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Using breakpoints and step-through

Using breakpoints and the step-through feature in AutomatR Studio is crucial for debugging and troubleshooting automation workflows. Breakpoints allow you to pause the execution of your workflow at specific points, while step-through allows you to navigate through the workflow step by step. Here's a brief overview of how to use breakpoints and step-through in AutomatR Studio:

Using Breakpoints​

  1. To set a breakpoint on a specific activity in your workflow, right-click on the activity in the canvas and select Insert Breakpoint from the context menu Breakpoint option.

  2. You can also set breakpoints in the Locals panel or the "Variables" panel by clicking in the margin next to the activity.

  3. To begin debugging with breakpoints, click the Debug button in the Execute tab or press the F5 key. This action launches your workflow in debug mode.

  4. When the execution reaches a breakpoint, the workflow will pause, and the activity with the breakpoint will be highlighted. You can examine variables, inspect data, and check the workflow's state at this point.

  5. To continue execution from a breakpoint, click the Continue button in the Debug panel or use the F5 key again. The workflow will resume until it reaches the next breakpoint.

Using Step-Through​

  1. To use the step-through feature, initiate debugging by clicking the Debug button from the Execute tab or pressing F5.

  2. To step into an activity and execute it step by step, click the Step Into button in the Debug panel or use the F11 key. This action takes you inside the selected activity.

  3. To execute an activity without entering its details (e.g., in case of invoking a sub-workflow), use the Next Step button in the Debug panel or the F10 key. It moves to the next activity on the same level without diving into the selected one.

  4. If you're inside an activity (e.g., within a sequence) and want to exit and move to the parent activity, use the Stop button in the Debug panel or press Shift + F11.

  5. While stepping through the workflow, you can inspect the values of variables and expressions in the Locals panel. This helps you track data changes during execution.

  6. To continue executing the workflow after stepping through an activity, click the Continue button in the Debug panel or use F5. This allows the workflow to run until it reaches the next breakpoint or completes.

Using breakpoints and step-through in AutomatR Studio enables precise control over the debugging process, helping you identify and resolve issues in your automation workflows efficiently. It's an essential technique for ensuring the reliability and correctness of your automation solutions.