Debugging programs containing data-only modules

Some programs contain load modules or compile units that have no executable code. These modules are known as data-only modules. These modules are prevalent in assembler programs. In some situations, z/OS® Debugger might not recognize that these modules contain no executable instructions and attempt to set a breakpoint, which means overlaying the contents of these modules.

In these situations, you can use the NAMES EXCLUDE command to indicate to z/OS Debugger that these are data-only modules that contain no executable code. z/OS Debugger will not attempt to set breakpoints in these data-only modules. If the NAMES EXCLUDE command is used to exclude a module that contains executable instructions, the module might still appear in z/OS Debugger and z/OS Debugger might still attempt to set breakpoints in the modules.

Refer to the following topics for more information related to the material discussed in this topic.

• Related references
• "NAMES command" in IBM® z/OS Debugger Reference and Messages