Break when a value changes using the Visual Studio debugger

Is there a way to place a watch on variable and only have Visual Studio break when that value changes?

It would make it so much easier to find tricky state issues.

Can this be done?

Breakpoint conditions still need a breakpoint set, and I'd rather set a watch and let Visual Studio set the breakpoints at state changes.


In the Visual Studio 2005 menu:

Debug -> New Breakpoint -> New Data Breakpoint

Enter:

&myVariable

You can also choose to break explicitly in code:

// Assuming C#
if (condition)
{
    System.Diagnostics.Debugger.Break();
}

From MSDN:

Debugger.Break: If no debugger is attached, users are asked if they want to attach a debugger. If yes, the debugger is started. If a debugger is attached, the debugger is signaled with a user breakpoint event, and the debugger suspends execution of the process just as if a debugger breakpoint had been hit.

This is only a fallback, though. Setting a conditional breakpoint in Visual Studio, as described in other comments, is a better choice.


In Visual Studio 2015, you can place a breakpoint on the set accessor of an Auto-Implemented Property and the debugger will break when the property is updated

public bool IsUpdated
{
    get;
    set;    //set breakpoint on this line
}

Update

Alternatively; @AbdulRaufMujahid has pointed out in the comments that if the auto implemented property is on a single line, you can position your cursor at the get; or set; and hit F9 and a breakpoint will be placed accordingly. Nice!

public bool IsUpdated { get; set; }