The tool helper functions simplify the job of writing Windows-hosted debugging applications.
Following are the new tool helper functions:
| Function | Description |
| ClassFirst | Retrieves information about the first class in the class list. |
| ClassNext | Retrieves information about the next class in the class list. |
| GlobalEntryHandle | Retrieves information about a global memory object. |
| GlobalEntryModule | Retrieves information about a specific memory object. |
| GlobalFirst | Retrieves information about the first global memory object. |
| GlobalHandleToSel | Converts a global handle to a selector. |
| GlobalInfo | Retrieves information about the global heap. |
| GlobalNext | Retrieves information about the next global memory object. |
| InterruptRegister | Installs a function to handle system interrupts. |
| InterruptUnRegister | Removes the function that processed system interrupts. |
| LocalFirst | Retrieves information about the first local memory object. |
| LocalInfo | Fills a structure with information about the local heap. |
| LocalNext | Retrieves information about the next local memory object. |
| MemManInfo | Retrieves information about the memory manager. |
| MemoryRead | Reads memory from an arbitrary global heap object. |
| MemoryWrite | Writes memory to an arbitrary global heap object. |
| ModuleFindHandle | Retrieves information about a module. |
| ModuleFindName | Retrieves information about a module. |
| ModuleFirst | Retrieves information about the first module. |
| ModuleNext | Retrieves information about the next module. |
| NotifyRegister | Installs a notification callback function. |
| NotifyUnRegister | Removes a notification callback function. |
| StackTraceCSIPFirst | Retrieves information about a stack frame. |
| StackTraceFirst | Retrieves information about the first stack frame. |
| StackTraceNext | Retrieves information about the next stack frame. |
| SystemHeapInfo | Retrieves information about the USER heap. |
| TaskFindHandle | Retrieves information about a task. |
| TaskFirst | Retrieves information about the first task in the task queue. |
| TaskGetCSIP | Returns the next CS:IP value of a task. |
| TaskNext | Retrieves information about the next task in the task queue. |
| TaskSetCSIP | Sets the CS:IP of a sleeping task. |
| TaskSwitch | Switches to a specific address within a new task. |
| TerminateApp | Terminates an application. |
| TimerCount | Retrieves execution times. |
The tool helper feature depends on the dynamic-link library TOOLHELP.DLL. The DLL requires a modified version of the virtual timer device VTD.386 to provide additional support for the TimerCount function. Applications that use this function must install the virtual timer device by adding an appropriate device= entry in the [386Enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI file. Both TOOLHELP.DLL and VTD.386 are redistributable files.