$exception and $ReturnValue
In dotnet one can write
try{
...
}catch(Exception){
throw;
}
which gives two debugging tools. The first is the ability to set a break point on the catch line.
Note how I haven’t written catch( Exception exc) but only catch( Exception). This makes us avoid a compiler warning because we don’t use the exc variable. Which brings us to trick number two in Visual studio: Since we don’t have a variable with the exception instead write $exception in the immediate window or the quickwatch window. $exception brings forward the [hidden] exception reference.
Also note how there is no variable behind the throw statement. This makes the framework hide the catch/throw and leave the stack intact.
Update: In VisualStudio2010 it looks like it is enough to write exception in the quickwatch window.
With dotnet 4.5.1? one can write $ReturnValue the same way to get to the… the… the… return value!