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1.. _debugger:
2
3:mod:`pdb` --- The Python Debugger
4==================================
5
6.. module:: pdb
7   :synopsis: The Python debugger for interactive interpreters.
8
9**Source code:** :source:`Lib/pdb.py`
10
11.. index:: single: debugging
12
13--------------
14
15The module :mod:`pdb` defines an interactive source code debugger for Python
16programs.  It supports setting (conditional) breakpoints and single stepping at
17the source line level, inspection of stack frames, source code listing, and
18evaluation of arbitrary Python code in the context of any stack frame.  It also
19supports post-mortem debugging and can be called under program control.
20
21.. index::
22   single: Pdb (class in pdb)
23   module: bdb
24   module: cmd
25
26The debugger is extensible -- it is actually defined as the class :class:`Pdb`.
27This is currently undocumented but easily understood by reading the source.  The
28extension interface uses the modules :mod:`bdb` and :mod:`cmd`.
29
30The debugger's prompt is ``(Pdb)``. Typical usage to run a program under control
31of the debugger is::
32
33   >>> import pdb
34   >>> import mymodule
35   >>> pdb.run('mymodule.test()')
36   > <string>(0)?()
37   (Pdb) continue
38   > <string>(1)?()
39   (Pdb) continue
40   NameError: 'spam'
41   > <string>(1)?()
42   (Pdb)
43
44.. versionchanged:: 3.3
45   Tab-completion via the :mod:`readline` module is available for commands and
46   command arguments, e.g. the current global and local names are offered as
47   arguments of the ``p`` command.
48
49:file:`pdb.py` can also be invoked as a script to debug other scripts.  For
50example::
51
52   python3 -m pdb myscript.py
53
54When invoked as a script, pdb will automatically enter post-mortem debugging if
55the program being debugged exits abnormally.  After post-mortem debugging (or
56after normal exit of the program), pdb will restart the program.  Automatic
57restarting preserves pdb's state (such as breakpoints) and in most cases is more
58useful than quitting the debugger upon program's exit.
59
60.. versionadded:: 3.2
61   :file:`pdb.py` now accepts a ``-c`` option that executes commands as if given
62   in a :file:`.pdbrc` file, see :ref:`debugger-commands`.
63
64.. versionadded:: 3.7
65   :file:`pdb.py` now accepts a ``-m`` option that execute modules similar to the way
66   ``python3 -m`` does. As with a script, the debugger will pause execution just
67   before the first line of the module.
68
69
70The typical usage to break into the debugger is to insert::
71
72   import pdb; pdb.set_trace()
73
74at the location you want to break into the debugger, and then run the program.
75You can then step through the code following this statement, and continue
76running without the debugger using the :pdbcmd:`continue` command.
77
78.. versionadded:: 3.7
79   The built-in :func:`breakpoint()`, when called with defaults, can be used
80   instead of ``import pdb; pdb.set_trace()``.
81
82The typical usage to inspect a crashed program is::
83
84   >>> import pdb
85   >>> import mymodule
86   >>> mymodule.test()
87   Traceback (most recent call last):
88     File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
89     File "./mymodule.py", line 4, in test
90       test2()
91     File "./mymodule.py", line 3, in test2
92       print(spam)
93   NameError: spam
94   >>> pdb.pm()
95   > ./mymodule.py(3)test2()
96   -> print(spam)
97   (Pdb)
98
99
100The module defines the following functions; each enters the debugger in a
101slightly different way:
102
103.. function:: run(statement, globals=None, locals=None)
104
105   Execute the *statement* (given as a string or a code object) under debugger
106   control.  The debugger prompt appears before any code is executed; you can
107   set breakpoints and type :pdbcmd:`continue`, or you can step through the
108   statement using :pdbcmd:`step` or :pdbcmd:`next` (all these commands are
109   explained below).  The optional *globals* and *locals* arguments specify the
110   environment in which the code is executed; by default the dictionary of the
111   module :mod:`__main__` is used.  (See the explanation of the built-in
112   :func:`exec` or :func:`eval` functions.)
113
114
115.. function:: runeval(expression, globals=None, locals=None)
116
117   Evaluate the *expression* (given as a string or a code object) under debugger
118   control.  When :func:`runeval` returns, it returns the value of the
119   expression.  Otherwise this function is similar to :func:`run`.
120
121
122.. function:: runcall(function, *args, **kwds)
123
124   Call the *function* (a function or method object, not a string) with the
125   given arguments.  When :func:`runcall` returns, it returns whatever the
126   function call returned.  The debugger prompt appears as soon as the function
127   is entered.
128
129
130.. function:: set_trace(*, header=None)
131
132   Enter the debugger at the calling stack frame.  This is useful to hard-code
133   a breakpoint at a given point in a program, even if the code is not
134   otherwise being debugged (e.g. when an assertion fails).  If given,
135   *header* is printed to the console just before debugging begins.
136
137   .. versionchanged:: 3.7
138      The keyword-only argument *header*.
139
140
141.. function:: post_mortem(traceback=None)
142
143   Enter post-mortem debugging of the given *traceback* object.  If no
144   *traceback* is given, it uses the one of the exception that is currently
145   being handled (an exception must be being handled if the default is to be
146   used).
147
148
149.. function:: pm()
150
151   Enter post-mortem debugging of the traceback found in
152   :data:`sys.last_traceback`.
153
154
155The ``run*`` functions and :func:`set_trace` are aliases for instantiating the
156:class:`Pdb` class and calling the method of the same name.  If you want to
157access further features, you have to do this yourself:
158
159.. class:: Pdb(completekey='tab', stdin=None, stdout=None, skip=None, \
160               nosigint=False, readrc=True)
161
162   :class:`Pdb` is the debugger class.
163
164   The *completekey*, *stdin* and *stdout* arguments are passed to the
165   underlying :class:`cmd.Cmd` class; see the description there.
166
167   The *skip* argument, if given, must be an iterable of glob-style module name
168   patterns.  The debugger will not step into frames that originate in a module
169   that matches one of these patterns. [1]_
170
171   By default, Pdb sets a handler for the SIGINT signal (which is sent when the
172   user presses :kbd:`Ctrl-C` on the console) when you give a ``continue`` command.
173   This allows you to break into the debugger again by pressing :kbd:`Ctrl-C`.  If you
174   want Pdb not to touch the SIGINT handler, set *nosigint* to true.
175
176   The *readrc* argument defaults to true and controls whether Pdb will load
177   .pdbrc files from the filesystem.
178
179   Example call to enable tracing with *skip*::
180
181      import pdb; pdb.Pdb(skip=['django.*']).set_trace()
182
183   .. audit-event:: pdb.Pdb "" pdb.Pdb
184
185   .. versionadded:: 3.1
186      The *skip* argument.
187
188   .. versionadded:: 3.2
189      The *nosigint* argument.  Previously, a SIGINT handler was never set by
190      Pdb.
191
192   .. versionchanged:: 3.6
193      The *readrc* argument.
194
195   .. method:: run(statement, globals=None, locals=None)
196               runeval(expression, globals=None, locals=None)
197               runcall(function, *args, **kwds)
198               set_trace()
199
200      See the documentation for the functions explained above.
201
202
203.. _debugger-commands:
204
205Debugger Commands
206-----------------
207
208The commands recognized by the debugger are listed below.  Most commands can be
209abbreviated to one or two letters as indicated; e.g. ``h(elp)`` means that
210either ``h`` or ``help`` can be used to enter the help command (but not ``he``
211or ``hel``, nor ``H`` or ``Help`` or ``HELP``).  Arguments to commands must be
212separated by whitespace (spaces or tabs).  Optional arguments are enclosed in
213square brackets (``[]``) in the command syntax; the square brackets must not be
214typed.  Alternatives in the command syntax are separated by a vertical bar
215(``|``).
216
217Entering a blank line repeats the last command entered.  Exception: if the last
218command was a :pdbcmd:`list` command, the next 11 lines are listed.
219
220Commands that the debugger doesn't recognize are assumed to be Python statements
221and are executed in the context of the program being debugged.  Python
222statements can also be prefixed with an exclamation point (``!``).  This is a
223powerful way to inspect the program being debugged; it is even possible to
224change a variable or call a function.  When an exception occurs in such a
225statement, the exception name is printed but the debugger's state is not
226changed.
227
228The debugger supports :ref:`aliases <debugger-aliases>`.  Aliases can have
229parameters which allows one a certain level of adaptability to the context under
230examination.
231
232Multiple commands may be entered on a single line, separated by ``;;``.  (A
233single ``;`` is not used as it is the separator for multiple commands in a line
234that is passed to the Python parser.)  No intelligence is applied to separating
235the commands; the input is split at the first ``;;`` pair, even if it is in the
236middle of a quoted string.
237
238.. index::
239   pair: .pdbrc; file
240   triple: debugger; configuration; file
241
242If a file :file:`.pdbrc` exists in the user's home directory or in the current
243directory, it is read in and executed as if it had been typed at the debugger
244prompt.  This is particularly useful for aliases.  If both files exist, the one
245in the home directory is read first and aliases defined there can be overridden
246by the local file.
247
248.. versionchanged:: 3.2
249   :file:`.pdbrc` can now contain commands that continue debugging, such as
250   :pdbcmd:`continue` or :pdbcmd:`next`.  Previously, these commands had no
251   effect.
252
253
254.. pdbcommand:: h(elp) [command]
255
256   Without argument, print the list of available commands.  With a *command* as
257   argument, print help about that command.  ``help pdb`` displays the full
258   documentation (the docstring of the :mod:`pdb` module).  Since the *command*
259   argument must be an identifier, ``help exec`` must be entered to get help on
260   the ``!`` command.
261
262.. pdbcommand:: w(here)
263
264   Print a stack trace, with the most recent frame at the bottom.  An arrow
265   indicates the current frame, which determines the context of most commands.
266
267.. pdbcommand:: d(own) [count]
268
269   Move the current frame *count* (default one) levels down in the stack trace
270   (to a newer frame).
271
272.. pdbcommand:: u(p) [count]
273
274   Move the current frame *count* (default one) levels up in the stack trace (to
275   an older frame).
276
277.. pdbcommand:: b(reak) [([filename:]lineno | function) [, condition]]
278
279   With a *lineno* argument, set a break there in the current file.  With a
280   *function* argument, set a break at the first executable statement within
281   that function.  The line number may be prefixed with a filename and a colon,
282   to specify a breakpoint in another file (probably one that hasn't been loaded
283   yet).  The file is searched on :data:`sys.path`.  Note that each breakpoint
284   is assigned a number to which all the other breakpoint commands refer.
285
286   If a second argument is present, it is an expression which must evaluate to
287   true before the breakpoint is honored.
288
289   Without argument, list all breaks, including for each breakpoint, the number
290   of times that breakpoint has been hit, the current ignore count, and the
291   associated condition if any.
292
293.. pdbcommand:: tbreak [([filename:]lineno | function) [, condition]]
294
295   Temporary breakpoint, which is removed automatically when it is first hit.
296   The arguments are the same as for :pdbcmd:`break`.
297
298.. pdbcommand:: cl(ear) [filename:lineno | bpnumber ...]
299
300   With a *filename:lineno* argument, clear all the breakpoints at this line.
301   With a space separated list of breakpoint numbers, clear those breakpoints.
302   Without argument, clear all breaks (but first ask confirmation).
303
304.. pdbcommand:: disable [bpnumber ...]
305
306   Disable the breakpoints given as a space separated list of breakpoint
307   numbers.  Disabling a breakpoint means it cannot cause the program to stop
308   execution, but unlike clearing a breakpoint, it remains in the list of
309   breakpoints and can be (re-)enabled.
310
311.. pdbcommand:: enable [bpnumber ...]
312
313   Enable the breakpoints specified.
314
315.. pdbcommand:: ignore bpnumber [count]
316
317   Set the ignore count for the given breakpoint number.  If count is omitted,
318   the ignore count is set to 0.  A breakpoint becomes active when the ignore
319   count is zero.  When non-zero, the count is decremented each time the
320   breakpoint is reached and the breakpoint is not disabled and any associated
321   condition evaluates to true.
322
323.. pdbcommand:: condition bpnumber [condition]
324
325   Set a new *condition* for the breakpoint, an expression which must evaluate
326   to true before the breakpoint is honored.  If *condition* is absent, any
327   existing condition is removed; i.e., the breakpoint is made unconditional.
328
329.. pdbcommand:: commands [bpnumber]
330
331   Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number *bpnumber*.  The commands
332   themselves appear on the following lines.  Type a line containing just
333   ``end`` to terminate the commands. An example::
334
335      (Pdb) commands 1
336      (com) p some_variable
337      (com) end
338      (Pdb)
339
340   To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type ``commands`` and follow it
341   immediately with ``end``; that is, give no commands.
342
343   With no *bpnumber* argument, ``commands`` refers to the last breakpoint set.
344
345   You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again.  Simply use
346   the :pdbcmd:`continue` command, or :pdbcmd:`step`,
347   or any other command that resumes execution.
348
349   Specifying any command resuming execution
350   (currently :pdbcmd:`continue`, :pdbcmd:`step`, :pdbcmd:`next`,
351   :pdbcmd:`return`, :pdbcmd:`jump`, :pdbcmd:`quit` and their abbreviations)
352   terminates the command list (as if
353   that command was immediately followed by end). This is because any time you
354   resume execution (even with a simple next or step), you may encounter another
355   breakpoint—which could have its own command list, leading to ambiguities about
356   which list to execute.
357
358   If you use the 'silent' command in the command list, the usual message about
359   stopping at a breakpoint is not printed.  This may be desirable for breakpoints
360   that are to print a specific message and then continue.  If none of the other
361   commands print anything, you see no sign that the breakpoint was reached.
362
363.. pdbcommand:: s(tep)
364
365   Execute the current line, stop at the first possible occasion (either in a
366   function that is called or on the next line in the current function).
367
368.. pdbcommand:: n(ext)
369
370   Continue execution until the next line in the current function is reached or
371   it returns.  (The difference between :pdbcmd:`next` and :pdbcmd:`step` is
372   that :pdbcmd:`step` stops inside a called function, while :pdbcmd:`next`
373   executes called functions at (nearly) full speed, only stopping at the next
374   line in the current function.)
375
376.. pdbcommand:: unt(il) [lineno]
377
378   Without argument, continue execution until the line with a number greater
379   than the current one is reached.
380
381   With a line number, continue execution until a line with a number greater or
382   equal to that is reached.  In both cases, also stop when the current frame
383   returns.
384
385   .. versionchanged:: 3.2
386      Allow giving an explicit line number.
387
388.. pdbcommand:: r(eturn)
389
390   Continue execution until the current function returns.
391
392.. pdbcommand:: c(ont(inue))
393
394   Continue execution, only stop when a breakpoint is encountered.
395
396.. pdbcommand:: j(ump) lineno
397
398   Set the next line that will be executed.  Only available in the bottom-most
399   frame.  This lets you jump back and execute code again, or jump forward to
400   skip code that you don't want to run.
401
402   It should be noted that not all jumps are allowed -- for instance it is not
403   possible to jump into the middle of a :keyword:`for` loop or out of a
404   :keyword:`finally` clause.
405
406.. pdbcommand:: l(ist) [first[, last]]
407
408   List source code for the current file.  Without arguments, list 11 lines
409   around the current line or continue the previous listing.  With ``.`` as
410   argument, list 11 lines around the current line.  With one argument,
411   list 11 lines around at that line.  With two arguments, list the given range;
412   if the second argument is less than the first, it is interpreted as a count.
413
414   The current line in the current frame is indicated by ``->``.  If an
415   exception is being debugged, the line where the exception was originally
416   raised or propagated is indicated by ``>>``, if it differs from the current
417   line.
418
419   .. versionadded:: 3.2
420      The ``>>`` marker.
421
422.. pdbcommand:: ll | longlist
423
424   List all source code for the current function or frame.  Interesting lines
425   are marked as for :pdbcmd:`list`.
426
427   .. versionadded:: 3.2
428
429.. pdbcommand:: a(rgs)
430
431   Print the argument list of the current function.
432
433.. pdbcommand:: p expression
434
435   Evaluate the *expression* in the current context and print its value.
436
437   .. note::
438
439      ``print()`` can also be used, but is not a debugger command --- this executes the
440      Python :func:`print` function.
441
442
443.. pdbcommand:: pp expression
444
445   Like the :pdbcmd:`p` command, except the value of the expression is
446   pretty-printed using the :mod:`pprint` module.
447
448.. pdbcommand:: whatis expression
449
450   Print the type of the *expression*.
451
452.. pdbcommand:: source expression
453
454   Try to get source code for the given object and display it.
455
456   .. versionadded:: 3.2
457
458.. pdbcommand:: display [expression]
459
460   Display the value of the expression if it changed, each time execution stops
461   in the current frame.
462
463   Without expression, list all display expressions for the current frame.
464
465   .. versionadded:: 3.2
466
467.. pdbcommand:: undisplay [expression]
468
469   Do not display the expression any more in the current frame.  Without
470   expression, clear all display expressions for the current frame.
471
472   .. versionadded:: 3.2
473
474.. pdbcommand:: interact
475
476   Start an interactive interpreter (using the :mod:`code` module) whose global
477   namespace contains all the (global and local) names found in the current
478   scope.
479
480   .. versionadded:: 3.2
481
482.. _debugger-aliases:
483
484.. pdbcommand:: alias [name [command]]
485
486   Create an alias called *name* that executes *command*.  The command must
487   *not* be enclosed in quotes.  Replaceable parameters can be indicated by
488   ``%1``, ``%2``, and so on, while ``%*`` is replaced by all the parameters.
489   If no command is given, the current alias for *name* is shown. If no
490   arguments are given, all aliases are listed.
491
492   Aliases may be nested and can contain anything that can be legally typed at
493   the pdb prompt.  Note that internal pdb commands *can* be overridden by
494   aliases.  Such a command is then hidden until the alias is removed.  Aliasing
495   is recursively applied to the first word of the command line; all other words
496   in the line are left alone.
497
498   As an example, here are two useful aliases (especially when placed in the
499   :file:`.pdbrc` file)::
500
501      # Print instance variables (usage "pi classInst")
502      alias pi for k in %1.__dict__.keys(): print("%1.",k,"=",%1.__dict__[k])
503      # Print instance variables in self
504      alias ps pi self
505
506.. pdbcommand:: unalias name
507
508   Delete the specified alias.
509
510.. pdbcommand:: ! statement
511
512   Execute the (one-line) *statement* in the context of the current stack frame.
513   The exclamation point can be omitted unless the first word of the statement
514   resembles a debugger command.  To set a global variable, you can prefix the
515   assignment command with a :keyword:`global` statement on the same line,
516   e.g.::
517
518      (Pdb) global list_options; list_options = ['-l']
519      (Pdb)
520
521.. pdbcommand:: run [args ...]
522                restart [args ...]
523
524   Restart the debugged Python program.  If an argument is supplied, it is split
525   with :mod:`shlex` and the result is used as the new :data:`sys.argv`.
526   History, breakpoints, actions and debugger options are preserved.
527   :pdbcmd:`restart` is an alias for :pdbcmd:`run`.
528
529.. pdbcommand:: q(uit)
530
531   Quit from the debugger.  The program being executed is aborted.
532
533.. pdbcommand:: debug code
534
535   Enter a recursive debugger that steps through the code
536   argument (which is an arbitrary expression or statement to be
537   executed in the current environment).
538
539.. pdbcommand:: retval
540
541   Print the return value for the last return of a function.
542
543.. rubric:: Footnotes
544
545.. [1] Whether a frame is considered to originate in a certain module
546       is determined by the ``__name__`` in the frame globals.
547