How to declare variables in Visual Studios immediate window in C++?

Question

Recently I discovered that it's possible to declare variables in the Visual Studio immediate window while debugging. This feature is really useful because if I want to experiment with the code in that context, I can create new variables without modifying the real code in the new window, and I can then explore them in the watch window.

This works great for a C# project I have been debugging, but now I'm trying to do the same thing for a basic C++ declaration in a different project. I break at my breakpoint, and type the following into the immediate window:

int myVariable;

This gives the error:

CXX0013: Error: missing operator

Are there any steps that I need to get this to work with a C++ project?

Answer 1

You can accomplish the same functionality by adding the new variable to your code window (rather than immediate window) while stopped in the debugger.

Make sure you have Tools->Options->Debugging->Edit and Continue->Enable native Edit and Continue checked.

int myVariable=444;

Then add your code, Debug->Apply Code Changes, and it works. Optionally use Set Next Statement to move the execution point to a different line.