Can't see boost::optional contents when debugging with Visual Studio

Question

If I try to look at the variable directly, I see a ? sign. If I create a watch calling the is_initialized function, I get the following error:

CXX0033: Error: error in OMF type information

I didn't find much info about this error related to Boost using Google.

Anybody else experienced this? It's a hassle using OutputDebugString everywhere and rebuilding...

EDIT: Using Visual Studio 2010 SP1 with all hotfixes in Windows XP SP3 idem, and Boost 1.49.0

UPDATE: This issue comes and goes, it doesn't happen consistently; Debugger Visualizers are a great solution, I've adopted them as my brand new tool

Answer 1

You can use DebuggerVisualizers.

Answer 2

Use DebuggerVisualizers to make this transition:

Before

After

P.S. I tried to add these images to clarify the accepted answer but my edit was rejected.

Answer 3

Try this: for a variable boost::optional<Category> category, create a watch on: category.get()