---
name: "Arma 3: Debug Mode"
type: topic
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Debug_Mode
revid: 377924
updated: 2026-01-11T16:10:49Z
---

# Arma 3: Debug Mode

Arma 3 v2.02

Arma 3 now has an additional debug mode that can be enabled with the [-debug startup parameter](../topics/Startup_Parameters.md).
Enabling 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.

#### Additional context

When in debug mode, many errors will provide additional context around where the error occurred. This will happen for script, [Stringtable.xml](../topics/Stringtable.xml.md) and [Description.ext](../topics/Description.ext.md) errors, as well as in other areas. For example in scripts, this is the full stack trace showing error origin:

```
18:01:30 Attempt to override final function - ace_captives_fnc_doapplyhandcuffs
18:01:30  ➥ Context:     [] L582 (A3\functions_f\initFunctions.sqf)
    [] L609 (A3\functions_f\initFunctions.sqf)
    [] L608 (A3\functions_f\initFunctions.sqf)
    [] L603 (A3\functions_f\initFunctions.sqf)
    [] L605 (A3\functions_f\initFunctions.sqf)
    [] L5 (z\gf_scripts\addons\gf_scripts\functions\fn_postInit.sqf)
    [] L3 (z\gf_scripts\addons\gf_scripts\functions\fn_logHandcuffs.sqf)
    [] L4 (z\gf_scripts\addons\gf_scripts\functions\fn_logHandcuffs.sqf)
    [] L13 (z\gf_scripts\addons\gf_scripts\functions\fn_logHandcuffs.sqf)
```

#### Additional errors

Debug mode also unlocks additional errors that are hidden during normal execution.
An example of it, coming in Arma 3 v2.08, is a check on [getVariable](../commands/getVariable.md) that logs if it is called on a null object.

> [!NOTE]
> See [Arma 3: Error Messages](../topics/Error_Messages.md).

#### A3_DEBUG Preprocessor Macros

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.

> [!NOTE]
> See [PreProcessor Commands - A3_DEBUG](../topics/PreProcessor_Commands.md#a3-debug).

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — Arma 3: Debug Mode](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Debug_Mode) (revision 377924).</sub>