Debugging Applications (DV-MPS Programming) [Paperback]

John Robbins (Author)

Book Description

Series: DV-MPS Programming | Publication Date: February 26, 2000

Amid a booming market for third-party software debugging tools -- evidence that bugs and defects are a pernicious fact of everyday programming life -- there exists no single guidebook that adequately addresses the topic of debugging as a programming discipline. But with the upcoming publication of "Debugging Microsoft Windows Applications," developers finally get the practical, Windows-focused reference they need for finding and correcting costly coding errors. The book takes a holistic approach to debugging -- redefining "bugs" not just in terms of crashes and high-profile calamities, but including everything from user interface problems and performance issues to incomprehensible product manuals.

The first section introduces the "Zen of Debugging, " outlining what developers need to know both before and during product development Section two demonstrates how to maximize the vastly under-utilized built-in debugging capabilities in the Visual Studio "RM" product family. The last section of the book steps readers through specific debugging situations and their solutions, covering such topics as multithreaded debugging, crash handlers, and automated regression testing. Throughout, the book focuses on practical, tested techniques -- ready for work -- in the tradition of the award-winning Microsoft Press "RM" Best Practices series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (February 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735608865
• ISBN-13: 978-0735608863
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,460,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you aspire to be a serious developer? If so, read this bk, March 11, 2000

By 

Osiris Pedroso - See all my reviews

This review is from: Debugging Applications (DV-MPS Programming) (Paperback)

John Robbins did a great job on this book. I was very impressed both on the depth and breadth of the issues treated.

At first, I though on skipping the chapter on Visual Basic debugging, since I am strictly a VC++ developer, but I am glad I did not. Even that chapter gave me insights that I can use on my day to day, for example, when he runs the VB compiler while in the debugger and is able to see how VB uses the C compiler's code generation (second pass).

Some great insights and lots of good example on how to resolve problems and how to use all the capabilities of the debugger to ones best advantage.

It will teach you what to do when the debugger gets you to a source line that before that line, everything is working properly, after that line the world has turned upside down. It will teach you enough X86 assembly to make you dangerous and be able to read between the (source) lines in the process. Even if you thought you knew it already.

Could it be improved ? Yes, can't it always ? Coverage on tracking memory leaks could be expanded, for example, to cover MFC's shortcomings when reporting them, but this book is a close to perfection as I have seen them.

And it is a great read too. His style is easy to follow, even though some of the subjects are deep and complex, but John transfers the knowledge so easily, it is amazing.

Once I completed my first read, I really felt like I had just finished listening to a very good rendition of a Beethoven or Mozart simphony.

Every developer that aspire to be a serious developer should read it and reread it.

And thank you, John Robbins. I will be buying every book you write.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but could be even better, March 5, 2000

By 

EJ Bartelds (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Debugging Applications (DV-MPS Programming) (Paperback)

When I first heard John Robbins was writing a book on Win32 debugging, I was delighted. I've been a fan of his MSJ Bugslayer articles since the beginning, and John's debugging knowledge, displayed in those articles, has helped me tremendously.

However, for someone who has read all his MSJ work, this book is a bit of a disappointment. The reason is that the second part of the book is a collection of his (slightly-rewritten) MSJ articles, with almost no new content added as far as I can see.

The first part of the book, however, is worth every dollar, as other reviewers have already mentioned, even though I was missing coverage of the WinDbg debugger, and MS tools such as userdump. Maybe in a second edition?

To summarize, I suspect this book to be a 5-star for anyone who is fairly new to debugging and has not read John's MSJ columns. For others, who have been exposed to his columns, and have some experience, I'd rate this book 3-stars.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dick, February 14, 2000

By 

Dick (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Debugging Applications (DV-MPS Programming) (Paperback)

This is a very good book which teaches one important lessons on window application debugging. Debugging is used to be a black art. Personally, I learnt in the hard way i.e. using the "pull you hair off" approach, :(. However, John Robbins focus on the issue on understanding the project scope, learning the sofware technology and using proper debugging tools. It makes the debugging a process which we, the developers, can learn.

Althought, the book is focused on Windows application debugging but the principles and the rationale can be applied to other environment, e.g. Linux.

Also the John Robbins writing style is fun and friendly. Highly recommended.