How to set up OCaml earlybird for debugging in VS Code?

Install via opam, ensure the VSCode OCaml Platform extension is version 1.13 or newer, and configure a launch.json file with settings like program path and arguments, as shown in the examples. Refer to the extension's documentation for step-by-step guidance.

OCaml earlybird vs ocamldebug: which should I use?

OCaml earlybird integrates into VS Code with a GUI and DAP support, ideal for editor-based workflows, while ocamldebug is a command-line tool better for quick, script-level debugging. Earlybird offers more visual control but depends on VS Code.

Why are my breakpoints not hitting with OCaml earlybird?

This is often due to Dune version issues; upgrade to Dune 3.7 or above and add (map_workspace_root false) to your dune-project file, as specified in the troubleshooting section to resolve source mapping problems.

How to debug forked processes in OCaml earlybird?

Use the followForkMode configuration in your launch settings to specify 'forkChild' or 'forkParent', allowing you to control which process to debug after a fork occurs in your program.

What configuration options are available in OCaml earlybird?

Options include program path, arguments, cwd, env, stopOnEntry, console type, followForkMode, source_dirs, onlyDebugGlob, yieldSteps, and _debugLog, all detailed in the README's configuration table for fine-tuning debug sessions.

Is OCaml earlybird stable enough for production use?

It's labeled as experimental, so while it provides core debugging features like breakpoints and stepping, it may have bugs or lack support for complex edge cases, making it riskier for critical production debugging compared to more established tools.

OCaml Debugger — VS Code OCaml Debug Adapter

What is OCaml Debugger?

OCaml earlybird is a debug adapter implementation for the OCaml programming language that enables debugging capabilities through the Debug Adapter Protocol. It provides developers with essential debugging features like breakpoints, stepping, and variable inspection directly within their editor, specifically integrated with VS Code's OCaml Platform extension.

Target Audience

OCaml developers using VS Code with the OCaml Platform extension who need integrated debugging features like breakpoints, stepping, and variable inspection.

Value Proposition

Developers choose OCaml earlybird for its standardized Debug Adapter Protocol support, ensuring a consistent debugging experience, and its seamless integration with the VS Code OCaml Platform extension for streamlined OCaml development workflows.

OCaml debug adapter

Use Cases

Best For

Debugging OCaml programs in VS Code with breakpoints and stepping functionality.
Configuring debug sessions with custom arguments, environment variables, and working directories.
Handling forked OCaml processes by choosing to follow child or parent processes.
Setting breakpoints with configurable source directory search paths in complex projects.
Debugging OCaml programs built with Dune 3.7 or above by adjusting workspace root mapping.
Logging debug messages to a file for troubleshooting complex debugging issues.

Not Ideal For

Teams using editors other than VS Code without Debug Adapter Protocol integration
Projects locked into Dune versions below 3.7 that cannot update due to legacy constraints
Developers needing advanced debugging features like memory inspection or multi-threaded debugging, which aren't covered
Simple OCaml scripts or one-off programs where command-line tools like ocamldebug are sufficient

Pros & Cons

Pros

Standardized Debugging Protocol

Implements the Debug Adapter Protocol for editor-agnostic support, ensuring a consistent debugging experience across tools, as highlighted in the philosophy.

Seamless VS Code Integration

Directly integrates with the VSCode OCaml Platform extension, providing a native debugging interface with breakpoints and stepping, as shown in the usage section.

Flexible Launch Configuration

Supports configurable program arguments, environment variables, working directories, and breakpoint settings, detailed in the configuration table for tailored debug sessions.

Fork Process Management

Offers followForkMode to control whether to debug child or parent processes, useful for complex OCaml applications with forking behavior.

Cons

VS Code Dependency

Primarily designed for VS Code via the OCaml Platform extension, limiting usability in other editors without additional setup or community support.

Dune Version Constraints

Breakpoints require Dune 3.7 or above with specific workspace settings, as noted in troubleshooting, which can block adoption in older projects.

Experimental Status

Marked as experimental in the VS Code extension documentation, indicating potential instability or incomplete feature support compared to mature debuggers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OCaml Debugger?

Target Audience

OCaml developers using VS Code with the OCaml Platform extension who need integrated debugging features like breakpoints, stepping, and variable inspection.

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Debugging OCaml programs in VS Code with breakpoints and stepping functionality.
Configuring debug sessions with custom arguments, environment variables, and working directories.
Handling forked OCaml processes by choosing to follow child or parent processes.
Setting breakpoints with configurable source directory search paths in complex projects.
Debugging OCaml programs built with Dune 3.7 or above by adjusting workspace root mapping.
Logging debug messages to a file for troubleshooting complex debugging issues.

Not Ideal For

Teams using editors other than VS Code without Debug Adapter Protocol integration
Projects locked into Dune versions below 3.7 that cannot update due to legacy constraints
Developers needing advanced debugging features like memory inspection or multi-threaded debugging, which aren't covered
Simple OCaml scripts or one-off programs where command-line tools like ocamldebug are sufficient

Pros & Cons

Pros

Standardized Debugging Protocol

Implements the Debug Adapter Protocol for editor-agnostic support, ensuring a consistent debugging experience across tools, as highlighted in the philosophy.

Seamless VS Code Integration

Directly integrates with the VSCode OCaml Platform extension, providing a native debugging interface with breakpoints and stepping, as shown in the usage section.

Flexible Launch Configuration

Supports configurable program arguments, environment variables, working directories, and breakpoint settings, detailed in the configuration table for tailored debug sessions.

Fork Process Management

Offers followForkMode to control whether to debug child or parent processes, useful for complex OCaml applications with forking behavior.

Cons

VS Code Dependency

Primarily designed for VS Code via the OCaml Platform extension, limiting usability in other editors without additional setup or community support.

Dune Version Constraints

Breakpoints require Dune 3.7 or above with specific workspace settings, as noted in troubleshooting, which can block adoption in older projects.

Experimental Status

Marked as experimental in the VS Code extension documentation, indicating potential instability or incomplete feature support compared to mature debuggers.

Frequently Asked Questions

OCaml Debugger

What is OCaml Debugger?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

OCaml Debugger

What is OCaml Debugger?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?