Debugging Go with Tags in Visual Studio Code and Delve Debugger

When utilizing build tags to compile various versions of a Go program, it remains important to configure the debugger for optimal utilization.

Launch Configuration for Debugging with Build Tags:

To specify build tags within a launch configuration for Visual Studio Code's Go plugin, you can employ the buildFlags key along with a corresponding value of "-tags Tag". This enables the inclusion of build tags during the debugging process.

Configuration for Debugging with Build Tags:

Utilizing the buildFlags key, modify the launch configuration as follows:

{
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "name": "DebugBinWithTag",
      "type": "go",
      "request": "launch",
      "mode": "exec",
      "remotePath": "",
      "port": 2345,
      "host": "127.0.0.1",
      "program": "${workspaceRoot}/BinaryName",
      "env": {},
      "args": [],
      "showLog": true,
      "buildFlags": "-tags THISISAFLAG"  // Specify build tags here
    }
  ]
}

Multiple Launch Configurations for Different Build Tags:

If your project necessitates distinct build configurations, consider creating multiple launch configurations. Each configuration can then have its own buildFlags value corresponding to the required build tag. This customization ensures that each configuration targets the intended build variant.

Additional Tips:

• Ensure that the build tag syntax is correct (e.g., // build THISISAFLAG).
• Verify that the program field in the launch configuration points to the compiled binary with the desired build tags.
• If you encounter issues, try clearing the debug cache (Ctrl Shift F5 in VSCode).