IntelliJ IDEA 12.1.0 Web Help

IntelliJ IDEA allows you to specify how different objects are displayed in the debugger on a class-by-class basis. You can assign expressions to display rather than rely on the object's String representation.

For example, if an object represents a user, you may want to see users represented by their login name; or, for a cache entry object, its age and contents may be appropriate. IntelliJ IDEA refers to these as type renderers.

Note

If no rendering scheme is defined, the dialog does not show any controls. To start working with renderers click Add.

ItemDescription
addUse this icon to add a new rendering scheme to the list.
deleteUse this icon to remove the selected scheme from the list.
copyUse this icon to create a copy of the selected scheme.
arrowUp and arrowDownUse these icons to move the selected item one line up or down in the list.

Tip

The order of items in the list determines which renderer is used in the case of ambiguity born of class inheritance.

Renderer nameEdit or view name of the selected renderer.
Apply renderer to objects of typeDefine the type of objects to be affected by the renderer. Type the fully qualified name of the object, or click the ellipsis button and choose the desired type from the list in the Renderer Reference Type dialog.
When rendering a nodeThis option determines how the object is displayed in the debugger:
  • Use default renderer: Select this option to display the node in a default IntelliJ IDEA way.
  • Use following expression: Type in the java expression you want to use to identify the object. You can use object's properties, constants, and even string math as part of your renderer.

    Tip

    When defining the expressions, you can use codecompletion (Ctrl+SpaceCommand Space). All method calls and member variable access are relative to the object you're rendering. Use this to refer to the instance, to which the renderer is applied.

    Warning

    • Using heavy expressions in renderers may slow down data rendering in views.
    • Method calls should be used with caution because of possible side-effects.
When expanding a nodeDefine how the children information is presented.

Normally, expanding a node in the debugger lists the object's member variables (using renderer appropriate for their object types). This option lets you override that behavior and select a single expression or a series of expressions to control the display. You may use this to limit the amount of information displayed or to be more precise in how the information is presented for example.

  • Use default renderer: information for the selected node children is presented in a default way.
  • Use expression: enter a Java expression to calculate information to be presented for the node.

    Test if the node can be expanded (optional): enter a Boolean expression. If it is true the renderer displays the expandable nodes for the defined objects. Otherwise, no nodes are displayed.

  • Use the list of expressions: create a list of separate expressions to be calculated and presented as node children. Use:

    add (Alt+InsertCommand N; Command Enter) to create a new expression.

    delete (Alt+DeleteCommand Delete) to remove the selected expression from the list.

    arrowUp (Alt+UpCommand Up) to move the selected expression one line up in the list.

    arrowDown (Alt+DownCommand Down) to move the selected expression one line down in the list.

Tip

When defining the expressions, you can use code completion (Ctrl+SpaceCommand Space). All method calls and member variable access are relative to the object you're rendering.

See Also

Concepts:

Procedures:

Reference:

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