watchpoint

English

Etymology

From watch +‎ point, on the model of breakpoint.

Noun

watchpoint (plural watchpoints)

1. (programming) A debugging mechanism whereby execution is suspended every time a specified memory location is modified; or, any of various similar such mechanisms.
   • 1990, NASA Tech Briefs (page 98)

     AdaRAID supports multiple CPUs running concurrently, Ada data types, features include break points, watchpoints, timing, tracing, stepping, walkbacks, and histories of last n executions.

Usage notes

• Watchpoints are frequently called “data breakpoints” (or similar) and treated as a type of breakpoint; however, they are also frequently contrasted with breakpoints. In either case, the meaning of watchpoint is the same; the discrepancy is due to differing uses of the term breakpoint.