I'm doing some major additions to some of my code and the $Debug functionality is really helping tremendously. I've even found some unexpected ways that it's helping. As an example, I have a lot of variables that I juggle. Since my code does things like partition and format flash drives, I deal with partitions a lot. I have lots of variables like ParSize, ParType, TotalPartitions, ParDescription, and lots more. Sometimes, I can't recall the exact name of a variable I want to use so I must put an index mark where I'm working, then go fishing through my code to find the right variable name, then come back to where I was working. With debug, I simply hit F4 and in the filter box just start typing (P-A-R) and bingo! There are all the variables I want. So now I found what I'm looking for without ever moving off my current line of code.
I also like to do some fine-tuning as I go along. So, I'll run my code, look at the output, and if I see something like a text message that could be re-worded or a menu that doesn't look good, I stop execution and fix that little piece right then and there. So, there is a lot of run, fix, run fix, etc. Being able to keep my variable watches without having to recreate them every time really helps in such a repeating cycle type of flow.
Thanks! I'm really having <gasp> FUN with my amateur coding right now.