A method and system for recording debug commands as they are executed on a program is disclosed. The line number in the program reached after executing the debug command is also stored on the tape. The debug history tape is a sequential record of the debug commands. A user may reexecute one or more of the debug commands on the program by running the debug history tape. The user may stop the reexecution of the debug commands on a given line in the program generally in the area thought to contain the error, by moving an ending pointer to that region in the debug history tape. The tape will execute up to the ending pointer and then stop. The user may then examine the program, execute additional debug commands or take other action to locate the error. Any additional debug commands are also stored on the tape. The ability to reexecute the debug commands and stopping their execution at selected lines in the program aids the user in locating errors. After locating the errors, the user modifies the program. The user may then reexecute the same debug commands on the modified program to ensure that the error has been corrected.