Debugger does not show variables in Variable explorer

[marekkolman]

I have the same version of VS code on Mac and PC. The behaviour of the debugger differs.
When I debug on Windows, the debugger shows variables in the "Variable explorer":

When I do the same on Mac, I see no variables:

I'm new to VS Code so perhaps I should configure the debugger? Can you please advise.

[brettcannon]

Do you have the Jupyter extension installed on both machines?

[greazer]

Short answer

When you are debugging a Python file using this button at the top of the file:

You use the Variables or Watch Panes in the Debugger Panel to view variables:

The JUPYTER: VARIABLES pane (what you show above) is currently only supported when running code in the Interactive Window or a Jupyter Notebook.

Long Answer

This is a strong hunch, but since I don't know how you got into this state, I'm not sure if it's accurate.

The Jupyter extension is what provides the Variable Window your referencing, so I can only assume you have the Jupyter extension installed on both machines. However, when doing standard Python debugging using the "play" button at the top of the file, this Variables Pane will not get shown and there's no way (that I can recall off hand) to bring it up. That is, UNLESS you run or had already run some python Code in the Interactive Window and then clicked the following button in the toolbar.

Currently, the Interactive Window functionality has not been officially folded into a standard Python debugging scenario. So any values you are seeing in the Variables Pane are the result of code running in a separate instance of your Python interpreter from the one you are debugging. I.e. there are two interpreters running each holding a different state.

This could explain the differences you are seeing on the two machines. And yes, I could see how this could be confusing. :)