Chrome DevTools for Node.js in Node.js - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is Chrome DevTools for Node.js?

Chrome DevTools for Node.js is a set of debugging tools built into the Chrome browser that lets you inspect, debug, and profile Node.js applications in a visual and interactive way.

beginner

How do you start a Node.js app with Chrome DevTools debugging enabled?

You start your Node.js app with the command: node --inspect your-app.js. This opens a debugging port that Chrome DevTools can connect to.

intermediate

What is the purpose of the --inspect-brk flag in Node.js?

The --inspect-brk flag starts the Node.js app in debug mode and pauses execution on the first line, letting you set breakpoints before any code runs.

intermediate

Name two key features of Chrome DevTools when debugging Node.js apps.

1. Setting breakpoints to pause code execution.<br>2. Inspecting variables and call stacks to understand program state.<br>3. Profiling performance to find slow parts.<br>4. Watching asynchronous operations.

beginner

How can you open Chrome DevTools to debug a Node.js app after starting it with --inspect?

Open Chrome and go to chrome://inspect. Under 'Remote Target', find your Node.js process and click 'inspect' to open DevTools connected to your app.

Which command starts a Node.js app with debugging enabled for Chrome DevTools?

A node --inspect app.js

B node --debug app.js

C node --run-debug app.js

D node --chrome-debug app.js

The correct flag to enable debugging with Chrome DevTools is --inspect.

What does the --inspect-brk flag do?

A Enables debugging but does not pause execution

B Runs the app without debugging

C Starts the app and pauses on the first line for debugging

D Disables debugging

The --inspect-brk flag pauses execution on the first line, letting you set breakpoints before code runs.

Where do you go in Chrome to connect DevTools to a running Node.js process?

A chrome://devtools

B chrome://debugger

C chrome://node-debug

D chrome://inspect

The URL chrome://inspect shows remote targets including Node.js processes for debugging.

Which of these is NOT a feature of Chrome DevTools for Node.js?

A Running SQL queries

B Inspecting variables

C Setting breakpoints

D Profiling performance

Running SQL queries is not a feature of Chrome DevTools; it focuses on debugging and profiling code.

What must you do before Chrome DevTools can debug your Node.js app?

A Install a Chrome extension

B Start Node.js with --inspect flag

C Run Node.js in production mode

D Use a special debugger app

You must start Node.js with the --inspect flag to open the debugging port for DevTools.

Explain how to set up and use Chrome DevTools to debug a Node.js application.

Think about the command line and browser steps.

Describe the benefits of using Chrome DevTools for debugging Node.js apps compared to console.log debugging.

Consider how interactive tools help over just printing messages.