usetargetdebug

Usetargetdebug is a build configuration flag used in a subset of software projects to control debugging behavior on a per-target basis. It is not part of a standard toolchain, but a project- or toolchain-specific variable that governs how individual build targets are prepared for debugging within a multi-target build. When enabled, the build system attempts to apply debugging settings to each target independently, rather than applying a global debug configuration to the entire build.

Purpose and effects include allowing selective debugging where some targets require debug information while others do not. Depending on the toolchain, enabling usetargetdebug can cause compilers to emit debug symbols for each target, adjust optimization levels, or configure per-target linker options and separate debug directories. The exact behavior varies by project and build system.

Usage can vary by implementation. In projects that expose usetargetdebug, it is typically set as a boolean option or variable. Examples include: in CMake-like syntax, option(USE_TARGET_DEBUG "Enable per-target debugging" ON) and then applying per-target settings within a guard; in YAML- or JSON-based configs, usetargetdebug: true may trigger per-target flags. Users should consult project documentation to learn the exact syntax and implications, as the meaning of the flag is not standardized.

Relation to other concepts: It is related to general build-type settings such as Debug vs Release, and to per-target configuration features in modern build systems. It can be contrasted with global debug flags that apply uniformly to all targets. In some ecosystems the concept corresponds to enabling target-specific debug info or per-target optimization controls. See also: debugging, build configuration, per-target build, debug symbols.