How to debug python + curses? [was: RE: Applying winpdb_reborn]

[pjfarley3 at earthlink.net]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alan Gauld <alan.gauld at yahoo.co.uk>
> Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2021 4:38 PM
> To: python-list at python.org
> Subject: Re: How to debug python + curses? [was: RE: Applying winpdb_reborn]
> 
> On 30/05/2021 18:26, pjfarley3 at earthlink.net wrote:
> > I tried winpdb-reborn some time last year on my Win10 system (python
> > 3.8.3 at that time), but could not figure out how to use it to debug a
> > python script that uses the curses module.
> 
> You are not alone. debugging curses is one of the biggest obstacles to its use.
> 
> My approach is to define a status line at the bottom of my program and write
> print statements into that window. Something like:
> 
> def main(stdwin):
>     appwin = curses.newwin(...) # LINES-1 high
>     status = curses.newwin(...) # 1 line high positioned on bottom
>     # more code here
>     status.addstr(0,0, "Value of foo = %s" % foo)
> 
> curses.wrapper(main)
> 
> After debugging the status window can either be retained as an application
> status bar or removed and the main window enlarged by one line...
> 
> If anyone else has found a better way to debug curses code I'm also keen to
> hear!

Thanks Alan, interesting idea.  And it will work whether you are running in a Windows system or a *ix one.

Peter