AutoLISP Developer's Guide > Using the Visual LISP Environment > Debugging Programs > Learning by Example > Stepping through the Debugging Example > 
Running in Animate Mode
 
 
 

Another debugging feature, animation, allows you to watch as VLISP steps through your program code and evaluates each expression. In Animate mode, it's as if VLISP repeatedly enters a Step Into command for you. Text editor windows highlight expressions being evaluated, and the Watch window continuously updates its data.

To see how Animate mode works

  1. Turn on Animate mode by choosing Debug Animate from the VLISP menu.
  2. Enter (yinyang) at the Console prompt to begin executing the program.

    You'll see each function highlighted as VLISP evaluates the function. You'll be prompted for input, as usual. Notice how the Watch window is updated whenever a watched variable changes. Because you previously set a breakpoint in the program, execution will halt at that breakpoint.

  3. After you stop at the breakpoint, press the Continue button to resume execution; VLISP resumes executing in Animate mode.

You can also interrupt animation by pressing BREAK (it's the key next to SCROLL-LOCK on most keyboards). Once animation is paused you can add Watch values, set variables to new values, and add breakpoints.

To adjust the rate of animation, choose Tools Environment Options General Options, and select the Diagnostic tab. The Animation Delay setting defines the pause between program steps, in milliseconds.

To turn off Animate mode, choose Debug Animate from the VLISP menu again.