Types of Breakpoints
You can set global and line breakpoints in any program in a batch or CICS project. A global breakpoint can halt program execution at any statement. A line breakpoint halts the program execution at a specific statement.
There are six types of breakpoints as follows:
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Automatic
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Conditional
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Request
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Single-step
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Unconditional
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Variable Change
You can set breakpoints in a program anytime before you execute the program, or after a program is halted at a breakpoint. You can set conditional, unconditional, request, and variable change breakpoints. You can only request a single-step breakpoint. Automatic breakpoints occur when CA InterTest™ detects error conditions.
Automatic
An automatic breakpoint occurs when CA InterTest™ detects an error. The program execution halts because CA InterTest™ detected and prevented an error. When a program is halted at an automatic breakpoint, you can either correct the error or go around it.
Conditional
A conditional breakpoint halts the program execution at the location you specify if a condition is met. Optionally, conditional breakpoints can be set to halt program execution at any statement if a condition is met.
Request
This is a unique type of breakpoint that can be set on specific program requests. Setting request breakpoints differs for both batch and CICS projects:
For CA InterTest™ for CICS, you can set request breakpoints to halt the program execution prior to CICS commands, DBCALLS, user exits, and other program calls.
For CA InterTest™ batch, you can set request breakpoints to halt the program execution at program entry or exit, on labels, and DBCALLS for each program monitored in a session or for specific programs. For more information, see Set Request Breakpoints.
Single-step
When you request a single-step breakpoint, the program execution halts after executing one verb. For more information, see Step Through a Program.
Unconditional
When you set an unconditional breakpoint, the program execution halts at the location you specify if program execution reaches that statement.
Variable Change
This is a special type of conditional breakpoint. The program execution halts at any location if the value of the specified variable changes.
Note: The variable change breakpoints for CA InterTest™ batch and CA InterTest™ for CICS may be similar but they have significant differences discussed later.