PhpStorm 2017.1 Help

Debug Tool Window. Console

This tab is marked with /help/img/idea/2017.1/show-console.png and shows the output and error stream messages. In the PHP and JavaScript context, you can view the values of variables right in the Debug tool window during a debugging session.

On this page:

Console Toolbar

ItemTooltip and shortcutDescription
/help/img/idea/2017.1/arrowUp.png /help/img/idea/2017.1/arrowDown.png Up/down the Stack Trace
Ctrl+Alt+Up Ctrl+Alt+Down
Click this button to navigate up or down in the stack trace and have the cursor jump to the corresponding location in the source code.
/help/img/idea/2017.1/icon_softWrap.png Use Soft WrapsClick this button to toggle the soft wrap mode of the output.
scrollToEnd.png Scroll to the endClick this button to navigate to the bottom of the stack trace and have the cursor jump to the corresponding location in the source code.
/help/img/idea/2017.1/print.png PrintClick this button to send the console text to the default printer.
/help/img/idea/2017.1/clear_all.png Clear AllClick this button to remove all text from the console. This function is also available on the context menu of the console.
ps_tool_window_debug_console_use_input.pngUse Console Input
  • When this toggle-button is pressed, you can evaluate and alter variables, call PHP functions, and define additional functions on the fly in the Console pane.
  • When the toggle-button is released, any input in the Console pane will be treated like STDIN.

Context Menu Options

ItemDescription
Compare with ClipboardOpens the Clipboard vs Editor dialog box that allows you to view the differences between the selection from the editor and the current clipboard content. This dialog is a regular comparing tool that enables you to copy the line at caret to the clipboard, find text, navigate between differences and manage white spaces.
Copy URLChoose this command to copy the current URL to the system clipboard. This command only shows on a URL, if it is included in an application's output.
Create GistChoose this command to open the Create Gist dialog box.
Clear AllClears the output window.

Keyboard Shortcuts

The Ctrl+D key combination allows you to send EOF (end of file), i.e. to signal that no more data can be read from a data source.

Evaluating Variables in the Console Pane

In the PHP and JavaScript context, you can view the values of variables right in the Debug tool window during a debugging session. This can be done in several ways:

  • Select the variable in question in the Variables pane and choose Evaluate in Console on the context menu of the selection. When you switch to the Console pane, the variable name is shown in green at > and its value is displayed below in blue.
  • Alternatively you can type the name of any variable at > in the Console manually and press Enter to have its value displayed. Code completion is at your disposal: as you type the name of a variable, PhpStorm displays a suggestion list. Note that this functionality is available only when the Use Console Input toggle button is pressed.
  • To evaluate a previously evaluated variable without searching for it in the Variables pane, find the variable in question using the Up and Down arrows on you keyboard and press Enter.

Executing Code in the Console Pane during a Debugging Session

During a PHP debugging session, you can not only evaluate variables, but also change their values, call PHP functions, and define additional ones right in the Console pane. Note that this functionality is not available for PHPUnit or Behat run/debug configurations.

  1. Start a debugging session (see PHP Debugging Session) and switch to the Console pane of the Debugger tab.
  2. Press the Use Console Input toggle button /help/img/idea/2017.1/ps_tool_window_debug_console_use_input.png on the toolbar.
  3. Type a statement or expression at > and press Enter. PhpStorm evaluates your code fragment and shows the output below the input code. You can type most PHP constructs including class declarations, function declarations, variables, expressions, etc. Code completion is at your disposal: as you type, PhpStorm displays a suggestion list.
  4. When typing a multi-line code fragment, press Shift+Enter to start a new line and Ctrl+Enter to split a line.
  5. Output for arrays and objects is by default wrapped in a var_export() function and displayed in the Console. To hide the output displayed, clear the Show array and object children in Debug Console check box on the Debug page.

See Also

Last modified: 19 July 2017