CODEWITHSUNDEEP
iosswiftxcodedebugging
Fun Programmer
Fun Programmer

Reputation: 1082

How to change a let value while debugging in Xcode?

I am trying to change a let value while I am in mid-debug on Xcode (Xcode 12). But, when I try this debugger command

expression isLongBoxRide = true

I get this error in the Xcode debugger terminal. "error: cannot assign to value: 'isLongBoxRide' is immutable isLongBoxRide = true" It won't let me change a let value while debugging. It works when I try to change a var. I am just curious if it is even possible to change a let value while debugging on Xcode. It would be really nice if that was possible.

Upvotes: 4

Views: 1830

Answers (3)

Andreas Oetjen
Andreas Oetjen

Reputation: 10199

The problem is that the compiler might analyze the let constant at compile time and then optimize your code. For example, think of something like:

func x() -> String {
    let doit = false
    if (doit) {
        return "Yes"
    } else {
        return "No"
    }
}
// ...
let result = x()

A clever compiler will change this to

func x() -> String {
    return "Yes"
}
// ...
let result = x()

or even throw away the call of x() completely:

    let result = "Yes"

Hence, there is no doit constant at all, expecially there is no return "No" branch in your program any more. This is an extreme example, and the compiler typically will do so only in release mode, but you can see that it's not easy to allow constants to be changed during debugging, because the compiler might have to revert some opimizations.

Upvotes: 4

CZ54
CZ54

Reputation: 5588

AFAIK let and var are not just cosmetics for your code. It has involvement in physical memory management. The let constant are store in the heap, while var are in the stacks. It affects the access time. So you basically cannot change a let variable without breaking the memory stack.

What you can try is to use a var for DEBUG compilation and let for RELEASE with something like :

#if DEBUG
var foo: Bar
#else
let foo: Bar
#endif

Upvotes: 2

Kobi
Kobi

Reputation: 109

As far as I know Let can not be changed, that the all purpose of let. You are Letting it have a constant value if you want to change, use var to be a variable

Upvotes: 2

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