Watch List Window

Go Up to Debug Windows Index

View > Debug Windows > Watch List

Displays the current value of the watch expression based on the scope of the execution point. The Watch List window is a multi-tabbed view with each tab representing a distinct watch group. Only the watch group on the active tab is evaluated while debugging.

Tip: To enable or disable a watch expression quickly, use the check box next to the watch.

Note: The in-place editors on the Watch List window are now clickable dropdown lists. In addition to typing new values in the in-place editors (such as Watch Name), you can also select from values that were entered in this field previously or on other Debug windows.

Item	Description
Watch Name	Shows the expression entered as a watch.
Value	Lists the current value of the expression entered. precedes the value if an external-viewer debugger visualizer is available to display the data. Click the down-arrow to select from the available external-viewer visualizers.

Note: If the execution point moves to a location where any of the variables in an expression is undefined (out of scope), the entire watch expression becomes undefined. If the execution point reenters the scope of the expression, the Watch List window displays the current value of the expression.

Tip: By grouping watches, you can prevent out of scope expressions from slowing down stepping.

Context menu

Right-click the Watch List window to display the following commands:

Item	Description
Edit Watch	Displays the Watch Properties dialog box, on which you can modify the properties of a watch.
Add Watch	Displays the Watch Properties dialog box, on which you can create a watch.
Enable Watch	Enables a disabled watch expression.
Disable Watch	Disables a watch expression and so that it is not monitored as you step through or run your program. The watch settings remain defined. Disabling watches improves debugger performance.
Delete Watch	Removes a watch expression. This command is not reversible.
Copy Watch Value	Copies the text in the Value column of the selected watch to the clipboard.
Copy Watch Name	Copies the text in the Watch Name column of the selected watch to the clipboard.
Enable All Watches	Enables all disabled watch expressions.
Disable All Watches	Disables all enabled watch expressions.
Delete All Watches	Removes all watch expressions.
Add Group	Displays a dialog box, allowing you to name a watch group and add it to the watch list as a new tab.
Delete Group	Deletes a watch group from the watch list.
Move Watch to Group	Moves one or more selected watches to another watch group.
Inspect	Displays the selected watch item in the Debug Inspector.
Evaluate/Modify	Displays the selected watch item in the Evaluate/Modify dialog box.
Visualizers	Enabled when an external-viewer type debugger visualizer is available to display the selected data in a more human-readable way. To display the visualized data, click a submenu item (such as Show Strings for the TStringList visualizer).
New Watch	Creates a new watch item from the selected item. This command is enabled for all items except top-level items.
Stay On Top	Keeps the window visible when out of focus.
Show Column Headers	Toggles the display of the Watch Name and Value column titles.
Dockable	Enables drag-and-dock for the Watch List window.

See Also

• Adding a Watch
• Watch Properties
• Debugger Visualizers
• Overview of Debugging
• Debug Inspector