Setting the Search Order for Debug Symbol Tables

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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 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 an RSM debug file.
• C++ uses TDS debug files. However, if debug information is contained in the project executable file, external symbol tables are not used.

To set the order in which symbol tables are searched

Step	Description	Menu Path
1	Specify the project-specific search path.	Project > Options > Debugger > Symbol Tables
2	Specify the global path for all projects.	Tools > Options > Debugger Options > Embarcadero Debuggers
3	Specify the language-specific path for the project.	Delphi: Tools > Options > Environment Options > Delphi Options > Library C++: Project > Options > C++ (Shared Options)
4	Specify the language-specific global path.	Delphi: Tools > Options > Environment Options > Delphi Options > Library C++: Tools > Options > Environment Options > C++ Options > Paths and Directories

To specify the project-specific search path

1. Choose Project > Options > Debugger > Symbol Tables.
2. In the Debug symbols search path field, either specify the path or click and navigate to the path to the symbols table that you want the debugger to use.
3. 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.
4. Uncheck the Load all symbols check box.
5. Click New. The Add Symbol Table Search Path dialog is displayed.
6. 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.
7. 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.

8. Click OK on the Symbol Tables page.

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

1. Choose Tools > Options > Debugger Options > Embarcadero 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

Delphi:

1. Choose Project > Options > Delphi Compiler. This page contains four fields in which you can specify a path for symbol tables. The paths 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 of the symbols table that you want the debugger to use.
3. Click OK.

C++:

1. Choose Project > Options > C++ (Shared Options). In three fields on this page you can specify a path for symbol tables. The paths are searched in the following order during debugging:
   1. Include path
   2. Library path
   3. BPI/LIB output
2. In each of these fields, type or navigate to the path of the symbols table that you want the debugger to use.
3. Click OK.

To specify language-specific global paths

Delphi:

1. Choose Tools > Options > Environment Options > Delphi Options > Library. This page contains three fields in which you can specify a path for 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.

C++:

1. Choose Tools > Options > Environment Options > C++ Options > Paths and Directories. This page contains four fields in which you can specify a path for symbol tables. The paths are searched in the following order during debugging:
   1. Browsing path
   2. Include path
   3. Package output directory
   4. BPI/LIB 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.

See Also

• Overview of Debugging

• Overview of Remote Debugging
• Debugger Symbol Tables
• Add Symbol Table Search Path
• Embarcadero Debuggers
• C++ (Shared Options)
• Library