Introducing Remote Debugger: A Powerful Tool for Real-Time Builds Debugging

As software developers, we've all been there. That gnawing frustration when a pipeline fails, the hours spent trying to replicate the problem locally, the tedious trawl through logs, and the desperate attempt to reconstruct the state of the world at the moment of failure. Troubleshooting can be a tedious task indeed. 

This is where Harness Continuous Integration (CI) steps in with our latest preview feature, the Remote Debugger.

This innovative capability allows you to rerun a failed pipeline in debug mode and directly interact with your build execution environment using SSH. This paves the way for real-time, in-depth examination and diagnosis of issues right at their source.

With the Remote Debugger at your disposal, you gain the ability to probe deeply into the core of the issue. Whether your troubleshooting journey involves exploring system and application logs, inspecting the runtime environment, auditing network configurations, or analyzing resources consumption, the Remote Debugger stands by you. All these operations can be performed right in the context of the pipeline CI stage where the problem emerged, providing you with a real-time debugging experience.

Real-World Scenarios

To better understand how debugging with SSH can help, let’s consider these real-world scenarios:

• Debugging Failed Tests: Suppose a unit test fails during a pipeline execution, but it passes on your local machine. This discrepancy could be due to differences in the environment, software versions, or data used. Using the Remote Debugger, you can rerun the test, inspect the application state, and verify environment variables.
• Investigating Integration Issues: If an integration issue arises during pipeline execution, such as a service not responding as expected, using the Remote Debugger you can inspect the problematic service, examine network settings, and verify connection details. 
• Identifying Performance Bottlenecks: If a pipeline stage is taking longer than expected, you can use the Remote Debugger to check resource usage, process statuses, and system logs, potentially uncovering a performance issue like a memory leak or inefficient code.

See It In Action

We invite you to watch a quick demo to see the Remote Debugger in action:

The Remote Debugger: A Paradigm Shift in Debugging CI Builds

The Remote Debugger revolutionizes the debugging process, transforming it from a time-consuming exercise in guesswork into a targeted, real-time investigation. This innovative tool invites developers directly to the heart of the issue, enabling them to uncover root causes quickly and accurately.

This isn't just about error resolution - it's a tool for holistic understanding and improvement. The Remote Debugger fosters a deep understanding of your application, promoting growth as a developer. It provides insights that reach beyond immediate problem-solving, aiding in the prevention of recurring issues and propelling the development of robust, high-quality software.

So, the Remote Debugger isn't just another feature - it's a paradigm shift in debugging, promoting efficiency, in-depth understanding, and continuous improvement in software development.

What's next?

We're currently offering the Remote Debugger as a preview feature. If you're interested in trying it out, please contact our support at support@harness.io .

To learn more, please visit Debug With SSH documentation or request a demo