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Q200597: BUG: Debugger Cannot Step Out of Recursive Function

Article: Q200597
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): winnt:5.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbDebug kbide kbVC500bugkbbuglist
Last Modified: 07-MAY-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, version 5.0, on platform(s):
   - the hardware: DEC Alpha 
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, version 5.0, on platform(s):
   - the hardware: DEC Alpha 
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SYMPTOMS
========

An attempt to step out of a recursive function that has called itself may result
in no action by the Visual C++ debugger.

CAUSE
=====

This problem is caused by the debugger's inability to differentiate between the
current address context and the return address context if the addresses are the
same. As a result, the debugger interprets the current address as the step-out
breakpoint and breaks immediately without executing any instructions.

RESOLUTION
==========

To work around this problem, for each step-out, just perform a step-over to make
the current address different than the return address, then perform a step-out.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are
listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbDebug kbide kbVC500bug kbbuglist
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVC32bitSearch
Version           : winnt:5.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpending

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