QuickWatch Dialog Box

Use the QuickWatch dialog box to quickly view the data type and value of one Transact-SQL expression, such as a variable or parameter, when you are debugging Transact-SQL code. To watch multiple expressions, you can also add the expression to a Watch window.

To access the QuickWatch dialog box

  • On the Debug menu, click QuickWatch.

To view the information about an expression

  1. In the Expression list box, type or select the expression that you want. The following Transact-SQL expressions are supported:

    • Variables.

    • Parameters.

    • System functions whose name starts with @@.

    • Expressions built by applying operators to one or more variables, parameters, or system functions, such as @IntegerCounter + 1, or FirstName + LastName.

    • Transact-SQL statements that return a single value, such as: SELECT CharacterCol FROM MyTable WHERE PrimaryKey = 1.

  2. Click Reevaluate.

To add the QuickWatch expression to a Watch window

  • Click Add Watch.

To change the value of the QuickWatch expression

  • Right-click the expression, and then select Edit Value.

Options

  • Expression list
    Displays the currently selected expression. The drop-down list contains a set of expressions that you can select to display. The expressions in the list are those available in the scope of the stack frame that is currently selected in the Call Stack window. To display a different expression, either enter the expression or select it from list. The Transact-SQL debugger supports the following expressions: variables, parameters, and the system functions that have names that start with @@.

  • Value grid
    Displays the properties of the expression that is currently being watched.

    • Name
      Is the Transact-SQL expression being watched.

    • Value
      Displays the value that is currently assigned to the expression. A blank is displayed when the expression currently has no value.

      If the length of an expression is larger than the width of the Value column, a tooltip displays the full value when you move the pointer over the Value cell for that expression.

      A magnifying glass icon in a Value cell indicates that the Transact-SQL debugger visualizer is available. In the list, you can specify Text Visualizer, XML Visualizer, or HTML Visualizer. To start a debugger visualizer, click the magnifying glass icon. The Transact-SQL debugger opens a dialog box that displays the data in a format appropriate to the data type.

    • Type
      Displays the data type of the expression.

See Also

Reference

Watch Window

Locals Window

Call Stack Window

Expressions (Transact-SQL)

Concepts

Transact-SQL Debugger

Transact-SQL Debugger Information