Xampp - breakpoints not working

Hi there,

The type of Run/Debug Configuration makes big difference as "PHP Web Application" one requires you to control xdebugger (via bookmarklet or some browser extension) while "PHP Remote Debug" will initiate debugger for you.

It can also be a path mappings thing if symlinks (or alike) are used.

Isn't it the opposite? Because when I use "PHP Remote debug" mode instead of "PHP Web application" then after pressing "Debug" nothing happens (the page is not opened automatically) except that a message "Waiting for connection with ide key '1' appears.

Not sure if this is the way to go in case of Remote debugging, but after typing into the browser url "http://mydomain.local/?XDEBUG_SESSION_START=1" (such string was in the url when I used the other debug mode, only key was different) the page just loads and "Waiting..." is still there. No stop on breakpoints.



Anyways, I would like to just press Debug and the debugger should start the page which is specified in configuration.

I don't have symbolic links (this is Windows) or any other hard shortcuts.

Update:
According to the bookmarklet link you posted, I also tried the following string with Remote debug: http://mydomain.local/?XDEBUG_SESSION=PHPSTORM;path=/ but it doesn't stop the debugger either. I don't know where to put the session key=1 into this string

By the way, the Bookmarklet link works this way: after pressing Generate and copying the xdebug Start Session link, this is copied to clipboard:
javascript:(/**%20@version%200.5.1%20*/function()%20{document.cookie='XDEBUG_SESSION='+'PHPSTORM'+';path=/;';})()
I think one needs to change it a little as I did above.

Message was edited by: beamar

I fixed it. Sorry, it was not a Php Storm issue, it was an issue with my XDebug configuration. I reinstalled Xampp but did not reinstall XDebug (because new Xampp did not touch my php.ini, old and new were identical, Apache and MySql had the identical configuration, so I thought Xdebug also does not need reinstall). Well, after reinstalling Xdebug all is ok again.

Isn't it the opposite?

You are correct -- my mistake.

Try this for PHP Web Application configuration:

• when you defining server, Host field -- instead of localhost put correct domain name: mydomain.local
• ensure that you have "Break at the first line" checked

In general -- maybe you have changed php/xdebug config? Please check:

• port number is the same (default is 9000)
• xdebug.remote_host has correct IP  (localhost is fine)
• if PhpStorm is listening on that port (Activate "Run | Start Listen PHP Debug Connections" and check it with netstat command (or similar))
• Try with firewall disabled (or allow full access for PhpStorm.exe)

If I create PHP Web Application configuration and provide this kind of URL ( http://idetest.dev/test.php ) then this is the actual URL that will be launched: http://idetest.dev/test.php?XDEBUG_SESSION_START=12026

By the way, the Bookmarklet link works this way: after pressing Generate and copying the xdebug Start Session link, this is copied to clipboard:
javascript:(/**%20@version%200.5.1%20*/function()%20{document.cookie='XDEBUG_SESSION='+'PHPSTORM'+';path=/;';})()
I think one needs to change it a little as I did above.

You do not need to change anything -- no need for copying it:

• after generating just drag link to a bookmark bar,
  
• when ready to debug:
  • Make usre that you on a correct tab
  • click on your Start bookmark -- this will set the debug cookie
  • now refresh the page (if current page is the one you want to debug), or click on a link to such page / submit a form etc
  • the debug cookie will be sent together with page request,

I don't know where to put the session key=1 into this string

You have to put that session key (which is "1") into appropriate field on bookmarklet generator before hitting "Generate" button.

I don't have symbolic links (this is Windows) or any other hard shortcuts.

Windows Vista and above already supporting symbolic links. In previous versions (Win 2000 and newer) Junction points were available (for folders only). Why I think you may had some links/mapped drive etc -- the drive letter I:/ -- quite high (quite possible it's some sort of substitution/joint point .. or you seems to have a lot of partitions/hdds etc).

In any case -- if none of the above helps, please collect debugger logs (ideally both) -- it may tell you straight away what is going on (if xdebug is trying to connect or not; if yes -- why no connection succeeds (path mapping issue?)):

• PhpStorm: http://devnet.jetbrains.net/docs/DOC-1202
  
• xdebug: http://xdebug.org/docs/remote#remote_log

Ahh .. good to know -- while I was typing my reply and waiting until it finish posting (takes like 5 mins or so to post) you already fixed it ... Now all my ideas ca be thrown in a bin :)

Thanks fo the tips - I'll have to use Remote debugging soon anyway , so it'll be useful to know the configuration tricks.

Andriy,

Thanks!:)

I am having similar problems but can't match the solutions here to my problem. When I try to create a run/debug configuration for my web project in IntelliJ2023 Ultimate, I select PHP Web Page from the Add New Configuration list. The panel that opens wants a Server name (XAMPP) and a Start URL, which I give as http://localhost:63342/MyProjectName/index.php. Below that it tells me to install Xdebug which I did after installing XAMPP and used the updated php.ini. It then tells me to Validate Debugger Configuration on Web Server. Clicking that link opens a dialog box that gives me four options. I am guessing that Local Web Server or Shared Folder is what I want? When that is selected, the dialog looks for (1) Path to create Validation Script and (2) URL to validation script. I have no idea what do? How do I set those two things? 

Dougrimmer, 63342 isn't your XAMPP port, it's the IDEA built-in web server port.

Please note that you don't actually need a run/debug configuration for PHP web debugging - doing that all from the browser is the correct approach here. Please check the following help article:

https://www.jetbrains.com/help/phpstorm/zero-configuration-debugging.html

Also, please clarify if you open the project directly from the web root (where XAMPP loads sources from), or it's a copy residing somewhere else?

Thanks for the reply. 

My project is located at users\myusername\Ideaprojects\myproject. 

If I understand your question properly, I open my project using Index.php which is located in the top-level of the above project location. Is that what you meant?

I will check out the zero-configuration option.

Thanks.

If I understand your question properly, I open my project using Index.php which is located in the top-level of the above project location. Is that what you meant?

Yes, thank you. So, your project isn't actually served by XAMPP because the sources are not located in the XAMPP web root.

To fix that, please create a deployment configuration of the local type that would place your project under the web root, make the configuration default, and optionally, enable automatic uploading at Setttings | Build, Execution, Deployment | Deployment | Options.

After that, invoke Tools | Deployment | Upload to... on the project root. After that, your project can be served by XAMPP, and you should be able to open the index.php page in the browser via https://localhost/project-path-relative-to-web-root/index.php

Then, if you still want to run Web Server Debug Validation, you will need to use the Local Web Server or Shared Folder tab, where Path to create validation script would be the project root in IdeaProjects, and URL to validation script would be https://localhost/project-path-relative-to-web-root/.

Hello Eugene

Thanks very much for this extended help. Much appreciated. I have gone back and worked through the zero-configuration-debugging document and I now have that working. 

I continue to work on creating deployment configuration in order to try and understand how that works. I am not all the way there yet but making progress. You have certainly pointed me in the right direction. 

I appreciate the good support provided by JetBrains!