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What a Python debugger does
A debugger lets you examine a program while it is paused. Instead of relying only on print statements or reading a traceback after a failure, you can stop at a chosen line, inspect variables in the active stack frame, evaluate expressions, and follow execution one step at a time.
Most debugging sessions follow this sequence:
- Choose a stop point. Add a breakpoint in source code or configure one in an IDE.
- Start or attach. Launch the program under debugger control, or connect to a process that is already running when the tool and environment support it.
- Inspect. Check the current line, local values, expressions, and call stack.
- Move execution. Step into a function, step over a call, or continue to the next breakpoint.
- Finish. Resume normal execution or end the debugging session.
Choose a debugger for your situation
| Situation | Good starting point | Why and what to check |
|---|---|---|
| Small script, terminal workflow, or quick investigation of an exception | pdb |
It is included in Python’s standard library and supports stepping, inspection, stack navigation, and post-mortem debugging. See the Python 3.14.8 pdb reference. |
| Project already open in VS Code | Python Debugger extension | It offers a quick current-file command and configurable launch or attach sessions. See Microsoft’s VS Code Python debugging documentation. |
| Project already open in PyCharm | PyCharm Debug mode | It provides an IDE workflow for breakpoints and state inspection. Check the debugger mode and whether your interpreter and workflow are covered in the PyCharm debugger settings and PyCharm debugging guide. |
| Need to inspect an existing or remote process | Compare each tool’s attach and remote-debugging path | VS Code documents attach and remote workflows; PyCharm documents DAP attachment and notes scenarios outside debugpy coverage. Verify interpreter, framework, subprocess, and network-security requirements before choosing. |
There is no universally best debugger. Compare whether you want a terminal or graphical interface, whether you can launch the program or need to attach, which Python interpreter and version are involved, and whether the target framework, remote host, WSL environment, or subprocesses are supported.
Use Python’s built-in pdb
pdb is Python’s interactive source debugger. In the default configuration, calling breakpoint() enters it at that point in the program. The following runnable example pauses before calculating a result:
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def calculate_total(prices):
subtotal = sum(prices)
breakpoint()
return subtotal
print(calculate_total([12.50, 7.50]))Save the code to a file such as debug_example.py, then run it normally with python debug_example.py. At the (Pdb) prompt, the program is paused on the breakpoint line. Enter one command at a time:
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
p expression |
Evaluates and prints an expression in the current frame, for example p subtotal. |
where or w |
Shows the stack, including the current frame. |
list |
Lists source around the current line. |
step or s |
Runs the next line and enters a called function when execution reaches it. |
next or n |
Runs the next line without stepping into a called function. |
continue or c |
Resumes execution until another breakpoint or the program ends. |
quit or q |
Ends the debugging session. |
Launch a script under pdb
You do not need to insert breakpoint() to start a session. Run the script with:
python -m pdb path/to/script.pyThis starts the script under debugger control. The pdb module also enters post-mortem debugging when a program exits abnormally, allowing you to examine the state around the exception. To inspect the last exception from an interactive session, Python documents pdb.pm().
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Conditional breakpoints and frame inspection
For a breakpoint that should trigger only when a condition is true, use the break command with a line and condition, for example b 42, count > 10. Use where to understand how execution reached the current frame, then use up or down to move through stack frames. Expressions evaluated with p use the selected frame’s context.
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Python 3.14 adds the -p or --pid option for attaching pdb to a process by ID:
python -m pdb -p 12345Replace 12345 with the target process ID. This option is specific to Python 3.14 and newer; do not assume it is available in earlier versions. The Python documentation cautions that a process blocked in a system call or waiting for I/O may not be attachable until it executes another bytecode instruction or receives a signal. Python 3.14 also documents a monitoring backend and async entry points; consult the versioned reference for details and compatibility.
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Debug a Python file in VS Code
Start a quick session for the open file
- Open the project or Python file in VS Code and confirm the intended Python interpreter is selected.
- Open the editor’s Run and Debug controls and choose Python Debugger: Debug Python File.
- When execution pauses at a breakpoint, inspect variables and the call stack in the Debug view, then use the controls to step or continue.
For repeatable sessions or projects that need arguments, a particular working directory, or another launch setting, create a Python debugger configuration in .vscode/launch.json. Start debugging with F5. A Python File configuration is a starting point for a script; the workspace interpreter is used by default, and configuration options can select another interpreter. VS Code also documents attach-by-process-ID configurations. Exact options depend on the workflow; use the VS Code debugging reference when configuring a project.
Use debugpy from the command line
For command-line or remote workflows, install debugpy into the Python environment that will run the target:
python -m pip install --upgrade debugpyThen invoke it with a listen or connect endpoint and the script, module, command, or process ID required by your setup. For example, to start a script with a local listener:
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python -m debugpy --listen 127.0.0.1:5678 path/to/script.pyThe target waits for a debugger client to connect when configured to wait for that connection; consult the debugpy options shown by python -m debugpy --help for the exact flags supported by the installed version. In VS Code, configure an attach session with the same host and port. For a remote target, follow the documented remote-debugging setup and prefer a secure connection such as SSH where appropriate. Do not expose a debug listener to an untrusted network.
Debug a Python project in PyCharm
- Open the project and select the intended interpreter.
- Click the gutter beside a source line to set a breakpoint.
- Start the project using Debug, rather than the normal Run action.
- When execution pauses, inspect the suspended state and use the debugger controls to step or resume.
PyCharm’s help identifies debugpy as its default debugger for Python 3.9 or later with local and WSL interpreters; pydevd is an alternative. The coverage depends on the specific debugger and workflow. JetBrains lists scenarios not yet covered by debugpy, including some remote targets, attach-to-process, Sphinx doctest, Scrapy, remote Jupyter notebooks, and certain manage.py tasks. Remote DAP attachment and alternative debugger selection are separately documented paths. Check the current PyCharm documentation for your interpreter, framework, and deployment arrangement before depending on a specialized workflow.
Common debugging problems and fixes
- The breakpoint never triggers: confirm the program actually reaches that line, the file being executed is the file you edited, and the debugger is attached to the correct process. In an IDE, check that the selected interpreter and launch configuration match the project.
breakpoint()does not open pdb: the default breakpoint behavior can be changed through Python’s breakpoint configuration. Check the environment and runtime configuration, or launch explicitly withpython -m pdb path/to/script.py.- VS Code uses the wrong Python environment: select the intended workspace interpreter and verify that required packages, including debugpy for its command-line workflow, are installed in that environment.
- Attach fails or the remote session cannot connect: check the target host, port, process ID, and network route; ensure the client and target use compatible settings. Keep remote debug listeners off untrusted networks and use a secure tunnel such as SSH where appropriate.
- pdb cannot attach to a Python 3.14 process: a process waiting on I/O or blocked in a system call may need to execute another bytecode instruction or receive a signal before attachment succeeds.
- PyCharm’s selected debugger does not support the workflow: verify the documented debugpy coverage for the target interpreter and task, then assess whether the documented pydevd alternative or DAP path fits.
- Stepping appears to skip code:
nextdeliberately runs through a called function; usestepwhen you need to enter it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is pdb included with Python?
Yes. pdb is part of Python’s standard library, so a separate debugger installation is not required.
Can I debug a Python process that is already running?
Some workflows support attachment. Python’s pdb command-line PID attachment is documented for Python 3.14 and later; VS Code and PyCharm have their own attach paths with environment-specific qualifications.
Should I use step or next in pdb?
Use step to enter a called function and next to run over it without entering.
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