Debugging a release version of a DLL (with PDB file)

Question

If I have a DLL (that was built in release-mode) and the corresponding PDB file, is it possible to debug (step-into) classes/methods contained in that DLL?

If so, wh

Answer 1

Yes, you can debug release code with a PDB. There are some pitfalls however with debugging optimized code, more info here and here.

Your PDB just needs to be in a place that the debugger can find it - for local debugging same directory as the dll is usually easiest. Otherwise, put it in some place that the debugger can find it, and point the debugger to that place with the symbol path.