Debugging Workflows in Creative Suite Extension Builder

This article outlines some of the workflows available within CS Extension Builder for launching a Creative Suite extension project so that it is available for debugging within a Creative Suite application. This article accompanies the Debug workflows using CS Extension Builder demo recording.

Here are some of the workflows you can use to launch your CS Extension project in its target application from within CS Extension Builder.

Run As

The Run As option in CS Extension Builder lets you test your extension by running it in the target product, without having to go through the installation process.

To use the Run As workflow:

1. Close the target application if it's currently running.
2. In CS Extension Builder, select the project and choose Run > Run As, then select the Adobe product that you want to launch.

3. If prompted, select the version of the product to target (this only happens if multiple versions of the target product are installed). The target product starts and your extension is available in the Windows > Extensions menu.

Debug As

CS Extension Builder lets you use its own debugging tools on your extension's code while the extension runs in the context of its target Creative Suite product.

To use the Debug As workflow:

1. Close the target application if it's currently running.
2. In CS Extension Builder, select the project and choose Run > Debug As, then select the Adobe product that you want to launch.

3. If prompted, select the version of the product to target (this only happens if multiple versions of the target product are installed). The target product starts and your extension is available in the Windows > Extensions menu.

CS Extension Builder uses the Flash Builder debugger, which lets you add breakpoints to the code to generate the Flash Builder debugger perspective. See Debug workflows using CS Extension Builder for a comprehensive demo of the Debug As workflow.

Attach As

The Attach As option in CS Extension Builder works like the Attach to Process feature, which is commonly available in Microsoft Visual Studio or Apple's XCode. This feature is currently only available in Illustrator, InDesign, InCopy, Flash Pro, and Dreamweaver.

To use the Attach As workflow:

1. Open the target Creative Suite product.
2. In CS Extension Builder, select the extension project, right-click, and choose Attach As, then select the running application.

The extension is now available for debugging within the running application.

If the product is not already running, the Attach As option is not available; the target product is grayed out in the Attach As menu.

See Debug workflows using CS Extension Builder for a demo of the Attach As workflow.

Profile As

CS Extension Builder lets you use the Flash Builder's Profiler tools to profile an extension while it is running within a Creative Suite application. This feature is only available to Flash Builder Premium users.

To use the Profile As workflow:

1. Start the target Creative Suite product.
2. If the Welcome Screen appears, select the "Don't show this again" option.
3. Close the product.
4. In CS Extension Builder, select the extension project.
5. Right-click, choose Profile As, and select the product that you want to target.
6. If prompted, select the version of the product to target. The target product starts and your extension is available in the extensions menu of the target product.
7. In the target product, choose Windows > Extensions, and open the extension.
8. In the Connection Established dialog in CS Extension Builder, click Resume to begin profiling.

See the Flash Builder's documentation for further information about using the Profiler tool.

This article detailed the available launching options available within CS Extension Builder. If you want to learn more about the debug workflows, refer to the CS Extension Builder Programmer's Guide.