Lexicon Entry
Breakpoint (Software / Hardware)
A debugging mechanism that pauses program execution at a specific address. Software breakpoints work by replacing an instruction with a trap (`int3` on x86-64, `brk #0` on ARM64). Hardware breakpoints use CPU debug registers and don't modify code.
Related Knowledge & Cross-References
Guide
Build a Debugger from Scratch: Ultimate 3 OS Guide (Part 8)
Build a working debugger from scratch in assembly. Learn how breakpoints, ptrace, and signal interception let one process inspect and control another.