Zynthian Webconf debug with Visual Studio Code (VSC)

Debugging Webconf with Visual Studio Code

This is presented as an example of how a Visual Studio Code can be used to examine a component of the zynthian sub system as it runs using the Visual studio Code extensions, python & remote-ssh. These are loaded using the cog dialog at the bottom of the vsc code page.


Vsc extentions detail.png

Once you have these components added you can attempt to log onto an existing Zynthian from your PC, MAC, or linux machine, just so long as it's capable of running Visual Studio Code. In my own case I have it running on a 64 bit Raspbian instance, and I had to build it from source to get it running which is a degree of proof of the overall flexibility of what is after all a Microsoft product!

I also tend to add the git-graph extension.

Zynthian git graph

The ssh connection

The addition of the remote component adds the Remote Explorer element

Vsc remote explorer section.png

I already have a couple of remote zynthians in the machine and VSC is pretty tenacious at hanging onto remote instances it knows about. But we will try to add a new machine.

I have a zynthian called zynthian-orig.local. It's actually a genuine zynthian product running a Pi3 and no membrane switches and some fairly simplistic interface. Indeed it has to be disassembled to change the ssd. Such were the early days.!

Zynthian-orig.local

1 Visual Studio Code Configure.

Firstly we need to add the extensions.

activated by the cog in the bottom left hand corner of the Visual Studio Code interface



we enter the command we will use to access the remote zynthian which is ssh....

And login using the machines root password.

Once VSC has established a connection, it will download the appropriate python components to the zynthian to allow debugging to take place remotely.

2 Selecting the home directory on the Remote server

3 Running the Debugger

4 Turning off Running Webconf instance

5 Now Start the debugger...