Linux Debugger and Debug Player

[alexander-m]

Hello.

As someone who develops Flash games under linux platform, I'm already struggling that latest version of Flash Player is unavailable for my platform.

For now, there is at least workaround to get 11.2 Debug Player working by replacing libflashplayer.so.

As far, as I understand that would not work with Flash Player 12.

Is there any chance that there will be Debugger and Debug Player 12 released for linux?

[jeromiec83223024 · Accepted solution]

We are currently working on a content debugger version of Flash Player for Chrome Pepper, which is the only linux target that is actively supported.  We dropped support for NPAPI Linux a couple years back.  We only release security updates for the NPAPI Flash Player on Linux (which means 11.2), and will drop support entirely as our contractual obligations around Linux expire.

As other Linux browsers implement PPAPI, they will gain support for the PPAPI Flash Player with the caveat that they have to stay current with the various Chromium interfaces as we're going to stay synced with the interfaces shipped with release versions of Chrome.

[alexander-m]

Thanks for the reply, Jeromie, much appreciated!

Could you please clarify, are you working on debug version of flash player, or is it something else?

For anyone interrested in PPAPI support in Firefox, please vore for entry 729481 in Bugzilla.

[Jeff__Ward]

Jeromie Clark wrote:

We are currently working on a content debugger version of Flash Player for Chrome Pepper, which is the only linux target that is actively supported.

Unfortunately, the debug PPAPI player version is Win/Mac only.

If you have interest in Linux, Flash, AIR, and Scout, feel free to follow my twitter feed and blog.

You can get telemetry data out of the Linux PPAPI Flash Player. Unfortunately,1) it requires starting google-chrome with the --no-sandbox option (I filed a bug on this), and 2) since it's not the debug player, you don't get memory allocation data (you do get the stack profiler and timing data).

Instead, if possible I suggest testing your content under Adobe AIR (under wine on linux), where you get full telemetry data.

You can view this telemetry using Adobe Scout on a Windows VM (if you've paid for Windows and Adobe CC licenses), or with a little cross-platform project of mine called hxScout.

[Jeff__Ward]

The Chrome PPAPI debugger is great news!

As for Firefox - screw Mozilla.  They're anti-Flash and they're wasting effort on Shumway, as it'll never have all the video and other capabilities of Flash, much less the penetration.  Let's see how that works out for them.

As a linux user, I'm grateful Google/Adobe have teamed up to support us.

[karthik_vj]

it seems Adobe has not yet released PPAPI Flash debug player for Linux,
created a feature request, please up vote it.

Feature#3786915 - PPAPI Flash debugger for Linux

[jeromiec83223024]

Out of curiosity, is there something specific that you're doing that requires you to debug on Linux, or is it simply your preferred development workstation?  Linux browser marketshare across all distributions is only about 2% of global traffic, and would require a massively disproportionate effort to develop and maintain in comparison to say, Mac or Windows.  We have a very finite set of resources, so we're always looking at how we can do the most good for the most people.

The reason that I'm asking, is that if you're trying to solve performance related issues, you can connect Adobe Scout to the release version of Flash Player, so you don't actually need a debug Flash Player on Linux to investigate Linux-specific performance issues.  If you suspect that there's a straight-up ActionScript bug specific to Linux PPAPI, that would probably require the debugger, although there are less elegant ways (alert, etc.) to debug in the rare instance that you're investigating an issue that only reproduces on Linux.

Otherwise, there are plenty of virtualization solutions (free and paid) that can allow you to debug without switching to a different workstation.

Are you using Adobe tools on Mac or Windows to author content, or are you actually using Linux there as well?  Just out of personal curiosity, I'm interested in what toolchain you're using, and what you really like about it.

Thanks!

[karthik_vj]

Hi,

yes, Linux is just a preferred work station. We mainly work on pure AS3 projects.

Linux debugger can be useful for the following cases:

1. Automated UI Testing (example: Genie). Without debugger we can't get detailed logging.

2. Haxe/Flambe or OpenFl has good build tools for Linux. When targeting flash platform, debugger is useful.

and many more...

Thing is that if you develop, people will you use it. And will think about more creative ways to use Linux debugger.

It is kinda sad when Adobe ignores 2% of hardcore developers.

Btw is it that difficult to support PPAPI debugger for Linux? Shouldn't it be easy peasy, because of pepper API?

[jeromiec83223024]

Cool, thanks for clarifying the use-case for me.  We do take community demand seriously, and carefully consider bug votes and the uplist when planning and scheduling new work. 

It's not a matter of ignoring the community, but about prioritizing our work so that we're applying our very finite resources to the places that do the most good for the most developers and end-users.

Thanks!

[PhilipKeiter]

"you can connect Adobe Scout to the release version of Flash Player, so you don't actually need a debug Flash Player on Linux to investigate Linux-specific performance issues"

How do I as a developer on Linux use Adobe Scout to debug?

Most programmers prefer to develop on Linux and the only reason they don't do Flash (or other MS/Mac-only programming) on Linux is simply because it is not possible or barely possible. If it were better supported, the percent would jump up overnight.

[jeromiec83223024]

One of these issues is a technical problem that I can help you out with.  The other is a business issue that's way above my paygrade.

There are a number of virtualization technologies that allow you to run Windows applications in Linux (VirtualBox, VMWare, etc).  If you want an expedient solution, I'd recommend going the pragmatic route and using the tool that works.  You could wait for us to release a Linux version, but I doubt that you would get a resolution in the time-frame required for your project.