Common DeBugGer Protocol as used by

Xdebug Xdebug is a PHP extension which provides debugging and profiling capabilities. It uses the DBGp debugging protocol. The debug information that Xdebug can provide includes the following: * stack and function traces in error messages with: :*full ...

and potentially other implementations. DBGp is a simple

protocol Protocol may refer to: Sociology and politics * Protocol (politics), a formal agreement between nation states * Protocol (diplomacy), the etiquette of diplomacy and affairs of state * Etiquette, a code of personal behavior Science and technology ...

for use with language tools and engines for the purpose of debugging applications. The protocol provides a means of communication between a

debugger A debugger or debugging tool is a computer program used to test and debug other programs (the "target" program). The main use of a debugger is to run the target program under controlled conditions that permit the programmer to track its execut ...

engine (scripting engine,

Virtual Machine In computing, a virtual machine (VM) is the virtualization/ emulation of a computer system. Virtual machines are based on computer architectures and provide functionality of a physical computer. Their implementations may involve specialized har ...

, etc.) and a debugger IDE.

Criticisms

DBGp has not received widespread adoption as a server protocol. Most implementations are client-side so that IDEs may be compatible specifically with Xdebug, which remains popular. Criticisms have included: * Performance (DBGp is a text-mode protocol) * Security (DBGp has a complex connection mechanism that could lead to buggy vulnerable implementations) * Generality (DBGp is designed to be compatible with multiple programming languages rather than being optimized for PHP) A primary author of the DBGp specification has defended the design.

References

{{Reflist Communications protocols Debuggers