Basics

TS Debugging

Debugging TypeScript

TypeScript debugging uses source maps and VS Code breakpoints.

Understanding Source Maps

Source maps are a crucial part of the debugging process in TypeScript, as they allow you to map the transpiled JavaScript code back to the original TypeScript code. This mapping helps developers pinpoint the location of errors in their TypeScript files rather than in the generated JavaScript files.

To generate source maps, you need to configure your tsconfig.json file correctly.

Setting Up VS Code for TypeScript Debugging

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a popular choice for TypeScript development and debugging. To start debugging your TypeScript code in VS Code, follow these steps:

  • Ensure your project is set up with a tsconfig.json file and source maps are enabled.
  • Open the Debug view by clicking the debug icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window.
  • Click the gear icon to configure the launch configuration. This will open the launch.json file.

Here’s an example configuration in launch.json to debug TypeScript code:

Using Breakpoints in VS Code

Breakpoints are essential for debugging as they allow you to pause the execution of your code at specific points and inspect the state of your application. In VS Code, you can set breakpoints by clicking in the margin next to the line numbers in your TypeScript file.

Once a breakpoint is set, run the debugger, and the execution will pause when it hits the breakpoint. You can then inspect variables, execute commands in the Debug Console, and step through your code line by line.

Conclusion

Debugging TypeScript in VS Code using source maps and breakpoints is an effective way to enhance your development workflow. By setting up your project correctly and utilizing VS Code's powerful debugging tools, you can quickly identify and resolve issues in your code.

Stay tuned for our next post on Strict Mode to further improve your TypeScript code quality.

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