How to use Deblector?

Question

I am working with a 3rd party framework, and the code is pretty bad, and I'm getting exceptions that I can't figure out. I was able to decompile using Reflector, and now I'm trying to debug using Deblector, but I can't even figure out how to get a breakpoint set. Why is there no documentation for this tool? There is nothing available about how to use it. The built-in help simply gives a list of commands, which I understand just fine, as they are the standard debugger commands... but I can't figure out how to get it working so I can step through code and I need to examine variables too.

I have been Googling for a long time and all I can find is blogs saying how wonderful this tool is. Well, I'm sure it would be pretty cool if I could make it work. Where is the documentation, or how do I set a breakpoint? I can get it to attach to my process, but I can't pause or anything, and it doesn't break when the exception happens, even though I have activated that option.

Seriously... we should do some docs - I will post them somewhere that Google can reach.

Answer 1

Hi, maybe this will help you:

First of all I am using the DeblectorAddin-1.01-Alpha from (don't know if it works like this in older versions too) from http://www.codeplex.com/deblector

With this version it is quite simple with the followin procedure:

• Attach to a process

  • With the a[ttach] command in the command line: a <pid> .
  • Using the attach button in the toolbar (window with a gear in it).

• If the attach was a success (you see this in the console, activated with Tools->Deblector) all referenced assemblies should be loaded.

• Setting a break point (you must have halted the program to set a break point):

  • Using the b[reak] command: e.g. b <Namespace.Class.Function> - there are more options available use help b for that.
  • Much simpler: Use the Break button (or F9) and select a row in the Deblector IL view.

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Additional usage notes:

Deblector Commandline:
The command line will not respond if you are currently attached to a process and running, you must halt first or it will not respond properly.

For 64bit platforms:
The application must be set to run as 32bit application or it can't be attached to.

In Visual Studio: Project->Properties->Build Platform target: x86

With the corflags tool: This should be installed with Visual Studio (use the Visual Studio command prompt).

 To set 32 bit mode: corflags <ProgramName> /32BIT+ 
 To unset it:        corflags <ProgramName> /32BIT-

To find the process ID and check if a program runs in 32 or 64 bit mode:
Process Explorer is very helpful for that.

Answer 2

There's Reflector Pro now, which does just that. It decompiles managed assemblies to C# or VB.NET, and creates the necessary PDBs. Then you can set breakpoints and step-into into any managed assembly you like.

http://www.red-gate.com/products/reflector/walkthrough.htm