How to debug JavaScript and PHP together in the same NetBeans (7.3) project?

Question

In my first steps, I'm using this not rational way, as described below:

1. Create an HTML5 project to debug the JavaScript code.
2. Create the definitive PHP project, with JS code already tested, where I debug the server side.

So I'm wondering if there is a smarter way of doing this?
E.g.: create a unique project and switch between native NetBeans JavaScript debugger and the (PHP) XDebug.

Answer 1

For JavaScript debugging in Chrome, you should use the official NetBeans Connector extension.

Here's an example on how to debug JavaScript code with NetBeans + Chrome + NetBeans Connector:

Debugging and Testing JavaScript in an HTML5 Application https://netbeans.org/kb/docs/webclient/html5-js-support.html

After creating a new project, you should "Confirm that Chrome with NetBeans Connector is selected in the dropdown list in the toolbar":

(it looks like this in my NetBeans:
)

Put some breakpoints before some lines:

and hit Run. After hitting Run, you will see a yellow warning bar which looks somehow like this, stating ""NetBeans Connector" is debugging this tab":

Do NOT open Chrome's built-in web inspector toolbar now (or you'll get a warning that this breaks the regular debugging process in NetBeans).

Now you can debug JavaScript code in NetBeans, the code will run in Chrome. You should open Window → Debugging → Variables panel to inspect the variables.

Or mouse over some items:

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Regarding debugging PHP code, here are some relevant official articles:

• How do I debug PHP projects? - http://wiki.netbeans.org/HowToDebugPHPProjects
• Configuring PHP Development Environment in Windows - https://netbeans.org/kb/docs/php/configure-php-environment-windows.html
• Configuring the PHP Development Environment in Linux Ubuntu - https://netbeans.org/kb/docs/php/configure-php-environment-ubuntu.html
• Configuring PHP, Apache, MySQL, and Xdebug for PHP development in MAC OS X - https://netbeans.org/kb/docs/php/configure-php-environment-mac-os.html
• Debugging PHP Source Code in the NetBeans IDE - https://netbeans.org/kb/docs/php/debugging.html
• How to configure XDebug - http://wiki.netbeans.org/HowToConfigureXDebug