Hi there:

I am Xdebug via Felix Becker's PHP Debug extension (https://github.com/felixfbecker/vscode-php-debug) for Visual Studio Code 1.16.1. I'm connecting to XDebug just fine, can set breakpoints and view variables in the debug pane without any issues.

However, I am consistently getting error evaluating code when attempting to type any PHP statements or expressions in the debug console. The developer assures me this is a problem on the part of Xdebug, and not his extension.

My question is what kind of PHP commands can I send to the REPL? It seems like all I am able to do is declare variables, arrays, and objects. I can't declare classes, functions, use control structures (if, foreach, etc.).

Works:

$x = 4
//4

$x
//4

$x = new stdClass();
//stdClass

$x = [];
//array(0)

($x) ? yes : no
// yes

(!$x) ? yes : no
// no

preg_replace('/dog/', 'cat', 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.')
// "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy cat."

request()
//Illuminate\Http\Request (Laravel helper methods work)

Doesn't Work:

echo "yes";
//error evaluating code

if ($x == 4) { echo "yes" }
//error evaluating code

for ($i=0; $i < 5; $i++) { }
//error evaluating code

function foo() {}
//error evaluating code

class SimpleClass {}
//error evaluating code

$var_dump($x)
//null

I'm a little confused because I thought I could use any valid PHP command in the console, similar to PHPStorm's console.

Thanks.