How can I view DOMString (from apache xerces library) in MS visual studio debugger?

Question

I am working on code (legacy code) which uses Apache Xerces-C library. I am trying to view the value of DOMString (and other related DOM objects) in Microsoft Visual Studio Debugger but in vain. I have tried the following

1) I Added the following in the autoexp.dat file:

;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;Xerces
DOMString=<fHandle->fDSData->fData,su>
;------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Result: Same behavior, it shows the memory location

2) I tried to quick watch the DOMString variable using "var,su" syntax

Result: ""

I have asked this question at the Apache Xerces General mailing list.

In case someone encountered this problem and had a workaround, it would be of great help to me.

Answer 1

After looking at the Xerces library code and it's usage in my code base (we included only headers), I figured out that there was a preprocessor directive (XML_DEBUG) for debugging.

You have to build your project (which is using Xerces project/libaray) by adding this preprocessor directive if not added already.

In visual studio right click on project -> properties -> C/C++ -> Preprocessor and then add XML_DEBUG in Preprocessor Definitions

Along with this you need to edit autoexp.dat file as mentioned in the post above.

Hope this helps.