Debugging is an essential aspect of swift app development, and Windows provides a comprehensive suite of debugging utilities to help developers diagnose and resolve issues in their applications and drivers. The Windows SDK and WDK offer a powerful toolset, including WinDbg, command-line debuggers, and specialized tools for analyzing crash dumps and system failures. With these tools, you can efficiently troubleshoot and fix complex software problems.

Installing the Debugging Tools

The debugging tools are available through multiple channels:

As Part of the WDK

The Windows Driver Kit (WDK) includes the debugging tools as part of its comprehensive suite. To get the WDK, simply download it from the official website.

As Part of the Windows SDK

The Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) also bundles the debugging tools, along with a range of other development tools and resources. You can download the installer or an ISO image from the Windows Dev Center.

As a Standalone Toolset

If you only need the debugging tools without the rest of the WDK or SDK, you can still install them as a standalone toolset. Start by downloading the Windows SDK installer, then select only the Debugging Tools for Windows in the list of features to install (and clear all other selections).

Debugging Environments

If your computer has Visual Studio and the WDK installed, you'll have six available debugging environments to choose from. These environments provide user interfaces for the same underlying debugging engine, which is implemented in the Windows Symbolic Debugger Engine (Dbgeng.dll). This debugging engine is also known as the Windows debugger, and the six debugging environments are collectively referred to as the Windows debuggers.

Command Line Debuggers

Four command-line debuggers are available for specialized environments and those who prefer a command-line interface:

  • KD and NTKD: identical in every way, except that NTKD spawns a new text window when it starts, whereas KD inherits the Command Prompt window from which it was invoked.
  • CDB and NTSD: also available, providing additional debugging capabilities.

Symbols and Symbol Files

Symbol files store data that aren't required when running executable binaries but are very useful when debugging code. Creating and using symbol files is a crucial aspect of swift app development, allowing you to efficiently identify and fix issues in your applications.

Blue Screens and Crash Dump Files

If Windows stops working and displays a blue screen, the computer shuts down abruptly to protect itself from data loss and displays a bug check code. By analyzing crash dump files using WinDbg and other Windows debuggers, you can gain valuable insights into what went wrong and how to fix it.

Looking for Debugging Tools for Earlier Versions of Windows?

To download the debugger tools for previous versions of Windows, simply download the Windows SDK for the version you're debugging from the Windows SDK and emulator archive. In the installation wizard, select Debugging Tools for Windows and deselect all other components.

Learn More About Swift App Development

For more information on getting started with Windows debugging, see Getting Started with Windows Debugging. For additional resources related to Debugging Tools for Windows, see Debugging Resources.