| title | Transact-SQL Breakpoints |
|---|---|
| titleSuffix | T-SQL debugger |
| description | Breakpoints are used when debugging to pause execution as needed. Look here for a list of breakpoint tasks with links to articles that describe them. |
| author | dzsquared |
| ms.author | drskwier |
| ms.reviewer | randolphwest |
| ms.date | 09/09/2025 |
| ms.service | sql |
| ms.subservice | ssdt |
| ms.topic | concept-article |
[!INCLUDE SQL Server]
Breakpoints specify that the [!INCLUDE tsql] debugger pause execution on a specific [!INCLUDE tsql] statement, and you can then view the state of the code elements at that point.
When running the [!INCLUDE tsql] debugger, you can toggle a breakpoint on specific statements. When execution reaches a statement with a breakpoint, the debugger pauses execution so you can view debugging information, such as the values present in variables and parameters.
You can manage breakpoints individually in the Query Editor window, or collectively by using the Breakpoints window. You can edit breakpoints to specify items such as specific conditions under which execution should pause, or the actions to be taken if the breakpoint is executed.
| Task description | Article |
|---|---|
| Describes how to specify the [!INCLUDE tsql] statement on which you want the debugger to pause. | Toggle a breakpoint |
| Describes how to temporarily deactivate a breakpoint, reactivate a breakpoint, and how to delete a breakpoint. | Enable, disable, and delete breakpoints |
| Describes how to specify a condition, which defines whether a breakpoint breaks based on the evaluation of a specified Transact-SQL expression. | Specify a breakpoint condition |
| Describes how to specify a hit count. A break occurs only when the statement containing the breakpoint executes a specified number of times. | Specify a hit count |
| Describes how to specify a filter, which causes a breakpoint to break for only specified processes or threads. | Specify a breakpoint filter |
| Describes how to specify an action, which is a custom operation that is performed when the breakpoint statement is executed. | Specify a breakpoint action |