how to debug windows service

[TulasiKumar]

hi all,
how to debug windows service in c#.net

thanks in advance
Regards,
Tulasi

 

[Kevin Spencer]

There are 2 main ways to do this. I prefer to build business classes that do
the actual work of the service. I can then test them in a Windows
executable, and once debugged, plug them into a service. The other way is a
bit more difficult.

You create your Service. You install it and start it. In Visual Studio.Net,
you attach to the process (Debug|Processes... menu), and then you can debug
as usual.

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
You can lead a fish to a bicycle,
but it takes a very long time,
and the bicycle has to *want* to change.

 

[Ignacio Machin \( .NET/ C# MVP \)]

Hi,

You create your Service. You install it and start it. In Visual
Studio.Net, you attach to the process (Debug|Processes... menu), and then
you can debug as usual.

Note that in this way you cannot debug the onStart event.

 

[Kevin Spencer]

True. Another reason why I use business classes instead!

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
You can lead a fish to a bicycle,
but it takes a very long time,
and the bicycle has to *want* to change.

 

[Guest]

Try something like this:

#if ( ! DEBUG )
ServiceBase[] ServicesToRun;
ServicesToRun = new ServiceBase[] {new YourService()};
ServiceBase.Run(ServicesToRun);
Run();
#else
// debug code: allows the process to run as a non-service
// will kick off the service start point, but never kill it
// shut down the debugger to exit
YourService service = new YourService();
service.OnStart(null);
Thread.Sleep(Timeout.Infinite);
#endif

-- Peter
Co-founder, Eggheadcafe.com developer portal:
http://www.eggheadcafe.com
UnBlog:
http://petesbloggerama.blogspot.com

 

[Ignacio Machin \( .NET/ C# MVP \)]

Hi,

True. Another reason why I use business classes instead!

Yes, but beware, a windows service's environment is very different than a
win. based app. , the permissions changes , like you cannot access a network
shared, or the mapped drivers are not presents.

Also a difference is that a service needs to be installed, it cannot be run
as simple as pressing F5 , if you change the code you have to stop the
service, recompile it, copy the executable to the installed folder and
restart the service.