Generating a trace file without timing information

If you want to generate an activity log with no timing information in a text file, you can turn on PBDebug tracing in the System Options dialog box. The PBDebug trace file contains a log showing which object functions and instructions and system DLL functions were executed in chronological order.

To generate a simple trace file:

  1. Select Tools>System Options and check the Enable PBDebug Tracing check box.

  2. Check the Prompt Before OverWriting PBDebug Output File box if you want to retain existing trace output when you run or debug the application.

  3. (Optional) Specify a pathname for the PBDebug output file.

  4. Run your application.

    If you do not check the Prompt Before OverWriting PBDebug Output File box, PowerBuilder overwrites the existing trace file every time you run the application or click the Start button in the debugger. If you check the box, it displays a response window. You can choose to overwrite the file, append new trace output to the existing file, or cancel the run or debug session.

    If you want to retain the trace file, save it with a different name before running the application, or specify a new file name in the System Options dialog box.

    If you do not specify an output file path, PowerBuilder creates an output file in the same directory as the PowerBuilder executable file. The output file has the same name as the PowerBuilder executable with the extension DBG. If you do not have write permission to this directory, you must specify a value for the output file path.

    Turning PBDebug off

    Running your application with PBDebug on will slow down execution. Be sure to clear the Enable PBDebug Tracing check box on the System Options dialog box if you do not need this trace information.

    For information on creating the same kind of diagnostic trace file when you run your compiled application outside PowerBuilder, see Tracing execution.