Overview and Introduction to RemedyBG Debugger

Presenter: Jason

Introduction

• RemedyBG is a 64-bit Windows debugger, an alternative to Visual Studio.
• Created by a single developer; available for $30 at remedybg.itch.io.
• Simplified installation: just place the .exe file in your desired directory.

Setup and Installation

• Download the latest version (3.9.4) and place the .exe in your chosen folder, e.g., C:\RemedyBG.
• Simple and quick setup compared to Visual Studio.

Using RemedyBG

1. Launching the Application: Open RemedyBG via Command Line.
   • Ensure RemedyBG is in your path environment variable.
2. Setting Up a Debugging Session: Configure the Session Tab.
   • Set the command (path to the executable), e.g., ./bin/main.exe.
   • Open the source file to debug and set breakpoints.
   • Save your session as .rbg file for later use.
3. Entry Point Function Settings: Choose entry points like main or WinMain.
   • Use either default entry points or define custom entry points.
4. Environment Variables: Configure variables if needed.
   • Example: Disable debug heap to improve performance.

Debugging Basics

• Build Configuration: Ensure correct compiler and linker flags.
  • Use -Zi for creating PDB files.
  • Ensure JMC is disabled and use debug:full instead of debug:fastlink.
• Watch Window: Use C99 expressions to monitor variable values.
  • Examples: Casting, arithmetic operations.

Format Specifiers

• Variable Formats: View variables in binary, hexadecimal, etc.
  • Example: var, B for binary, var, x for hexadecimal.
• Array Display: Specify how many elements to display and their format.
  • Example: array, 4x to show four elements in hexadecimal.

Advanced Features

1. Viewing Registers: Monitor register values like RAX.
2. Relative Scopes: Access variables from higher scopes using [*].
   • Example: [*]var to access a variable one level up in the call stack.
3. Locking Scope: Lock viewing of a variable’s scope to persist its value.
   • Example: Lock var and step through functions without losing the value.
4. Matrix Format Specifier: Display matrices in a traditional row/column format.
   • Example: matrix.elements, mtx4 for a 4x4 matrix.
5. Table Format Specifier: Display arrays as tables with named columns.
   • Example: array[index], width, height displays rectangles' dimensions.

Breakpoints

1. Conditional Breakpoints: Stop execution only if a condition is met.
   • Example: if var == 3223.
2. Function Breakpoints: Break on a specific function call (e.g., addFunc).
3. Processor Breakpoints: CPU-level breakpoints for read/write execution.
4. Auto-Enabling Breakpoints: Enable a child breakpoint when a parent is hit.
   • Example: Enable process() breakpoint only when special_trigger is set.

Additional Tips

• Access help documentation via F1 or the Help menu.
• Extensive use of variables like TID, PID, locals, and params for debugging.
• Benefit from community support in the Handmade Network Discord channel.

Conclusion

• RemedyBG offers a streamlined alternative to Visual Studio.
• Focuses on being lightweight and efficient.
• Community and developer support available on Discord.
• Suitable for developers looking to move away from Microsoft's ecosystem.