Computer and Software Support


debug

Page updated January 21, 2005

 

Starts Debug.exe, a program you can use to test and debug MS-DOS executable files. Used without parameters, debug starts Debug.exe and the debug prompt appears, which is represented by a hyphen (-).
 
 
Syntax
debug [[Drive:][Path]FileName [Parameters]]
Parameters
[Drive:][Path]FileName
Specifies the location and name of the executable file that you want to test.
Parameters
Specifies any command-line information required by the executable file that you want to test.
?
Displays a list of debug subcommands.
Remarks
  • Windows XP and the Windows Server 2003 family of products do not use this command. It is included only to preserve compatibility with existing MS-DOS files, but it has no effect at the command line because the functionality is automatic.
  •  Using MS-DOS subsystem commands

    Debug is a MS-DOS subsystem command that runs under WOW/NTVDM.

  • Separating command parameters

    You can separate parameters with a comma or white space, but these separators are required only between two hexadecimal values. For example, the following commands are equivalent:

    dcs:100 110

    d cs:100 110

    d,cs:100,110

  • Using debug subcommands

    There are several debug subcommands that you can use. For more information about debug subcommands, see Related Topics.

Formatting legend

Format Meaning
Italic Information that the user must supply
Bold Elements that the user must type exactly as shown
Ellipsis (...) Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line
Between brackets ([]) Optional items
Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd} Set of choices from which the user must choose only one
Courier font Code or program output

Some of these terms may be the same or similar to DOS commands. For information on DOS Commands, click here