Early Access Program Features Releases

Debugging with Smart Step-into

While debugging PHP code, we may sometimes reach a line of code which calls several methods. When debugging these lines of code, the debugger typically allows us to use Step Into and leads us through all child functions and then back to the parent function. But what if we only wanted to step into one child function? With Smart Step-Into in the PhpStorm 7 EAP, we’ve reintroduced a handy feature which does just that: it allows us to choose the function to step into.

In the above example, merge_strings(hello(), world()), the debugger would step into hello(), then world() and finally merge_strings(). If we use Smart Step-Into from the Run | Smart Step Into menu or by pressing Shift+F7, PhpStorm will allow us to choose the function to step into:

Note that this functionality also works with more dynamic function calls:

Give PhpStorm 7 EAP a try and let us hear your thoughts in the issue tracker, the comments below or in our forums!

Develop with pleasure!
– JetBrains PhpStorm Team

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