> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://burkeholland.gitbook.io/vs-code-can-do-that/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://burkeholland.gitbook.io/vs-code-can-do-that/exercise-4-debugging/simple-debugging.md).

# Simple debugging

VS Code includes a debugger for Node.js out-of-the-box. You can run any JavaScript file with the debugger without any configuration whatsoever. 

### Simple Debugging

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Exercise" %}
Debug the "index.js" file in the "1-simple-debugging" folder and inspect the `response.data.results` object
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Answer" %}

* Open the "index.js" file in the "1-simple-debugging" folder
* Click in the left-hand margin next to line 12 to add a red dot

![](/files/-Lm0zhX7H5Kp1XYLtYbA)

* Press **F5**
* Select "Node.js" from the prompt

![](/files/-Lm1--pPjDkoPfQbJMXQ)

* The application will run and the breakpoint will be hit
* VS Code will also open the debug panel
* Expand the "response" object on the right-hand side under "variables" and file the "results" object

![](/files/-Lm1-UiElbAubsDH2Im9)

{% hint style="info" %}
Note that you can also use the "Debug Console" in the bottom Panel and just enter the name of the command or object you want to run/inspect.
{% endhint %}

![](/files/-Lm1-ppFtR15aKX7lkpa)

![](/files/-Lm1-vpMDWTyPk8ylh_e)
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Logpoints

While debugging is normally associated with breakpoints, VS Code has a concept called "Logpoints" . These are breakpoints that simply log out values to the Debug Console. This is useful for when you want to simply inspect a value, but you don't want to have the whole application halt. It's a nice substitute for `console.log`.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Exercise" %}
Add a log point to the application to log the value of `response.data.results` to the Debug Console. Run the app and view the log.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Answer" %}

* Right-click the left-hand gutter next to line 12 and select "Add Logpoint"

![](/files/-Lm12qnMk9KdiLHsfBwl)

* Enter `Response object is: {response.data.results}` and press **Enter**

![If you want an expression evaluated, you must wrap it in {}](/files/-Lm13JJGIGwPiIwV6A9X)

* Press **F5** to run the "index.js" file with VS Code
* View the Logpoint output in the Debug Console

![](/files/-Lm15xiPQs2AgT29com4)

{% hint style="info" %}
Note that if your Logpoint is not being logged out, it may be because you have a syntax error. If you have double-checked and it is still not being loaded, reload the VS Code window by opening the Command Palette (**Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P**) and selecting "Reload Window".
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}