{"name":"Arma 3: Debug Mode","title":"Arma 3: Debug Mode","type":"topic","url":"https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Debug_Mode","revid":377924,"updated":"2026-01-11T16:10:49Z","aliases":[],"markdown":"Arma 3 v2.02\n\nArma 3 now has an additional debug mode that can be enabled with the -debug startup parameter.\nEnabling it causes the game engine to be more verbose with its logging, providing additional contextual information for some information, and logging information that it otherwise would not.\n\n#### Additional context\n\nWhen in debug mode, many errors will provide additional context around where the error occurred. This will happen for script, Stringtable.xml and Description.ext errors, as well as in other areas. For example in scripts, this is the full stack trace showing error origin:\n\n```\n18:01:30 Attempt to override final function - ace_captives_fnc_doapplyhandcuffs\n18:01:30  ➥ Context:     [] L582 (A3\\functions_f\\initFunctions.sqf)\n    [] L609 (A3\\functions_f\\initFunctions.sqf)\n    [] L608 (A3\\functions_f\\initFunctions.sqf)\n    [] L603 (A3\\functions_f\\initFunctions.sqf)\n    [] L605 (A3\\functions_f\\initFunctions.sqf)\n    [] L5 (z\\gf_scripts\\addons\\gf_scripts\\functions\\fn_postInit.sqf)\n    [] L3 (z\\gf_scripts\\addons\\gf_scripts\\functions\\fn_logHandcuffs.sqf)\n    [] L4 (z\\gf_scripts\\addons\\gf_scripts\\functions\\fn_logHandcuffs.sqf)\n    [] L13 (z\\gf_scripts\\addons\\gf_scripts\\functions\\fn_logHandcuffs.sqf)\n```\n\n#### Additional errors\n\nDebug mode also unlocks additional errors that are hidden during normal execution.\nAn example of it, coming in Arma 3 v2.08, is a check on getVariable that logs if it is called on a null object.\n\n> [!NOTE]\n> See Arma 3: Error Messages.\n\n#### A3_DEBUG Preprocessor Macros\n\nWhen Arma 3 is in debug mode, an additional preprocessor macro is set that can be used by developers to change functionality when this mode.\n\n> [!NOTE]\n> See PreProcessor Commands - A3_DEBUG.","sections":[{"heading":null,"level":1,"markdown":"Arma 3 v2.02\n\nArma 3 now has an additional debug mode that can be enabled with the -debug startup parameter.\nEnabling it causes the game engine to be more verbose with its logging, providing additional contextual information for some information, and logging information that it otherwise would not."},{"heading":"Additional context","level":4,"markdown":"When in debug mode, many errors will provide additional context around where the error occurred. This will happen for script, Stringtable.xml and Description.ext errors, as well as in other areas. For example in scripts, this is the full stack trace showing error origin:\n\n```\n18:01:30 Attempt to override final function - ace_captives_fnc_doapplyhandcuffs\n18:01:30  ➥ Context:     [] L582 (A3\\functions_f\\initFunctions.sqf)\n    [] L609 (A3\\functions_f\\initFunctions.sqf)\n    [] L608 (A3\\functions_f\\initFunctions.sqf)\n    [] L603 (A3\\functions_f\\initFunctions.sqf)\n    [] L605 (A3\\functions_f\\initFunctions.sqf)\n    [] L5 (z\\gf_scripts\\addons\\gf_scripts\\functions\\fn_postInit.sqf)\n    [] L3 (z\\gf_scripts\\addons\\gf_scripts\\functions\\fn_logHandcuffs.sqf)\n    [] L4 (z\\gf_scripts\\addons\\gf_scripts\\functions\\fn_logHandcuffs.sqf)\n    [] L13 (z\\gf_scripts\\addons\\gf_scripts\\functions\\fn_logHandcuffs.sqf)\n```"},{"heading":"Additional errors","level":4,"markdown":"Debug mode also unlocks additional errors that are hidden during normal execution.\nAn example of it, coming in Arma 3 v2.08, is a check on getVariable that logs if it is called on a null object.\n\n> [!NOTE]\n> See Arma 3: Error Messages."},{"heading":"A3_DEBUG Preprocessor Macros","level":4,"markdown":"When Arma 3 is in debug mode, an additional preprocessor macro is set that can be used by developers to change functionality when this mode.\n\n> [!NOTE]\n> See PreProcessor Commands - A3_DEBUG."}],"categories":["Arma 3: Troubleshooting","Introduced with Arma 3 version 2.02","Scripting Topics","Startup Parameters"],"groups":["Scripting"]}