Eclipse Debug Platform [org.eclipse.debug.core.model]

Defines interfaces for debug model elements, source lookup, and launching.

## Package Specification

This package defines classes and interfaces known as the "debug model" which support an extensible set of debug architectures and languages. The debug model is a set of interfaces representing common artifacts in debuggable programs. The debug plug-in itself does not provide an implementation of a debug model. It is intended that third parties providing an integrated set of development tools for a specific language will also implement a debug model for that language, using an underlying debug architecture of their choice. For example, Java development tooling provides an implementation of a debug model based on the standard Java Platform Debug Architecture (JPDA).

#### The Debug Model

A client implements a debug model by providing an implementation of the interfaces defined in this package. (There is no explicit extension point that represents a debug model). Each debug model provides one or more launch configuration types capable of initiating a debug session.

The common elements defined by the debug model are:

- Debug Target - A debug target represents a debuggable program - for example, a virtual machine or a process.
- Thread - A debug target may contain one or more threads.
- Stack Frame - A suspended thread may contain one or more stack frames.
- Variable - A stack frame may contain variables.
- Value - Each variable has an associated value, and a value may contain more variables (to represent complex data structures and objects).
- Register Group - A stack frame may (optionally) be associated with one or more register groups.
- Register - A register group contains one or more registers.
- Memory Blocks - A debug target may (optionally) support the retrieval of arbitrary contiguous segments of memory.
- Breakpoint - Breakpoints suspend the execution of a program.
- Expression - An expression is a snippet of code that can be evaluated to produce a value.

A debug model implementation is responsible for firing debug events. A debug event corresponds to an event in a program being debugged - for example the creation or termination of a thread.

#### Breakpoints

Breakpoints are used to suspend the execution of a program being debugged. There are many kinds of breakpoints - line breakpoints, conditional line breakpoints, hit count breakpoints, exception breakpoints, etc. The kinds of breakpoints supported by each debug architecture, and the information required to create those breakpoints is dictated by each debug architecture. The debug platform supports an extensible set of breakpoint via the breakpoints extension point.

The debug platform provides a breakpoint manager that maintains the collection of all registered breakpoints. Clients add and remove breakpoints via this manager. Breakpoints are implemented by instances of IBreakpoint. Each breakpoint object has an associated marker, which provides persistence and presentation in editors. The debug platform defines a generic breakpoint and line breakpoint, as well as their corresponding marker definitions. Breakpoint creation is a client responsibility - that is, defining the attributes of a breakpoint and the resource to associate a breakpoint marker with.

Breakpoints are persisted via their underlying marker. Breakpoint markers defined with the persisted attribute as false will not be persisted. Breakpoints are restored at workspace startup time by the breakpoint manager - that is, breakpoint objects are created for all persisted markers which are a subtype of the root breakpoint marker and are added to the breakpoint manager. To allow for selective persistence of breakpoints (of the same kind), the IBreakpoint interface and root breakpoint implementation defines a "persisted" attribute. If this value is set to false, the breakpoint will not be persisted across workspace invocations.

As breakpoint markers are modified (created, removed, and changed), resource deltas are created by the platform. The breakpoint manager translates pertinent resource deltas into breakpoint change notifications (breakpoint added/removed/changed messages). Interested listeners may register with the breakpoint manager. The breakpoint manager only fires change notifications for registered breakpoints. This simplifies breakpoint processing for clients, as resource delta traversal and analysis is not required. Debug targets that support breakpoints should register for breakpoint change notifications.

#### New Features in the Debug Model, Eclipse 3.0

> #### Launch Delegate Enhancements

> Lanuch delegates can optionally implement the new interface `ILaunchConfigurationDelegate2`. This allows launch delegates to provide a launch object to be used for a launch. For example, when debugging on a server a delegate could create a new launch object or may reuse an existing launch object if the server is already running in debug mode. As well, the inteface provides a mechanism for performing a scoped build prior to launching (i.e. scoped to the projects in the workspace pertaining to the launch), and searching for errors in the workspace which may prevent the launch from succeeding (for example, compilation errors).

> #### Extensible Watch Expressions

> The debug platform provides an implementation of watch expressions. Debug models can contribute watch expression delegates if they support watch expressions. When a stack frame is selected, the associated delegate is queried to provide a value for a watch expression in that context. The debug platform provides persistence, enabling, disabling, entering, and editing of watch expressions.

> #### Automatic Array Partitioning

> The debug plug-in supports automatic partitioning of indexed collections, which partitions large arrays into sub-ranges in the variables view. This is supported with the introduction of a new interface in the debug model representing an indexed value - `IIndexedValue`. If a value implements this interface, the variables view will automatically partition its elements as required, into sub-ranges

> #### Logical Structure Types

> Often, it is convenient to navigate complex data structures in terms of a logical structure, rather than an implementation structure. For example, no matter how a list is implemented (i.e. linked list, collection of arrays, etc.), it is often convenient to be able to view the list as an ordered collection. To facilitate the display of logical structures in the variables view, an extension point has been added (`org.eclipse.debug.core.logicalStructureTypes`) allowing debug models to contribute logical structures of its values, where applicable. Debug models may contribute delegates to translate raw implementation values into logical values. The variables view will display the logical values, when the option to display logical structures is turned on. More than one logical structure can be provided for a single value - the user can choose which structure to display.

> #### Step Filters

> To support step filters on all stepping functions (into, over, return), a new interface has been added to the debug platform - `IStepFilters` - which can be implemented by debug targets. This interface replaces `IFilteredStep`, which is now deprecated. The debugger provides a global toggle that turns step filters on/off for all stepping functions. Debug targets should implement this new interface and honor the step filter enablement setting when stepping.

> This change maintains binary compatibility with previous releases. However, targets wishing to leverage the new function must implement the new interface.