Form Debugging Tips

MORE INFORMATION

THIS and THISFORM Keywords

The THIS and THISFORM keywords can only be used in a class definition. Because an object has been instantiated when a form is running, the THIS and THISFORM keywords only reference the form object when a method is executing. You can use the form's name to reference it in the Debug window. A generic way to refer to the active form is to place the following expression on the left side of the Debug window:

   _SCREEN.ACTIVEFORM
				

The "(object)" word that is presented on the right side of the Debug window will signify that an object reference to the form exists.

How to Verify the Method Currently Executing

To verify the method currently executing, type PROGRAM() in the Debug window. For example, if you have defined code for the Load event, the right side of the Debug window will read FORM1.LOAD when the Load event is executed.

How to Verify the Name of the Active Control in a Form

To verify the name of the active control in a form, type:

     _SCREEN.ACTIVEFORM.ACTIVECONTROL.NAME
				

This expression returns the name of the member object, such as Command1.

How to Verify the Name of the Container of an Active Control

To verify the name of the container of an active control, type:

   _SCREEN.ACTIVEFORM.ACTIVECONTROL.PARENT.NAME
				

How to Suspend Execution of the Form

You can suspend execution of the form by setting a breakpoint in the Debug window. For example, to verify the order in which methods are executed when you run a form, you can place PROGRAM() on the left side of the Debug window. This function is updated each time a method or the code associated with an event is executed. If you set a breakpoint in the Debug window by clicking the center bar, the execution of the form will be suspended each time the value returned by PROGRAM() is modified.