What are the best ways to use Visual Studio Code for web application debugging?

2 Set up launch configurations

Another important step is to set up launch configurations for your web application. Launch configurations are JSON files that tell VS Code how to run and debug your application. You can create and edit launch configurations in the .vscode folder of your project, or use the Debug and Run view in VS Code to generate them automatically. Launch configurations can specify various options, such as the URL, port, browser, or server to use, the environment variables, the debugger mode, and the pre-launch or post-launch tasks. For example, you can create a launch configuration that launches your web application in Chrome and attaches the VS Code debugger to it, or one that starts a Node.js server and debugs it with VS Code.

3 Use breakpoints and watch expressions

One of the most useful features of VS Code for web application debugging is the ability to use breakpoints and watch expressions. Breakpoints are markers that tell the debugger to pause the execution of your code at a specific line or condition. You can add, remove, enable, disable, or edit breakpoints in the editor, or in the Breakpoints view in VS Code. Watch expressions are expressions that you can evaluate in the context of a breakpoint, and see their values and types in the Watch view in VS Code. You can add, remove, or edit watch expressions in the Watch view, or in the Debug Console. Breakpoints and watch expressions can help you inspect and modify the state of your web application, and find and fix errors.

5 Use the integrated terminal and console

The last feature of VS Code for web application debugging that we will discuss is the use of the integrated terminal and console. The integrated terminal is a terminal emulator that runs inside VS Code, and allows you to execute commands, scripts, or tasks related to your web application. You can open, close, or switch between multiple terminals, or split them into panes. The integrated terminal can also interact with the VS Code debugger, and show the output or errors of your web application. The console is a panel that shows the messages, warnings, or errors that are logged by your web application, or by the VS Code debugger. You can also use the console to evaluate expressions, or to send commands to the debugger. The integrated terminal and console can help you run and debug your web application, and troubleshoot issues.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?