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Asked: 2024-09-27T10:03:18+05:30 In:

How can I set a breakpoint in an external Python module when using Visual Studio Code for debugging?

I’ve been trying to get my head around debugging in Visual Studio Code, and I’m running into a bit of a wall. So, here’s the deal: I’m working on a project that relies on an external Python module, and I really need to set a breakpoint inside that module to figure out why things are going haywire.

I already know how to set breakpoints in my own code, but when it comes to those external libraries, I’m not sure how to go about it. I mean, it seems like it should be straightforward, right? But every time I try to step into the code of the external module, it just skips over it. It’s like I’m trying to peek behind the curtain, but the stagehands are blocking my view!

I’ve done some digging and found a few resources, but they all seem to assume that I’ve got some sort of secret knowledge about the inner workings of VS Code. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the wealth of information out there, but sometimes I just need a simple step-by-step guide tailored for someone who’s still getting comfortable with the debugging tool.

So, here’s what I need help with: How can I set a breakpoint in that external Python module while debugging in VS Code? Are there any specific configurations or settings I need to adjust? Do I need to set the module’s path somewhere, or is there a different way to make it work?

I’ve also tried looking into the launch.json file, but I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what I needed to modify there. If anyone’s gone through this before or has any pointers, I’d be super grateful! Sometimes it feels like I’m hitting my head against a wall, and I just want to get back to actually fixing the issues in my code rather than grappling with the debugging environment. Any help would be really appreciated!

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    2 Answers

    1. To set a breakpoint in an external Python module while debugging in Visual Studio Code, you’ll first want to ensure that the module’s source code is available in your environment. Typically, when you install a module via pip, the source files will be located within your Python installation’s site-packages directory. If you’re using a virtual environment, make sure it’s activated. If the module is installed, navigate to its path on your system to verify that you can find the relevant Python files. The next step involves configuring Visual Studio Code to recognize these files during debugging.

      To adjust your launch.json file for debugging, you’ll want to set the justMyCode option to false. This will allow VS Code to step into third-party libraries. Your launch.json configuration may look something like this:

      {
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "name": "Python: Current File",
      "type": "python",
      "request": "launch",
      "program": "${file}",
      "console": "integratedTerminal",
      "justMyCode": false
    }
  ]
}

      With this configuration set, you should be able to set breakpoints directly in the external module’s code. Simply open the module file, set the breakpoint where needed, and when you debug your project, you will be able to step into that external code while executing your main program.

    2. Debugging External Python Modules in VS Code

      Debugging can be tricky, especially when you want to dive into external libraries. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you set breakpoints in those external Python modules:

      1. Install the Python extension

      First things first, make sure you have the Python extension for Visual Studio Code installed. This is crucial for debugging Python code.

      2. Open your project

      Open the folder that contains your code in VS Code.

      3. Set a breakpoint in your code

      Go to the part of your code where you want to start debugging and set a breakpoint. Just click in the left gutter next to the line number.

      4. Configure the debugger

      Next, open or create a launch.json file in the .vscode folder of your project. Here’s a basic configuration you might want to use:

      {
        "version": "0.2.0",
        "configurations": [
            {
                "name": "Python: Current File",
                "type": "python",
                "request": "launch",
                "program": "${file}",
                "console": "integratedTerminal",
                "justMyCode": false  // This part is super important
            }
        ]
    }

      Make sure to set "justMyCode": false. This tells the debugger that you want to step into everything, including external libraries.

      5. Start debugging

      Now that you’ve set up everything, start your debugging session. You can run the debugger by pressing F5 or going to the Run menu and selecting Start Debugging.

      6. Step into the external module

      When you hit a breakpoint in your code, you can step into the functions from the external module by pressing F11. If all went well, you should be able to see the code for that module and set breakpoints there!

      Troubleshooting

      If you are still unable to step into the external module, double-check:

      • That the module is installed correctly and accessible.
      • That there are no syntax errors in the external module code.
      • Try re-launching VS Code to ensure all settings are applied.

      Hopefully, this helps you peek behind the curtain of that external module and find out what’s going wrong. Remember, debugging is all about patience and experimentation!

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