ipdb
IPython-enhanced Python debugger
TLDR
Start ipdb debugger
$ python -m ipdb [script.py]
Set breakpoint in code$ import ipdb; ipdb.set_trace()
Post-mortem debugging$ python -m ipdb -c continue [script.py]
Run until exception$ ipdb.pm()
SYNOPSIS
python -m ipdb [options] script [args]
DESCRIPTION
ipdb is the IPython-enhanced Python debugger. It provides the same interface as pdb but with syntax highlighting, tab completion, and better introspection from IPython.ipdb makes Python debugging more interactive and user-friendly, especially for exploring variables and understanding program state.
PARAMETERS
-c command
Execute command on start.script
Python script to debug.
DEBUGGER COMMANDS
$ n (next) Execute next line
s (step) Step into function
c (continue) Continue execution
r (return) Return from function
l (list) List source code
p expr Print expression
pp expr Pretty-print expression
b line Set breakpoint
cl Clear breakpoints
q (quit) Quit debugger
h (help) Show help
s (step) Step into function
c (continue) Continue execution
r (return) Return from function
l (list) List source code
p expr Print expression
pp expr Pretty-print expression
b line Set breakpoint
cl Clear breakpoints
q (quit) Quit debugger
h (help) Show help
USAGE IN CODE
$ import ipdb
def problematic_function():
x = calculate_something()
ipdb.set_trace() # Debugger starts here
return process(x)
def problematic_function():
x = calculate_something()
ipdb.set_trace() # Debugger starts here
return process(x)
CAVEATS
Requires ipython package. Breakpoints pause execution. Don't leave settrace() in production code. Use breakpoint() in Python 3.7+ with PYTHONBREAKPOINT=ipdb.settrace.
HISTORY
ipdb was created as a drop-in replacement for pdb that leverages IPython's features. It provides the familiar pdb interface with enhanced usability.
