How to debug eXpandFramework

In this post I will go through the process of debugging eXpandFramework for each of the distribution channel.

The sources

If you download the sources either from GitHub or our download page or our build server you need to run the buildall64.cmd file located in the root folder. The batch will generate the symbol files (pdb) and will register the assemblies in the GAC. Debugging is enabled by default since symbols and sources are in place.

The Nuget packages

eXpandFramework is distributed through Nuget and since version 14.1.4.8 and with the excellent GitHubLink project provides frictionless debug experience as long as Symbol Server support is enabled under your VS/Options/Debugging settings. The symbols are in the same package as the dll so expect the package size to be at least double in size. We will consider a better implementation if there are requests. GitHubLink patches the symbols so to request the assembly sources from the online GitHub repo so there is not need to have the sources in place.

The Binaries / The Installer

Either way you choose you will end up with a folder containing the eXpandFramework assemblies + the patched symbols. So, debugging is enabled by default and sources will be queried from the online GitHub repo as long as Symbol Server support is enabled under your VS/Options/Debugging settings

PS: In the installer case you can also find the sources under the Sources folder in your installation directory.