How to use the Debugger in VSCode to debug Node.js Applications

Learning how to use the vscode debugger is important when trying to debug nodejs applications. Console.logs work great for the most part, but sometimes you run into really hard to debug issues that require brining out the big guns: the debugger.
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[@Nonsense116]

I used to use console logs all the time. This past advent of code I decided to finally learn the debugger since the problems were getting complex and it has paid back dividends. The VSCode debugger is awesome and so is Chrome's. The watch feature can run simple functions and comparisons and I've had to use the callstack window a couple of times now. You can see what where your function got called and with what params. It's delightful.

[@boombap8910]

Very well explained. You helped me a lot

[@drivenbycuriosity]

This is really helpful. Thank you.

[@SeibertSwirl]

Good job babe!!

[@DridgeDEU]

I didn't know about the "Watch" feature - wonderful, thank you! Do you know whether it's possible to evaluate statements like in IntelliJ?

[@travelchimps6637]

Great video! How would the configuration look like if I run the node script from a docker container?

[@jadeyu6761]

Can you make more debugger videos ? Thank You!

[@AmericazGotTalentYT]

if you use the javascript debug terminal (instead of zsh/bash), there's very little set up required. just add a breakpoint and when you run your code, the debugger will attach.

[@WebDevCody]

I’m not sure I follow. Are you saying I don’t need to use the vscode debugger to get it to stop on a breakpoint?

[@AmericazGotTalentYT]

@@WebDevCody no i'm just saying there's no configuration needed. no launch.json or anything like that. just set a breakpoint and run the code

[@ghury1]

how to debug starting from an single get request, and then stop the request inside my source code?

[@TheRcfrias]

What if I want to step into a node app running in a container?

[@akhilr94]

Great video! I'm commenting because of the hate comments. I found the video to be helpful. Can you also do a video on chrome dev tools?

[@evgeniy3370]

amm.. what is the logic in the "loadFile" function?

[@dylanlepage5748]

I don't see any Node.js option available when clicking on "create a launch.json file", are we supposed to have a specific extension installed?

[@WebDevCody]

I think it uses it by default.

[@dylanlepage5748]

@@WebDevCody Yeah it is supposed to but for some reason it was gone. The Solution was to deactivate and reactivate the built-in Javascript extension.

[@abdulazeez.98]

I just run the whole thing in debug mode every time. It kinda replaces “npm start” for me.
I think I picked this habit from Flutter, by default you run the code in debug mode.

[@jasonxb2998]

What VSCode theme is that? I love the purple hue

[@WebDevCody]

Shades of purple

[@jasonxb2998]

@@WebDevCody of course XD

[@bananainacup]

What the hell is an unbound breakpoint !!?

[@hdx0128]

you are not a good teacher, explaining a simple concept/tool with so many irrelevant technical references.

[@whysumancode]

Really Helpful Brother🫶

[@halalmeatshophk]

To explain Dubugger in VScode, there was no need to complicate it by using the process.argv.splice(2). It didn't help in anyway.
I wonder why people find difficulty in explaining simple stuffs.