WhipCream — Never use printf() to debug again

WhipCream is inspired by IceCream - Python

Do you ever use printf() or print to debug your code? Of course you do. WhipCream, or wc for short, makes print debugging a little sweeter.

wc() is like print(), but better:

1. It prints both expressions/variable names and their values.
2. It's 60% faster to type.
3. It can directly print by setting a default format or can be provided print format.
4. A Single function can be used for multiple arguments / without arguments (to print code access)
5. Output is syntax highlighted.
6. It optionally includes program context: filename, line number, and parent function.
7. CAN BE USED WITH CUSTOM DEBUG FUNCTIONS!!!
8. Buffer size can be changed
9. Colors can be disabled
10. Prints can be disabled anytime
11. Lite-weight (Single header file)

Inspect Variables

Have you ever printed variables or expressions to debug your program? If you've ever typed something like

printf("%d", x);
printf("%d", max(2,3));

or the more thorough

printf("x = %d", x);
printf("max = %d", max(2,3));

then wc() will put a smile on your face. With arguments, wc() inspects itself and prints both its own arguments and the values of those arguments.

#include <stdio.h>
#include "whipcream.h"

int max(int a, int b){
    return a>b ? a : b;
}

int main(){
    int c;
    wc(c = 32*45); // Pass whole expression

    wc(c);  // check the variables, as value is stored in it

    wc(max(8,3)); // debug the ouput of function
    
    return 0;    
}

Prints

Similarly, You can pass a format for the variable if the data-type is not the default-format,

char *str = "This is string output";
int a = 4;

wc(a);
wc(str, "%s");

Prints

Just give wc() a variable or expression and you're done. Easy.

Inspect Execution

Have you ever used printf() to determine which parts of your program are executed, and in which order they're executed? For example, if you've ever added print statements to debug code like

void foo(){
    printf("--0\n");
    first();

    if (expression){
        printf("--1\n");
        second();
    }
    else{
        printf("--2\n");
        third();
    }
}

then wc() helps here, too. Without arguments, wc() inspects itself and prints the calling filename, line number, and parent function.

void foo(){
    wc();
    first();

    if (expression){
        wc();
        second();
    }
    else{
        wc();
        third();
    }
}

Prints

Just call wc() and you're done. Simple.

Custom Function

wc() can be used with external functions. The output can be used with external custom_debug function and can be used to log, serial print, broadcast data etc..

Just Define CUSTOM_DEBUG or uncomment in whipcream.h

#define CUSTOM_DEBUG

int custom_debug(char* raw_input){
    printf("DEBUG:: %s\n", raw_input);
    return 1;
}


int main(){
    int a = 964;
    wc(a);
    return 0;    
}

Prints

You might want to disable colours for this. (See configuration)

Configuration

DISABLE DEBUG

To disable debug simply define PRINTS_DISABLED or uncomment in whipcream.h

#define PRINTS_DISABLED

The output is disabled but the function calls, and expressions are kept safe.

int global_x = 23;

int set_global_x(int x){
    global_x = x;
    return global_x;
}

int main(){
    wc(set_global_x(21));
    printf("global_x = %d\n", global_x);
    int a=0;
    printf("a = %d\n", a);
    wc(a=3);
    wc(a);
    printf("a = %d\n", a);
    return 0;    
}

Prints

DISABLING OUTPUT PRINTS

CUSTOM DEBUG EXTERNAL FUNCTION

To use custom debug function simply define CUSTOM_DEBUG or uncomment in whipcream.h

#define CUSTOM_DEBUG

The function can be defined externally by

int custom_debug(char *);

int custom_debug(char* raw_input){
    printf("DEBUG:: %s\n", raw_input);
    return 1;
}


int main(){
    int a = 964;
    wc(a);
    return 0;    
}

Prints

You might want to disable colours for this.

DISABLE COLOURED OUTPUT

To disable colours simply define COLORS_DISABLED or uncomment in whipcream.h

#define COLORS_DISABLED

This is especially useful when logging or using custom debug function

CHANGING DEFAULT FORMAT (1-argument)

When 1 argument is passed (without format) the default format is used for printing which can be changed in whipcream.h header file

#define DEFAULT_FMT "%10d" //(default value)

lets set this to

#define DEFAULT_FMT "str: %30s" //(str value)

int main(){
    char *ss = "CRIMINAL MIND";
    wc(ss);
    return 0;    
}

prints

OUTHER CONFIGURATIONS

These changes can be made in whipcream.h

_FILE_COLOR : The color for printing file name (default cyan)

_VAR_COLOR : The color for printing variable name (default yellow)

_VALUE_COLOR : The color for printing variable value (default green)

CUSTOM_BUFFER_SIZE : Buffer Size to Print Message (when used custom print function) (default 300)

_FILE_NAME_BUFF_SIZE : Max string size for printing the file name (default 30)

_VAR_NAME_BUFF_SIZE : Max string size for printing the variable name (default 20)

Author

Name: Wahaj Murtaza

Email: wahajmurtaza@gmail.com

Github: https://github.com/wahajmurtaza/