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Dev-Mode-in-Visual-Studio.md

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Dev Mode is a new feature for TypeScript 1.4 and higher that allows you to

  1. Debug the script side of the language service in Visual Studio.
  2. Use a custom language service file of your choosing.

Enabling script debugging

Note: You may also use the VSDevMode.ps1 script to easily set these values. See the comments in the script for usage.

  1. Open up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe from the Run prompt).
  2. If you are using...
  • Visual Studio 2013: Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\12.0\TypeScriptLanguageService (or create the key if it does not exist).
  • Visual Studio 2015: Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\14.0\TypeScriptLanguageService (or create the key if it does not exist).
  1. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value with the name EnableDevMode.
  2. Right click the EnableDevMode value and Modify it.
  3. Change the value data to 1.

Using a custom language service file

Note: You may also use the VSDevMode.ps1 script to easily set these values. See the comments in the script for usage.

  1. Open up the Registry Editor.
  2. If you are using...
  • Visual Studio 2013: Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\12.0\TypeScriptLanguageService (or create the key if it does not exist).
  • Visual Studio 2015: Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualStudio\14.0\TypeScriptLanguageService (or create the key if it does not exist).
  1. Create a new String Value with the name CustomTypeScriptServicesFileLocation.
  2. Right click the CustomTypeScriptServicesFileLocation value and Modify it.
  3. Change the value data to the full path of your alternative services file (e.g. C:\Users\Daniel\TypeScript\built\local\typescriptServices.js)

Hot swapping

When the language service's script side is modified in any way (whether or not you are using a custom location for your language service file), it will be reloaded on the fly for a given thread the next time any of that thread's services are requested. However, this means that if debugging, your language service threads will be purged.

Debugging the language service in Visual Studio using Visual Studio

  1. Have a running instance of Visual Studio 2013/2015 with an open TypeScript file.
    A running instance with a typical TypeScript file.
  2. Open a new instance of Visual Studio 2013/2015.
  3. Bring up the Attach to Process dialog by either
  • Using menu bar and navigating from Debug -> Attach to Process.
    Navigating to the Attach to Process dialog with the menu bar.
  • Clicking on the Attach button from the Standard toolbar if it is visible.
    A shortcut to opening the 'Attach to Process' dialog.
  1. In the row labeled Attach to:, click on the Select... button.
    Hit the select button.
  2. Click the radio button Debug these code types and select Script. Then press OK.
    Select 'Script' code to be debugged.
  3. Find the appropriate Visual Studio instance in your list. Visual Studio instances have the process name devenv.exe and you can typically narrow down your instance looking for its current file in the Title field.
  4. Hit the Attach button. In the Solution Exporer. you should now see four active debuggers (one for each language service thread).
    Debugging view after appropriately selecting your Visual Studio instance.

At this point you should be able to hit debug points and get an understanding of what's going on.

Language Service Threads

  • Classifier_N: This thread runs the lexical classifier - a line-oriented classifier which is primarily concerned with fast rudimentary colorization.
  • LanguageService_N and LanguageService_N: Unfortunately these haven't been distinctly named.
    • One of these is the syntactic classifier, giving accurate (semantically agnostic) classifications.
    • The other performs all syntax-related questions such as formatting, smart indentation, etc.
  • CoreServices_N: This is used to perform semantic operations such as providing diagnostics, completion lists, quick info, etc. Effectively, anything that needs the typechecker will use this thread.