Q: Can cpp-dump output to a file instead of the console?

Yes, but it requires customization: define an explicit specialization of cpp_dump::write_log() to redirect output. By default, it writes to std::clog, so you need to override this for file logging.

Q: Is cpp-dump good for competitive programming?

Yes, the README includes a setup for competitive programming using preprocessor directives to enable cpp-dump only in local builds, with options to limit line width and show filenames for quick debugging.

Q: How to disable colors in cpp-dump output?

Set the es_style option to no_es using CPP_DUMP_SET_OPTION, which turns off escape sequences. This is useful for environments that don't support colored text or for cleaner log files.

Question 1

How to install cpp-dump in a CMake project?

Accepted Answer

You can use FetchContent in CMakeLists.txt to include cpp-dump, or clone the repo and include the header directly. The README provides examples for both methods, ensuring no dependencies are needed.

Question 2

cpp-dump vs printf for debugging C++ – which is better?

Accepted Answer

cpp-dump is better for complex types like nested containers and custom classes, as it auto-formats and supports colors, while printf is simpler for basic types but requires manual formatting. Use cpp-dump for rich debug output and printf for lightweight, low-overhead logging.

Question 3

How to print a custom class with cpp-dump?

Accepted Answer

Define it using CPP_DUMP_DEFINE_EXPORT_OBJECT macro or operator<<. The macro allows specifying member variables or functions, and cpp-dump will recursively print them without writing new functions.

Question 4

Can cpp-dump output to a file instead of the console?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it requires customization: define an explicit specialization of cpp_dump::write_log() to redirect output. By default, it writes to std::clog, so you need to override this for file logging.

Question 5

Is cpp-dump good for competitive programming?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the README includes a setup for competitive programming using preprocessor directives to enable cpp-dump only in local builds, with options to limit line width and show filenames for quick debugging.

Question 6

How to disable colors in cpp-dump output?

Accepted Answer

Set the es_style option to no_es using CPP_DUMP_SET_OPTION, which turns off escape sequences. This is useful for environments that don't support colored text or for cleaner log files.

cpp-dump

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