How to expand an array while debugging in visual studio code

Question

This is my code, its a simple code block for permutation:

void arrange(char c[], int N, int start)
{
    if (start == N)
    {
        print(c, N);
        return;
    }
    for (int i = start; i < N; i++)
    {
        swap(c[start], c[i]);
        arrange(c, N, i + 1);
        swap(c[start], c[i]);
    }
}

int main(int argc, char const *argv[])
{
    char c[] = { 'A','B','C' };
    int N = (sizeof(c) / sizeof(char));
    arrange(c, N, 0);
    return 0;
}

Its not giving the output I expect and I wanted to debug this code. I wanted to observe the character swaps in the input array. But when I debug, the input array cannot be expanded.

In the watch window use c,10 or however many entries you want to display. — Retired Ninja
– Retired Ninja, Commented Oct 9, 2018 at 12:48
Alternatively, for simple chars, memory window shows exactly what you want. — Algirdas Preidžius
– Algirdas Preidžius, Commented Oct 9, 2018 at 12:49
Note that c in function arrange is not an array. It is just a pointer to char. — user7860670
– user7860670, Commented Oct 9, 2018 at 12:53

Kirill Chernikov · Accepted Answer · 2020-04-15 09:23:21Z

30

If you have an array t that is pointed to by p, like this:

double t[5] = {0,1,2,4.5,2.3};
double *p = t;

You can watch p on the debugger if you recast it. Just write on the watch window:

(double[5]) *p

edited Apr 15, 2020 at 9:23

Kirill Chernikov

1,4309 silver badges21 bronze badges

answered Apr 15, 2020 at 1:56

Mariano Burich

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1 Comment

Sheldon Over a year ago

what if I debug C program, not a C++ program

Aidan Gallagher · Accepted Answer · 2023-03-08 11:35:09Z

24

When adding a beak point in arrange() then the c array shows it's address0x7fffffffdd15 like this:

To solve this on the bottom left you should see the WATCH section.
Add <your_array_name>, <array_length> like this:

Now in the watch section you should see your array like this:

answered Mar 8, 2023 at 11:35

Aidan Gallagher

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2 Comments

zeit Over a year ago

Easiest way! BTW, where did you found this magic?

Cool guy Oct 13 at 10:53

also interested. btw we can also limit the lower bounds of course by adding a index operator and then converting it back to a pointer, so *c[1],2 will return c[2] and c[3]

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