Build - Start - Debug

A Ranorex test automation project gets started by clicking the "Run" button or by pressing the <F5> key. In that case Ranorex Studio rebuilds the current project automatically before starting it. If a solution contains more than one projects it is necessary to define one project as start up project.

: Define 'HelloTest' as start up project

During build, the compiler generates, depending on the type of project, different types of output files. Whereas 'Ranorex Console Application' and 'Ranorex Windows Application' generate executables, a Ranorex Library output can not be executed directly. To debug automation code within a Ranorex based library, it is required to define an executable program which references the library. Open the project settings ('Project' | 'Project Options...' to define an external program to start a debug session.

: Debug configuration options

How to: Use Breakpoints

To debug a test code implementation, toggle a break point to cause the debugger to stop the current test process at a specific code line. Use the short cut <F7> to toggle the breakpoint.

: Toggled breakpoint

Now start your debug session using the <F5> short cut. The debugger stops at the breakpoint position.

: Debugger stopped

Now you are able to continue running test code by pressing <F6> or to debug in single step mode, code line per code line, with <F10> shortcut.

: 'Step over' action executes the current code line by stepping over all statements or expressions in this line

How to: Watch a local variable

The debug mode enables the user to watch the current state of local used variables. Open the 'Local variables' view using the menu item 'View' | 'Debug' | 'Local variables'.

: Local variables view