Side by side
GDB vs Perl Debugger
Both stand on debuggers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
GDB covers program inspection across multiple operating systems, languages, and target types. Some capabilities depend on platform support or a Python-enabled build.
Visit GDB Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Choose Perl Debugger if you need a free, Perl-specific way to inspect execution, set breakpoints, and examine values. It is included with Perl rather than installed as a separate debugger. Look elsewhere if you need stack-frame details for functions compiled outside Perl, or if your workflow depends on the `-W` switch.
Visit Perl DebuggerThe facts
| GDB | Perl Debugger | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | sourceware.org | perldoc.perl.org |
| On debuggers | #7 of 27 | #11 of 27 |
GDB: what it does well
- Supports local, remote, and simulator targets
- Includes conditional and exception breakpoints
- Record-and-replay supports forward and reverse execution
- Supports a broad list of programming languages
- Free software under the GNU General Public License
What to know first
- Record-and-replay is limited to supported platforms
- Debugger Adapter Protocol requires Python support
Perl Debugger: what it does well
- Included with Perl and free to use.
- Supports conditional breakpoints and global expression watches.
- Can step into or over subroutine calls.
- Recursively pretty-prints nested data structures.
- Options can be set interactively or in configuration files.
What to know first
- The program must compile correctly before debugging.
- Lexical variable inspection requires PadWalker version 0.08 or higher.
- Cannot provide stack-frame information for C or C++ extension functions.
- Does not currently work with Perl's -W switch.
Alternatives to GDB Alternatives to Perl Debugger The whole list