BUG: VFP Functions Cause Infinite Loop in Debugger Watch Window

• Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0a

SYMPTOMS

Entering a Visual FoxPro function, such as GetPrinter(), GetFile(), or GetColor(), into the Watch window of the debugger may cause an infinite loop.

RESOLUTION

One of the four following methods may stop the infinite loop:

1. Delete the entry from the debugger as follows:

   a. Click on the Watch window entry. b. When the dialog box comes up, close it. c. Click on the Watch window entry again. d. When the dialog box comes up, close it again. e. With the cursor on the Watch window entry, it should be able

         to be deleted.
   

2. Shut down the debugger.

3. Shut down Visual FoxPro from the Operating System (Windows Task Manager).

4. Re-install Visual FoxPro.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this bug and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

The Visual FoxPro functions that display a dialog box and then return a value based on the entries to the dialog box may cause an infinite loop if entered into the Watch window of the debugger. The following functions were tested and cause the problem:

   GetColor(), GetCP(), GetDir(), GetFile(), GetPict(), GetPrinter()

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Run the Visual FoxPro Debugger.

2. Enter one of the functions listed above into the Watch window.

3. When the dialog box for the function comes up, try to close it.

4. Click anywhere on the screen. Note that the dialog box that was just closed is displayed again.