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Debugging Applications Without Source Code

As discussed in Preparing-a-Program-for-Execution, the typical Code Debug CICS test begins by processing the application program with a BMC language processor. This process creates an online source listing that allows you to interactively step through your source code as it executes. However, if this source listing is not available, you can still test your programs with Code Debug CICS using a form of testing called sourceless debugging.

This section demonstrates two methods for using sourceless debugging when testing your applications: PSEUDOSOURCE and Line Mode. You can still use Code Debug CICS to set breakpoints, intercept abends, step through instructions, modify data, and generally test your program.

The PSEUDOSOURCE command allows you to map a program or CSECT to create an Assembler pseudo-listing. This pseudo-listing displays the underlying instructions in memory as if it was an Assembler program processed by the BMC Assembler Language Processor. While you still need some experience in debugging assembler language, the capability to debug a program or CSECT as if you had the original source provides you with a much richer set of commands.

Line Mode debugging, described on Line-Mode, still allows you to use the product, although you do not have as rich a set of commands as PSEUDOSOURCE allows. Because you do not have a source listing available, you are restricted to using offsets and working with a single assembler instruction. In Line Mode, you will probably require a hard copy listing of the program to assist in debugging the program or CSECT. You also need to be able to decipher Assembler instructions by looking at the hexadecimal display of storage in the 2.2 or 9.2 screens.

To demonstrate sourceless debugging, this section discusses the following two major categories of testing:

  • Without setting breakpoints
  • Setting breakpoints and stepping through the code

The following scenarios are based on the application transaction XASM. This is the sample payroll transaction shipped with Code Debug CICS that executes the Assembler program CWDEMASM. Since sourceless debugging mandates that no source listing exists for the program in question, you may wish to use a program of your own.

Warning

Important

The demonstrations in this section should be performed in Code Debug’s standard operating mode — not one of the three restricted modes. For more information, see Code Debug CICS Reference space.

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BMC AMI DevX Code Debug for CICS 17.02