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BashTrace

BashTrace utilizes Bash's internal debugging support, allowing to trace script execution. Output of the script is displayed next to its source code, with currently running command marked in color.

Features:

  • curses UI, see which line is currently being run
  • slow down - optional delay before executing each line
  • pause / continue at any time, step through the script
  • evaluate arbitrary code at current position of script
  • syntax highlighting (requires pygments)

How it works

The program is based on "extdebug" option of Bash. Debugged script is sourced by internal debug wrapper, which sets up DEBUG trap together with two pipes:

  • debug pipe: debugging information is sent from DEBUG handler to bashtrace program
  • step pipe: user commands are sent back to DEBUG handler

Alternatives

  • For basic debugging, you might use bash -v or bash -x
  • bashdb is another bash debugger, which mimicks the interface of gdb
  • BashEclipse is Bash debugger plugin for Eclipse