The debugger statement invokes any available debugging functionality, such as setting a breakpoint. If no debugging functionality is available, this statement has no effect.
Syntax
debugger;
Examples
The following example shows code where a debugger statement has been inserted, to invoke a debugger (if one exists) when the function is called.
function potentiallyBuggyCode() {
debugger;
// do potentially buggy stuff to examine, step through, etc.
}
When the debugger is invoked, execution is paused at the debugger statement. It is like a breakpoint in the script source.
Specifications
| Specification | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| ECMAScript Latest Draft (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Debugger statement' in that specification. |
Draft | |
| ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262) The definition of 'Debugger statement' in that specification. |
Standard | |
| ECMAScript 5.1 (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Debugger statement' in that specification. |
Standard | Initial definition |
| ECMAScript 3rd Edition (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Debugger statement' in that specification. |
Standard | |
| ECMAScript 1st Edition (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Debugger statement' in that specification. |
Standard | Only mentioned as reserved word. |
Browser compatibility
The compatibility table on this page is generated from structured data. If you'd like to contribute to the data, please check out https://github.com/mdn/browser-compat-data and send us a pull request.
Update compatibility data on GitHub
| Desktop | Mobile | Server | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
debugger | Chrome Full support 5 | Edge Full support 12 | Firefox Full support 1 | IE Full support 4 | Opera Full support Yes | Safari Full support Yes | WebView Android Full support 1 | Chrome Android Full support 18 | Firefox Android Full support 4 | Opera Android Full support Yes | Safari iOS Full support Yes | Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0 | nodejs Full support Yes |
Legend
- Full support
- Full support
