Symbol server
Overview
A Symbol Server is a centralized repository that stores debugging symbols, such as Program Database (PDB) files, which are essential for debugging applications. In the context of game development, symbol servers facilitate efficient debugging by providing debuggers with the necessary symbols to interpret crash dumps and call stacks accurately. This ensures that developers can identify and resolve issues more effectively.
Workflow for Using Symbol Server in ADT
Upload PDB Files to ADT
- Users need to upload their Program Database (PDB) files to ADT.
- These files contain debugging symbols required for analyzing crash dumps and stack traces.
Data Transfer & Storage Impact on Cost
- Uploaded PDB files contribute to ADT’s monthly data transfer and storage costs.
- Developers should monitor their storage usage to optimize costs and prevent unnecessary expenses.
Enable Symbol Server in ADT
- Navigate to Game Settings → Game Integration in the ADT Web interface.
- Enable the Symbol Server feature for the project.
- Once enabled, ADT will process and manage PDB files automatically.
PDB Extraction to Symbol Server
- Once enabled, ADT extracts the PDB files and stores them separately in the Symbol Server.
- These extracted symbols are instantly accessible for debugging purposes.
- Since extracted symbols are stored independently, this increases storage consumption.
Automatic Cleanup Upon Build Deletion
- When a build is deleted, ADT automatically removes the associated PDB files and Symbol Server data.
- This ensures efficient storage management and cost optimization.
Download & Debug with Microsoft Symbol Server
- Developers can download the crash dump (DMP file) from ADT.
- Using Microsoft Symbol Server, the debugger retrieves the necessary symbols to analyze the crash.
Best Practices
✔ Monitor Storage Usage – Regularly review storage consumption in ADT to optimize resource usage.
✔ Enable Automatic Cleanup – Ensure old symbols are removed along with deleted builds to prevent storage waste.