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On the recordRead 7 Oct 202626 facts

Perl Debugger

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What it is

Perl Debugger is an interactive debugging tool included with Perl, not a separate program. Running Perl with the `-d` flag loads the debugger and adds source information, letting users inspect code, set breakpoints, view stack backtraces, and change variable values. Commands support stepping into subroutine calls, stepping over them, and tracing execution. Users can set conditional breakpoints and watch global expressions for changes; the `x` command can recursively pretty-print nested data. The code must compile correctly before debugging. Lexical-variable display requires PadWalker version 0.08 or higher, while full command-line editing requires Term::ReadKey and a Term::ReadLine module. Compile-time executable statements such as `BEGIN`, `UNITCHECK`, `CHECK`, and `use` are not stopped, though some can be traced with AutoTrace. The debugger cannot provide stack-frame information for functions not compiled by Perl, such as C or C++ extensions, and it does not currently work with Perl's `-W` switch. It is free and listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

For and against

For

  • Included with Perl at no cost
  • Supports conditional breakpoints and global watches
  • Can step into or over subroutine calls
  • Pretty-prints nested data structures
  • Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows

Against

  • Code must compile correctly before debugging
  • Lexical inspection requires PadWalker version 0.08 or higher
  • Cannot inspect stack frames for C or C++ extension functions
  • Does not currently work with Perl's -W switch

The verdict

Perl Debugger offers interactive inspection and execution controls for Perl programs without being a separate product. Its compile-time and native-extension limitations matter for projects that depend on those code paths.

Who it suits

It suits Perl developers who want to inspect program execution, set conditional breakpoints, or watch global values. It requires code that compiles correctly.

Plans and prices

Perl Debugger

Free

Included with Perl; requires the program to compile correctly before debugging

Read 7 Oct 2026 · perldoc.perl.org

Every plan, in full

On the record

Breakpoints and watches
Users can set conditional breakpoints and watch global expressions for changes.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Built into Perl
The debugger is not a separate program; Perl’s `-d` flag makes the compiler insert source information and preload the debugger library.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Compile requirement
The code must compile correctly for the debugger to work on it.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Compile-time limit
Compile-time executable statements such as BEGIN, UNITCHECK, CHECK, and use statements are not stopped by the debugger, though some compile-time code can be traced with AutoTrace.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Compile-time limitation
Compile-time executable statements such as `BEGIN`, `UNITCHECK`, `CHECK`, and `use` are not stopped by the debugger, though some can be traced with `AutoTrace`.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Customizable
Debugger options can be set interactively, through the PERLDB_OPTS environment variable, or in customization files.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Customization
Options can be set interactively, through `PERLDB_OPTS`, or in `.perldb` customization files.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Editor connections
The LineInfo option provides a mechanism to interact with client editors or visual debuggers, with vi, emacs, and ddd given as examples.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
GUI option
The documentation describes debugging a program through the Devel::ptkdb GUI using `perl -d:ptkdb`.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Inspect and control execution
Debugger commands can examine source code, set breakpoints, show stack backtraces, and change variable values.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Inspect values
The x command evaluates an expression and pretty-prints nested data structures recursively.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Interactive evaluation
Commands the debugger does not recognize are evaluated as Perl code in the current package.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Native extension limitation
The debugger cannot provide stack-frame information or debug functions that were not compiled by Perl, such as C or C++ extension functions.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Notable limit
The debugger cannot provide stack-frame information for functions not compiled by Perl, such as those from C or C++ extensions.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Optional dependencies
Lexical variable inspection requires PadWalker, and full command-line editing requires Term::ReadKey and a Term::ReadLine module.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Platform availability
The Perl download page lists Perl as included on Unix/Linux and macOS, and provides a Windows option through Strawberry Perl.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Project licensing
Perl is open source and is licensed under either the Artistic License or the GNU General Public License.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026
Purpose
The Perl source debugger runs scripts interactively and lets users inspect source, set breakpoints, get stack backtraces, and change variable values.perldoc.perl.org · read 7 Oct 2026

Alternatives to Perl Debugger

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