How to visualize the value of a pointer while debugging in Delphi?

Question

So, I have a variable buffPtr: TPointer It has a size of 16 and contains a series of numbers, mostly starting with 0, say something like 013854351387365. I'm sure it contains values, because the application does what it does fine.

I want to see this value while I'm debugging.

If I add "PAnsiChar(buffPtr)^" to the watches I only see the first byte.

Billon

Did you tried to put PAnsiChar(BufPtr) (without the ^)? – Nadenenader

Answer 1

I added a watch to PAnsiChar(buffPtr)^

with the Watch Properties as

Repeat Count = 16 Decimal

Billon

I don't understand the question or the answer. Could you elaborate? – Tad

It would be nice if you also included a picture of the output from this configuration, instead of just the input of the dialog. – Connatural

Answer 2

Just type in the watch expression PAnsiChar(buffPtr)^,16 or PByte(buffPtr)^,16 if you want the ordinal/byte values.

The trick here is to add the number of pattern repeat after a comma, like ,16.

It is IMHO more convenient than changing the Watch Properties, and it works with the F7 evaluation command of the IDE.

Gilud

Answer 3

Did you set the watch do dump a region of memory? For some structures that helps.

If you can recompile your application, then define this:

type
  T16Values = array[0..15] of Byte;
  P16Values = ^T16Values;

Then cast your pointer into a P16Values, and view that.

If it is another data type than Byte, change the above code accordingly.

Madeira

IMHO you don't need that, since the debugger handle custom repetition directly. – Gilud

Sometimes it is more convenient to do this at code time, as saving debugger settings requires you to save the whole .DSK, which often results in pain. – Madeira

... or just add ,16 to the expression. No need to change the settings. ;) – Gilud