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Setting the Search Order for Debug Symbol Tables

Symbol tables are used internally during debugging. By default, RAD Studio locates and uses all symbol tables available. However, you can control the order in which these symbol tables are searched. You can also limit the search to specific symbol tables, which can speed up the debugging process. 

The extensions for symbol table files vary by personality.

  • Delphi Win32 does not use external symbol files because the compiler holds the symbols tables in memory. However, if you are debugging a remote application, you must generate symbol files with the .RSM extension.
  • C++ symbol files use the .TDS extension. However, if debug information is contained in the PE file, external symbol tables are not used.

To set the order in which symbol tables are searched:

  1. Specify the general project search path.
  2. Specify the global path for all projects.
  3. Specify the language-specific path for the project.
  4. Specify the language-specific global path.

To specify the general project search path:

  1. Choose ProjectOptionsDebuggerSymbol Tables.
  2. In the Debug symbols search path field, type or navigate to the path to the symbols table that you want the debugger to use.
    Note: If you want to limit the search to specific symbol tables, proceed to the next step. If you want the debugger to search all paths, click OK
    to finish specifying the general project search path.
  3. Uncheck the Load all symbols check box.
  4. Click New. The Add Symbol Table Search Path dialog is displayed.
  5. Enter the name of the module you are debugging and one or more paths that contain the symbol table for that module. If you specify multiple paths, use a semicolon to separate them.
  6. Click OK. The Add Symbol Table Search Path dialog closes and the module and path you added are displayed in the table.
    Note: You can use this list to specify modules and paths that the debugger is to avoid searching by using a blank path and checking the Load symbols for unspecified modules
    check box.
  7. Click OK.

To specify the global path for all projects (for Delphi and C++ only)

  1. Choose ToolsOptionsDebugger OptionsCodeGear Debuggers.
  2. In the Debug symbols search path field, type or navigate to the path to the symbols table that you want the debugger to use.
  3. Click OK.

To specify the language-specific path for the project:

  1. Choose ProjectOptionsDirectories and Conditionals . The Directories and Conditionals page contains four fields in which you can specify a path for Win32 symbol tables. They are searched in the following order during debugging:
    1. Search path
    2. Package output directory
    3. DCP output directory
    4. Output directory
  2. In each of these fields, type or navigate to the path to the symbols table that you want the debugger to use.
  3. Click OK.

To specify global paths

  1. Choose ToolsOptionsEnvironment OptionsDelphi OptionsLibrary - Win32. The Library - Win32 page contains three fields in which you can specify a path for Win32 symbol tables. The paths are searched in the following order during debugging:
    1. Browsing path
    2. DCP output directory (not used for C++)
    3. Package output directory
  2. In each of these fields, type or navigate to the path to the symbols table that you want the debugger to use.
  3. Click OK.

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