PBWatcher debugger. ------------------------------- Author: Poul Bak Copyright © 2000 - 2004 : Bak-O-Soft (Poul Bak). All rights reserved. http://bak-o-soft.dk/ Mailto:info@bak-o-soft.dk Version: 10.10.00.00 (Tested with Delphi 6.2 and 4.0 - should work on all Delphi versions 3 and up). PBWatcher is a supplement to the Delphi Watch debugger. Watch variables and expressions inside/outside the Delphi environment at both runtime and designtime with/without breakpoints. Use it anywhere in your code, even before any forms are created. Easy to use with AutoAdd Watches (writes the necessary code for you and cleans up afterwards). It can show names and values of many variables simultaniously in a window, that acts both as output window and input via menus. At designtime it acts as a Delphi add-on and at runtime it acts as an add-on to your application. Settings are automatically saved and loaded. Save/load/print and search the watcherlog. AutoSave. View one line per variable or add continuously. Change settings (show/hide watchwindow, enable etc.) at designtime/runtime. Watch for instance local variables and timerevents/paintevents realtime without breakpoints. Debug your components designtime/runtime interface. Now split into two packages - designtime and runtime, makes it easier to debug at designtime. Help-file is included. How to use: Add PBWatcherUnit to the uses clause. Use AutoAdd to fill in the code. Compile and run your program. That's enough - use the other properties as you like. Version 5.00.00.00 works under all Delphi versions - incl. D5 Ent. Version 6.00.00.00 can also watch graphic elements. Version 7.00.00.00 changed and tested for Delphi 6. Version 8.00.00.00 new functionality. version 10.00.00.00 split into design/runtime package - makes uninstalling unneccesary when debugging at designtime. Legal stuff: ------------ PBWatcher is Freeware. Use it any way, you like. There is no timelimit or 'nag-screens'. Applications developed using this unit are yours alone, Bak-O-Soft has no rights to it. PBWatcher is provided 'as-is' and Bak-O-Soft is under no circumstances responsible for any damage, what soever, that it might cause to anyone or anything. Installation: ------------- 1. Unzip all files to a folder of your choice. Note for Delphi 3/4: All forms are saved as text format. To convert them into Delphi 3/4 binary format: Open the folder where you have unzipped the files. Doubleclick 'Convert_Forms.bat'. Now the forms are in Delphi 3/4 format. When you later open the forms, Delphi might tell you that 'Property does not exist'. Press 'Ignore all' (it's new properties not used by PBWatcher). 2. Start Delphi (if you haven't done so). 3. If you have unzipped 'PBWatcherUnit.pas' to a folder that is not in the Delphi Search path, add it: Select 'Tools', 'Environment options...', 'Library' tab, add the full path to the folder to 'Library path'. Remember that runtime package-files (.bpl) must be in the user's global path (DOS-path)! 4. Select 'Files', 'Open', 'Delphi Package Source' as filetype and browse to the folder. Delphi 3, 4 & 5: Select PBWatcherPack345Run.dpk' and 'open'. Doubleclick 'PBWatcherUnit' to open. Press 'Ignore all' to 'Property does not exist' message. Close the window - saving the changes. Delphi 6+: Select PBWatcherPackRun.dpk' and 'open'. 5. Click 'Compile'. Close the window. 6. Select 'Files', 'Open', 'Delphi Package Source' as filetype and browse to the folder. Delphi 3, 4 & 5: Select PBWatcherPack345.dpk' and 'open'. Doubleclick 'PBWatcherUnit' to open. Press 'Ignore all' to 'Property does not exist' message. Close the window - saving the changes. Delphi 6: Select PBWatcherPack.dpk' and 'open'. 7. Click 'Install'. Now you should have the PBWatcher window visible. Help file installation: ---------------------------- If the menu 'Help' in the PBWatcher window is enabled (not grayed out), the help file is located and you don't have to do further - click the menu to get help. Otherwise: If you have HTML help installed on your computer, copy 'PBWatcher.chm' to your \Window\Help folder and restart Delphi. If you don't have HTML help installed on your computer, either get it (it's free) from Microsoft or get the uncompiled helpfile (.htm) from my website. -------------------------------- I have included a small demo: PBWatcherDemo.exe to show the basics. Load, compile and run. If you find any bugs, have any great ideas or just a comment or question, feel free to e-mail.