Watchpoints

A watchpoint is a conditional breakpoint that is only defined in the ABAP Debugger during a running debug session. It is one of the runtime utilities provided to stop and debug ABAP programs. When debugging ABAP code, you can use watchpoints to track the value of individual ABAP variables. The ABAP debugger stops as soon as the value of a watched variable has changed. Watchpoints help ABAP developers monitor the contents of specified variables and the change of their values during runtime processing.

Watchpoint features are as follows:

Watchpoints can be created while ABAP Debugger is on and are removed automatically when that debug session is terminated.
Logical conditions may be specified for watchpoints. A watchpoint is provided with a relational operator and comparison field to specify the conditions for interrupting.
Like Breakpoints, watchpoints may be deleted as needed.
Once a watchpoint is reached, it is indicated on the program statement and a corresponding alert is given.

Note

Because a watchpoint creates a clone of the specified object, it can negatively impact performance and memory, especially with large size data objects like internal tables. Watchpoints are ideal for variables of less size that are active during runtime, but only for a short duration.