The Win32 API provides several functions that can be used to create a basic, event-driven debugger. Event-driven means that the debugger is notified every time certain events occur in the process being debugged. Notification enables the debugger to take appropriate action in response to the events.
The Debug Support from Process, Thread, and Exception Functions section of this overview describes the debugging-specific features of certain Win32 process, thread, and exception-handling functions.
The Win32 Debugging Functions section of this overview describes the Win32 debugging functions. These functions enable an application to wait for debugging events, cause breakpoint exceptions, transfer execution control to the debugger, and so on.
The Debugging Events section of this overview describes the debug event mechanism. Debugging events cause the kernel to notify the debugger.