Share via

Set-PSDebug

  • Reference
Module:
Microsoft.PowerShell.Core

Turns script debugging features on and off, sets the trace level, and toggles strict mode.

Syntax

Set-PSDebug
   [-Trace <Int32>]
   [-Step]
   [-Strict]
   [<CommonParameters>]
Set-PSDebug
   [-Off]
   [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Set-PSDebug cmdlet turns script debugging features on and off, sets the trace level, and toggles strict mode. By default, the PowerShell debug features are off.

When the Trace parameter has a value of 1, each line of script is traced as it runs. When the parameter has a value of 2, variable assignments, function calls, and script calls are also traced. If the Step parameter is specified, you're prompted before each line of the script runs.

Examples

Example 1: Set the trace level

This example sets the trace level to 2, and then runs a script that displays the numbers 1, 2, and 3.

Set-PSDebug -Trace 2; foreach ($i in 1..3) {$i}

DEBUG:    1+ Set-PSDebug -Trace 2; foreach ($i in  >>>> 1..3) {$i}
DEBUG:     ! SET $foreach = 'IEnumerator'.
DEBUG:    1+ Set-PSDebug -Trace 2; foreach ( >>>> $i in 1..3) {$i}
DEBUG:     ! SET $i = '1'.
DEBUG:    1+ Set-PSDebug -Trace 2; foreach ($i in 1..3) { >>>> $i}
1
DEBUG:    1+ Set-PSDebug -Trace 2; foreach ( >>>> $i in 1..3) {$i}
DEBUG:     ! SET $i = '2'.
DEBUG:    1+ Set-PSDebug -Trace 2; foreach ($i in 1..3) { >>>> $i}
2
DEBUG:    1+ Set-PSDebug -Trace 2; foreach ( >>>> $i in 1..3) {$i}
DEBUG:     ! SET $i = '3'.
DEBUG:    1+ Set-PSDebug -Trace 2; foreach ($i in 1..3) { >>>> $i}
3
DEBUG:    1+ Set-PSDebug -Trace 2; foreach ( >>>> $i in 1..3) {$i}
DEBUG:     ! SET $foreach = ''.

Example 2: Turn on stepping

This example turns on stepping, and then runs a script that displays the numbers 1, 2, and 3.

Set-PSDebug -Step; foreach ($i in 1..3) {$i}

Continue with this operation?
   1+ Set-PSDebug -Step; foreach ($i in  >>>> 1..3) {$i}
[Y] Yes  [A] Yes to All  [N] No  [L] No to All  [S] Suspend  [?] Help (default is "Y"): A
DEBUG:    1+ Set-PSDebug -Step; foreach ($i in  >>>> 1..3) {$i}
1
2
3

Example 3: Use strict mode

This example puts PowerShell in strict mode and attempts to access a variable that doesn't have an assigned value.

Set-PSDebug -Strict; $NewVar

The variable '$NewVar' cannot be retrieved because it has not been set.
At line:1 char:22
+ Set-PSDebug -Strict; $NewVar

Example 4: Turn off debug features

This example turns off all debugging features, and then runs a script that displays the numbers 1, 2, and 3.

Set-PSDebug -Off; foreach ($i in 1..3) {$i}

1
2
3

Parameters

-Off

Turns off all script debugging features.

Type:SwitchParameter
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Step

Turns on script stepping. Before each line runs, PowerShell prompts you to stop, continue, or enter a new interpreter level to inspect the state of the script.

Specifying the Step parameter automatically sets a trace level of 1.

Type:SwitchParameter
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Strict

Specifies that variables must be assigned a value before being referenced in a script. If a variable is referenced before a value is assigned, PowerShell returns an exception error. This is equivalent to Set-StrictMode -Version 1. For more information, see Set-StrictMode.

Type:SwitchParameter
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Trace

Specifies the trace level for each line in a script. Each line is traced as it's run.

The acceptable values for this parameter are as follows:

  • 0: Turn script tracing off.
  • 1: Trace script lines as they run.
  • 2: Trace script lines, variable assignments, function calls, and scripts.
Type:Int32
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

Inputs

None

You can't pipe objects to this cmdlet.

Outputs

None

This cmdlet returns no output.