Reduce Integrated Console prompt output/noise while stepping through scripts

System Details

Operation system name and version: Windows 8.1 (64-bit)

PS > code -v
1.13.0
376c52b955428d205459bea6619fc161fc8faacf

PS > code --list-extensions --show-versions
ms-vscode.PowerShell@1.3.2

PS > $PSVersionTable

Name Value

---

PSVersion 5.0.10586.117
PSCompatibleVersions {1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0...}
BuildVersion 10.0.10586.117
CLRVersion 4.0.30319.42000
WSManStackVersion 3.0
PSRemotingProtocolVersion 2.3
SerializationVersion 1.1.0.1

Issue Description

I'm making the transition from using Quest/Dell's PowerGUI to Visual Studio Code with the vscode-powershell extension. While making this transition, I noticed a significant change in the way the console output behavior while running the debugger and steps through lines of code. When stepping through lines of code in the Visual Studio Code debugger (using F11) my PowerShell terminal returns a PowerShell prompt for every step taken, rather than just showing console output when something within the script's output is sent to the console. This behavior also occurs in PowerShell ISE, but does not occur within PowerGUI while stepping through lines of code. I often perform an "out-host" to display a status message which can be followed by several lines of code prior to the next "out-host" message to be written to the console. In PowerGUI the console window remains uncluttered while stepping through lines of code that don't write console output. I'm finding it difficult using the vscode etension to quickly review my status messages when they are spread apart by several lines of PowerShell prompts.

Could the vscode-powershell extension be modified, or have a configuration option added to it that will suppress the debug console output if only the prompt or a blank line is going to be displayed (but still allow for a blank when "" | out-host is used)? Would it also be possible to have an option to suppress the "Hit Line breakpoint on 'C:\temp\debug-step-test.ps1:1'" from the terminal output? I'd like to keep my terminal output the same whether I'm step debugging or running the script normally.

The desired behavior is that the terminal debug output would match the normal script execution output, while still allowing interaction with the script session (to change an object's property values for example)
between the debug steps.

These are all the behaviors I'm used to with PowerGUI, but am trying to move away from it due to its end of life status. This is the download link for PowerGUI if you would like to see the desired behavior of the console window while stepping through the code:
http://community-downloads.quest.com/powergui/Release/3.8/PowerGUI.3.8.0.129.msi

Thank you so much. I'm really looking forward to using Visual Studio Code with the vscode-powershell extension for writing my PowerShell scripts!

Tyson Flint

Example code to reproduce this issue:

---

$MyValue = 1
"status message 1" | out-host
for ($count = 1; $count -le 5; $count++)
{
	# Normally, you'd do a bunch of stuff in here
	# The console terminal should allow for changing the following value between debug steps.
	# Copy/Paste this next line in the terminal window while stepping through one iteration of this loop (remove the comment character):
	# $MyValue=10
	$MyValue++
}
"status message 2" | out-host
	
if ($MyValue -le 6)
{
	"You DID NOT modify the MyValue while stepping through the loop. 'MyValue' is: " + $MyValue | out-host
}
else
{
	"You MODIFIED the MyValue while stepping through the loop. 'MyValue' is: " + $MyValue | out-host
}
"" | out-host
"status message 3 - Blank line test. The line above should be blank whether debugging or not." | out-host

---

Normal script execution output:

---

status message 1
status message 2
You DID NOT modify the MyValue while stepping through the loop. 'MyValue' is: 6

status message 3 - Blank line test. The line above should be blank whether debugging or not.

---

Debug stepping through script output (notice it is difficult to find the status message):

---

Hit Line breakpoint on 'C:\Users\v-tysonf.REDMOND\Documents\Lenel-SQL-Inventory\debug-step-test.ps1:1'

[DBG]: PS C:\temp>
[DBG]: PS C:\temp>
status message 1
[DBG]: PS C:\temp>


[DBG]: PS C:\temp> [DBG]: PS C:\temp>




[DBG]: PS C:\temp> [DBG]: PS C:\temp>


[DBG]: PS C:\temp> [DBG]: PS C:\temp>




[DBG]: PS C:\temp> [DBG]: PS C:\temp>

status message 2


You DID NOT modify the MyValue while stepping through the loop. 'MyValue' is: 6


[DBG]: PS C:\temp> [DBG]: PS C:\temp>
status message 3 - Blank line test. The line above should be blank whether debugging or not.
[DBG]: PS C:\temp>

---

No source files or tests are named. Start by reproducing the example script while stepping with F11 and inspect how the Integrated Console emits prompts and breakpoint messages. Done means debug output matches normal execution, preserves intentional blank output from "" | out-host, and still permits interactive session changes.