What Is a PDB (Program Database)? — Understanding Debug Information, Symbols, and Source Link (archived 2026-09-01)

What a PDB (Program Database) file is, what it does and does not contain, and how it relates to Debug / Release, Portable PDB, Source Link, symbol servers, and dump analysis, organized for practical work. Archived version of https://comcomponent.com/en/blog/2026/06/10/000-pdb-program-database/, as published on 2026-09-01. The live article is maintained and may change after this date. First published 2026-06-10.