A debug menu or debug mode is a
user interface
In the industrial design field of human–computer interaction, a user interface (UI) is the space where interactions between humans and machines occur. The goal of this interaction is to allow effective operation and control of the machine f ...
implemented in a
computer program
A computer program is a sequence or set of instructions in a programming language for a computer to execute. Computer programs are one component of software, which also includes documentation and other intangible components.
A computer program ...
that allows the user to view and/or manipulate the program's internal state for the purpose of
debugging. Some games format their debug menu as an in-game location, referred to as a debug room (distinct from the
developer's room type of Easter egg). Debug menus and rooms are used during
software development for ease of
testing and are usually made inaccessible or otherwise hidden from the
end user.
Compared to the normal user interfaces, debug menus usually are unpolished and not user-friendly, intended only to be used by the software's developers. They are often cryptic and may allow for destructive actions such as erasing data without warning.
In video games
Debug menus are often of interest to video game players as they can be used to cheat, access unused content, or change the game configuration beyond what is normally allowed. Some game developers will reveal methods to access these menus as bonus features, while others may lock them out of the final version entirely such that they can only be accessed by modifying the program.
The Cutting Room Floor (TCRF) is a website dedicated to researching and documenting hidden content in video games, including debugging material.
In December 2013, ''
Edge
Edge or EDGE may refer to:
Technology Computing
* Edge computing, a network load-balancing system
* Edge device, an entry point to a computer network
* Adobe Edge, a graphical development application
* Microsoft Edge, a web browser developed ...
'' described the website as "the biggest and most organised" of its kind, and by that time it had 3712 articles.
In other software
Debugging functions can be found in many other programs and consumer electronics as well. For example, many TVs and DVD players contain hidden menus that can be used to change settings that aren't accessible through the normal menus. Many cell phones also contain debug menus, usually used to test out functions of the phone to make sure they are working. For example, the hidden menu of the
Samsung Galaxy S III
The Samsung Galaxy S III (or Galaxy S3) is an Android smartphone designed, developed, and marketed by Samsung Electronics. Launched in 2012, it had sold more than 80 million units overall, making it the most sold phone in the S series. I ...
has test functions for the vibrator, proximity sensor, sound, and other basic aspects of the phone.
References
{{reflist
[Skies of Arcadia Dreamcast prototype V0.830 2000/09/05 (sous réserve ) +V0.840 2000/09/14 (sous réserve ) https://www.dreamcastsegainfo.org/skies-of-arcadia-v0-830-2000-09-05]
Debugging
Video game development