How to Disable Logging in the DOSBox Debugger

When debugging code, it can be easy to get lost in the complexity of the code without clear labels. One way to navigate this issue is by using the DOSBox debugger and setting breakpoints using assembly code or other methods. However, if you want to set breakpoints in your code using INT3 (machine instruction 0xCC) or INT3 (machine instruction 0xCD, 0x03), you may encounter difficulties.

By default, the DOSBox debugger does not respond to these machine instructions. This can make it challenging to set breakpoints at specific locations in your code. However, there are ways to work around this limitation and use INT3 as breakpoints in your code.

One solution is to create a custom toolchain that uses NASM, ALINK, and Visual Studio Code to generate debug files and map files. You can then filter these files through a JavaScript app to identify the line numbers of your breakpoints. If the breakpoint is associated with a label, you can instruct DOSBox to break there.

For example, if you set a breakpoint at a label in your assembly code, you can use the following command in the DOSBox debugger:

`break `

This will cause the debugger to stop execution at the specified location. You can then step through the code using the F5 key or execute it one instruction at a time using the F11 key.

In addition to setting breakpoints, the DOSBox debugger also offers several other commands that you can use to customize your debugging experience. For example, you can specify an autoexec file using the `autoexec=` command in the debug section of the nf file. This allows you to execute a series of debugger commands when the debugger starts.

You can also save the current breakpoint list to a file named BPLIST.TXT using the `BPSAVE` command. The `DA` command allows you to disassemble a specified number of bytes from a segment:offset combination and save it to a text file named DISASM.TXT.

When closing the debugger, DOSBox will exit with a status code of 0, which can be useful if you are running it from a batch file. You can no longer maximize or resize the debugger window on Windows 10, as these actions would mess up the formatting.

Overall, while disabling logging in the DOSBox debugger may not be possible, there are several ways to customize your debugging experience and use INT3 as breakpoints in your code. By using a combination of NASM, ALINK, Visual Studio Code, and JavaScript apps, you can create a powerful toolchain that helps you debug your code more effectively.

Dosbox debugger disable logging