FIX: MSDEV Does Not Prompt for Executable for Debug Session

• Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, version 4.0, 4.1, 4.2

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start a debugging session in Developer Studio (MSDEV) and the target being debugged is a DLL or an OCX, Developer Studio will prompt you for an executable for the debug session if you have not specified one. If Developer Studio cannot find the executable you specify, it will display an error message but will continue to try to use the incorrect executable name each time you attempt to debug. So from this point on, Developer Studio will not give you the opportunity to correct the name, it will just display an error message each time you attempt to debug.

RESOLUTION

To correct this behavior, you need to explicitly change the "Executable for debug session" setting in the build settings for the project. On the Build menu, click Select Settings, select the debug target, click the debug tab, and select General in the Category box. You can now correct the name specified in the "Executable for debug session" box. Be sure to include the .exe extension after the name.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This bug was corrected in Visual C++ version 5.0.

Keywords          : vcbuglist400 vcfixlist500 WBDebug kbusage
Version           : 4.0 4.1 4.2
Platform          : NT WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix