alt.hn

4/25/2025 at 1:58:55 PM

Show HN: BugStalker - a modern Rust debugger

https://github.com/godzie44/BugStalker

by godzie

4/25/2025 at 5:38:55 PM

Does this have a machine interface mode like gdb/lldb? Asking because I like my debuggers to be integrated with my code editor of choice which is usually done via such an interface.

by bobajeff

4/25/2025 at 6:44:48 PM

Unfortunately no, but it's a good idea. I'll definitely look into this feature.

by godzie

4/25/2025 at 2:53:34 PM

Best of luck with this project. I'm not even a rust dev but I came to say that I love this name

by otherayden

4/25/2025 at 5:32:36 PM

I’m surprised this isn’t getting more love. My experience with other debuggers with Rust was quite poor, I hope this one can fare much better. For example, I couldn’t call functions with previous debuggers

by meisel

4/25/2025 at 2:21:25 PM

Been hoping someone would make this, looks great!

I guess I’m next hoping someone gets it working using jtag/swd debug probes for embedded targets :)

by bfrog

4/25/2025 at 4:48:06 PM

Would something like this work for you? https://probe.rs/

by goku12

4/25/2025 at 5:07:33 PM

BugStomper would have also been a great name choice. ;)

by giancarlostoro

4/25/2025 at 7:01:35 PM

Better than the current one - first, stalking is not really a verb that comes to mind when I think about bugs, and second, it has pretty negative connotations...

by rob74

4/25/2025 at 1:58:55 PM

BS is a modern debugger for Linux x86-64. Written in Rust for Rust programs.

Async Rust support – debug async code with new commands: - async backtrace – inspect async task backtraces - async task – view task details - async stepover / async stepout – better control over async execution

Enhanced variable inspection: - argd / vard – print variables and arguments using Debug trait

Other: - new `call` Command – execute functions directly in the debugged program - `trigger` Command – fine-grained control over breakpoints - new project Website – better docs and resources

…and much more!

Full Changelog: https://github.com/godzie44/BugStalker/releases/tag/v0.3.0

Documentation & Demos: https://godzie44.github.io/BugStalker/

by godzie

4/25/2025 at 6:45:47 PM

Honestly this wouldve helped me a ton when I got stuck with async errors before, Rust debugging always felt tougher than it should be.

by gitroom

4/25/2025 at 7:15:59 PM

yeah I mean you are basically stuck with a few options

- use C/C++ focused debugers with a rust plugin or similar (okay, not not compared to idk. debugging python in PyStorm)

- rely on tracing/logging and errors reported (which might sound dump as it's basically "not" debugging, but with how the rust type system plays out and enforcement of reasonable decent code style/structure etc. this is quite often good enough)

- write/extend tests (again a form of "not" debugging, but where while a "must have" even if you pinned down the bug using a debugger)

- sprinkle in dbg! statements (basically print line debugging)

The fact that it took like 10? yearts for anyone to write more then just tweeks to C/C++ debuggers even through rust has a lot of enthusiasts is I think telling ;)

Still it looks like a real nice tool to have in your toolbox.

by dathinab

4/28/2025 at 10:35:58 PM

What's the state of expression evaluation?

by lostmsu

4/25/2025 at 7:45:56 PM

is this necessarily linux for dependency reasons, or could it be on OSX in the future?

by thurn

4/25/2025 at 8:37:45 PM

Yes, I think it's possible to support macOS. However, the main challenge isn't the operating system itself but rather the architecture.

by godzie

4/25/2025 at 3:34:27 PM

any Machine Interface planned (à la GDB/MI)?

by sixthDot

4/25/2025 at 6:46:20 PM

First priority is a DAP support. But after this - why not.

by godzie

4/26/2025 at 6:50:05 PM

Would DAP support allow this to be used with OpenOCD?

by harpiaharpyja

4/27/2025 at 2:36:27 PM

[dead]

by godzie