COBOL Debugging Programs › Inspect and Modify Main Storage

Inspect and Modify Main Storage

The ability to inspect main storage at a breakpoint means you can determine the values of data items without using a dump. It is easy to find logic errors because you can display the value of a data item where it is defined and at any point in the code where it is referenced. And, you can dynamically change its value to correct errors or test other program paths.

Remember that changes to program storage are dynamic; that is, the change affects only the current test session. To correct program errors, you must change the source code and recompile the program.

There are many ways to inspect and modify main storage. We are going to discuss one of the easiest methods of viewing and changing program storage here. Keeping Data Items in the Keep window explains another easy way to display and modify the values of data items.

Remember, you can inspect system storage at any time, independent of program monitoring and execution.