a storage structure. Next, the system generates source code to display the data structure using the data structure definition. The system then compiles the source code into an executable module and installs the executable module into a modular debugger. During execution of the modular debugger, the executable module displays the content of the data structure to a user of the modular debugger.