Documentation

The trace function outputs the trace message given as its first argument, before returning the second argument as its result.

For example, this returns the value of f x but first outputs the message.

>>> let x = 123; f = show
>>> trace ("calling f with x = " ++ show x) (f x)
"calling f with x = 123
123"

The trace function should only be used for debugging, or for monitoring execution. The function is not referentially transparent: its type indicates that it is a pure function but it has the side effect of outputting the trace message.

Like trace but returns the message instead of a third value.

>>> traceId "hello"
"hello
hello"

Since: base-4.7.0.0

Like trace, but uses show on the argument to convert it to a String.

This makes it convenient for printing the values of interesting variables or expressions inside a function. For example here we print the value of the variables x and y:

>>> let f x y = traceShow (x,y) (x + y) in f (1+2) 5
(3,5)
8

Like traceShow but returns the shown value instead of a third value.

>>> traceShowId (1+2+3, "hello" ++ "world")
(6,"helloworld")
(6,"helloworld")

Since: base-4.7.0.0

like trace, but additionally prints a call stack if one is available.

In the current GHC implementation, the call stack is only available if the program was compiled with -prof; otherwise traceStack behaves exactly like trace. Entries in the call stack correspond to SCC annotations, so it is a good idea to use -fprof-auto or -fprof-auto-calls to add SCC annotations automatically.

Since: base-4.5.0.0

The traceIO function outputs the trace message from the IO monad. This sequences the output with respect to other IO actions.

Since: base-4.5.0.0

Like trace but returning unit in an arbitrary Applicative context. Allows for convenient use in do-notation.

Note that the application of traceM is not an action in the Applicative context, as traceIO is in the IO type. While the fresh bindings in the following example will force the traceM expressions to be reduced every time the do-block is executed, traceM "not crashed" would only be reduced once, and the message would only be printed once. If your monad is in MonadIO, liftIO . traceIO may be a better option.

>>> :{
do
    x <- Just 3
    traceM ("x: " ++ show x)
    y <- pure 12
    traceM ("y: " ++ show y)
    pure (x*2 + y)
:}
x: 3
y: 12
Just 18

Since: base-4.7.0.0

Like traceM, but uses show on the argument to convert it to a String.

>>> :{
do
    x <- Just 3
    traceShowM x
    y <- pure 12
    traceShowM y
    pure (x*2 + y)
:}
3
12
Just 18

Since: base-4.7.0.0