Patent ID: 8826236

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for a user to debug a program with a debugger, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one processor; providing a memory coupled to the at least one processor; providing the program in the memory; providing the debugger in the memory; the at least one processor performing the steps of: reading a step statement from a user that includes a parameter that specifies one of line step mode, statement step mode, and automatic selection of step mode; when the parameter in the step statement specifies line step mode, setting step mode of the debugger to line step mode; when the parameter in the step statement specifies statement mode, setting the step mode of the debugger to statement step mode; and when the parameter in the step statement specifies automatic selection of step mode, performing automatic selection of the step mode of the debugger according to at least one selection criterion, wherein the at least one selection criterion comprises multiple statements on a line.