The debugger statement invokes any available debugging functionality, such as setting a breakpoint. If no debugging functionality is available, this statement has no effect.
Syntax
debugger;
Examples
The following example shows code where a debugger statement has been inserted, to invoke a debugger (if one exists) when the function is called.
function potentiallyBuggyCode() { debugger; // do potentially buggy stuff to examine, step through, etc. }
When the debugger is invoked, execution is paused at the debugger statement. It is like a breakpoint in the script source.
Specifications
Specification | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|
ECMAScript Latest Draft (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Debugger statement' in that specification. |
Living Standard | |
ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262) The definition of 'Debugger statement' in that specification. |
Standard | |
ECMAScript 5.1 (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Debugger statement' in that specification. |
Standard | Initial definition |
ECMAScript 3rd Edition (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Debugger statement' in that specification. |
Standard | |
ECMAScript 1st Edition (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Debugger statement' in that specification. |
Standard | Only mentioned as reserved word. |
Browser compatibility
The compatibility table on this page is generated from structured data. If you'd like to contribute to the data, please check out https://github.com/mdn/browser-compat-data and send us a pull request.
Feature | Chrome | Edge | Firefox | Internet Explorer | Opera | Safari |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Feature | Android webview | Chrome for Android | Edge mobile | Firefox for Android | IE mobile | Opera Android | iOS Safari |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |