How To Compile VB Programs with Debug Symbols Embedded

SUMMARY

The "Compile to Native Code" option introduced in Visual Basic versions 5.0 and 6.0 not only improves performance of Visual Basic programs and components, but also makes it possible to debug them with the Visual C++ debugger.

This article shows you how to compile a Visual Basic program or component with embedded debug symbols. By doing so, you simplify the debugging process and avoid the problems associated with mismatched and improperly placed symbols.

MORE INFORMATION

All it takes to compile a Visual Basic program or component with embedded debug symbols is a properly set environment variable, LINK. The key is to set it in such a way that Visual Basic inherits the setting when it is launched. To do this, follow the steps below:

There are several ways to set the LINK environment variable, each of these methods is outlined below:

Windows NT or Windows 95/98/Me

1.	Open an MS-DOS Prompt.
2.	Navigate to the folder containing Visual Basic.
3.	Execute the following command, "set link=/pdb:none" without quotes.
4.	Start Visual Basic from the MS-DOS command prompt.

Windows NT Only

1.	From the Control Panel, select the System icon.
2.	Select the Environment tab.
3.	In the Variable entry, enter "link" without quotes.
4.	In the Value entry, enter the following: /pdb:none
5.	Press Set, then Apply.
6.	Start Visual Basic from the MS-DOS command prompt.

Windows 95/98/Me Only

1.	Make a backup copy of the AutoExec.Bat file.
2.	Open the Autoexec.bat file with Notepad.Exe or any text editor.
3.	Add the following entry to the AutoExec.Bat file: set link=/pdb:none
4.	Save the AutoExec.Bat file.
5.	Execute the AutoExec.Bat file or reboot the machine.
6.	Start Visual Basic. Once the LINK environment variable is set, a Visual Basic project can be compiled with embedded debug symbols. The following steps describe how to create a test program and compile it with embedded debug symbols:

Step-by-Step Example

1.	Create a new Standard EXE project in Visual Basic. Form1 is created by default.
2.	Add a CommandButton (Command1) to Form1.
3.	Add the following code to Form1: Private Sub Command1_Click() Dim s As String s = App.EXEName Print s End Sub
4.	Select Project1 Properties from the Project menu.
5.	Select the Compile tab.
6.	Select Compile to Native Code, check Create Symbolic Debug Info, and select No Optimization.
7.	Save the project and create Project1.EXE. Note that the EXE is created with embedded debug symbols.