a5026dfc034f52da598f8987c8d310dabe02fda5
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2019 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @c man begin INCLUDE
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c man end
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27 @syncodeindex ky fn
28 @syncodeindex tp fn
29
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32 @syncodeindex vr fn
33
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
36 @set EDITION Tenth
37
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44 @c manuals to an info tree.
45 @dircategory Software development
46 @direntry
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 * gdbserver: (gdb) Server. The GNU debugging server.
49 @end direntry
50
51 @copying
52 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
53 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2019 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
54
55 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
57 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
61
62 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
63 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
64 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
65 @c man end
66 @end copying
67
68 @ifnottex
69 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
70
71 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
72 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
73 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
74 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
75 @end ifset
76 Version @value{GDBVN}.
77
78 @insertcopying
79 @end ifnottex
80
81 @titlepage
82 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
83 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
84 @sp 1
85 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
86 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
87 @sp 1
88 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
89 @end ifset
90 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
91 @page
92 @tex
93 {\parskip=0pt
94 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
95 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
96 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
97 }
98 @end tex
99
100 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
101 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
102 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
103 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
104 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
105
106 @insertcopying
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2019 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
164
165 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
166
167 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
168 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
169 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
170 @end ifset
171 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
172 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
173 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
174 @end ifclear
175 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
176 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
177 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
178 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
179 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
180 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
181 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
182 @value{GDBN}
183 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
184 the operating system
185 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
186 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
187 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
188 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
189 how you can copy and share GDB
190 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
191 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
192 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
193 functions, and Python data types
194 @end menu
195
196 @end ifnottex
197
198 @contents
199
200 @node Summary
201 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
202
203 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
204 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
205 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
206
207 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
208 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
209
210 @itemize @bullet
211 @item
212 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
213
214 @item
215 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
216
217 @item
218 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
219
220 @item
221 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
222 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
223 @end itemize
224
225 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
226 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
227 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
228
229 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
230 @ref{D,,D}.
231
232 @cindex Modula-2
233 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
234 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
235
236 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
237 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
238
239 @cindex Pascal
240 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
241 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
242 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
243 syntax.
244
245 @cindex Fortran
246 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
247 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
248 underscore.
249
250 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
251 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
252
253 @menu
254 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
255 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
256 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
257 @end menu
258
259 @node Free Software
260 @unnumberedsec Free Software
261
262 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
263 General Public License
264 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
265 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
266 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
267 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
268 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
269 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
270
271 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
272 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
273 from anyone else.
274
275 @node Free Documentation
276 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
277
278 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
279 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
280 include with the free software. Many of our most important
281 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
282 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
283 when an important free software package does not come with a free
284 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
285 gaps today.
286
287 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
288 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
289 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
290 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
291 them from the free software world.
292
293 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
294 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
295 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
296 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
297 contract to make it non-free.
298
299 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
300 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
301 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
302 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
303 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
304 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
305 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
306
307 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
308 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
309 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
310 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
311
312 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
313 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
314 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
315 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
316 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
317 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
318 community.
319
320 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
321 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
322 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
323 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
324 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
325 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
326 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
327 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
328 of the manual.
329
330 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
331 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
332 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
333 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
334 manual to replace it.
335
336 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
337 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
338 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
339 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
340 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
341 the free software community.
342
343 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
344 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
345 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
346 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
347 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
348 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
349 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
350 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
351 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
352
353 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
354 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
355 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
356 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
357 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
358 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
359 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
360 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
361
362 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
363 published by other publishers, at
364 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
365
366 @node Contributors
367 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
368
369 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
370 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
371 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
372 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
373 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
374 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
375 blow-by-blow account.
376
377 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
378
379 @quotation
380 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
381 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
382 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
383 @end quotation
384
385 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
386 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
387 releases:
388 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
389 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
390 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
391 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
392 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
393 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
394 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
395 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
396 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
397
398 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
399 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
400
401 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
402 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
403 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
404 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
405 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
406
407 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
408 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
409 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
410
411 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
412 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
413
414 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
415
416 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
417 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
418 support.
419 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
420 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
421 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
422 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
423 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
424 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
425 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
426 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
427 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
428 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
429 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
430 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
431 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
432 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
433 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
434 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
435
436 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
437
438 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
439 libraries.
440
441 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
442 about several machine instruction sets.
443
444 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
445 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
446 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
447 and RDI targets, respectively.
448
449 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
450 command-line editing and command history.
451
452 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
453 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
454
455 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
456 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
457 symbols.
458
459 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
460 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
461
462 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
463
464 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
465 processors.
466
467 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
468
469 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
470
471 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
472
473 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
474 watchpoints.
475
476 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
477
478 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
479
480 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
481 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
482
483 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
484 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
485 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
486 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
487 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
488 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
489 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
490
491 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
492 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
493
494 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
495 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
496 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
497 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
498 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
499 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
500 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
501 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
502 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
503 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
504 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
505 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
506 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
507 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
508 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
509
510 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
511 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
512
513 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
514 Hat.
515
516 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
517 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
518 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
519 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
520 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
521 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
522
523 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
524 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
525 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
526 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
527 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
528 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
529 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
530 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
531 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
532 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
533 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
534 Weigand.
535
536 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
537 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
538 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
539 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
540
541 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
542 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
543
544 Initial support for the FreeBSD/mips target and native configuration
545 was developed by SRI International and the University of Cambridge
546 Computer Laboratory under DARPA/AFRL contract FA8750-10-C-0237
547 ("CTSRD"), as part of the DARPA CRASH research programme.
548
549 Initial support for the FreeBSD/riscv target and native configuration
550 was developed by SRI International and the University of Cambridge
551 Computer Laboratory (Department of Computer Science and Technology)
552 under DARPA contract HR0011-18-C-0016 ("ECATS"), as part of the DARPA
553 SSITH research programme.
554
555 The original port to the OpenRISC 1000 is believed to be due to
556 Alessandro Forin and Per Bothner. More recent ports have been the work
557 of Jeremy Bennett, Franck Jullien, Stefan Wallentowitz and
558 Stafford Horne.
559
560 @node Sample Session
561 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
562
563 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
564 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
565 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
566
567 @iftex
568 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
569 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
570 @end iftex
571
572 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
573 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
574
575 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
576 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
577 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
578 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
579 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
580 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
581 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
582 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
583 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
584
585 @smallexample
586 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
587 $ @b{./m4}
588 @b{define(foo,0000)}
589
590 @b{foo}
591 0000
592 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
593
594 @b{bar}
595 0000
596 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
597
598 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
599 @b{baz}
600 @b{Ctrl-d}
601 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
602 @end smallexample
603
604 @noindent
605 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
606
607 @smallexample
608 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
609 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
610 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
611 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
612 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
613 the conditions.
614 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
615 for details.
616
617 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
618 (@value{GDBP})
619 @end smallexample
620
621 @noindent
622 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
623 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
624 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
625 that examples fit in this manual.
626
627 @smallexample
628 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
629 @end smallexample
630
631 @noindent
632 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
633 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
634 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
635 @code{break} command.
636
637 @smallexample
638 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
639 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
640 @end smallexample
641
642 @noindent
643 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
644 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
645 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
646
647 @smallexample
648 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
649 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
650 @b{define(foo,0000)}
651
652 @b{foo}
653 0000
654 @end smallexample
655
656 @noindent
657 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
658 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
659 context where it stops.
660
661 @smallexample
662 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
663
664 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
665 at builtin.c:879
666 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
667 @end smallexample
668
669 @noindent
670 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
671 the next line of the current function.
672
673 @smallexample
674 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
675 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
676 : nil,
677 @end smallexample
678
679 @noindent
680 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
681 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
682 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
683 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
684
685 @smallexample
686 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
687 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
688 at input.c:530
689 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
690 @end smallexample
691
692 @noindent
693 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
694 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
695 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
696 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
697 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
698 stack frame for each active subroutine.
699
700 @smallexample
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
702 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
703 at input.c:530
704 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
705 at builtin.c:882
706 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
707 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
708 at macro.c:71
709 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
710 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
711 @end smallexample
712
713 @noindent
714 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
715 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
716 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
717
718 @smallexample
719 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
720 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
721 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
722 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
723 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
725 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
726 : xstrdup(rq);
727 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
728 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
729 @end smallexample
730
731 @noindent
732 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
733 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
734 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
735 (@code{print}) to see their values.
736
737 @smallexample
738 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
739 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
740 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
741 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
742 @end smallexample
743
744 @noindent
745 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
746 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
747 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
748
749 @smallexample
750 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
751 533 xfree(rquote);
752 534
753 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
754 : xstrdup (lq);
755 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
756 : xstrdup (rq);
757 537
758 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
759 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
760 540 @}
761 541
762 542 void
763 @end smallexample
764
765 @noindent
766 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
767 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
768
769 @smallexample
770 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
771 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
772 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
773 540 @}
774 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
775 $3 = 9
776 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
777 $4 = 7
778 @end smallexample
779
780 @noindent
781 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
782 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
783 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
784 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
785 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
786 assignments.
787
788 @smallexample
789 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
790 $5 = 7
791 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
792 $6 = 9
793 @end smallexample
794
795 @noindent
796 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
797 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
798 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
799 example that caused trouble initially:
800
801 @smallexample
802 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
803 Continuing.
804
805 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
806
807 baz
808 0000
809 @end smallexample
810
811 @noindent
812 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
813 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
814 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
815
816 @smallexample
817 @b{Ctrl-d}
818 Program exited normally.
819 @end smallexample
820
821 @noindent
822 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
823 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
824 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
825
826 @smallexample
827 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
828 @end smallexample
829
830 @node Invocation
831 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
832
833 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
834 The essentials are:
835 @itemize @bullet
836 @item
837 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
838 @item
839 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
840 @end itemize
841
842 @menu
843 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
844 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
845 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
846 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
847 @end menu
848
849 @node Invoking GDB
850 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
851
852 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
853 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
854
855 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
856 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
857
858 The command-line options described here are designed
859 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
860 options may effectively be unavailable.
861
862 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
863 specifying an executable program:
864
865 @smallexample
866 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
867 @end smallexample
868
869 @noindent
870 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
871 specified:
872
873 @smallexample
874 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
875 @end smallexample
876
877 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
878 to debug a running process:
879
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
882 @end smallexample
883
884 @noindent
885 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
886 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
887
888 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
889 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
890 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
891 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
892 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
893
894 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
895 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
896 option processing.
897 @smallexample
898 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
899 @end smallexample
900 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
901 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
902
903 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
904 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{--silent}
905 (or @code{-q}/@code{--quiet}):
906
907 @smallexample
908 @value{GDBP} --silent
909 @end smallexample
910
911 @noindent
912 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
913 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
914
915 @noindent
916 Type
917
918 @smallexample
919 @value{GDBP} -help
920 @end smallexample
921
922 @noindent
923 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
924 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
925
926 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
927 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
928 @samp{-x} option is used.
929
930
931 @menu
932 * File Options:: Choosing files
933 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
934 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
935 @end menu
936
937 @node File Options
938 @subsection Choosing Files
939
940 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
941 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
942 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
943 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
944 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
945 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
946 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
947 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
948 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
949 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
950 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
951 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
952 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
953
954 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
955 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
956 argument and ignore it.
957
958 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
959 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
960 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
961 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
962 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
963
964 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
965 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
966 @c it.
967
968 @table @code
969 @item -symbols @var{file}
970 @itemx -s @var{file}
971 @cindex @code{--symbols}
972 @cindex @code{-s}
973 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
974
975 @item -exec @var{file}
976 @itemx -e @var{file}
977 @cindex @code{--exec}
978 @cindex @code{-e}
979 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
980 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
981
982 @item -se @var{file}
983 @cindex @code{--se}
984 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
985 file.
986
987 @item -core @var{file}
988 @itemx -c @var{file}
989 @cindex @code{--core}
990 @cindex @code{-c}
991 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
992
993 @item -pid @var{number}
994 @itemx -p @var{number}
995 @cindex @code{--pid}
996 @cindex @code{-p}
997 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
998
999 @item -command @var{file}
1000 @itemx -x @var{file}
1001 @cindex @code{--command}
1002 @cindex @code{-x}
1003 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
1004 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
1005 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
1006
1007 @item -eval-command @var{command}
1008 @itemx -ex @var{command}
1009 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
1010 @cindex @code{-ex}
1011 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
1012
1013 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
1014 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
1015
1016 @smallexample
1017 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1018 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1019 @end smallexample
1020
1021 @item -init-command @var{file}
1022 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1023 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1024 @cindex @code{-ix}
1025 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1026 after loading gdbinit files).
1027 @xref{Startup}.
1028
1029 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1030 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1031 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1032 @cindex @code{-iex}
1033 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1034 after loading gdbinit files).
1035 @xref{Startup}.
1036
1037 @item -directory @var{directory}
1038 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1039 @cindex @code{--directory}
1040 @cindex @code{-d}
1041 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1042
1043 @item -r
1044 @itemx -readnow
1045 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1046 @cindex @code{-r}
1047 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1048 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1049 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1050
1051 @item --readnever
1052 @anchor{--readnever}
1053 @cindex @code{--readnever}, command-line option
1054 Do not read each symbol file's symbolic debug information. This makes
1055 startup faster but at the expense of not being able to perform
1056 symbolic debugging. DWARF unwind information is also not read,
1057 meaning backtraces may become incomplete or inaccurate. One use of
1058 this is when a user simply wants to do the following sequence: attach,
1059 dump core, detach. Loading the debugging information in this case is
1060 an unnecessary cause of delay.
1061 @end table
1062
1063 @node Mode Options
1064 @subsection Choosing Modes
1065
1066 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1067 batch mode or quiet mode.
1068
1069 @table @code
1070 @anchor{-nx}
1071 @item -nx
1072 @itemx -n
1073 @cindex @code{--nx}
1074 @cindex @code{-n}
1075 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1076 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1077
1078 @table @code
1079 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1080 This is the system-wide init file.
1081 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1082 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1083 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1084 have been processed.
1085 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1086 This is the init file in your home directory.
1087 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1088 command options have been processed.
1089 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1090 This is the init file in the current directory.
1091 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1092 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1093 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1094 @end table
1095
1096 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1097 For documentation on how to write command files,
1098 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1099
1100 @anchor{-nh}
1101 @item -nh
1102 @cindex @code{--nh}
1103 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1104 in your home directory.
1105 @xref{Startup}.
1106
1107 @item -quiet
1108 @itemx -silent
1109 @itemx -q
1110 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1111 @cindex @code{--silent}
1112 @cindex @code{-q}
1113 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1114 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1115
1116 @item -batch
1117 @cindex @code{--batch}
1118 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1119 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1120 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1121 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1122 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1123 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1124 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1125
1126 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1127 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1128 make this more useful, the message
1129
1130 @smallexample
1131 Program exited normally.
1132 @end smallexample
1133
1134 @noindent
1135 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1136 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1137 mode.
1138
1139 @item -batch-silent
1140 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1141 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1142 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1143 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1144 for an interactive session.
1145
1146 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1147 messages, for example.
1148
1149 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1150 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1151
1152 @item -return-child-result
1153 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1154 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1155 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1156
1157 @itemize @bullet
1158 @item
1159 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1160 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1161 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1162 @item
1163 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1164 @item
1165 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1166 the exit code will be -1.
1167 @end itemize
1168
1169 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1170 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1171 interface.
1172
1173 @item -nowindows
1174 @itemx -nw
1175 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1176 @cindex @code{-nw}
1177 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1178 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1179 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1180
1181 @item -windows
1182 @itemx -w
1183 @cindex @code{--windows}
1184 @cindex @code{-w}
1185 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1186 used if possible.
1187
1188 @item -cd @var{directory}
1189 @cindex @code{--cd}
1190 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1191 instead of the current directory.
1192
1193 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1194 @itemx -D @var{directory}
1195 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1196 @cindex @code{-D}
1197 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1198 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1199 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1200
1201 @item -fullname
1202 @itemx -f
1203 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1204 @cindex @code{-f}
1205 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1206 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1207 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1208 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1209 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1210 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1211 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1212 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1213 frame.
1214
1215 @item -annotate @var{level}
1216 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1217 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1218 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1219 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1220 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1221 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1222 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1223 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1224 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1225
1226 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1227 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1228
1229 @item --args
1230 @cindex @code{--args}
1231 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1232 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1233 This option stops option processing.
1234
1235 @item -baud @var{bps}
1236 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1237 @cindex @code{--baud}
1238 @cindex @code{-b}
1239 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1240 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1241
1242 @item -l @var{timeout}
1243 @cindex @code{-l}
1244 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1245 for remote debugging.
1246
1247 @item -tty @var{device}
1248 @itemx -t @var{device}
1249 @cindex @code{--tty}
1250 @cindex @code{-t}
1251 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1252 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1253
1254 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1255 @item -tui
1256 @cindex @code{--tui}
1257 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1258 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1259 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1260 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1261 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1262 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1263
1264 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1265 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1266 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1267 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1268 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1269 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1270
1271 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi3}) causes
1272 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} version 3 (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1273 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 9.1. @sc{gdb/mi}
1274 version 2 (@code{mi2}), included in @value{GDBN} 6.0 and version 1 (@code{mi1}),
1275 included in @value{GDBN} 5.3, are also available. Earlier @sc{gdb/mi}
1276 interfaces are no longer supported.
1277
1278 @item -write
1279 @cindex @code{--write}
1280 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1281 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1282 (@pxref{Patching}).
1283
1284 @item -statistics
1285 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1286 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1287 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1288
1289 @item -version
1290 @cindex @code{--version}
1291 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1292 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1293
1294 @item -configuration
1295 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1296 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1297 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1298 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1299
1300 @end table
1301
1302 @node Startup
1303 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1304 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1305
1306 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1307
1308 @enumerate
1309 @item
1310 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1311 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1312
1313 @item
1314 @cindex init file
1315 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1316 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1317 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1318 that file.
1319
1320 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1321 @item
1322 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1323 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1324 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1325 that file.
1326
1327 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1328 @item
1329 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1330 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1331 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1332 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1333 gets loaded.
1334
1335 @item
1336 Processes command line options and operands.
1337
1338 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1339 @item
1340 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1341 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1342 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1343 This is only done if the current directory is
1344 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1345 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1346 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1347 @value{GDBN}.
1348
1349 @item
1350 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1351 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1352 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1353 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1354
1355 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1356 you must do something like the following:
1357
1358 @smallexample
1359 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1360 @end smallexample
1361
1362 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1363 off too late.
1364
1365 @item
1366 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1367 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1368 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1369
1370 @item
1371 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1372 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1373 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1374 @end enumerate
1375
1376 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1377 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1378 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1379 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1380 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1381 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1382
1383 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1384 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1385
1386 @cindex init file name
1387 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1388 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1389 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1390 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1391 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1392 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1393 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1394 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1395
1396
1397 @node Quitting GDB
1398 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1399 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1400 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1401
1402 @table @code
1403 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1404 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1405 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1406 @itemx q
1407 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1408 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1409 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1410 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1411 error code.
1412 @end table
1413
1414 @cindex interrupt
1415 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1416 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1417 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1418 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1419 until a time when it is safe.
1420
1421 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1422 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1423 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1424
1425 @node Shell Commands
1426 @section Shell Commands
1427
1428 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1429 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1430 just use the @code{shell} command.
1431
1432 @table @code
1433 @kindex shell
1434 @kindex !
1435 @cindex shell escape
1436 @item shell @var{command-string}
1437 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1438 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1439 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1440 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1441 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1442 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1443 @end table
1444
1445 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1446 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1447 @value{GDBN}:
1448
1449 @table @code
1450 @kindex make
1451 @cindex calling make
1452 @item make @var{make-args}
1453 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1454 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1455 @end table
1456
1457 @table @code
1458 @kindex pipe
1459 @kindex |
1460 @cindex send the output of a gdb command to a shell command
1461 @anchor{pipe}
1462 @item pipe [@var{command}] | @var{shell_command}
1463 @itemx | [@var{command}] | @var{shell_command}
1464 @itemx pipe -d @var{delim} @var{command} @var{delim} @var{shell_command}
1465 @itemx | -d @var{delim} @var{command} @var{delim} @var{shell_command}
1466 Executes @var{command} and sends its output to @var{shell_command}.
1467 Note that no space is needed around @code{|}.
1468 If no @var{command} is provided, the last command executed is repeated.
1469
1470 In case the @var{command} contains a @code{|}, the option @code{-d @var{delim}}
1471 can be used to specify an alternate delimiter string @var{delim} that separates
1472 the @var{command} from the @var{shell_command}.
1473
1474 Example:
1475 @smallexample
1476 @group
1477 (gdb) p var
1478 $1 = @{
1479 black = 144,
1480 red = 233,
1481 green = 377,
1482 blue = 610,
1483 white = 987
1484 @}
1485 @end group
1486 @group
1487 (gdb) pipe p var|wc
1488 7 19 80
1489 (gdb) |p var|wc -l
1490 7
1491 @end group
1492 @group
1493 (gdb) p /x var
1494 $4 = @{
1495 black = 0x90,
1496 red = 0xe9,
1497 green = 0x179,
1498 blue = 0x262,
1499 white = 0x3db
1500 @}
1501 (gdb) ||grep red
1502 red => 0xe9,
1503 @end group
1504 @group
1505 (gdb) | -d ! echo this contains a | char\n ! sed -e 's/|/PIPE/'
1506 this contains a PIPE char
1507 (gdb) | -d xxx echo this contains a | char!\n xxx sed -e 's/|/PIPE/'
1508 this contains a PIPE char!
1509 (gdb)
1510 @end group
1511 @end smallexample
1512 @end table
1513
1514 The convenience variables @code{$_shell_exitcode} and @code{$_shell_exitsignal}
1515 can be used to examine the exit status of the last shell command launched
1516 by @code{shell}, @code{make}, @code{pipe} and @code{|}.
1517 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}.
1518
1519 @node Logging Output
1520 @section Logging Output
1521 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1522 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1523
1524 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1525 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1526
1527 @table @code
1528 @kindex set logging
1529 @item set logging on
1530 Enable logging.
1531 @item set logging off
1532 Disable logging.
1533 @cindex logging file name
1534 @item set logging file @var{file}
1535 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1536 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1537 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1538 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1539 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1540 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1541 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1542 @item set logging debugredirect [on|off]
1543 By default, @value{GDBN} debug output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1544 Set @code{debugredirect} if you want debug output to go only to the log file.
1545 @kindex show logging
1546 @item show logging
1547 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1548 @end table
1549
1550 You can also redirect the output of a @value{GDBN} command to a
1551 shell command. @xref{pipe}.
1552 @node Commands
1553 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1554
1555 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1556 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1557 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1558 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1559 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1560
1561 @menu
1562 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1563 * Completion:: Command completion
1564 * Command Options:: Command options
1565 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1566 @end menu
1567
1568 @node Command Syntax
1569 @section Command Syntax
1570
1571 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1572 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1573 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1574 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1575 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1576 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1577
1578 @cindex abbreviation
1579 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1580 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1581 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1582 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1583 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1584 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1585 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1586
1587 @cindex repeating commands
1588 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1589 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1590 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1591 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1592 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1593 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1594 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1595
1596 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1597 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1598 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1599
1600 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1601 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1602 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1603 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1604 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1605
1606 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1607 @cindex comment
1608 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1609 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1610 Files,,Command Files}).
1611
1612 @cindex repeating command sequences
1613 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1614 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1615 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1616 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1617 for editing.
1618
1619 @node Completion
1620 @section Command Completion
1621
1622 @cindex completion
1623 @cindex word completion
1624 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1625 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1626 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1627 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, command options, and the names of symbols
1628 in your program.
1629
1630 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1631 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1632 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1633 enter it). For example, if you type
1634
1635 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1636 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1637 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1638 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1639 @smallexample
1640 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1641 @end smallexample
1642
1643 @noindent
1644 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1645 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1646
1647 @smallexample
1648 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1649 @end smallexample
1650
1651 @noindent
1652 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1653 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1654 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1655 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1656 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1657 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1658
1659 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1660 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1661 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1662 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1663 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1664 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1665 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1666 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1667 example:
1668
1669 @smallexample
1670 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1671 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1672 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1673 make_abs_section make_function_type
1674 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1675 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1676 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1677 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1678 @end smallexample
1679
1680 @noindent
1681 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1682 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1683 command.
1684
1685 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1686 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1687 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1688 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1689 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1690
1691 If the number of possible completions is large, @value{GDBN} will
1692 print as much of the list as it has collected, as well as a message
1693 indicating that the list may be truncated.
1694
1695 @smallexample
1696 (@value{GDBP}) b m@key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1697 main
1698 <... the rest of the possible completions ...>
1699 *** List may be truncated, max-completions reached. ***
1700 (@value{GDBP}) b m
1701 @end smallexample
1702
1703 @noindent
1704 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands:
1705
1706 @table @code
1707 @kindex set max-completions
1708 @item set max-completions @var{limit}
1709 @itemx set max-completions unlimited
1710 Set the maximum number of completion candidates. @value{GDBN} will
1711 stop looking for more completions once it collects this many candidates.
1712 This is useful when completing on things like function names as collecting
1713 all the possible candidates can be time consuming.
1714 The default value is 200. A value of zero disables tab-completion.
1715 Note that setting either no limit or a very large limit can make
1716 completion slow.
1717 @kindex show max-completions
1718 @item show max-completions
1719 Show the maximum number of candidates that @value{GDBN} will collect and show
1720 during completion.
1721 @end table
1722
1723 @cindex quotes in commands
1724 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1725 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1726 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1727 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1728 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1729 @value{GDBN} commands.
1730
1731 A likely situation where you might need this is in typing an
1732 expression that involves a C@t{++} symbol name with template
1733 parameters. This is because when completing expressions, GDB treats
1734 the @samp{<} character as word delimiter, assuming that it's the
1735 less-than comparison operator (@pxref{C Operators, , C and C@t{++}
1736 Operators}).
1737
1738 For example, when you want to call a C@t{++} template function
1739 interactively using the @code{print} or @code{call} commands, you may
1740 need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name} that
1741 was specialized for @code{int}, @code{name<int>()}, or the version
1742 that was specialized for @code{float}, @code{name<float>()}. To use
1743 the word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1744 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1745 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1746 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1747
1748 @smallexample
1749 (@value{GDBP}) p 'func< @kbd{M-?}
1750 func<int>() func<float>()
1751 (@value{GDBP}) p 'func<
1752 @end smallexample
1753
1754 When setting breakpoints however (@pxref{Specify Location}), you don't
1755 usually need to type a quote before the function name, because
1756 @value{GDBN} understands that you want to set a breakpoint on a
1757 function:
1758
1759 @smallexample
1760 (@value{GDBP}) b func< @kbd{M-?}
1761 func<int>() func<float>()
1762 (@value{GDBP}) b func<
1763 @end smallexample
1764
1765 This is true even in the case of typing the name of C@t{++} overloaded
1766 functions (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished by
1767 argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1768 don't need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1769 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1770 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}.
1771
1772 @smallexample
1773 (@value{GDBP}) b bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1774 bubble(int) bubble(double)
1775 (@value{GDBP}) b bubble(dou @kbd{M-?}
1776 bubble(double)
1777 @end smallexample
1778
1779 See @ref{quoting names} for a description of other scenarios that
1780 require quoting.
1781
1782 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1783 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1784 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1785 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1786
1787 @cindex completion of structure field names
1788 @cindex structure field name completion
1789 @cindex completion of union field names
1790 @cindex union field name completion
1791 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1792 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1793 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1794 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1795 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1796 left-hand-side:
1797
1798 @smallexample
1799 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1800 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1801 to_data to_isatty to_write
1802 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1803 to_flush to_read
1804 @end smallexample
1805
1806 @noindent
1807 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1808 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1809 follows:
1810
1811 @smallexample
1812 struct ui_file
1813 @{
1814 int *magic;
1815 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1816 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1817 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1818 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1819 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1820 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1821 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1822 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1823 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1824 void *to_data;
1825 @}
1826 @end smallexample
1827
1828 @node Command Options
1829 @section Command options
1830
1831 @cindex command options
1832 Some commands accept options starting with a leading dash. For
1833 example, @code{print -pretty}. Similarly to command names, you can
1834 abbreviate a @value{GDBN} option to the first few letters of the
1835 option name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous, and you can also use
1836 the @key{TAB} key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word
1837 in an option (or to show you the alternatives available, if there is
1838 more than one possibility).
1839
1840 @cindex command options, raw input
1841 Some commands take raw input as argument. For example, the print
1842 command processes arbitrary expressions in any of the languages
1843 supported by @value{GDBN}. With such commands, because raw input may
1844 start with a leading dash that would be confused with an option or any
1845 of its abbreviations, e.g.@: @code{print -r} (short for @code{print
1846 -raw} or printing negative @code{r}?), if you specify any command
1847 option, then you must use a double-dash (@code{--}) delimiter to
1848 indicate the end of options.
1849
1850 @cindex command options, boolean
1851
1852 Some options are described as accepting an argument which can be
1853 either @code{on} or @code{off}. These are known as @dfn{boolean
1854 options}. Similarly to boolean settings commands---@code{on} and
1855 @code{off} are the typical values, but any of @code{1}, @code{yes} and
1856 @code{enable} can also be used as ``true'' value, and any of @code{0},
1857 @code{no} and @code{disable} can also be used as ``false'' value. You
1858 can also omit a ``true'' value, as it is implied by default.
1859
1860 For example, these are equivalent:
1861
1862 @smallexample
1863 (@value{GDBP}) print -object on -pretty off -element unlimited -- *myptr
1864 (@value{GDBP}) p -o -p 0 -e u -- *myptr
1865 @end smallexample
1866
1867 You can discover the set of options some command accepts by completing
1868 on @code{-} after the command name. For example:
1869
1870 @smallexample
1871 (@value{GDBP}) print -@key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1872 -address -max-depth -repeats -vtbl
1873 -array -null-stop -static-members
1874 -array-indexes -object -symbol
1875 -elements -pretty -union
1876 @end smallexample
1877
1878 Completion will in some cases guide you with a suggestion of what kind
1879 of argument an option expects. For example:
1880
1881 @smallexample
1882 (@value{GDBP}) print -elements @key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1883 NUMBER unlimited
1884 @end smallexample
1885
1886 Here, the option expects a number (e.g., @code{100}), not literal
1887 @code{NUMBER}. Such metasyntactical arguments are always presented in
1888 uppercase.
1889
1890 (For more on using the @code{print} command, see @ref{Data, ,Examining
1891 Data}.)
1892
1893 @node Help
1894 @section Getting Help
1895 @cindex online documentation
1896 @kindex help
1897
1898 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1899 using the command @code{help}.
1900
1901 @table @code
1902 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1903 @item help
1904 @itemx h
1905 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1906 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1907
1908 @smallexample
1909 (@value{GDBP}) help
1910 List of classes of commands:
1911
1912 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1913 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1914 data -- Examining data
1915 files -- Specifying and examining files
1916 internals -- Maintenance commands
1917 obscure -- Obscure features
1918 running -- Running the program
1919 stack -- Examining the stack
1920 status -- Status inquiries
1921 support -- Support facilities
1922 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1923 stopping the program
1924 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1925
1926 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1927 commands in that class.
1928 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1929 documentation.
1930 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1931 (@value{GDBP})
1932 @end smallexample
1933 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1934
1935 @item help @var{class}
1936 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1937 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1938 help display for the class @code{status}:
1939
1940 @smallexample
1941 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1942 Status inquiries.
1943
1944 List of commands:
1945
1946 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1947 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1948 info -- Generic command for showing things
1949 about the program being debugged
1950 show -- Generic command for showing things
1951 about the debugger
1952
1953 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1954 documentation.
1955 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1956 (@value{GDBP})
1957 @end smallexample
1958
1959 @item help @var{command}
1960 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1961 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1962
1963 @kindex apropos
1964 @item apropos [-v] @var{regexp}
1965 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1966 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1967 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. The optional flag @samp{-v},
1968 which stands for @samp{verbose}, indicates to output the full documentation
1969 of the matching commands and highlight the parts of the documentation
1970 matching @var{regexp}. For example:
1971
1972 @smallexample
1973 apropos alias
1974 @end smallexample
1975
1976 @noindent
1977 results in:
1978
1979 @smallexample
1980 @group
1981 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1982 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1983 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1984 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1985 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1986 @end group
1987 @end smallexample
1988
1989 @noindent
1990 while
1991
1992 @smallexample
1993 apropos -v cut.*thread apply
1994 @end smallexample
1995
1996 @noindent
1997 results in the below output, where @samp{cut for 'thread apply}
1998 is highlighted if styling is enabled.
1999
2000 @smallexample
2001 @group
2002 taas -- Apply a command to all threads (ignoring errors
2003 and empty output).
2004 Usage: taas COMMAND
2005 shortcut for 'thread apply all -s COMMAND'
2006
2007 tfaas -- Apply a command to all frames of all threads
2008 (ignoring errors and empty output).
2009 Usage: tfaas COMMAND
2010 shortcut for 'thread apply all -s frame apply all -s COMMAND'
2011 @end group
2012 @end smallexample
2013
2014 @kindex complete
2015 @item complete @var{args}
2016 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
2017 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
2018 command you want completed. For example:
2019
2020 @smallexample
2021 complete i
2022 @end smallexample
2023
2024 @noindent results in:
2025
2026 @smallexample
2027 @group
2028 if
2029 ignore
2030 info
2031 inspect
2032 @end group
2033 @end smallexample
2034
2035 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
2036 @end table
2037
2038 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
2039 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
2040 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
2041 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
2042 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
2043 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
2044 Index}.
2045
2046 @c @group
2047 @table @code
2048 @kindex info
2049 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
2050 @item info
2051 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
2052 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
2053 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
2054 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
2055 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
2056 @w{@code{help info}}.
2057
2058 @kindex set
2059 @item set
2060 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
2061 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
2062 @code{set prompt $}.
2063
2064 @kindex show
2065 @item show
2066 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
2067 @value{GDBN} itself.
2068 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
2069 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
2070 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
2071 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
2072
2073 @kindex info set
2074 To display all the settable parameters and their current
2075 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
2076 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
2077 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
2078 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
2079 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
2080 @end table
2081 @c @end group
2082
2083 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
2084 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
2085
2086 @table @code
2087 @kindex show version
2088 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
2089 @item show version
2090 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
2091 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
2092 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
2093 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
2094 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
2095 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
2096 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
2097 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
2098 @value{GDBN}.
2099
2100 @kindex show copying
2101 @kindex info copying
2102 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
2103 @item show copying
2104 @itemx info copying
2105 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
2106
2107 @kindex show warranty
2108 @kindex info warranty
2109 @item show warranty
2110 @itemx info warranty
2111 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
2112 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
2113
2114 @kindex show configuration
2115 @item show configuration
2116 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
2117 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
2118 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
2119 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
2120 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
2121 your report.
2122
2123 @end table
2124
2125 @node Running
2126 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
2127
2128 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
2129 debugging information when you compile it.
2130
2131 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
2132 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
2133 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
2134 kill a child process.
2135
2136 @menu
2137 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
2138 * Starting:: Starting your program
2139 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
2140 * Environment:: Your program's environment
2141
2142 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
2143 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
2144 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
2145 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
2146
2147 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
2148 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
2149 * Forks:: Debugging forks
2150 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
2151 @end menu
2152
2153 @node Compilation
2154 @section Compiling for Debugging
2155
2156 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
2157 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
2158 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
2159 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
2160 and addresses in the executable code.
2161
2162 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
2163 the compiler.
2164
2165 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
2166 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
2167 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
2168 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
2169 executables containing debugging information.
2170
2171 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
2172 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
2173 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
2174 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
2175 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
2176
2177 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
2178 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
2179 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
2180
2181 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
2182 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
2183 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
2184 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
2185 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
2186 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
2187
2188 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
2189 gcc, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
2190 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
2191
2192 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
2193 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
2194 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
2195 format in @value{GDBN}.
2196
2197 @need 2000
2198 @node Starting
2199 @section Starting your Program
2200 @cindex starting
2201 @cindex running
2202
2203 @table @code
2204 @kindex run
2205 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
2206 @item run
2207 @itemx r
2208 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
2209 You must first specify the program name with an argument to
2210 @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
2211 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
2212 command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
2213
2214 @end table
2215
2216 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
2217 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
2218 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
2219 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
2220 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
2221 message like this one:
2222
2223 @smallexample
2224 The "remote" target does not support "run".
2225 Try "help target" or "continue".
2226 @end smallexample
2227
2228 @noindent
2229 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
2230 first (@pxref{load}).
2231
2232 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2233 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2234 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2235 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2236 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2237 divided into four categories:
2238
2239 @table @asis
2240 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2241 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2242 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2243 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2244 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2245 the arguments.
2246 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2247 @code{SHELL} environment variable. If you do not define @code{SHELL},
2248 @value{GDBN} uses the default shell (@file{/bin/sh}). You can disable
2249 use of any shell with the @code{set startup-with-shell} command (see
2250 below for details).
2251
2252 @item The @emph{environment.}
2253 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2254 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2255 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2256 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2257
2258 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2259 You can set your program's working directory with the command
2260 @kbd{set cwd}. If you do not set any working directory with this
2261 command, your program will inherit @value{GDBN}'s working directory if
2262 native debugging, or the remote server's working directory if remote
2263 debugging. @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working
2264 Directory}.
2265
2266 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2267 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2268 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2269 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2270 set a different device for your program.
2271 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2272
2273 @cindex pipes
2274 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2275 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2276 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2277 wrong program.
2278 @end table
2279
2280 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2281 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2282 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2283 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2284 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2285
2286 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2287 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2288 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2289 your current breakpoints.
2290
2291 @table @code
2292 @kindex start
2293 @item start
2294 @cindex run to main procedure
2295 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2296 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2297 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2298 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2299 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2300 procedure, depending on the language used.
2301
2302 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2303 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2304 the @samp{run} command.
2305
2306 @cindex elaboration phase
2307 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2308 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2309 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2310 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2311 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2312 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2313 will remain to halt execution.
2314
2315 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2316 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2317 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2318 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2319 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2320
2321 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2322 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution
2323 of your program too late, as the program would have already completed
2324 the elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, either insert
2325 breakpoints in your elaboration code before running your program or
2326 use the @code{starti} command.
2327
2328 @kindex starti
2329 @item starti
2330 @cindex run to first instruction
2331 The @samp{starti} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2332 breakpoint at the first instruction of a program's execution and then
2333 invoking the @samp{run} command. For programs containing an
2334 elaboration phase, the @code{starti} command will stop execution at
2335 the start of the elaboration phase.
2336
2337 @anchor{set exec-wrapper}
2338 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2339 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2340 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2341 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2342 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2343 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2344 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2345 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2346 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2347 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2348 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2349
2350 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2351 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2352 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2353 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2354
2355 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2356 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2357 environment:
2358
2359 @smallexample
2360 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2361 (@value{GDBP}) run
2362 @end smallexample
2363
2364 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2365 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2366
2367 @kindex set startup-with-shell
2368 @anchor{set startup-with-shell}
2369 @item set startup-with-shell
2370 @itemx set startup-with-shell on
2371 @itemx set startup-with-shell off
2372 @itemx show startup-with-shell
2373 On Unix systems, by default, if a shell is available on your target,
2374 @value{GDBN}) uses it to start your program. Arguments of the
2375 @code{run} command are passed to the shell, which does variable
2376 substitution, expands wildcard characters and performs redirection of
2377 I/O. In some circumstances, it may be useful to disable such use of a
2378 shell, for example, when debugging the shell itself or diagnosing
2379 startup failures such as:
2380
2381 @smallexample
2382 (@value{GDBP}) run
2383 Starting program: ./a.out
2384 During startup program terminated with signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
2385 @end smallexample
2386
2387 @noindent
2388 which indicates the shell or the wrapper specified with
2389 @samp{exec-wrapper} crashed, not your program. Most often, this is
2390 caused by something odd in your shell's non-interactive mode
2391 initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell,
2392 $@file{.zshenv} for the Z shell, or the file specified in the
2393 @samp{BASH_ENV} environment variable for BASH.
2394
2395 @anchor{set auto-connect-native-target}
2396 @kindex set auto-connect-native-target
2397 @item set auto-connect-native-target
2398 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target on
2399 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target off
2400 @itemx show auto-connect-native-target
2401
2402 By default, if not connected to any target yet (e.g., with
2403 @code{target remote}), the @code{run} command starts your program as a
2404 native process under @value{GDBN}, on your local machine. If you're
2405 sure you don't want to debug programs on your local machine, you can
2406 tell @value{GDBN} to not connect to the native target automatically
2407 with the @code{set auto-connect-native-target off} command.
2408
2409 If @code{on}, which is the default, and if @value{GDBN} is not
2410 connected to a target already, the @code{run} command automaticaly
2411 connects to the native target, if one is available.
2412
2413 If @code{off}, and if @value{GDBN} is not connected to a target
2414 already, the @code{run} command fails with an error:
2415
2416 @smallexample
2417 (@value{GDBP}) run
2418 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2419 @end smallexample
2420
2421 If @value{GDBN} is already connected to a target, @value{GDBN} always
2422 uses it with the @code{run} command.
2423
2424 In any case, you can explicitly connect to the native target with the
2425 @code{target native} command. For example,
2426
2427 @smallexample
2428 (@value{GDBP}) set auto-connect-native-target off
2429 (@value{GDBP}) run
2430 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2431 (@value{GDBP}) target native
2432 (@value{GDBP}) run
2433 Starting program: ./a.out
2434 [Inferior 1 (process 10421) exited normally]
2435 @end smallexample
2436
2437 In case you connected explicitly to the @code{native} target,
2438 @value{GDBN} remains connected even if all inferiors exit, ready for
2439 the next @code{run} command. Use the @code{disconnect} command to
2440 disconnect.
2441
2442 Examples of other commands that likewise respect the
2443 @code{auto-connect-native-target} setting: @code{attach}, @code{info
2444 proc}, @code{info os}.
2445
2446 @kindex set disable-randomization
2447 @item set disable-randomization
2448 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2449 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2450 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2451 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2452 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2453
2454 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2455 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2456
2457 @smallexample
2458 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2459 @end smallexample
2460
2461 @item set disable-randomization off
2462 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2463 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2464 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2465 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2466 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2467 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2468
2469 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2470 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2471 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2472 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2473 a code at its expected addresses.
2474
2475 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2476 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2477 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2478 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2479 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2480 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2481 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2482 a randomly chosen address.
2483
2484 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2485 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2486 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2487 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2488 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2489
2490 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2491 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2492
2493 @item show disable-randomization
2494 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2495 the virtual address space of the started program.
2496
2497 @end table
2498
2499 @node Arguments
2500 @section Your Program's Arguments
2501
2502 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2503 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2504 @code{run} command.
2505 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2506 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2507 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2508 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2509 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2510
2511 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2512 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2513 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2514 the program, not by the shell.
2515
2516 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2517 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2518
2519 @table @code
2520 @kindex set args
2521 @item set args
2522 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2523 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2524 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2525 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2526 it again without arguments.
2527
2528 @kindex show args
2529 @item show args
2530 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2531 @end table
2532
2533 @node Environment
2534 @section Your Program's Environment
2535
2536 @cindex environment (of your program)
2537 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2538 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2539 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2540 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2541 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2542 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2543 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2544
2545 @table @code
2546 @kindex path
2547 @item path @var{directory}
2548 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2549 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2550 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2551 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2552 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2553 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2554 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2555
2556 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2557 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2558 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2559 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2560 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2561 @var{directory} to the search path.
2562 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2563 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2564
2565 @kindex show paths
2566 @item show paths
2567 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2568 environment variable).
2569
2570 @kindex show environment
2571 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2572 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2573 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2574 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2575 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2576
2577 @kindex set environment
2578 @anchor{set environment}
2579 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2580 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2581 changes for your program (and the shell @value{GDBN} uses to launch
2582 it), not for @value{GDBN} itself. The @var{value} may be any string; the
2583 values of environment variables are just strings, and any
2584 interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2585 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2586 null value.
2587 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2588 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2589
2590 For example, this command:
2591
2592 @smallexample
2593 set env USER = foo
2594 @end smallexample
2595
2596 @noindent
2597 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2598 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2599 are not actually required.)
2600
2601 Note that on Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program via a shell,
2602 which also inherits the environment set with @code{set environment}.
2603 If necessary, you can avoid that by using the @samp{env} program as a
2604 wrapper instead of using @code{set environment}. @xref{set
2605 exec-wrapper}, for an example doing just that.
2606
2607 Environment variables that are set by the user are also transmitted to
2608 @command{gdbserver} to be used when starting the remote inferior.
2609 @pxref{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}.
2610
2611 @kindex unset environment
2612 @anchor{unset environment}
2613 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2614 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2615 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2616 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2617 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2618
2619 Environment variables that are unset by the user are also unset on
2620 @command{gdbserver} when starting the remote inferior.
2621 @pxref{QEnvironmentUnset}.
2622 @end table
2623
2624 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2625 the shell indicated by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it
2626 exists (or @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable
2627 names a shell that runs an initialization file when started
2628 non-interactively---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, $@file{.zshenv}
2629 for the Z shell, or the file specified in the @samp{BASH_ENV}
2630 environment variable for BASH---any variables you set in that file
2631 affect your program. You may wish to move setting of environment
2632 variables to files that are only run when you sign on, such as
2633 @file{.login} or @file{.profile}.
2634
2635 @node Working Directory
2636 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2637
2638 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2639 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, the inferior will be
2640 initialized with the current working directory specified by the
2641 @kbd{set cwd} command. If no directory has been specified by this
2642 command, then the inferior will inherit @value{GDBN}'s current working
2643 directory as its working directory if native debugging, or it will
2644 inherit the remote server's current working directory if remote
2645 debugging.
2646
2647 @table @code
2648 @kindex set cwd
2649 @cindex change inferior's working directory
2650 @anchor{set cwd command}
2651 @item set cwd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2652 Set the inferior's working directory to @var{directory}, which will be
2653 @code{glob}-expanded in order to resolve tildes (@file{~}). If no
2654 argument has been specified, the command clears the setting and resets
2655 it to an empty state. This setting has no effect on @value{GDBN}'s
2656 working directory, and it only takes effect the next time you start
2657 the inferior. The @file{~} in @var{directory} is a short for the
2658 @dfn{home directory}, usually pointed to by the @env{HOME} environment
2659 variable. On MS-Windows, if @env{HOME} is not defined, @value{GDBN}
2660 uses the concatenation of @env{HOMEDRIVE} and @env{HOMEPATH} as
2661 fallback.
2662
2663 You can also change @value{GDBN}'s current working directory by using
2664 the @code{cd} command.
2665 @xref{cd command}.
2666
2667 @kindex show cwd
2668 @cindex show inferior's working directory
2669 @item show cwd
2670 Show the inferior's working directory. If no directory has been
2671 specified by @kbd{set cwd}, then the default inferior's working
2672 directory is the same as @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
2673
2674 @kindex cd
2675 @cindex change @value{GDBN}'s working directory
2676 @anchor{cd command}
2677 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2678 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2679 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2680
2681 The @value{GDBN} working directory serves as a default for the
2682 commands that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on.
2683 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
2684 @xref{set cwd command}.
2685
2686 @kindex pwd
2687 @item pwd
2688 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2689 @end table
2690
2691 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2692 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2693 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} supports
2694 the @code{info proc} command (@pxref{Process Information}), you can
2695 use the @code{info proc} command to find out the
2696 current working directory of the debuggee.
2697
2698 @node Input/Output
2699 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2700
2701 @cindex redirection
2702 @cindex i/o
2703 @cindex terminal
2704 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2705 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2706 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2707 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2708 running your program.
2709
2710 @table @code
2711 @kindex info terminal
2712 @item info terminal
2713 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2714 program is using.
2715 @end table
2716
2717 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2718 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2719
2720 @smallexample
2721 run > outfile
2722 @end smallexample
2723
2724 @noindent
2725 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2726
2727 @kindex tty
2728 @cindex controlling terminal
2729 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2730 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2731 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2732 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2733 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2734
2735 @smallexample
2736 tty /dev/ttyb
2737 @end smallexample
2738
2739 @noindent
2740 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2741 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2742 that as their controlling terminal.
2743
2744 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2745 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2746 terminal.
2747
2748 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2749 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2750 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2751 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2752
2753 @cindex inferior tty
2754 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2755 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2756 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2757 program.
2758
2759 @table @code
2760 @item set inferior-tty [ @var{tty} ]
2761 @kindex set inferior-tty
2762 Set the tty for the program being debugged to @var{tty}. Omitting @var{tty}
2763 restores the default behavior, which is to use the same terminal as
2764 @value{GDBN}.
2765
2766 @item show inferior-tty
2767 @kindex show inferior-tty
2768 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2769 @end table
2770
2771 @node Attach
2772 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2773 @kindex attach
2774 @cindex attach
2775
2776 @table @code
2777 @item attach @var{process-id}
2778 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2779 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2780 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2781 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2782 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2783
2784 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2785 executing the command.
2786 @end table
2787
2788 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2789 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2790 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2791 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2792
2793 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2794 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2795 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2796 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2797 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2798 Specify Files}.
2799
2800 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2801 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2802 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2803 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2804 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2805 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2806 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2807
2808 @table @code
2809 @kindex detach
2810 @item detach
2811 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2812 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2813 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2814 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2815 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2816 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2817 executing the command.
2818 @end table
2819
2820 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2821 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2822 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2823 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2824 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2825 Messages}).
2826
2827 @node Kill Process
2828 @section Killing the Child Process
2829
2830 @table @code
2831 @kindex kill
2832 @item kill
2833 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2834 @end table
2835
2836 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2837 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2838 is running.
2839
2840 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2841 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2842 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2843 outside the debugger.
2844
2845 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2846 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2847 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2848 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2849 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2850 breakpoint settings).
2851
2852 @node Inferiors and Programs
2853 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2854
2855 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2856 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2857 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2858 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2859 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2860 from multiple executables.
2861
2862 @cindex inferior
2863 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2864 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2865 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2866 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2867 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2868 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2869 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2870 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2871 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2872 threads running in it.
2873
2874 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2875 inferiors}}:
2876
2877 @table @code
2878 @kindex info inferiors [ @var{id}@dots{} ]
2879 @item info inferiors
2880 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2881 By default all inferiors are printed, but the argument @var{id}@dots{}
2882 -- a space separated list of inferior numbers -- can be used to limit
2883 the display to just the requested inferiors.
2884
2885 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2886
2887 @enumerate
2888 @item
2889 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2890
2891 @item
2892 the target system's inferior identifier
2893
2894 @item
2895 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2896
2897 @end enumerate
2898
2899 @noindent
2900 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2901 indicates the current inferior.
2902
2903 For example,
2904 @end table
2905 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2906
2907 @smallexample
2908 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2909 Num Description Executable
2910 2 process 2307 hello
2911 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2912 @end smallexample
2913
2914 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2915
2916 @table @code
2917 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2918 @item inferior @var{infno}
2919 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2920 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2921 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2922 @end table
2923
2924 @vindex $_inferior@r{, convenience variable}
2925 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_inferior} contains the
2926 number of the current inferior. You may find this useful in writing
2927 breakpoint conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth.
2928 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2929 information on convenience variables.
2930
2931 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2932 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2933 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2934 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2935 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2936 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2937
2938 @table @code
2939 @kindex add-inferior
2940 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2941 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2942 executable; @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2943 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2944 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2945 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2946
2947 @kindex clone-inferior
2948 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2949 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2950 @var{infno}; @var{n} defaults to 1, and @var{infno} defaults to the
2951 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2952 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2953
2954 @smallexample
2955 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2956 Num Description Executable
2957 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2958 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2959 Added inferior 2.
2960 1 inferiors added.
2961 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2962 Num Description Executable
2963 2 <null> helloworld
2964 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2965 @end smallexample
2966
2967 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2968
2969 @kindex remove-inferiors
2970 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2971 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2972 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2973 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2974
2975 @end table
2976
2977 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2978 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2979 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2980 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2981
2982 @table @code
2983 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2984 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2985 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2986 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2987 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2988 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2989
2990 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2991 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2992 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2993 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2994 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2995 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2996 @end table
2997
2998 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2999 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
3000 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
3001 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
3002
3003
3004 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
3005 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
3006
3007 @table @code
3008 @kindex set print inferior-events
3009 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
3010 @item set print inferior-events
3011 @itemx set print inferior-events on
3012 @itemx set print inferior-events off
3013 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
3014 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
3015 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
3016 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
3017
3018 @kindex show print inferior-events
3019 @item show print inferior-events
3020 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
3021 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
3022 @end table
3023
3024 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
3025 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
3026 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
3027
3028
3029 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
3030 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
3031 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
3032 info program-spaces}} command.
3033
3034 @table @code
3035 @kindex maint info program-spaces
3036 @item maint info program-spaces
3037 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
3038 @value{GDBN}.
3039
3040 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
3041
3042 @enumerate
3043 @item
3044 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
3045
3046 @item
3047 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
3048 the @code{file} command.
3049
3050 @end enumerate
3051
3052 @noindent
3053 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
3054 indicates the current program space.
3055
3056 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
3057 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
3058 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
3059
3060 @smallexample
3061 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
3062 Id Executable
3063 * 1 hello
3064 2 goodbye
3065 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
3066 @end smallexample
3067
3068 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
3069 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
3070 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
3071 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
3072 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
3073
3074 @smallexample
3075 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
3076 Id Executable
3077 * 1 vfork-test
3078 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
3079 @end smallexample
3080
3081 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
3082 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
3083 @end table
3084
3085 @node Threads
3086 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
3087
3088 @cindex threads of execution
3089 @cindex multiple threads
3090 @cindex switching threads
3091 In some operating systems, such as GNU/Linux and Solaris, a single program
3092 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
3093 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
3094 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
3095 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
3096 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
3097 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
3098
3099 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
3100 programs:
3101
3102 @itemize @bullet
3103 @item automatic notification of new threads
3104 @item @samp{thread @var{thread-id}}, a command to switch among threads
3105 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
3106 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{thread-id-list} | all] @var{args}},
3107 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
3108 @item thread-specific breakpoints
3109 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
3110 messages on thread start and exit.
3111 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
3112 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
3113 isn't compatible with the program.
3114 @end itemize
3115
3116 @cindex focus of debugging
3117 @cindex current thread
3118 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
3119 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
3120 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
3121 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
3122 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
3123
3124 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
3125 @cindex thread identifier (system)
3126 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
3127 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
3128 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
3129 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
3130 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
3131 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}, where @var{systag} is a thread identifier
3132 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
3133 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
3134
3135 @smallexample
3136 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
3137 @end smallexample
3138
3139 @noindent
3140 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on other systems,
3141 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
3142 further qualifier.
3143
3144 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
3145 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
3146 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
3147 @c program?
3148 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
3149 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
3150 @c threads ab initio?
3151
3152 @anchor{thread numbers}
3153 @cindex thread number, per inferior
3154 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
3155 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread number
3156 ---always a single integer---with each thread of an inferior. This
3157 number is unique between all threads of an inferior, but not unique
3158 between threads of different inferiors.
3159
3160 @cindex qualified thread ID
3161 You can refer to a given thread in an inferior using the qualified
3162 @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} syntax, also known as
3163 @dfn{qualified thread ID}, with @var{inferior-num} being the inferior
3164 number and @var{thread-num} being the thread number of the given
3165 inferior. For example, thread @code{2.3} refers to thread number 3 of
3166 inferior 2. If you omit @var{inferior-num} (e.g., @code{thread 3}),
3167 then @value{GDBN} infers you're referring to a thread of the current
3168 inferior.
3169
3170 Until you create a second inferior, @value{GDBN} does not show the
3171 @var{inferior-num} part of thread IDs, even though you can always use
3172 the full @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} form to refer to threads
3173 of inferior 1, the initial inferior.
3174
3175 @anchor{thread ID lists}
3176 @cindex thread ID lists
3177 Some commands accept a space-separated @dfn{thread ID list} as
3178 argument. A list element can be:
3179
3180 @enumerate
3181 @item
3182 A thread ID as shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads}
3183 display, with or without an inferior qualifier. E.g., @samp{2.1} or
3184 @samp{1}.
3185
3186 @item
3187 A range of thread numbers, again with or without an inferior
3188 qualifier, as in @var{inf}.@var{thr1}-@var{thr2} or
3189 @var{thr1}-@var{thr2}. E.g., @samp{1.2-4} or @samp{2-4}.
3190
3191 @item
3192 All threads of an inferior, specified with a star wildcard, with or
3193 without an inferior qualifier, as in @var{inf}.@code{*} (e.g.,
3194 @samp{1.*}) or @code{*}. The former refers to all threads of the
3195 given inferior, and the latter form without an inferior qualifier
3196 refers to all threads of the current inferior.
3197
3198 @end enumerate
3199
3200 For example, if the current inferior is 1, and inferior 7 has one
3201 thread with ID 7.1, the thread list @samp{1 2-3 4.5 6.7-9 7.*}
3202 includes threads 1 to 3 of inferior 1, thread 5 of inferior 4, threads
3203 7 to 9 of inferior 6 and all threads of inferior 7. That is, in
3204 expanded qualified form, the same as @samp{1.1 1.2 1.3 4.5 6.7 6.8 6.9
3205 7.1}.
3206
3207
3208 @anchor{global thread numbers}
3209 @cindex global thread number
3210 @cindex global thread identifier (GDB)
3211 In addition to a @emph{per-inferior} number, each thread is also
3212 assigned a unique @emph{global} number, also known as @dfn{global
3213 thread ID}, a single integer. Unlike the thread number component of
3214 the thread ID, no two threads have the same global ID, even when
3215 you're debugging multiple inferiors.
3216
3217 From @value{GDBN}'s perspective, a process always has at least one
3218 thread. In other words, @value{GDBN} assigns a thread number to the
3219 program's ``main thread'' even if the program is not multi-threaded.
3220
3221 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
3222 @vindex $_gthread@r{, convenience variable}
3223 The debugger convenience variables @samp{$_thread} and
3224 @samp{$_gthread} contain, respectively, the per-inferior thread number
3225 and the global thread number of the current thread. You may find this
3226 useful in writing breakpoint conditional expressions, command scripts,
3227 and so forth. @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for
3228 general information on convenience variables.
3229
3230 If @value{GDBN} detects the program is multi-threaded, it augments the
3231 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint with the ID and name of
3232 the thread that hit the breakpoint.
3233
3234 @smallexample
3235 Thread 2 "client" hit Breakpoint 1, send_message () at client.c:68
3236 @end smallexample
3237
3238 Likewise when the program receives a signal:
3239
3240 @smallexample
3241 Thread 1 "main" received signal SIGINT, Interrupt.
3242 @end smallexample
3243
3244 @table @code
3245 @kindex info threads
3246 @item info threads @r{[}@var{thread-id-list}@r{]}
3247
3248 Display information about one or more threads. With no arguments
3249 displays information about all threads. You can specify the list of
3250 threads that you want to display using the thread ID list syntax
3251 (@pxref{thread ID lists}).
3252
3253 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
3254
3255 @enumerate
3256 @item
3257 the per-inferior thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
3258
3259 @item
3260 the global thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}, if the @samp{-gid}
3261 option was specified
3262
3263 @item
3264 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
3265
3266 @item
3267 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
3268 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
3269 program itself.
3270
3271 @item
3272 the current stack frame summary for that thread
3273 @end enumerate
3274
3275 @noindent
3276 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
3277 indicates the current thread.
3278
3279 For example,
3280 @end table
3281 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
3282
3283 @smallexample
3284 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
3285 Id Target Id Frame
3286 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3287 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3288 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3289 at threadtest.c:68
3290 @end smallexample
3291
3292 If you're debugging multiple inferiors, @value{GDBN} displays thread
3293 IDs using the qualified @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} format.
3294 Otherwise, only @var{thread-num} is shown.
3295
3296 If you specify the @samp{-gid} option, @value{GDBN} displays a column
3297 indicating each thread's global thread ID:
3298
3299 @smallexample
3300 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
3301 Id GId Target Id Frame
3302 1.1 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3303 1.2 3 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3304 1.3 4 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3305 * 2.1 2 process 65 thread 1 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3306 @end smallexample
3307
3308 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
3309 Solaris-specific command:
3310
3311 @table @code
3312 @item maint info sol-threads
3313 @kindex maint info sol-threads
3314 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
3315 Display info on Solaris user threads.
3316 @end table
3317
3318 @table @code
3319 @kindex thread @var{thread-id}
3320 @item thread @var{thread-id}
3321 Make thread ID @var{thread-id} the current thread. The command
3322 argument @var{thread-id} is the @value{GDBN} thread ID, as shown in
3323 the first field of the @samp{info threads} display, with or without an
3324 inferior qualifier (e.g., @samp{2.1} or @samp{1}).
3325
3326 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the
3327 thread you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
3328
3329 @smallexample
3330 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
3331 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
3332 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
3333 8 printf ("hello\n");
3334 @end smallexample
3335
3336 @noindent
3337 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
3338 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
3339 threads.
3340
3341 @anchor{thread apply all}
3342 @kindex thread apply
3343 @cindex apply command to several threads
3344 @item thread apply [@var{thread-id-list} | all [-ascending]] [@var{flag}]@dots{} @var{command}
3345 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
3346 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the threads that you
3347 want affected using the thread ID list syntax (@pxref{thread ID
3348 lists}), or specify @code{all} to apply to all threads. To apply a
3349 command to all threads in descending order, type @kbd{thread apply all
3350 @var{command}}. To apply a command to all threads in ascending order,
3351 type @kbd{thread apply all -ascending @var{command}}.
3352
3353 The @var{flag} arguments control what output to produce and how to handle
3354 errors raised when applying @var{command} to a thread. @var{flag}
3355 must start with a @code{-} directly followed by one letter in
3356 @code{qcs}. If several flags are provided, they must be given
3357 individually, such as @code{-c -q}.
3358
3359 By default, @value{GDBN} displays some thread information before the
3360 output produced by @var{command}, and an error raised during the
3361 execution of a @var{command} will abort @code{thread apply}. The
3362 following flags can be used to fine-tune this behavior:
3363
3364 @table @code
3365 @item -c
3366 The flag @code{-c}, which stands for @samp{continue}, causes any
3367 errors in @var{command} to be displayed, and the execution of
3368 @code{thread apply} then continues.
3369 @item -s
3370 The flag @code{-s}, which stands for @samp{silent}, causes any errors
3371 or empty output produced by a @var{command} to be silently ignored.
3372 That is, the execution continues, but the thread information and errors
3373 are not printed.
3374 @item -q
3375 The flag @code{-q} (@samp{quiet}) disables printing the thread
3376 information.
3377 @end table
3378
3379 Flags @code{-c} and @code{-s} cannot be used together.
3380
3381 @kindex taas
3382 @cindex apply command to all threads (ignoring errors and empty output)
3383 @item taas [@var{option}]@dots{} @var{command}
3384 Shortcut for @code{thread apply all -s [@var{option}]@dots{} @var{command}}.
3385 Applies @var{command} on all threads, ignoring errors and empty output.
3386
3387 The @code{taas} command accepts the same options as the @code{thread
3388 apply all} command. @xref{thread apply all}.
3389
3390 @kindex tfaas
3391 @cindex apply a command to all frames of all threads (ignoring errors and empty output)
3392 @item tfaas [@var{option}]@dots{} @var{command}
3393 Shortcut for @code{thread apply all -s -- frame apply all -s [@var{option}]@dots{} @var{command}}.
3394 Applies @var{command} on all frames of all threads, ignoring errors
3395 and empty output. Note that the flag @code{-s} is specified twice:
3396 The first @code{-s} ensures that @code{thread apply} only shows the thread
3397 information of the threads for which @code{frame apply} produces
3398 some output. The second @code{-s} is needed to ensure that @code{frame
3399 apply} shows the frame information of a frame only if the
3400 @var{command} successfully produced some output.
3401
3402 It can for example be used to print a local variable or a function
3403 argument without knowing the thread or frame where this variable or argument
3404 is, using:
3405 @smallexample
3406 (@value{GDBP}) tfaas p some_local_var_i_do_not_remember_where_it_is
3407 @end smallexample
3408
3409 The @code{tfaas} command accepts the same options as the @code{frame
3410 apply} command. @xref{frame apply}.
3411
3412 @kindex thread name
3413 @cindex name a thread
3414 @item thread name [@var{name}]
3415 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
3416 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
3417 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
3418
3419 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
3420 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
3421 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
3422 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
3423 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
3424
3425 @kindex thread find
3426 @cindex search for a thread
3427 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
3428 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
3429 matches the supplied regular expression.
3430
3431 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
3432 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
3433 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
3434 is the LWP id.
3435
3436 @smallexample
3437 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
3438 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
3439 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
3440 Id Target Id Frame
3441 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
3442 @end smallexample
3443
3444 @kindex set print thread-events
3445 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
3446 @item set print thread-events
3447 @itemx set print thread-events on
3448 @itemx set print thread-events off
3449 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
3450 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
3451 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
3452 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
3453 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
3454
3455 @kindex show print thread-events
3456 @item show print thread-events
3457 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
3458 have started and exited.
3459 @end table
3460
3461 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
3462 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
3463 programs with multiple threads.
3464
3465 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
3466 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
3467
3468 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
3469 @table @code
3470 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
3471 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
3472 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
3473 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
3474 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
3475 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
3476 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
3477 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
3478 macro.
3479
3480 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
3481 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
3482 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3483 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
3484 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
3485 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3486
3487 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3488 refers to the default system directories that are
3489 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
3490 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
3491 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3492
3493 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3494 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
3495 was loaded in the inferior process.
3496
3497 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
3498 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
3499 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
3500 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
3501 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
3502 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
3503 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
3504
3505 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
3506 only on some platforms.
3507
3508 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
3509 @item show libthread-db-search-path
3510 Display current libthread_db search path.
3511
3512 @kindex set debug libthread-db
3513 @kindex show debug libthread-db
3514 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
3515 @item set debug libthread-db
3516 @itemx show debug libthread-db
3517 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
3518 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
3519 @end table
3520
3521 @node Forks
3522 @section Debugging Forks
3523
3524 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
3525 @cindex multiple processes
3526 @cindex processes, multiple
3527 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
3528 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
3529 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
3530 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
3531 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
3532 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
3533 will cause it to terminate.
3534
3535 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3536 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3537 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3538 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3539 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3540 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3541 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3542 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3543 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3544 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3545
3546 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs
3547 that create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork}
3548 functions. On @sc{gnu}/Linux platforms, this feature is supported
3549 with kernel version 2.5.46 and later.
3550
3551 The fork debugging commands are supported in native mode and when
3552 connected to @code{gdbserver} in either @code{target remote} mode or
3553 @code{target extended-remote} mode.
3554
3555 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3556 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3557
3558 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3559 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3560
3561 @table @code
3562 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3563 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3564 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3565 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3566 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3567
3568 @table @code
3569 @item parent
3570 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3571 unimpeded. This is the default.
3572
3573 @item child
3574 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3575 unimpeded.
3576
3577 @end table
3578
3579 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3580 @item show follow-fork-mode
3581 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3582 @end table
3583
3584 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3585 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3586 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3587
3588 @table @code
3589 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3590 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3591 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3592 retain debugger control over them both.
3593
3594 @table @code
3595 @item on
3596 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3597 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3598 independently. This is the default.
3599
3600 @item off
3601 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3602 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3603 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3604 is held suspended.
3605
3606 @end table
3607
3608 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3609 @item show detach-on-fork
3610 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3611 @end table
3612
3613 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3614 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3615 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3616 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3617 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3618 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3619
3620 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3621 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3622 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3623 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3624 and Programs}.
3625
3626 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3627 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3628 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3629 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3630 the child process's @code{main}.
3631
3632 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3633 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3634
3635 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3636 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3637 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3638 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3639 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3640 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3641 command.
3642
3643 @table @code
3644 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3645 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3646
3647 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3648 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3649
3650 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3651
3652 @table @code
3653 @item new
3654 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3655 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3656 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3657 original inferior.
3658
3659 For example:
3660
3661 @smallexample
3662 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3663 (gdb) info inferior
3664 Id Description Executable
3665 * 1 <null> prog1
3666 (@value{GDBP}) run
3667 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3668 Program exited normally.
3669 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3670 Id Description Executable
3671 1 <null> prog1
3672 * 2 <null> prog2
3673 @end smallexample
3674
3675 @item same
3676 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3677 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3678 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3679 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3680 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3681
3682 For example:
3683
3684 @smallexample
3685 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3686 Id Description Executable
3687 * 1 <null> prog1
3688 (@value{GDBP}) run
3689 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3690 Program exited normally.
3691 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3692 Id Description Executable
3693 * 1 <null> prog2
3694 @end smallexample
3695
3696 @end table
3697 @end table
3698
3699 @code{follow-exec-mode} is supported in native mode and
3700 @code{target extended-remote} mode.
3701
3702 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3703 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3704 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3705
3706 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3707 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3708
3709 @cindex checkpoint
3710 @cindex restart
3711 @cindex bookmark
3712 @cindex snapshot of a process
3713 @cindex rewind program state
3714
3715 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3716 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3717 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3718 later.
3719
3720 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3721 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3722 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3723 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3724 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3725
3726 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3727 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3728 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3729 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3730 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3731 start again from there.
3732
3733 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3734 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3735
3736 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3737
3738 @table @code
3739 @kindex checkpoint
3740 @item checkpoint
3741 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3742 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3743 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3744
3745 @kindex info checkpoints
3746 @item info checkpoints
3747 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3748 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3749 listed:
3750
3751 @table @code
3752 @item Checkpoint ID
3753 @item Process ID
3754 @item Code Address
3755 @item Source line, or label
3756 @end table
3757
3758 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3759 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3760 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3761 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3762 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3763 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3764 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3765
3766 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3767 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3768 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3769 the debugger.
3770
3771 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3772 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3773 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3774
3775 @end table
3776
3777 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3778 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3779 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3780 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3781 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3782 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3783 previously read data can be read again.
3784
3785 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3786 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3787 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3788 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3789 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3790 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3791
3792 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3793 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3794 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3795 different execution path this time.
3796
3797 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3798 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3799 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3800 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3801 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3802 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3803 potentially pose a problem.
3804
3805 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3806
3807 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3808 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3809 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3810 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3811 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3812 next.
3813
3814 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3815 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3816 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3817 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3818 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3819
3820 @node Stopping
3821 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3822
3823 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3824 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3825 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3826
3827 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3828 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3829 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3830 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3831 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3832 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3833 explicitly request this information at any time.
3834
3835 @table @code
3836 @kindex info program
3837 @item info program
3838 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3839 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3840 @end table
3841
3842 @menu
3843 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3844 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3845 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3846 Skipping over functions and files
3847 * Signals:: Signals
3848 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3849 @end menu
3850
3851 @node Breakpoints
3852 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3853
3854 @cindex breakpoints
3855 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3856 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3857 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3858 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3859 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3860 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3861 program.
3862
3863 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3864 the executable is run.
3865
3866 @cindex watchpoints
3867 @cindex data breakpoints
3868 @cindex memory tracing
3869 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3870 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3871 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3872 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3873 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3874 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3875 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3876 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3877 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3878 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3879 same commands.
3880
3881 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3882 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3883 Automatic Display}.
3884
3885 @cindex catchpoints
3886 @cindex breakpoint on events
3887 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3888 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3889 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3890 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3891 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3892 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3893 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3894
3895 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3896 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3897 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3898 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3899 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3900 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3901 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3902 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3903 enable it again.
3904
3905 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3906 @cindex breakpoint lists
3907 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3908 @cindex lists of breakpoints
3909 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a space-separated list of breakpoints
3910 on which to operate. A list element can be either a single breakpoint number,
3911 like @samp{5}, or a range of such numbers, like @samp{5-7}.
3912 When a breakpoint list is given to a command, all breakpoints in that list
3913 are operated on.
3914
3915 @menu
3916 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3917 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3918 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3919 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3920 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3921 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3922 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3923 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3924 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3925 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3926 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3927 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3928 @end menu
3929
3930 @node Set Breaks
3931 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3932
3933 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3934 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3935 @c
3936 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3937
3938 @kindex break
3939 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3940 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3941 @cindex latest breakpoint
3942 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3943 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3944 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3945 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3946 convenience variables.
3947
3948 @table @code
3949 @item break @var{location}
3950 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3951 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3952 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3953 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3954 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3955
3956 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3957 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3958 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3959 that situation.
3960
3961 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3962 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3963 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3964
3965 @item break
3966 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3967 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3968 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3969 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3970 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3971 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3972 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3973 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3974 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3975 inside loops.
3976
3977 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3978 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3979 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3980 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3981 existed when your program stopped.
3982
3983 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3984 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3985 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3986 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3987 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3988 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3989 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3990
3991 @kindex tbreak
3992 @item tbreak @var{args}
3993 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args} are the
3994 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3995 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3996 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3997
3998 @kindex hbreak
3999 @cindex hardware breakpoints
4000 @item hbreak @var{args}
4001 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. The @var{args} are the same as for the
4002 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
4003 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
4004 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
4005 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
4006 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
4007 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
4008 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
4009 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
4010 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
4011 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
4012 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
4013 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
4014 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
4015 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
4016 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
4017 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
4018 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
4019
4020 @kindex thbreak
4021 @item thbreak @var{args}
4022 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args}
4023 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
4024 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
4025 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
4026 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
4027 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
4028 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
4029 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
4030
4031 @kindex rbreak
4032 @cindex regular expression
4033 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
4034 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
4035 @item rbreak @var{regex}
4036 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
4037 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
4038 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
4039 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
4040 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
4041 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
4042
4043 In programs using different languages, @value{GDBN} chooses the syntax
4044 to print the list of all breakpoints it sets according to the
4045 @samp{set language} value: using @samp{set language auto}
4046 (see @ref{Automatically, ,Set Language Automatically}) means to use the
4047 language of the breakpoint's function, other values mean to use
4048 the manually specified language (see @ref{Manually, ,Set Language Manually}).
4049
4050 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
4051 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
4052 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
4053 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
4054 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
4055 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
4056
4057 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
4058 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
4059 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
4060 classes.
4061
4062 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
4063 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
4064 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
4065
4066 @smallexample
4067 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
4068 @end smallexample
4069
4070 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
4071 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
4072 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
4073 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
4074 every function in a given file:
4075
4076 @smallexample
4077 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
4078 @end smallexample
4079
4080 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
4081 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
4082
4083 @kindex info breakpoints
4084 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
4085 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4086 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4087 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
4088 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
4089 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
4090 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
4091
4092 @table @emph
4093 @item Breakpoint Numbers
4094 @item Type
4095 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
4096 @item Disposition
4097 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
4098 @item Enabled or Disabled
4099 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
4100 that are not enabled.
4101 @item Address
4102 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
4103 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
4104 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
4105 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
4106 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
4107 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
4108 @item What
4109 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
4110 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
4111 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
4112 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
4113 @end table
4114
4115 @noindent
4116 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
4117 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
4118 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
4119 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
4120 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
4121 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
4122
4123 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
4124 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
4125 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
4126 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
4127
4128 @noindent
4129 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
4130 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
4131 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
4132 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
4133 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
4134
4135 @noindent
4136 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
4137 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
4138 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
4139 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
4140 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
4141 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
4142
4143 @noindent
4144 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
4145 @code{info break} also displays that count.
4146
4147 @end table
4148
4149 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
4150 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
4151 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
4152 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4153
4154 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
4155 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
4156 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
4157 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
4158
4159 @itemize @bullet
4160 @item
4161 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
4162
4163 @item
4164 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
4165 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
4166
4167 @item
4168 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
4169 correspond to any number of instantiations.
4170
4171 @item
4172 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
4173 several places where that function is inlined.
4174 @end itemize
4175
4176 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
4177 the relevant locations.
4178
4179 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
4180 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
4181 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
4182 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
4183 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
4184 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
4185 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
4186
4187 For example:
4188
4189 @smallexample
4190 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
4191 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
4192 stop only if i==1
4193 breakpoint already hit 1 time
4194 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
4195 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
4196 @end smallexample
4197
4198 You cannot delete the individual locations from a breakpoint. However,
4199 each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
4200 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
4201 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. It's also possible to
4202 @code{enable} and @code{disable} a range of @var{location-number}
4203 locations using a @var{breakpoint-number} and two @var{location-number}s,
4204 in increasing order, separated by a hyphen, like
4205 @kbd{@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number1}-@var{location-number2}},
4206 in which case @value{GDBN} acts on all the locations in the range (inclusive).
4207 Disabling or enabling the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects
4208 all of the locations that belong to that breakpoint.
4209
4210 @cindex pending breakpoints
4211 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
4212 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
4213 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
4214 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
4215 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
4216 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
4217 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
4218 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
4219 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
4220 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
4221 is not yet resolved.
4222
4223 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
4224 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
4225 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
4226 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
4227 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
4228 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
4229
4230 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
4231 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
4232 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
4233 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
4234
4235 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
4236 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
4237 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
4238
4239 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
4240 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
4241 address specification to an address:
4242
4243 @kindex set breakpoint pending
4244 @kindex show breakpoint pending
4245 @table @code
4246 @item set breakpoint pending auto
4247 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
4248 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
4249
4250 @item set breakpoint pending on
4251 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
4252 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
4253
4254 @item set breakpoint pending off
4255 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
4256 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
4257 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
4258
4259 @item show breakpoint pending
4260 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
4261 @end table
4262
4263 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
4264 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
4265 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
4266
4267 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
4268 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
4269 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
4270 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
4271 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
4272 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
4273 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
4274 breakpoints.
4275
4276 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands:
4277
4278 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
4279 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
4280 @table @code
4281 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
4282 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
4283 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
4284 breakpoint must be used.
4285
4286 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
4287 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
4288 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
4289 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
4290 @end table
4291
4292 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
4293 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
4294 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
4295 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
4296 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
4297 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
4298 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
4299 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
4300 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
4301
4302 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
4303 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
4304 @table @code
4305 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
4306 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
4307 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
4308 removed from the target when it stops. This is the default mode.
4309
4310 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
4311 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
4312 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
4313 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
4314 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is deleted.
4315 @end table
4316
4317 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
4318 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
4319 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
4320
4321 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
4322 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
4323
4324 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
4325
4326 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
4327 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
4328 @table @code
4329 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
4330 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
4331 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
4332 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
4333 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
4334
4335 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
4336 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
4337 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
4338 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
4339 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
4340 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
4341 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
4342 that is only known to the host. Examples include
4343 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
4344 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
4345 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
4346 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
4347 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
4348
4349 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
4350 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
4351 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
4352 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
4353 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
4354 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
4355 @end table
4356
4357
4358 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
4359 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
4360 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
4361 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
4362 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
4363 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
4364 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
4365 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
4366
4367
4368 @node Set Watchpoints
4369 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
4370
4371 @cindex setting watchpoints
4372 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
4373 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
4374 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
4375 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
4376 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
4377
4378 @itemize @bullet
4379 @item
4380 A reference to the value of a single variable.
4381
4382 @item
4383 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
4384 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
4385 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
4386
4387 @item
4388 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
4389 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
4390 language (@pxref{Languages}).
4391 @end itemize
4392
4393 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
4394 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
4395 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
4396 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
4397 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
4398 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
4399 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
4400 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
4401 the expression changes.
4402
4403 @cindex software watchpoints
4404 @cindex hardware watchpoints
4405 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
4406 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
4407 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
4408 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
4409 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
4410 culprit.)
4411
4412 On some systems, such as most PowerPC or x86-based targets,
4413 @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware watchpoints, which do not
4414 slow down the running of your program.
4415
4416 @table @code
4417 @kindex watch
4418 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4419 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
4420 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
4421 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
4422 to watch the value of a single variable:
4423
4424 @smallexample
4425 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
4426 @end smallexample
4427
4428 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]}}
4429 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
4430 @var{thread-id} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
4431 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
4432 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
4433 with Hardware Watchpoints.
4434
4435 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
4436 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
4437 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
4438 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
4439 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
4440 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
4441 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
4442 error.
4443
4444 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
4445 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
4446 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
4447 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
4448 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
4449 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
4450 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
4451 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
4452 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
4453 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
4454 Examples:
4455
4456 @smallexample
4457 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
4458 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
4459 @end smallexample
4460
4461 @kindex rwatch
4462 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4463 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
4464 by the program.
4465
4466 @kindex awatch
4467 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4468 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
4469 or written into by the program.
4470
4471 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4472 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4473 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
4474 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
4475 @end table
4476
4477 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
4478 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
4479 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
4480 a never-changing value:
4481
4482 @smallexample
4483 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
4484 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
4485 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
4486 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
4487 @end smallexample
4488
4489 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
4490 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
4491 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
4492 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
4493 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
4494 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
4495
4496 @cindex use only software watchpoints
4497 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
4498 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
4499 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
4500 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
4501 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
4502 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
4503 mechanism of watching expression values.)
4504
4505 @table @code
4506 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4507 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4508 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
4509
4510 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4511 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4512 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
4513 @end table
4514
4515 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
4516 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
4517 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
4518
4519 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
4520
4521 @smallexample
4522 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
4523 @end smallexample
4524
4525 @noindent
4526 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
4527
4528 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
4529 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
4530 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
4531 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
4532 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
4533 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
4534 will print a message like this:
4535
4536 @smallexample
4537 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
4538 @end smallexample
4539
4540 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4541 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4542 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4543 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4544 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4545 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4546 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4547 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4548
4549 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4550 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4551 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4552 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4553 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4554 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4555
4556 @smallexample
4557 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4558 @end smallexample
4559
4560 @noindent
4561 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4562
4563 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4564 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4565 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4566 expression with separately allocated resources.
4567
4568 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4569 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4570 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4571
4572 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4573 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4574 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4575 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4576 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4577 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4578 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4579 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4580 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4581
4582 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4583 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4584 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4585 watched expression from every thread.
4586
4587 @quotation
4588 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4589 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4590 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4591 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4592 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4593 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4594 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4595 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4596 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4597 @end quotation
4598
4599 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4600
4601 @node Set Catchpoints
4602 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4603 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4604 @cindex exception handlers
4605 @cindex event handling
4606
4607 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4608 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4609 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4610
4611 @table @code
4612 @kindex catch
4613 @item catch @var{event}
4614 Stop when @var{event} occurs. The @var{event} can be any of the following:
4615
4616 @table @code
4617 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4618 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4619 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4620 @kindex catch throw
4621 @kindex catch rethrow
4622 @kindex catch catch
4623 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4624 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4625
4626 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4627 regular expression will be caught.
4628
4629 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4630 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4631 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4632 exception being thrown.
4633
4634 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4635 @value{GDBN}:
4636
4637 @itemize @bullet
4638 @item
4639 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4640 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4641 supported.
4642
4643 @item
4644 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4645 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4646 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4647 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4648 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4649 built.
4650
4651 @item
4652 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4653 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4654
4655 @item
4656 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4657 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4658 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4659 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4660
4661 @item
4662 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4663 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4664 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4665 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4666 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4667 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4668 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4669 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4670 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4671
4672 @item
4673 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4674
4675 @item
4676 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4677 @end itemize
4678
4679 @item exception @r{[}@var{name}@r{]}
4680 @kindex catch exception
4681 @cindex Ada exception catching
4682 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4683 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4684 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4685 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4686 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4687
4688 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4689 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4690 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4691 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4692 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4693 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4694 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4695 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4696
4697 @item exception unhandled
4698 @kindex catch exception unhandled
4699 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4700
4701 @item handlers @r{[}@var{name}@r{]}
4702 @kindex catch handlers
4703 @cindex Ada exception handlers catching
4704 @cindex catch Ada exceptions when handled
4705 An Ada exception being handled. If an exception name is
4706 specified at the end of the command
4707 (eg @kbd{catch handlers Program_Error}), the debugger will stop
4708 only when this specific exception is handled.
4709 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is handled.
4710
4711 When inserting a handlers catchpoint on a user-defined
4712 exception whose name is identical to one of the exceptions
4713 defined by the language, the fully qualified name must be used
4714 as the exception name. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will assume that it
4715 should stop on the pre-defined exception rather than the
4716 user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception called
4717 @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then the
4718 command to use to catch such exceptions handling is
4719 @kbd{catch handlers Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4720
4721 @item assert
4722 @kindex catch assert
4723 A failed Ada assertion.
4724
4725 @item exec
4726 @kindex catch exec
4727 @cindex break on fork/exec
4728 A call to @code{exec}.
4729
4730 @anchor{catch syscall}
4731 @item syscall
4732 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number} @r{|} @r{group:}@var{groupname} @r{|} @r{g:}@var{groupname}@r{]} @dots{}
4733 @kindex catch syscall
4734 @cindex break on a system call.
4735 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4736 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4737 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4738 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4739 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4740 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4741 will be caught.
4742
4743 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4744 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4745 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4746 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4747
4748 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4749 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4750 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4751 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4752
4753 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4754 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4755 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4756 available choices.
4757
4758 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4759 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4760 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4761 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4762 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4763 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4764 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4765 behind the OS upgrades).
4766
4767 You may specify a group of related syscalls to be caught at once using
4768 the @code{group:} syntax (@code{g:} is a shorter equivalent). For
4769 instance, on some platforms @value{GDBN} allows you to catch all
4770 network related syscalls, by passing the argument @code{group:network}
4771 to @code{catch syscall}. Note that not all syscall groups are
4772 available in every system. You can use the command completion
4773 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4774 syscall groups available on your environment.
4775
4776 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4777 arguments to it:
4778
4779 @smallexample
4780 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4781 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4782 (@value{GDBP}) r
4783 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4784
4785 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4786 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4787 (@value{GDBP}) c
4788 Continuing.
4789
4790 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4791 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4792 (@value{GDBP})
4793 @end smallexample
4794
4795 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4796
4797 @smallexample
4798 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4799 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4800 (@value{GDBP}) r
4801 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4802
4803 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4804 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4805 (@value{GDBP}) c
4806 Continuing.
4807
4808 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4809 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4810 (@value{GDBP})
4811 @end smallexample
4812
4813 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4814 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4815 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4816
4817 @smallexample
4818 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4819 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4820 (@value{GDBP}) r
4821 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4822
4823 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4824 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4825 (@value{GDBP}) c
4826 Continuing.
4827
4828 Program exited normally.
4829 (@value{GDBP})
4830 @end smallexample
4831
4832 Here is an example of catching a syscall group:
4833
4834 @smallexample
4835 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall group:process
4836 Catchpoint 1 (syscalls 'exit' [1] 'fork' [2] 'waitpid' [7]
4837 'execve' [11] 'wait4' [114] 'clone' [120] 'vfork' [190]
4838 'exit_group' [252] 'waitid' [284] 'unshare' [310])
4839 (@value{GDBP}) r
4840 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4841
4842 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall fork), 0x00007ffff7df4e27 in open64 ()
4843 from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
4844
4845 (@value{GDBP}) c
4846 Continuing.
4847 @end smallexample
4848
4849 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4850 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4851 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4852 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4853
4854 @smallexample
4855 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4856 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4857 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4858 (@value{GDBP})
4859 @end smallexample
4860
4861 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4862 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4863 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4864 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4865 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4866 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4867
4868 @smallexample
4869 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4870 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4871 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4872 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4873 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4874 (@value{GDBP})
4875 @end smallexample
4876
4877 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4878
4879 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4880 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4881
4882 @smallexample
4883 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4884 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4885 @end smallexample
4886
4887 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4888
4889 @item fork
4890 @kindex catch fork
4891 A call to @code{fork}.
4892
4893 @item vfork
4894 @kindex catch vfork
4895 A call to @code{vfork}.
4896
4897 @item load @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4898 @itemx unload @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4899 @kindex catch load
4900 @kindex catch unload
4901 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4902 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4903 matches one of the affected libraries.
4904
4905 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4906 @kindex catch signal
4907 The delivery of a signal.
4908
4909 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4910 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4911 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4912
4913 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4914 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4915 signal names.
4916
4917 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4918 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4919 will be caught.
4920
4921 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4922 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4923 catchpoint.
4924
4925 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4926 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4927 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4928 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4929 commands.
4930
4931 @end table
4932
4933 @item tcatch @var{event}
4934 @kindex tcatch
4935 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4936 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4937
4938 @end table
4939
4940 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4941
4942
4943 @node Delete Breaks
4944 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4945
4946 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4947 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4948 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4949 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4950 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4951 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4952
4953 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4954 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4955 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4956 their breakpoint numbers.
4957
4958 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4959 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4960 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4961
4962 @table @code
4963 @kindex clear
4964 @item clear
4965 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4966 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4967 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4968 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4969
4970 @item clear @var{location}
4971 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4972 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4973 most useful ones are listed below:
4974
4975 @table @code
4976 @item clear @var{function}
4977 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4978 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4979
4980 @item clear @var{linenum}
4981 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4982 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4983 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4984 @end table
4985
4986 @cindex delete breakpoints
4987 @kindex delete
4988 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4989 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4990 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4991 list specified as argument. If no argument is specified, delete all
4992 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4993 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4994 @end table
4995
4996 @node Disabling
4997 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4998
4999 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
5000 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
5001 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
5002 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
5003 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
5004
5005 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
5006 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
5007 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
5008 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
5009 do not know which numbers to use.
5010
5011 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
5012 affects all of its locations.
5013
5014 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
5015 different states of enablement:
5016
5017 @itemize @bullet
5018 @item
5019 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
5020 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
5021 @item
5022 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
5023 @item
5024 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
5025 disabled.
5026 @item
5027 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
5028 N times, then becomes disabled.
5029 @item
5030 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
5031 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
5032 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
5033 @end itemize
5034
5035 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
5036 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
5037
5038 @table @code
5039 @kindex disable
5040 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
5041 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
5042 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
5043 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
5044 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
5045 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
5046 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
5047
5048 @kindex enable
5049 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
5050 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
5051 become effective once again in stopping your program.
5052
5053 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{list}@dots{}
5054 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
5055 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
5056
5057 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{list}@dots{}
5058 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
5059 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
5060 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
5061 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
5062 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
5063 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
5064
5065 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{list}@dots{}
5066 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
5067 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
5068 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
5069 @end table
5070
5071 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
5072 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
5073 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
5074 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
5075 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
5076 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
5077 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
5078 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
5079 Stepping}.)
5080
5081 @node Conditions
5082 @subsection Break Conditions
5083 @cindex conditional breakpoints
5084 @cindex breakpoint conditions
5085
5086 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
5087 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
5088 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
5089 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
5090 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
5091 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
5092 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
5093 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
5094
5095 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
5096 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
5097 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
5098 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
5099 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
5100
5101 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
5102 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
5103 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
5104 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
5105 one.
5106
5107 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
5108 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
5109 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
5110 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
5111 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
5112 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
5113 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
5114 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
5115 conditions for the
5116 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
5117 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
5118
5119 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
5120 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
5121 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
5122 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
5123 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
5124 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
5125
5126 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
5127 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
5128 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
5129 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
5130 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
5131
5132 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
5133 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
5134 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
5135 with the @code{condition} command.
5136
5137 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
5138 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
5139 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
5140 catchpoint.
5141
5142 @table @code
5143 @kindex condition
5144 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
5145 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
5146 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
5147 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
5148 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
5149 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
5150 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
5151 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
5152 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
5153 prints an error message:
5154
5155 @smallexample
5156 No symbol "foo" in current context.
5157 @end smallexample
5158
5159 @noindent
5160 @value{GDBN} does
5161 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
5162 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
5163 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
5164
5165 @item condition @var{bnum}
5166 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
5167 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
5168 @end table
5169
5170 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
5171 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
5172 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
5173 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
5174 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
5175 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
5176 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
5177 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
5178 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
5179 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
5180 your program reaches it.
5181
5182 @table @code
5183 @kindex ignore
5184 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
5185 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
5186 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
5187 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
5188 takes no action.
5189
5190 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
5191 a count of zero.
5192
5193 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
5194 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
5195 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
5196 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
5197
5198 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
5199 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
5200 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
5201
5202 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
5203 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
5204 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
5205 Variables}.
5206 @end table
5207
5208 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
5209
5210
5211 @node Break Commands
5212 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
5213
5214 @cindex breakpoint commands
5215 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
5216 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
5217 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
5218 enable other breakpoints.
5219
5220 @table @code
5221 @kindex commands
5222 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
5223 @item commands @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
5224 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
5225 @itemx end
5226 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
5227 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
5228 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
5229
5230 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
5231 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
5232
5233 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
5234 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
5235 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
5236 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
5237 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
5238 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
5239 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
5240 Expressions}).
5241 @end table
5242
5243 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
5244 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
5245
5246 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
5247 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
5248 that resumes execution.
5249
5250 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
5251 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
5252 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
5253 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
5254 ambiguities about which list to execute.
5255
5256 @kindex silent
5257 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
5258 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
5259 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
5260 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
5261 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
5262 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
5263
5264 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
5265 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
5266 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
5267
5268 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
5269 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
5270
5271 @smallexample
5272 break foo if x>0
5273 commands
5274 silent
5275 printf "x is %d\n",x
5276 cont
5277 end
5278 @end smallexample
5279
5280 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
5281 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
5282 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
5283 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
5284 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
5285 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
5286 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
5287
5288 @smallexample
5289 break 403
5290 commands
5291 silent
5292 set x = y + 4
5293 cont
5294 end
5295 @end smallexample
5296
5297 @node Dynamic Printf
5298 @subsection Dynamic Printf
5299
5300 @cindex dynamic printf
5301 @cindex dprintf
5302 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
5303 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
5304 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
5305 having to recompile it.
5306
5307 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
5308 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
5309 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
5310 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
5311 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
5312 redirects to files and so forth.
5313
5314 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
5315 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
5316 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
5317 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
5318 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
5319 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
5320 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
5321
5322 @table @code
5323 @kindex dprintf
5324 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
5325 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
5326 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
5327 To print several values, separate them with commas.
5328
5329 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
5330 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
5331 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
5332 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
5333 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
5334 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
5335
5336 @table @code
5337 @item gdb
5338 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
5339 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
5340
5341 @item call
5342 @kindex dprintf-style call
5343 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
5344 @code{printf}).
5345
5346 @item agent
5347 @kindex dprintf-style agent
5348 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
5349 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
5350 support running commands on the target.
5351 @end table
5352
5353 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
5354 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
5355 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
5356 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
5357 command.
5358
5359 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
5360 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
5361 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
5362 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
5363 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
5364 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
5365
5366 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
5367 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
5368 you could do the following:
5369
5370 @example
5371 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
5372 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
5373 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
5374 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
5375 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
5376 (gdb) info break
5377 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
5378 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
5379 continue
5380 (gdb)
5381 @end example
5382
5383 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
5384 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
5385 the variable settings.
5386
5387 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
5388 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
5389 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
5390 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
5391 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
5392 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
5393
5394 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
5395 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
5396 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
5397
5398 @end table
5399
5400 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
5401 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
5402 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
5403 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
5404 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
5405 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
5406
5407 @node Save Breakpoints
5408 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
5409
5410 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
5411 breakpoints}} command.
5412
5413 @table @code
5414 @kindex save breakpoints
5415 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
5416 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
5417 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
5418 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
5419 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
5420 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
5421 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
5422 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
5423 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
5424 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
5425 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
5426 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
5427 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
5428 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
5429 that can no longer be recreated.
5430 @end table
5431
5432 @node Static Probe Points
5433 @subsection Static Probe Points
5434
5435 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
5436 @cindex static probe point, DTrace
5437 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
5438 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
5439 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations.
5440
5441 Currently, the following types of probes are supported on
5442 ELF-compatible systems:
5443
5444 @itemize @bullet
5445
5446 @item @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
5447 @acronym{SDT} probes@footnote{See
5448 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
5449 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT}
5450 probes in your applications.}. @code{SystemTap} probes are usable
5451 from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages@footnote{See
5452 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
5453 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.}.
5454
5455 @item @code{DTrace} (@uref{http://oss.oracle.com/projects/DTrace})
5456 @acronym{USDT} probes. @code{DTrace} probes are usable from C and
5457 C@t{++} languages.
5458 @end itemize
5459
5460 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
5461 Some @code{SystemTap} probes have an associated semaphore variable;
5462 for instance, this happens automatically if you defined your probe
5463 using a DTrace-style @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore,
5464 @value{GDBN} will automatically enable it when you specify a
5465 breakpoint using the @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a
5466 breakpoint at a probe's location by some other method (e.g.,
5467 @code{break file:line}), then @value{GDBN} will not automatically set
5468 the semaphore. @code{DTrace} probes do not support semaphores.
5469
5470 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
5471 probes}, with optional arguments:
5472
5473 @table @code
5474 @kindex info probes
5475 @item info probes @r{[}@var{type}@r{]} @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5476 If given, @var{type} is either @code{stap} for listing
5477 @code{SystemTap} probes or @code{dtrace} for listing @code{DTrace}
5478 probes. If omitted all probes are listed regardless of their types.
5479
5480 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
5481 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
5482 probes from all providers are listed.
5483
5484 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
5485 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
5486 considered when deciding whether to display them.
5487
5488 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5489 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5490 given, all object files are considered.
5491
5492 @item info probes all
5493 List the available static probes, from all types.
5494 @end table
5495
5496 @cindex enabling and disabling probes
5497 Some probe points can be enabled and/or disabled. The effect of
5498 enabling or disabling a probe depends on the type of probe being
5499 handled. Some @code{DTrace} probes can be enabled or
5500 disabled, but @code{SystemTap} probes cannot be disabled.
5501
5502 You can enable (or disable) one or more probes using the following
5503 commands, with optional arguments:
5504
5505 @table @code
5506 @kindex enable probes
5507 @item enable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5508 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against
5509 provider names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted,
5510 all probes from all providers are enabled.
5511
5512 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe
5513 names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted, probe names
5514 are not considered when deciding whether to enable them.
5515
5516 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5517 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5518 given, all object files are considered.
5519
5520 @kindex disable probes
5521 @item disable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5522 See the @code{enable probes} command above for a description of the
5523 optional arguments accepted by this command.
5524 @end table
5525
5526 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
5527 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
5528 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
5529 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
5530 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
5531 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. In @code{SystemTap}
5532 probes each probe argument is an integer of the appropriate size;
5533 types are not preserved. In @code{DTrace} probes types are preserved
5534 provided that they are recognized as such by @value{GDBN}; otherwise
5535 the value of the probe argument will be a long integer. The
5536 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
5537 at the current probe point.
5538
5539 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
5540 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
5541 an error message.
5542
5543
5544 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
5545 @node Error in Breakpoints
5546 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
5547
5548 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
5549 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
5550
5551 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
5552 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
5553 @smallexample
5554 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
5555 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
5556 @end smallexample
5557
5558 @noindent
5559 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
5560 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
5561 watchpoints it needs to insert.
5562
5563 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
5564 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
5565
5566 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
5567 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
5568 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
5569
5570 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
5571 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
5572 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
5573 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
5574
5575 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
5576 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
5577 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
5578 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
5579 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
5580 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
5581 first in the bundle.
5582
5583 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
5584 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
5585 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
5586 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
5587 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
5588 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
5589 is hit.
5590
5591 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
5592 that's been subject to address adjustment:
5593
5594 @smallexample
5595 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
5596 @end smallexample
5597
5598 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
5599 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
5600 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
5601 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
5602 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
5603 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
5604 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
5605 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
5606
5607 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
5608 adjusted breakpoints:
5609
5610 @smallexample
5611 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
5612 to 0x00010410.
5613 @end smallexample
5614
5615 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
5616 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
5617 frequently than expected.
5618
5619 @node Continuing and Stepping
5620 @section Continuing and Stepping
5621
5622 @cindex stepping
5623 @cindex continuing
5624 @cindex resuming execution
5625 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
5626 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
5627 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
5628 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
5629 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
5630 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
5631 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
5632 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution (@pxref{Signals, ,Signals}),
5633 or you may step into the signal's handler (@pxref{stepping and signal
5634 handlers}).)
5635
5636 @table @code
5637 @kindex continue
5638 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
5639 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
5640 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5641 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5642 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5643 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
5644 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
5645 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
5646 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
5647 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
5648
5649 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
5650 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5651 @code{continue} is ignored.
5652
5653 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5654 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5655 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5656 @code{continue}.
5657 @end table
5658
5659 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5660 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5661 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5662 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5663
5664 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5665 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5666 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5667 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5668 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5669 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5670
5671 @table @code
5672 @kindex step
5673 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5674 @item step
5675 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5676 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5677 abbreviated @code{s}.
5678
5679 @quotation
5680 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5681 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5682 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5683 @c distinction here.
5684 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5685 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5686 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5687 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5688 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5689 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5690 below.
5691 @end quotation
5692
5693 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5694 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5695 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5696 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5697 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5698 called within the line.
5699
5700 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5701 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5702 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5703 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5704 was any debugging information about the routine.
5705
5706 @item step @var{count}
5707 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5708 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5709 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5710
5711 @kindex next
5712 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5713 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5714 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5715 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5716 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5717 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5718 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5719 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5720
5721 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5722
5723
5724 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5725 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5726 @c
5727 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5728 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5729 @c function are executed without stopping.
5730
5731 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5732 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5733 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5734
5735 @kindex set step-mode
5736 @item set step-mode
5737 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5738 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5739 @itemx set step-mode on
5740 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5741 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5742 information rather than stepping over it.
5743
5744 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5745 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5746 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5747
5748 @item set step-mode off
5749 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5750 debug information. This is the default.
5751
5752 @item show step-mode
5753 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5754 source line debug information.
5755
5756 @kindex finish
5757 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5758 @item finish
5759 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5760 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5761 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5762
5763 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5764 ,Returning from a Function}).
5765
5766 @kindex set print finish
5767 @kindex show print finish
5768 @item set print finish @r{[}on|off@r{]}
5769 @itemx show print finish
5770 By default the @code{finish} command will show the value that is
5771 returned by the function. This can be disabled using @code{set print
5772 finish off}. When disabled, the value is still entered into the value
5773 history (@pxref{Value History}), but not displayed.
5774
5775 @kindex until
5776 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5777 @cindex run until specified location
5778 @item until
5779 @itemx u
5780 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5781 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5782 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5783 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5784 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5785 than the address of the jump.
5786
5787 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5788 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5789 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5790 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5791 through the next iteration.
5792
5793 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5794 stack frame.
5795
5796 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5797 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5798 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5799 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5800 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5801
5802 @smallexample
5803 (@value{GDBP}) f
5804 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5805 206 expand_input();
5806 (@value{GDBP}) until
5807 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5808 @end smallexample
5809
5810 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5811 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5812 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5813 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5814 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5815 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5816 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5817
5818 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5819 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5820 argument.
5821
5822 @item until @var{location}
5823 @itemx u @var{location}
5824 Continue running your program until either the specified @var{location} is
5825 reached, or the current stack frame returns. The location is any of
5826 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5827 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5828 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5829 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5830 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5831 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5832 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5833 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5834 invocations have returned.
5835
5836 @smallexample
5837 94 int factorial (int value)
5838 95 @{
5839 96 if (value > 1) @{
5840 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5841 98 @}
5842 99 return (value);
5843 100 @}
5844 @end smallexample
5845
5846
5847 @kindex advance @var{location}
5848 @item advance @var{location}
5849 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5850 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5851 @ref{Specify Location}.
5852 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5853 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5854 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5855 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5856
5857
5858 @kindex stepi
5859 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5860 @item stepi
5861 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5862 @itemx si
5863 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5864
5865 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5866 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5867 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5868 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5869
5870 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5871
5872 @need 750
5873 @kindex nexti
5874 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5875 @item nexti
5876 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5877 @itemx ni
5878 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5879 proceed until the function returns.
5880
5881 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5882
5883 @end table
5884
5885 @anchor{range stepping}
5886 @cindex range stepping
5887 @cindex target-assisted range stepping
5888 By default, and if available, @value{GDBN} makes use of
5889 target-assisted @dfn{range stepping}. In other words, whenever you
5890 use a stepping command (e.g., @code{step}, @code{next}), @value{GDBN}
5891 tells the target to step the corresponding range of instruction
5892 addresses instead of issuing multiple single-steps. This speeds up
5893 line stepping, particularly for remote targets. Ideally, there should
5894 be no reason you would want to turn range stepping off. However, it's
5895 possible that a bug in the debug info, a bug in the remote stub (for
5896 remote targets), or even a bug in @value{GDBN} could make line
5897 stepping behave incorrectly when target-assisted range stepping is
5898 enabled. You can use the following command to turn off range stepping
5899 if necessary:
5900
5901 @table @code
5902 @kindex set range-stepping
5903 @kindex show range-stepping
5904 @item set range-stepping
5905 @itemx show range-stepping
5906 Control whether range stepping is enabled.
5907
5908 If @code{on}, and the target supports it, @value{GDBN} tells the
5909 target to step a range of addresses itself, instead of issuing
5910 multiple single-steps. If @code{off}, @value{GDBN} always issues
5911 single-steps, even if range stepping is supported by the target. The
5912 default is @code{on}.
5913
5914 @end table
5915
5916 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5917 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5918 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5919
5920 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5921 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} command lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5922 skip a function, all functions in a file or a particular function in
5923 a particular file when stepping.
5924
5925 For example, consider the following C function:
5926
5927 @smallexample
5928 101 int func()
5929 102 @{
5930 103 foo(boring());
5931 104 bar(boring());
5932 105 @}
5933 @end smallexample
5934
5935 @noindent
5936 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5937 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5938 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5939 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5940
5941 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5942 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5943 is called from many places.
5944
5945 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5946 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5947 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5948 @code{foo}.
5949
5950 Functions may be skipped by providing either a function name, linespec
5951 (@pxref{Specify Location}), regular expression that matches the function's
5952 name, file name or a @code{glob}-style pattern that matches the file name.
5953
5954 On Posix systems the form of the regular expression is
5955 ``Extended Regular Expressions''. See for example @samp{man 7 regex}
5956 on @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. On non-Posix systems the form of the regular
5957 expression is whatever is provided by the @code{regcomp} function of
5958 the underlying system.
5959 See for example @samp{man 7 glob} on @sc{gnu}/Linux systems for a
5960 description of @code{glob}-style patterns.
5961
5962 @table @code
5963 @kindex skip
5964 @item skip @r{[}@var{options}@r{]}
5965 The basic form of the @code{skip} command takes zero or more options
5966 that specify what to skip.
5967 The @var{options} argument is any useful combination of the following:
5968
5969 @table @code
5970 @item -file @var{file}
5971 @itemx -fi @var{file}
5972 Functions in @var{file} will be skipped over when stepping.
5973
5974 @item -gfile @var{file-glob-pattern}
5975 @itemx -gfi @var{file-glob-pattern}
5976 @cindex skipping over files via glob-style patterns
5977 Functions in files matching @var{file-glob-pattern} will be skipped
5978 over when stepping.
5979
5980 @smallexample
5981 (gdb) skip -gfi utils/*.c
5982 @end smallexample
5983
5984 @item -function @var{linespec}
5985 @itemx -fu @var{linespec}
5986 Functions named by @var{linespec} or the function containing the line
5987 named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when stepping.
5988 @xref{Specify Location}.
5989
5990 @item -rfunction @var{regexp}
5991 @itemx -rfu @var{regexp}
5992 @cindex skipping over functions via regular expressions
5993 Functions whose name matches @var{regexp} will be skipped over when stepping.
5994
5995 This form is useful for complex function names.
5996 For example, there is generally no need to step into C@t{++} @code{std::string}
5997 constructors or destructors. Plus with C@t{++} templates it can be hard to
5998 write out the full name of the function, and often it doesn't matter what
5999 the template arguments are. Specifying the function to be skipped as a
6000 regular expression makes this easier.
6001
6002 @smallexample
6003 (gdb) skip -rfu ^std::(allocator|basic_string)<.*>::~?\1 *\(
6004 @end smallexample
6005
6006 If you want to skip every templated C@t{++} constructor and destructor
6007 in the @code{std} namespace you can do:
6008
6009 @smallexample
6010 (gdb) skip -rfu ^std::([a-zA-z0-9_]+)<.*>::~?\1 *\(
6011 @end smallexample
6012 @end table
6013
6014 If no options are specified, the function you're currently debugging
6015 will be skipped.
6016
6017 @kindex skip function
6018 @item skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
6019 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
6020 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
6021 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
6022
6023 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
6024 will be skipped.
6025
6026 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
6027 @kbd{skip function file}.)
6028
6029 @kindex skip file
6030 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
6031 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
6032 will be skipped over when stepping.
6033
6034 @smallexample
6035 (gdb) skip file boring.c
6036 File boring.c will be skipped when stepping.
6037 @end smallexample
6038
6039 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
6040 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
6041 @end table
6042
6043 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
6044 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
6045
6046 @table @code
6047 @kindex info skip
6048 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
6049 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
6050 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
6051 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
6052
6053 @table @emph
6054 @item Identifier
6055 A number identifying this skip.
6056 @item Enabled or Disabled
6057 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}.
6058 Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
6059 @item Glob
6060 If the file name is a @samp{glob} pattern this is @samp{y}.
6061 Otherwise it is @samp{n}.
6062 @item File
6063 The name or @samp{glob} pattern of the file to be skipped.
6064 If no file is specified this is @samp{<none>}.
6065 @item RE
6066 If the function name is a @samp{regular expression} this is @samp{y}.
6067 Otherwise it is @samp{n}.
6068 @item Function
6069 The name or regular expression of the function to skip.
6070 If no function is specified this is @samp{<none>}.
6071 @end table
6072
6073 @kindex skip delete
6074 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
6075 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
6076 skips.
6077
6078 @kindex skip enable
6079 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
6080 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
6081 skips.
6082
6083 @kindex skip disable
6084 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
6085 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
6086 skips.
6087
6088 @kindex set debug skip
6089 @item set debug skip @r{[}on|off@r{]}
6090 Set whether to print the debug output about skipping files and functions.
6091
6092 @kindex show debug skip
6093 @item show debug skip
6094 Show whether the debug output about skipping files and functions is printed.
6095
6096 @end table
6097
6098 @node Signals
6099 @section Signals
6100 @cindex signals
6101
6102 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
6103 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
6104 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
6105 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
6106 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
6107 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
6108 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
6109 requested an alarm).
6110
6111 @cindex fatal signals
6112 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
6113 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
6114 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
6115 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
6116 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
6117 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
6118
6119 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
6120 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
6121 signal.
6122
6123 @cindex handling signals
6124 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
6125 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
6126 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
6127 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
6128 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
6129
6130 @table @code
6131 @kindex info signals
6132 @kindex info handle
6133 @item info signals
6134 @itemx info handle
6135 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
6136 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
6137 the defined types of signals.
6138
6139 @item info signals @var{sig}
6140 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
6141
6142 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
6143
6144 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
6145 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
6146 for details about this command.
6147
6148 @kindex handle
6149 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
6150 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal}
6151 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
6152 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
6153 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
6154 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
6155 say what change to make.
6156 @end table
6157
6158 @c @group
6159 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
6160 Their full names are:
6161
6162 @table @code
6163 @item nostop
6164 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
6165 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
6166
6167 @item stop
6168 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
6169 the @code{print} keyword as well.
6170
6171 @item print
6172 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
6173
6174 @item noprint
6175 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
6176 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
6177
6178 @item pass
6179 @itemx noignore
6180 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
6181 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
6182 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
6183
6184 @item nopass
6185 @itemx ignore
6186 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
6187 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
6188 @end table
6189 @c @end group
6190
6191 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
6192 program until you
6193 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
6194 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
6195 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
6196 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
6197 program sees that signal when you continue.
6198
6199 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
6200 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
6201 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
6202 erroneous signals.
6203
6204 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
6205 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
6206 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
6207 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
6208 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
6209 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
6210 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
6211 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
6212 Program a Signal}.
6213
6214 @cindex stepping and signal handlers
6215 @anchor{stepping and signal handlers}
6216
6217 @value{GDBN} optimizes for stepping the mainline code. If a signal
6218 that has @code{handle nostop} and @code{handle pass} set arrives while
6219 a stepping command (e.g., @code{stepi}, @code{step}, @code{next}) is
6220 in progress, @value{GDBN} lets the signal handler run and then resumes
6221 stepping the mainline code once the signal handler returns. In other
6222 words, @value{GDBN} steps over the signal handler. This prevents
6223 signals that you've specified as not interesting (with @code{handle
6224 nostop}) from changing the focus of debugging unexpectedly. Note that
6225 the signal handler itself may still hit a breakpoint, stop for another
6226 signal that has @code{handle stop} in effect, or for any other event
6227 that normally results in stopping the stepping command sooner. Also
6228 note that @value{GDBN} still informs you that the program received a
6229 signal if @code{handle print} is set.
6230
6231 @anchor{stepping into signal handlers}
6232
6233 If you set @code{handle pass} for a signal, and your program sets up a
6234 handler for it, then issuing a stepping command, such as @code{step}
6235 or @code{stepi}, when your program is stopped due to the signal will
6236 step @emph{into} the signal handler (if the target supports that).
6237
6238 Likewise, if you use the @code{queue-signal} command to queue a signal
6239 to be delivered to the current thread when execution of the thread
6240 resumes (@pxref{Signaling, ,Giving your Program a Signal}), then a
6241 stepping command will step into the signal handler.
6242
6243 Here's an example, using @code{stepi} to step to the first instruction
6244 of @code{SIGUSR1}'s handler:
6245
6246 @smallexample
6247 (@value{GDBP}) handle SIGUSR1
6248 Signal Stop Print Pass to program Description
6249 SIGUSR1 Yes Yes Yes User defined signal 1
6250 (@value{GDBP}) c
6251 Continuing.
6252
6253 Program received signal SIGUSR1, User defined signal 1.
6254 main () sigusr1.c:28
6255 28 p = 0;
6256 (@value{GDBP}) si
6257 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
6258 9 @{
6259 @end smallexample
6260
6261 The same, but using @code{queue-signal} instead of waiting for the
6262 program to receive the signal first:
6263
6264 @smallexample
6265 (@value{GDBP}) n
6266 28 p = 0;
6267 (@value{GDBP}) queue-signal SIGUSR1
6268 (@value{GDBP}) si
6269 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
6270 9 @{
6271 (@value{GDBP})
6272 @end smallexample
6273
6274 @cindex extra signal information
6275 @anchor{extra signal information}
6276
6277 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
6278 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
6279 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
6280 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
6281 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
6282 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
6283 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
6284 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
6285 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
6286 system header.
6287
6288 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
6289 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
6290
6291 @smallexample
6292 @group
6293 (@value{GDBP}) continue
6294 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
6295 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
6296 69 *(int *)p = 0;
6297 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
6298 type = struct @{
6299 int si_signo;
6300 int si_errno;
6301 int si_code;
6302 union @{
6303 int _pad[28];
6304 struct @{...@} _kill;
6305 struct @{...@} _timer;
6306 struct @{...@} _rt;
6307 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
6308 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
6309 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
6310 @} _sifields;
6311 @}
6312 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
6313 type = struct @{
6314 void *si_addr;
6315 @}
6316 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
6317 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
6318 @end group
6319 @end smallexample
6320
6321 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
6322
6323 @cindex Intel MPX boundary violations
6324 @cindex boundary violations, Intel MPX
6325 On some targets, a @code{SIGSEGV} can be caused by a boundary
6326 violation, i.e., accessing an address outside of the allowed range.
6327 In those cases @value{GDBN} may displays additional information,
6328 depending on how @value{GDBN} has been told to handle the signal.
6329 With @code{handle stop SIGSEGV}, @value{GDBN} displays the violation
6330 kind: "Upper" or "Lower", the memory address accessed and the
6331 bounds, while with @code{handle nostop SIGSEGV} no additional
6332 information is displayed.
6333
6334 The usual output of a segfault is:
6335 @smallexample
6336 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault
6337 0x0000000000400d7c in upper () at i386-mpx-sigsegv.c:68
6338 68 value = *(p + len);
6339 @end smallexample
6340
6341 While a bound violation is presented as:
6342 @smallexample
6343 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault
6344 Upper bound violation while accessing address 0x7fffffffc3b3
6345 Bounds: [lower = 0x7fffffffc390, upper = 0x7fffffffc3a3]
6346 0x0000000000400d7c in upper () at i386-mpx-sigsegv.c:68
6347 68 value = *(p + len);
6348 @end smallexample
6349
6350 @node Thread Stops
6351 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
6352
6353 @cindex stopped threads
6354 @cindex threads, stopped
6355
6356 @cindex continuing threads
6357 @cindex threads, continuing
6358
6359 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
6360 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
6361 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
6362 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
6363 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
6364 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
6365 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
6366 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
6367 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
6368
6369 @menu
6370 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
6371 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
6372 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
6373 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
6374 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
6375 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
6376 @end menu
6377
6378 @node All-Stop Mode
6379 @subsection All-Stop Mode
6380
6381 @cindex all-stop mode
6382
6383 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
6384 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
6385 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
6386 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
6387 underfoot.
6388
6389 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
6390 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
6391 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
6392
6393 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
6394 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
6395 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
6396 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
6397 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
6398 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
6399 stops.
6400
6401 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
6402 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
6403 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
6404 first thread completes whatever you requested.
6405
6406 @cindex automatic thread selection
6407 @cindex switching threads automatically
6408 @cindex threads, automatic switching
6409 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
6410 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
6411 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
6412 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
6413 thread.
6414
6415 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
6416 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
6417
6418 @table @code
6419 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
6420 @cindex scheduler locking mode
6421 @cindex lock scheduler
6422 Set the scheduler locking mode. It applies to normal execution,
6423 record mode, and replay mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
6424 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only
6425 the current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The
6426 @code{step} mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other
6427 threads from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so
6428 that the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly. Other
6429 threads never get a chance to run when you step, and they are
6430 completely free to run when you use commands like @samp{continue},
6431 @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another thread hits a
6432 breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change the
6433 current thread away from the thread that you are debugging. The
6434 @code{replay} mode behaves like @code{off} in record mode and like
6435 @code{on} in replay mode.
6436
6437 @item show scheduler-locking
6438 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
6439 @end table
6440
6441 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
6442 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
6443 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
6444 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
6445 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
6446 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
6447 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
6448 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
6449 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
6450 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
6451 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
6452 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
6453 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
6454 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
6455
6456 @table @code
6457 @kindex set schedule-multiple
6458 @item set schedule-multiple
6459 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
6460 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
6461 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
6462 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
6463 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
6464 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
6465
6466 @item show schedule-multiple
6467 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
6468 multiple processes.
6469 @end table
6470
6471 @node Non-Stop Mode
6472 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
6473
6474 @cindex non-stop mode
6475
6476 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
6477 @c with more details.
6478
6479 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
6480 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
6481 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
6482 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
6483 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
6484 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
6485
6486 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
6487 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
6488 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
6489 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
6490 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
6491 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
6492 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
6493 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
6494 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
6495 independently and simultaneously.
6496
6497 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
6498 or attach to your program:
6499
6500 @smallexample
6501 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
6502 set pagination off
6503
6504 # Finally, turn it on!
6505 set non-stop on
6506 @end smallexample
6507
6508 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
6509
6510 @table @code
6511 @kindex set non-stop
6512 @item set non-stop on
6513 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
6514 @item set non-stop off
6515 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
6516 @kindex show non-stop
6517 @item show non-stop
6518 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
6519 @end table
6520
6521 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
6522 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
6523 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
6524 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
6525 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
6526 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
6527 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
6528 default.
6529
6530 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
6531 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
6532 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
6533
6534 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
6535 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
6536 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
6537 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
6538 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
6539
6540 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
6541 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
6542 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
6543 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
6544 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
6545
6546 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
6547
6548 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
6549 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
6550 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
6551 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
6552 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
6553 previously current thread.
6554
6555 @node Background Execution
6556 @subsection Background Execution
6557
6558 @cindex foreground execution
6559 @cindex background execution
6560 @cindex asynchronous execution
6561 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
6562
6563 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
6564 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
6565 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
6566 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
6567 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
6568 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
6569
6570 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
6571 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
6572
6573 @cindex @code{&}, background execution of commands
6574 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
6575 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
6576 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
6577 are:
6578
6579 @table @code
6580 @kindex run&
6581 @item run
6582 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
6583
6584 @item attach
6585 @kindex attach&
6586 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
6587
6588 @item step
6589 @kindex step&
6590 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
6591
6592 @item stepi
6593 @kindex stepi&
6594 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
6595
6596 @item next
6597 @kindex next&
6598 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
6599
6600 @item nexti
6601 @kindex nexti&
6602 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
6603
6604 @item continue
6605 @kindex continue&
6606 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
6607
6608 @item finish
6609 @kindex finish&
6610 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
6611
6612 @item until
6613 @kindex until&
6614 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
6615
6616 @end table
6617
6618 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
6619 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
6620 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
6621 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
6622 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
6623 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
6624
6625 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
6626 using the @code{interrupt} command.
6627
6628 @table @code
6629 @kindex interrupt
6630 @item interrupt
6631 @itemx interrupt -a
6632
6633 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
6634 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
6635 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
6636 use @code{interrupt -a}.
6637 @end table
6638
6639 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6640 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6641
6642 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
6643 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
6644 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
6645
6646 @table @code
6647 @cindex breakpoints and threads
6648 @cindex thread breakpoints
6649 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{thread-id}
6650 @item break @var{location} thread @var{thread-id}
6651 @itemx break @var{location} thread @var{thread-id} if @dots{}
6652 @var{location} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
6653 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
6654 specify some source line.
6655
6656 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} with a breakpoint command
6657 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
6658 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. The @var{thread-id} specifier
6659 is one of the thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown
6660 in the first column of the @samp{info threads} display.
6661
6662 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} when you set a
6663 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
6664 program.
6665
6666 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
6667 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} before or
6668 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
6669
6670 @smallexample
6671 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
6672 @end smallexample
6673
6674 @end table
6675
6676 Thread-specific breakpoints are automatically deleted when
6677 @value{GDBN} detects the corresponding thread is no longer in the
6678 thread list. For example:
6679
6680 @smallexample
6681 (@value{GDBP}) c
6682 Thread-specific breakpoint 3 deleted - thread 28 no longer in the thread list.
6683 @end smallexample
6684
6685 There are several ways for a thread to disappear, such as a regular
6686 thread exit, but also when you detach from the process with the
6687 @code{detach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
6688 Process}), or if @value{GDBN} loses the remote connection
6689 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), etc. Note that with some targets,
6690 @value{GDBN} is only able to detect a thread has exited when the user
6691 explictly asks for the thread list with the @code{info threads}
6692 command.
6693
6694 @node Interrupted System Calls
6695 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
6696
6697 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
6698 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
6699 @cindex premature return from system calls
6700 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
6701 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
6702 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
6703 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
6704 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
6705 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
6706 stop execution.
6707
6708 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
6709 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
6710 style anyways.
6711
6712 For example, do not write code like this:
6713
6714 @smallexample
6715 sleep (10);
6716 @end smallexample
6717
6718 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
6719 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
6720
6721 Instead, write this:
6722
6723 @smallexample
6724 int unslept = 10;
6725 while (unslept > 0)
6726 unslept = sleep (unslept);
6727 @end smallexample
6728
6729 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
6730 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
6731 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
6732 @value{GDBN}.
6733
6734 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
6735 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
6736 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
6737 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
6738
6739 @node Observer Mode
6740 @subsection Observer Mode
6741
6742 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
6743 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
6744 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
6745 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
6746 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
6747
6748 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
6749 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
6750 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
6751 mode.
6752
6753 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
6754 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
6755 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
6756 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
6757 stream will still not be able to be placed.
6758
6759 @table @code
6760
6761 @kindex observer
6762 @item set observer on
6763 @itemx set observer off
6764 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
6765 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
6766 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
6767 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
6768
6769 @item show observer
6770 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
6771
6772 @kindex may-write-registers
6773 @item set may-write-registers on
6774 @itemx set may-write-registers off
6775 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
6776 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
6777 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
6778
6779 @item show may-write-registers
6780 Show the current permission to write registers.
6781
6782 @kindex may-write-memory
6783 @item set may-write-memory on
6784 @itemx set may-write-memory off
6785 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
6786 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
6787 defaults to @code{on}.
6788
6789 @item show may-write-memory
6790 Show the current permission to write memory.
6791
6792 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
6793 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
6794 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
6795 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
6796 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
6797 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6798
6799 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
6800 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
6801
6802 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
6803 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
6804 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
6805 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
6806 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6807 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
6808 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6809
6810 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
6811 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
6812
6813 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6814 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
6815 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
6816 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
6817 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6818 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
6819 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6820
6821 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6822 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
6823
6824 @kindex may-interrupt
6825 @item set may-interrupt on
6826 @itemx set may-interrupt off
6827 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
6828 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
6829 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
6830 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6831
6832 @item show may-interrupt
6833 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
6834
6835 @end table
6836
6837 @node Reverse Execution
6838 @chapter Running programs backward
6839 @cindex reverse execution
6840 @cindex running programs backward
6841
6842 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
6843 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
6844 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
6845 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
6846
6847 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
6848 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
6849 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
6850 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
6851 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
6852 all target environments can support reverse execution.
6853
6854 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
6855 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
6856 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
6857 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
6858 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6859 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6860 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6861 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6862 prior values@footnote{
6863 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6864 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6865 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6866
6867 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6868 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6869 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6870 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6871 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6872 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6873 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6874 }.
6875
6876 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} has built-in support for reverse
6877 execution, activated with the @code{record} or @code{record btrace}
6878 commands. @xref{Process Record and Replay}. Some remote targets,
6879 typically full system emulators, support reverse execution directly
6880 without requiring any special command.
6881
6882 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6883 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6884
6885 @table @code
6886 @kindex reverse-continue
6887 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6888 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6889 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6890 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6891 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6892 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6893 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6894
6895 @kindex reverse-step
6896 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6897 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6898 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6899 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6900
6901 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6902 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6903 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6904 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6905 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6906 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6907
6908 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6909 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6910
6911 @kindex reverse-stepi
6912 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6913 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6914 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6915 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6916 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6917 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6918 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6919
6920 @kindex reverse-next
6921 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6922 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6923 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6924 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6925 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6926 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6927 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6928 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6929 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6930 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6931
6932 @kindex reverse-nexti
6933 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6934 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6935 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6936 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6937 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6938 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6939 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6940 frame) is reached.
6941
6942 @kindex reverse-finish
6943 @item reverse-finish
6944 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6945 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6946 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6947 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6948
6949 @kindex set exec-direction
6950 @item set exec-direction
6951 Set the direction of target execution.
6952 @item set exec-direction reverse
6953 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6954 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6955 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6956 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6957 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6958 @item set exec-direction forward
6959 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6960 This is the default.
6961 @end table
6962
6963
6964 @node Process Record and Replay
6965 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6966 @cindex process record and replay
6967 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6968
6969 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6970 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6971 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6972
6973 @cindex replay mode
6974 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6975 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6976 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6977 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6978 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6979 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6980 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6981 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6982 execution log.
6983
6984 @cindex record mode
6985 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6986 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6987 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6988 for future replay.
6989
6990 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6991 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6992 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6993 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6994 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6995 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6996
6997 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6998 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6999 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
7000 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
7001
7002 Currently, process record and replay is supported on ARM, Aarch64,
7003 Moxie, PowerPC, PowerPC64, S/390, and x86 (i386/amd64) running
7004 GNU/Linux. Process record and replay can be used both when native
7005 debugging, and when remote debugging via @code{gdbserver}.
7006
7007 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
7008 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
7009
7010 @table @code
7011 @kindex target record
7012 @kindex target record-full
7013 @kindex target record-btrace
7014 @kindex record
7015 @kindex record full
7016 @kindex record btrace
7017 @kindex record btrace bts
7018 @kindex record btrace pt
7019 @kindex record bts
7020 @kindex record pt
7021 @kindex rec
7022 @kindex rec full
7023 @kindex rec btrace
7024 @kindex rec btrace bts
7025 @kindex rec btrace pt
7026 @kindex rec bts
7027 @kindex rec pt
7028 @item record @var{method}
7029 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
7030 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
7031 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
7032 recording methods are available:
7033
7034 @table @code
7035 @item full
7036 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
7037 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
7038 execution.
7039
7040 @item btrace @var{format}
7041 Hardware-supported instruction recording, supported on Intel
7042 processors. This method does not record data. Further, the data is
7043 collected in a ring buffer so old data will be overwritten when the
7044 buffer is full. It allows limited reverse execution. Variables and
7045 registers are not available during reverse execution. In remote
7046 debugging, recording continues on disconnect. Recorded data can be
7047 inspected after reconnecting. The recording may be stopped using
7048 @code{record stop}.
7049
7050 The recording format can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
7051 the command chooses the recording format. The following recording
7052 formats are available:
7053
7054 @table @code
7055 @item bts
7056 @cindex branch trace store
7057 Use the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) recording format. In
7058 this format, the processor stores a from/to record for each executed
7059 branch in the btrace ring buffer.
7060
7061 @item pt
7062 @cindex Intel Processor Trace
7063 Use the @dfn{Intel Processor Trace} recording format. In this
7064 format, the processor stores the execution trace in a compressed form
7065 that is afterwards decoded by @value{GDBN}.
7066
7067 The trace can be recorded with very low overhead. The compressed
7068 trace format also allows small trace buffers to already contain a big
7069 number of instructions compared to @acronym{BTS}.
7070
7071 Decoding the recorded execution trace, on the other hand, is more
7072 expensive than decoding @acronym{BTS} trace. This is mostly due to the
7073 increased number of instructions to process. You should increase the
7074 buffer-size with care.
7075 @end table
7076
7077 Not all recording formats may be available on all processors.
7078 @end table
7079
7080 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
7081 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
7082 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
7083 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
7084
7085 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
7086 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
7087 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
7088 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
7089 doesn't support displaced stepping.
7090
7091 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
7092 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
7093 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
7094 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
7095 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
7096 does not support these two modes.
7097
7098 @kindex record stop
7099 @kindex rec s
7100 @item record stop
7101 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
7102 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
7103 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
7104
7105 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
7106 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
7107 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
7108 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
7109 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
7110
7111 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
7112 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
7113 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
7114 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
7115 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
7116
7117 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
7118 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
7119
7120 @kindex record goto
7121 @item record goto
7122 Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
7123 ways to specify the location to go to:
7124
7125 @table @code
7126 @item record goto begin
7127 @itemx record goto start
7128 Go to the beginning of the execution log.
7129
7130 @item record goto end
7131 Go to the end of the execution log.
7132
7133 @item record goto @var{n}
7134 Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
7135 @end table
7136
7137 @kindex record save
7138 @item record save @var{filename}
7139 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
7140 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
7141 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
7142
7143 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
7144
7145 @kindex record restore
7146 @item record restore @var{filename}
7147 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
7148 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
7149
7150 @kindex set record full
7151 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
7152 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
7153 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
7154 recording method. Default value is 200000.
7155
7156 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
7157 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
7158 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
7159 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
7160 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
7161 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
7162 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
7163 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
7164
7165 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
7166 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
7167 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
7168
7169 @kindex show record full
7170 @item show record full insn-number-max
7171 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
7172 recording method.
7173
7174 @item set record full stop-at-limit
7175 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
7176 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
7177 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
7178 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
7179 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
7180 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
7181 oldest one to be deleted.
7182
7183 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
7184 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
7185
7186 @item show record full stop-at-limit
7187 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
7188
7189 @item set record full memory-query
7190 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
7191 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
7192 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
7193 case.
7194
7195 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
7196 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
7197 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
7198 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
7199 results.
7200
7201 @item show record full memory-query
7202 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
7203
7204 @kindex set record btrace
7205 The @code{btrace} record target does not trace data. As a
7206 convenience, when replaying, @value{GDBN} reads read-only memory off
7207 the live program directly, assuming that the addresses of the
7208 read-only areas don't change. This for example makes it possible to
7209 disassemble code while replaying, but not to print variables.
7210 In some cases, being able to inspect variables might be useful.
7211 You can use the following command for that:
7212
7213 @item set record btrace replay-memory-access
7214 Control the behavior of the @code{btrace} recording method when
7215 accessing memory during replay. If @code{read-only} (the default),
7216 @value{GDBN} will only allow accesses to read-only memory.
7217 If @code{read-write}, @value{GDBN} will allow accesses to read-only
7218 and to read-write memory. Beware that the accessed memory corresponds
7219 to the live target and not necessarily to the current replay
7220 position.
7221
7222 @item set record btrace cpu @var{identifier}
7223 Set the processor to be used for enabling workarounds for processor
7224 errata when decoding the trace.
7225
7226 Processor errata are defects in processor operation, caused by its
7227 design or manufacture. They can cause a trace not to match the
7228 specification. This, in turn, may cause trace decode to fail.
7229 @value{GDBN} can detect erroneous trace packets and correct them, thus
7230 avoiding the decoding failures. These corrections are known as
7231 @dfn{errata workarounds}, and are enabled based on the processor on
7232 which the trace was recorded.
7233
7234 By default, @value{GDBN} attempts to detect the processor
7235 automatically, and apply the necessary workarounds for it. However,
7236 you may need to specify the processor if @value{GDBN} does not yet
7237 support it. This command allows you to do that, and also allows to
7238 disable the workarounds.
7239
7240 The argument @var{identifier} identifies the @sc{cpu} and is of the
7241 form: @code{@var{vendor}:@var{procesor identifier}}. In addition,
7242 there are two special identifiers, @code{none} and @code{auto}
7243 (default).
7244
7245 The following vendor identifiers and corresponding processor
7246 identifiers are currently supported:
7247
7248 @multitable @columnfractions .1 .9
7249
7250 @item @code{intel}
7251 @tab @var{family}/@var{model}[/@var{stepping}]
7252
7253 @end multitable
7254
7255 On GNU/Linux systems, the processor @var{family}, @var{model}, and
7256 @var{stepping} can be obtained from @code{/proc/cpuinfo}.
7257
7258 If @var{identifier} is @code{auto}, enable errata workarounds for the
7259 processor on which the trace was recorded. If @var{identifier} is
7260 @code{none}, errata workarounds are disabled.
7261
7262 For example, when using an old @value{GDBN} on a new system, decode
7263 may fail because @value{GDBN} does not support the new processor. It
7264 often suffices to specify an older processor that @value{GDBN}
7265 supports.
7266
7267 @smallexample
7268 (gdb) info record
7269 Active record target: record-btrace
7270 Recording format: Intel Processor Trace.
7271 Buffer size: 16kB.
7272 Failed to configure the Intel Processor Trace decoder: unknown cpu.
7273 (gdb) set record btrace cpu intel:6/158
7274 (gdb) info record
7275 Active record target: record-btrace
7276 Recording format: Intel Processor Trace.
7277 Buffer size: 16kB.
7278 Recorded 84872 instructions in 3189 functions (0 gaps) for thread 1 (...).
7279 @end smallexample
7280
7281 @kindex show record btrace
7282 @item show record btrace replay-memory-access
7283 Show the current setting of @code{replay-memory-access}.
7284
7285 @item show record btrace cpu
7286 Show the processor to be used for enabling trace decode errata
7287 workarounds.
7288
7289 @kindex set record btrace bts
7290 @item set record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
7291 @itemx set record btrace bts buffer-size unlimited
7292 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in @acronym{BTS}
7293 format. Default is 64KB.
7294
7295 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
7296 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
7297 that uses the btrace recording method and the @acronym{BTS} format.
7298 The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the requested
7299 @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the actual
7300 buffer size for each thread that uses the btrace recording method and
7301 the @acronym{BTS} format.
7302
7303 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
7304 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
7305
7306 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
7307 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
7308
7309 @item show record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
7310 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
7311 tracing in @acronym{BTS} format.
7312
7313 @kindex set record btrace pt
7314 @item set record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
7315 @itemx set record btrace pt buffer-size unlimited
7316 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in Intel
7317 Processor Trace format. Default is 16KB.
7318
7319 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
7320 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
7321 that uses the btrace recording method and the Intel Processor Trace
7322 format. The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the
7323 requested @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the
7324 actual buffer size for each thread.
7325
7326 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
7327 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
7328
7329 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
7330 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
7331
7332 @item show record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
7333 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
7334 tracing in Intel Processor Trace format.
7335
7336 @kindex info record
7337 @item info record
7338 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
7339 method:
7340
7341 @table @code
7342 @item full
7343 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
7344 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
7345
7346 @itemize @bullet
7347 @item
7348 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
7349 @item
7350 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
7351 @item
7352 Highest recorded instruction number.
7353 @item
7354 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
7355 @item
7356 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
7357 @item
7358 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
7359 @end itemize
7360
7361 @item btrace
7362 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows:
7363
7364 @itemize @bullet
7365 @item
7366 Recording format.
7367 @item
7368 Number of instructions that have been recorded.
7369 @item
7370 Number of blocks of sequential control-flow formed by the recorded
7371 instructions.
7372 @item
7373 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
7374 @end itemize
7375
7376 For the @code{bts} recording format, it also shows:
7377 @itemize @bullet
7378 @item
7379 Size of the perf ring buffer.
7380 @end itemize
7381
7382 For the @code{pt} recording format, it also shows:
7383 @itemize @bullet
7384 @item
7385 Size of the perf ring buffer.
7386 @end itemize
7387 @end table
7388
7389 @kindex record delete
7390 @kindex rec del
7391 @item record delete
7392 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
7393 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
7394 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
7395 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
7396
7397 @kindex record instruction-history
7398 @kindex rec instruction-history
7399 @item record instruction-history
7400 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
7401 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
7402 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
7403 are printed in execution order.
7404
7405 It can also print mixed source+disassembly if you specify the the
7406 @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier, and print the raw instructions in hex
7407 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
7408
7409 The current position marker is printed for the instruction at the
7410 current program counter value. This instruction can appear multiple
7411 times in the trace and the current position marker will be printed
7412 every time. To omit the current position marker, specify the
7413 @code{/p} modifier.
7414
7415 To better align the printed instructions when the trace contains
7416 instructions from more than one function, the function name may be
7417 omitted by specifying the @code{/f} modifier.
7418
7419 Speculatively executed instructions are prefixed with @samp{?}. This
7420 feature is not available for all recording formats.
7421
7422 There are several ways to specify what part of the execution log to
7423 disassemble:
7424
7425 @table @code
7426 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
7427 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
7428 @var{insn}.
7429
7430 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
7431 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
7432 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
7433 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
7434 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
7435 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
7436
7437 @item record instruction-history
7438 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
7439
7440 @item record instruction-history -
7441 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
7442
7443 @item record instruction-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
7444 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
7445 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
7446 number @var{end} is included.
7447 @end table
7448
7449 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
7450
7451 @kindex set record
7452 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
7453 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
7454 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
7455 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
7456 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
7457
7458 @kindex show record
7459 @item show record instruction-history-size
7460 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
7461 instruction-history} command.
7462
7463 @kindex record function-call-history
7464 @kindex rec function-call-history
7465 @item record function-call-history
7466 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
7467 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
7468 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
7469 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
7470 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
7471 the @code{/i} modifier is specified). The function names are indented
7472 to reflect the call stack depth if the @code{/c} modifier is
7473 specified. The @code{/l}, @code{/i}, and @code{/c} modifiers can be
7474 given together.
7475
7476 @smallexample
7477 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
7478 1 void foo (void)
7479 2 @{
7480 3 @}
7481 4
7482 5 void bar (void)
7483 6 @{
7484 7 ...
7485 8 foo ();
7486 9 ...
7487 10 @}
7488 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /ilc}
7489 1 bar inst 1,4 at foo.c:6,8
7490 2 foo inst 5,10 at foo.c:2,3
7491 3 bar inst 11,13 at foo.c:9,10
7492 @end smallexample
7493
7494 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
7495 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
7496 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
7497 to print:
7498
7499 @table @code
7500 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
7501 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
7502
7503 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
7504 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
7505 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
7506 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
7507 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
7508
7509 @item record function-call-history
7510 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
7511
7512 @item record function-call-history -
7513 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
7514
7515 @item record function-call-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
7516 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
7517 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is included.
7518 @end table
7519
7520 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
7521
7522 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
7523 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
7524 Define how many lines to print in the
7525 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
7526 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
7527
7528 @item show record function-call-history-size
7529 Show how many lines to print in the
7530 @code{record function-call-history} command.
7531 @end table
7532
7533
7534 @node Stack
7535 @chapter Examining the Stack
7536
7537 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
7538 stopped and how it got there.
7539
7540 @cindex call stack
7541 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
7542 is generated.
7543 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
7544 the arguments of the call,
7545 and the local variables of the function being called.
7546 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
7547 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
7548 stack}.
7549
7550 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
7551 stack allow you to see all of this information.
7552
7553 @cindex selected frame
7554 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
7555 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
7556 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
7557 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
7558 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
7559 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7560
7561 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
7562 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
7563 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
7564
7565 @menu
7566 * Frames:: Stack frames
7567 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
7568 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
7569 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
7570 * Frame Apply:: Applying a command to several frames
7571 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
7572
7573 @end menu
7574
7575 @node Frames
7576 @section Stack Frames
7577
7578 @cindex frame, definition
7579 @cindex stack frame
7580 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
7581 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
7582 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
7583 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
7584 which the function is executing.
7585
7586 @cindex initial frame
7587 @cindex outermost frame
7588 @cindex innermost frame
7589 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
7590 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
7591 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
7592 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
7593 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
7594 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
7595 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
7596 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
7597
7598 @cindex frame pointer
7599 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
7600 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
7601 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
7602 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
7603 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
7604 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
7605
7606 @cindex frame level
7607 @cindex frame number
7608 @value{GDBN} labels each existing stack frame with a @dfn{level}, a
7609 number that is zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that
7610 called it, and so on upward. These level numbers give you a way of
7611 designating stack frames in @value{GDBN} commands. The terms
7612 @dfn{frame number} and @dfn{frame level} can be used interchangeably to
7613 describe this number.
7614
7615 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
7616 @c underflow problems.
7617 @cindex frameless execution
7618 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
7619 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
7620 @smallexample
7621 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
7622 @end smallexample
7623 generates functions without a frame.)
7624 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
7625 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
7626 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
7627 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
7628 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
7629 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
7630 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
7631
7632 @node Backtrace
7633 @section Backtraces
7634
7635 @cindex traceback
7636 @cindex call stack traces
7637 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
7638 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
7639 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
7640 stack.
7641
7642 @anchor{backtrace-command}
7643 @kindex backtrace
7644 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
7645 To print a backtrace of the entire stack, use the @code{backtrace}
7646 command, or its alias @code{bt}. This command will print one line per
7647 frame for frames in the stack. By default, all stack frames are
7648 printed. You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system
7649 interrupt character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
7650
7651 @table @code
7652 @item backtrace [@var{option}]@dots{} [@var{qualifier}]@dots{} [@var{count}]
7653 @itemx bt [@var{option}]@dots{} [@var{qualifier}]@dots{} [@var{count}]
7654 Print the backtrace of the entire stack.
7655
7656 The optional @var{count} can be one of the following:
7657
7658 @table @code
7659 @item @var{n}
7660 @itemx @var{n}
7661 Print only the innermost @var{n} frames, where @var{n} is a positive
7662 number.
7663
7664 @item -@var{n}
7665 @itemx -@var{n}
7666 Print only the outermost @var{n} frames, where @var{n} is a positive
7667 number.
7668 @end table
7669
7670 Options:
7671
7672 @table @code
7673 @item -full
7674 Print the values of the local variables also. This can be combined
7675 with the optional @var{count} to limit the number of frames shown.
7676
7677 @item -no-filters
7678 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
7679 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
7680 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
7681 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
7682 support.
7683
7684 @item -hide
7685 A Python frame filter might decide to ``elide'' some frames. Normally
7686 such elided frames are still printed, but they are indented relative
7687 to the filtered frames that cause them to be elided. The @code{-hide}
7688 option causes elided frames to not be printed at all.
7689 @end table
7690
7691 The @code{backtrace} command also supports a number of options that
7692 allow overriding relevant global print settings as set by @code{set
7693 backtrace} and @code{set print} subcommands:
7694
7695 @table @code
7696 @item -past-main [@code{on}|@code{off}]
7697 Set whether backtraces should continue past @code{main}. Related setting:
7698 @ref{set backtrace past-main}.
7699
7700 @item -past-entry [@code{on}|@code{off}]
7701 Set whether backtraces should continue past the entry point of a program.
7702 Related setting: @ref{set backtrace past-entry}.
7703
7704 @item -entry-values @code{no}|@code{only}|@code{preferred}|@code{if-needed}|@code{both}|@code{compact}|@code{default}
7705 Set printing of function arguments at function entry.
7706 Related setting: @ref{set print entry-values}.
7707
7708 @item -frame-arguments @code{all}|@code{scalars}|@code{none}
7709 Set printing of non-scalar frame arguments.
7710 Related setting: @ref{set print frame-arguments}.
7711
7712 @item -raw-frame-arguments [@code{on}|@code{off}]
7713 Set whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
7714 Related setting: @ref{set print raw-frame-arguments}.
7715 @end table
7716
7717 The optional @var{qualifier} is maintained for backward compatibility.
7718 It can be one of the following:
7719
7720 @table @code
7721 @item full
7722 Equivalent to the @code{-full} option.
7723
7724 @item no-filters
7725 Equivalent to the @code{-no-filters} option.
7726
7727 @item hide
7728 Equivalent to the @code{-hide} option.
7729 @end table
7730
7731 @end table
7732
7733 @kindex where
7734 @kindex info stack
7735 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
7736 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
7737
7738 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
7739 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
7740 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
7741 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
7742 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
7743 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
7744 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
7745 multi-threaded program.
7746
7747 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
7748 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
7749 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
7750 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
7751 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
7752 line number.
7753
7754 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
7755 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
7756
7757 @smallexample
7758 @group
7759 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7760 at builtin.c:993
7761 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
7762 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
7763 at macro.c:71
7764 (More stack frames follow...)
7765 @end group
7766 @end smallexample
7767
7768 @noindent
7769 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
7770 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
7771 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
7772
7773 @noindent
7774 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
7775 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
7776 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
7777 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
7778 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
7779
7780 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
7781 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
7782 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
7783 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
7784 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
7785 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
7786 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
7787 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
7788 such a backtrace might look like:
7789
7790 @smallexample
7791 @group
7792 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7793 at builtin.c:993
7794 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
7795 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
7796 at macro.c:71
7797 (More stack frames follow...)
7798 @end group
7799 @end smallexample
7800
7801 @noindent
7802 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
7803 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
7804
7805 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
7806 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
7807 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
7808
7809 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
7810 @cindex program entry point
7811 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
7812 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
7813 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
7814 @code{main}@footnote{
7815 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
7816 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
7817 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
7818 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
7819 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
7820 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
7821
7822 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
7823 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
7824
7825 @table @code
7826 @item set backtrace past-main
7827 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
7828 @anchor{set backtrace past-main}
7829 @kindex set backtrace
7830 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
7831
7832 @item set backtrace past-main off
7833 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
7834 default.
7835
7836 @item show backtrace past-main
7837 @kindex show backtrace
7838 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
7839
7840 @item set backtrace past-entry
7841 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
7842 @anchor{set backtrace past-entry}
7843 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
7844 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
7845 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
7846
7847 @item set backtrace past-entry off
7848 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
7849 application. This is the default.
7850
7851 @item show backtrace past-entry
7852 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
7853
7854 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
7855 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
7856 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
7857 @anchor{set backtrace limit}
7858 @cindex backtrace limit
7859 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
7860 or zero means unlimited levels.
7861
7862 @item show backtrace limit
7863 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
7864 @end table
7865
7866 You can control how file names are displayed.
7867
7868 @table @code
7869 @item set filename-display
7870 @itemx set filename-display relative
7871 @cindex filename-display
7872 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
7873
7874 @item set filename-display basename
7875 Display only basename of a filename.
7876
7877 @item set filename-display absolute
7878 Display an absolute filename.
7879
7880 @item show filename-display
7881 Show the current way to display filenames.
7882 @end table
7883
7884 @node Selection
7885 @section Selecting a Frame
7886
7887 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
7888 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
7889 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
7890 of the stack frame just selected.
7891
7892 @table @code
7893 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
7894 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
7895 @item frame @r{[} @var{frame-selection-spec} @r{]}
7896 @item f @r{[} @var{frame-selection-spec} @r{]}
7897 The @command{frame} command allows different stack frames to be
7898 selected. The @var{frame-selection-spec} can be any of the following:
7899
7900 @table @code
7901 @kindex frame level
7902 @item @var{num}
7903 @item level @var{num}
7904 Select frame level @var{num}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
7905 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
7906 innermost one, and so on. The highest level frame is usually the one
7907 for @code{main}.
7908
7909 As this is the most common method of navigating the frame stack, the
7910 string @command{level} can be omitted. For example, the following two
7911 commands are equivalent:
7912
7913 @smallexample
7914 (@value{GDBP}) frame 3
7915 (@value{GDBP}) frame level 3
7916 @end smallexample
7917
7918 @kindex frame address
7919 @item address @var{stack-address}
7920 Select the frame with stack address @var{stack-address}. The
7921 @var{stack-address} for a frame can be seen in the output of
7922 @command{info frame}, for example:
7923
7924 @smallexample
7925 (gdb) info frame
7926 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
7927 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
7928 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
7929 source language c++.
7930 Arglist at unknown address.
7931 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
7932 @end smallexample
7933
7934 The @var{stack-address} for this frame is @code{0x7fffffffda30} as
7935 indicated by the line:
7936
7937 @smallexample
7938 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
7939 @end smallexample
7940
7941 @kindex frame function
7942 @item function @var{function-name}
7943 Select the stack frame for function @var{function-name}. If there are
7944 multiple stack frames for function @var{function-name} then the inner
7945 most stack frame is selected.
7946
7947 @kindex frame view
7948 @item view @var{stack-address} @r{[} @var{pc-addr} @r{]}
7949 View a frame that is not part of @value{GDBN}'s backtrace. The frame
7950 viewed has stack address @var{stack-addr}, and optionally, a program
7951 counter address of @var{pc-addr}.
7952
7953 This is useful mainly if the chaining of stack frames has been
7954 damaged by a bug, making it impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign
7955 numbers properly to all frames. In addition, this can be useful
7956 when your program has multiple stacks and switches between them.
7957
7958 When viewing a frame outside the current backtrace using
7959 @command{frame view} then you can always return to the original
7960 stack using one of the previous stack frame selection instructions,
7961 for example @command{frame level 0}.
7962
7963 @end table
7964
7965 @kindex up
7966 @item up @var{n}
7967 Move @var{n} frames up the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For positive
7968 numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the outermost frame, to higher
7969 frame numbers, to frames that have existed longer.
7970
7971 @kindex down
7972 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
7973 @item down @var{n}
7974 Move @var{n} frames down the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For
7975 positive numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the innermost frame, to
7976 lower frame numbers, to frames that were created more recently.
7977 You may abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
7978 @end table
7979
7980 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
7981 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
7982 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
7983 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
7984
7985 @need 1000
7986 For example:
7987
7988 @smallexample
7989 @group
7990 (@value{GDBP}) up
7991 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
7992 at env.c:10
7993 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
7994 @end group
7995 @end smallexample
7996
7997 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
7998 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
7999 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
8000 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
8001 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
8002 for details.
8003
8004 @table @code
8005 @kindex select-frame
8006 @item select-frame @r{[} @var{frame-selection-spec} @r{]}
8007 The @code{select-frame} command is a variant of @code{frame} that does
8008 not display the new frame after selecting it. This command is
8009 intended primarily for use in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the
8010 output might be unnecessary and distracting. The
8011 @var{frame-selection-spec} is as for the @command{frame} command
8012 described in @ref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
8013
8014 @kindex down-silently
8015 @kindex up-silently
8016 @item up-silently @var{n}
8017 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
8018 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
8019 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
8020 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
8021 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
8022 distracting.
8023 @end table
8024
8025 @node Frame Info
8026 @section Information About a Frame
8027
8028 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
8029 stack frame.
8030
8031 @table @code
8032 @item frame
8033 @itemx f
8034 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
8035 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
8036 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
8037 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
8038 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
8039
8040 @kindex info frame
8041 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
8042 @item info frame
8043 @itemx info f
8044 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
8045 including:
8046
8047 @itemize @bullet
8048 @item
8049 the address of the frame
8050 @item
8051 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
8052 @item
8053 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
8054 @item
8055 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
8056 @item
8057 the address of the frame's arguments
8058 @item
8059 the address of the frame's local variables
8060 @item
8061 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
8062 @item
8063 which registers were saved in the frame
8064 @end itemize
8065
8066 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
8067 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
8068 the usual conventions.
8069
8070 @item info frame @r{[} @var{frame-selection-spec} @r{]}
8071 @itemx info f @r{[} @var{frame-selection-spec} @r{]}
8072 Print a verbose description of the frame selected by
8073 @var{frame-selection-spec}. The @var{frame-selection-spec} is the
8074 same as for the @command{frame} command (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting
8075 a Frame}). The selected frame remains unchanged by this command.
8076
8077 @kindex info args
8078 @item info args [-q]
8079 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
8080
8081 The optional flag @samp{-q}, which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables
8082 printing header information and messages explaining why no argument
8083 have been printed.
8084
8085 @item info args [-q] [-t @var{type_regexp}] [@var{regexp}]
8086 Like @kbd{info args}, but only print the arguments selected
8087 with the provided regexp(s).
8088
8089 If @var{regexp} is provided, print only the arguments whose names
8090 match the regular expression @var{regexp}.
8091
8092 If @var{type_regexp} is provided, print only the arguments whose
8093 types, as printed by the @code{whatis} command, match
8094 the regular expression @var{type_regexp}.
8095 If @var{type_regexp} contains space(s), it should be enclosed in
8096 quote characters. If needed, use backslash to escape the meaning
8097 of special characters or quotes.
8098
8099 If both @var{regexp} and @var{type_regexp} are provided, an argument
8100 is printed only if its name matches @var{regexp} and its type matches
8101 @var{type_regexp}.
8102
8103 @item info locals [-q]
8104 @kindex info locals
8105 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
8106 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
8107 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
8108
8109 The optional flag @samp{-q}, which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables
8110 printing header information and messages explaining why no local variables
8111 have been printed.
8112
8113 @item info locals [-q] [-t @var{type_regexp}] [@var{regexp}]
8114 Like @kbd{info locals}, but only print the local variables selected
8115 with the provided regexp(s).
8116
8117 If @var{regexp} is provided, print only the local variables whose names
8118 match the regular expression @var{regexp}.
8119
8120 If @var{type_regexp} is provided, print only the local variables whose
8121 types, as printed by the @code{whatis} command, match
8122 the regular expression @var{type_regexp}.
8123 If @var{type_regexp} contains space(s), it should be enclosed in
8124 quote characters. If needed, use backslash to escape the meaning
8125 of special characters or quotes.
8126
8127 If both @var{regexp} and @var{type_regexp} are provided, a local variable
8128 is printed only if its name matches @var{regexp} and its type matches
8129 @var{type_regexp}.
8130
8131 The command @kbd{info locals -q -t @var{type_regexp}} can usefully be
8132 combined with the commands @kbd{frame apply} and @kbd{thread apply}.
8133 For example, your program might use Resource Acquisition Is
8134 Initialization types (RAII) such as @code{lock_something_t}: each
8135 local variable of type @code{lock_something_t} automatically places a
8136 lock that is destroyed when the variable goes out of scope. You can
8137 then list all acquired locks in your program by doing
8138 @smallexample
8139 thread apply all -s frame apply all -s info locals -q -t lock_something_t
8140 @end smallexample
8141 @noindent
8142 or the equivalent shorter form
8143 @smallexample
8144 tfaas i lo -q -t lock_something_t
8145 @end smallexample
8146
8147 @end table
8148
8149 @node Frame Apply
8150 @section Applying a Command to Several Frames.
8151 @anchor{frame apply}
8152 @kindex frame apply
8153 @cindex apply command to several frames
8154 @table @code
8155 @item frame apply [all | @var{count} | @var{-count} | level @var{level}@dots{}] [@var{option}]@dots{} @var{command}
8156 The @code{frame apply} command allows you to apply the named
8157 @var{command} to one or more frames.
8158
8159 @table @code
8160 @item @code{all}
8161 Specify @code{all} to apply @var{command} to all frames.
8162
8163 @item @var{count}
8164 Use @var{count} to apply @var{command} to the innermost @var{count}
8165 frames, where @var{count} is a positive number.
8166
8167 @item @var{-count}
8168 Use @var{-count} to apply @var{command} to the outermost @var{count}
8169 frames, where @var{count} is a positive number.
8170
8171 @item @code{level}
8172 Use @code{level} to apply @var{command} to the set of frames identified
8173 by the @var{level} list. @var{level} is a frame level or a range of frame
8174 levels as @var{level1}-@var{level2}. The frame level is the number shown
8175 in the first field of the @samp{backtrace} command output.
8176 E.g., @samp{2-4 6-8 3} indicates to apply @var{command} for the frames
8177 at levels 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and then again on frame at level 3.
8178
8179 @end table
8180
8181 Note that the frames on which @code{frame apply} applies a command are
8182 also influenced by the @code{set backtrace} settings such as @code{set
8183 backtrace past-main} and @code{set backtrace limit N}.
8184 @xref{Backtrace,,Backtraces}.
8185
8186 The @code{frame apply} command also supports a number of options that
8187 allow overriding relevant @code{set backtrace} settings:
8188
8189 @table @code
8190 @item -past-main [@code{on}|@code{off}]
8191 Whether backtraces should continue past @code{main}.
8192 Related setting: @ref{set backtrace past-main}.
8193
8194 @item -past-entry [@code{on}|@code{off}]
8195 Whether backtraces should continue past the entry point of a program.
8196 Related setting: @ref{set backtrace past-entry}.
8197 @end table
8198
8199 By default, @value{GDBN} displays some frame information before the
8200 output produced by @var{command}, and an error raised during the
8201 execution of a @var{command} will abort @code{frame apply}. The
8202 following options can be used to fine-tune these behaviors:
8203
8204 @table @code
8205 @item -c
8206 The flag @code{-c}, which stands for @samp{continue}, causes any
8207 errors in @var{command} to be displayed, and the execution of
8208 @code{frame apply} then continues.
8209 @item -s
8210 The flag @code{-s}, which stands for @samp{silent}, causes any errors
8211 or empty output produced by a @var{command} to be silently ignored.
8212 That is, the execution continues, but the frame information and errors
8213 are not printed.
8214 @item -q
8215 The flag @code{-q} (@samp{quiet}) disables printing the frame
8216 information.
8217 @end table
8218
8219 The following example shows how the flags @code{-c} and @code{-s} are
8220 working when applying the command @code{p j} to all frames, where
8221 variable @code{j} can only be successfully printed in the outermost
8222 @code{#1 main} frame.
8223
8224 @smallexample
8225 @group
8226 (gdb) frame apply all p j
8227 #0 some_function (i=5) at fun.c:4
8228 No symbol "j" in current context.
8229 (gdb) frame apply all -c p j
8230 #0 some_function (i=5) at fun.c:4
8231 No symbol "j" in current context.
8232 #1 0x565555fb in main (argc=1, argv=0xffffd2c4) at fun.c:11
8233 $1 = 5
8234 (gdb) frame apply all -s p j
8235 #1 0x565555fb in main (argc=1, argv=0xffffd2c4) at fun.c:11
8236 $2 = 5
8237 (gdb)
8238 @end group
8239 @end smallexample
8240
8241 By default, @samp{frame apply}, prints the frame location
8242 information before the command output:
8243
8244 @smallexample
8245 @group
8246 (gdb) frame apply all p $sp
8247 #0 some_function (i=5) at fun.c:4
8248 $4 = (void *) 0xffffd1e0
8249 #1 0x565555fb in main (argc=1, argv=0xffffd2c4) at fun.c:11
8250 $5 = (void *) 0xffffd1f0
8251 (gdb)
8252 @end group
8253 @end smallexample
8254
8255 If the flag @code{-q} is given, no frame information is printed:
8256 @smallexample
8257 @group
8258 (gdb) frame apply all -q p $sp
8259 $12 = (void *) 0xffffd1e0
8260 $13 = (void *) 0xffffd1f0
8261 (gdb)
8262 @end group
8263 @end smallexample
8264
8265 @end table
8266
8267 @table @code
8268
8269 @kindex faas
8270 @cindex apply a command to all frames (ignoring errors and empty output)
8271 @item faas @var{command}
8272 Shortcut for @code{frame apply all -s @var{command}}.
8273 Applies @var{command} on all frames, ignoring errors and empty output.
8274
8275 It can for example be used to print a local variable or a function
8276 argument without knowing the frame where this variable or argument
8277 is, using:
8278 @smallexample
8279 (@value{GDBP}) faas p some_local_var_i_do_not_remember_where_it_is
8280 @end smallexample
8281
8282 The @code{faas} command accepts the same options as the @code{frame
8283 apply} command. @xref{frame apply}.
8284
8285 Note that the command @code{tfaas @var{command}} applies @var{command}
8286 on all frames of all threads. See @xref{Threads,,Threads}.
8287 @end table
8288
8289
8290 @node Frame Filter Management
8291 @section Management of Frame Filters.
8292 @cindex managing frame filters
8293
8294 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
8295 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
8296
8297 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
8298 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
8299
8300 @table @code
8301 @kindex info frame-filter
8302 @item info frame-filter
8303 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
8304 their name, priority and enabled status.
8305
8306 @kindex disable frame-filter
8307 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
8308 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
8309 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
8310 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
8311 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
8312 @code{progspace}, or the name of the object file where the frame filter
8313 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
8314 across all dictionaries are disabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name
8315 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
8316 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
8317 may be enabled again later.
8318
8319 @kindex enable frame-filter
8320 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
8321 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
8322 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
8323 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
8324 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
8325 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
8326 all dictionaries are enabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
8327 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
8328 @var{filter-dictionary}.
8329
8330 Example:
8331
8332 @smallexample
8333 (gdb) info frame-filter
8334
8335 global frame-filters:
8336 Priority Enabled Name
8337 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
8338 100 Yes Reverse
8339
8340 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8341 Priority Enabled Name
8342 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8343
8344 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8345 Priority Enabled Name
8346 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
8347
8348 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
8349 (gdb) info frame-filter
8350
8351 global frame-filters:
8352 Priority Enabled Name
8353 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
8354 100 Yes Reverse
8355
8356 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8357 Priority Enabled Name
8358 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8359
8360 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8361 Priority Enabled Name
8362 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8363
8364 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
8365 (gdb) info frame-filter
8366
8367 global frame-filters:
8368 Priority Enabled Name
8369 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
8370 100 Yes Reverse
8371
8372 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8373 Priority Enabled Name
8374 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8375
8376 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8377 Priority Enabled Name
8378 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8379 @end smallexample
8380
8381 @kindex set frame-filter priority
8382 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
8383 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
8384 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
8385 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
8386 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
8387 dictionary resides. The @var{priority} is an integer.
8388
8389 @kindex show frame-filter priority
8390 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
8391 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
8392 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
8393 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
8394 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
8395 dictionary resides.
8396
8397 Example:
8398
8399 @smallexample
8400 (gdb) info frame-filter
8401
8402 global frame-filters:
8403 Priority Enabled Name
8404 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
8405 100 Yes Reverse
8406
8407 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8408 Priority Enabled Name
8409 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8410
8411 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8412 Priority Enabled Name
8413 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8414
8415 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
8416 (gdb) info frame-filter
8417
8418 global frame-filters:
8419 Priority Enabled Name
8420 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
8421 50 Yes Reverse
8422
8423 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8424 Priority Enabled Name
8425 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8426
8427 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8428 Priority Enabled Name
8429 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8430 @end smallexample
8431 @end table
8432
8433 @node Source
8434 @chapter Examining Source Files
8435
8436 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
8437 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
8438 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
8439 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
8440 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
8441 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
8442 source files by explicit command.
8443
8444 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
8445 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
8446 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
8447
8448 @menu
8449 * List:: Printing source lines
8450 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
8451 * Edit:: Editing source files
8452 * Search:: Searching source files
8453 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
8454 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
8455 @end menu
8456
8457 @node List
8458 @section Printing Source Lines
8459
8460 @kindex list
8461 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
8462 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
8463 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
8464 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
8465 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
8466
8467 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
8468
8469 @table @code
8470 @item list @var{linenum}
8471 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
8472 current source file.
8473
8474 @item list @var{function}
8475 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
8476 @var{function}.
8477
8478 @item list
8479 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
8480 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
8481 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
8482 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
8483 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
8484
8485 @item list -
8486 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
8487 @end table
8488
8489 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
8490 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
8491 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
8492
8493 @table @code
8494 @kindex set listsize
8495 @item set listsize @var{count}
8496 @itemx set listsize unlimited
8497 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
8498 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
8499 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
8500
8501 @kindex show listsize
8502 @item show listsize
8503 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
8504 @end table
8505
8506 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
8507 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
8508 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
8509 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
8510 each repetition moves up in the source file.
8511
8512 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
8513 @dfn{locations}. Locations specify source lines; there are several ways
8514 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
8515 to specify some source line.
8516
8517 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
8518
8519 @table @code
8520 @item list @var{location}
8521 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{location}.
8522
8523 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
8524 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
8525 locations. When a @code{list} command has two locations, and the
8526 source file of the second location is omitted, this refers to
8527 the same source file as the first location.
8528
8529 @item list ,@var{last}
8530 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
8531
8532 @item list @var{first},
8533 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
8534
8535 @item list +
8536 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
8537
8538 @item list -
8539 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
8540
8541 @item list
8542 As described in the preceding table.
8543 @end table
8544
8545 @node Specify Location
8546 @section Specifying a Location
8547 @cindex specifying location
8548 @cindex location
8549 @cindex source location
8550
8551 @menu
8552 * Linespec Locations:: Linespec locations
8553 * Explicit Locations:: Explicit locations
8554 * Address Locations:: Address locations
8555 @end menu
8556
8557 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
8558 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
8559 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code.
8560 Locations may be specified using three different formats:
8561 linespec locations, explicit locations, or address locations.
8562
8563 @node Linespec Locations
8564 @subsection Linespec Locations
8565 @cindex linespec locations
8566
8567 A @dfn{linespec} is a colon-separated list of source location parameters such
8568 as file name, function name, etc. Here are all the different ways of
8569 specifying a linespec:
8570
8571 @table @code
8572 @item @var{linenum}
8573 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
8574
8575 @item -@var{offset}
8576 @itemx +@var{offset}
8577 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
8578 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
8579 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
8580 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
8581 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
8582 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
8583 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
8584 linespec.
8585
8586 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
8587 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
8588 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
8589 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
8590 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
8591 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
8592 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
8593
8594 @item @var{function}
8595 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
8596 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
8597
8598 By default, in C@t{++} and Ada, @var{function} is interpreted as
8599 specifying all functions named @var{function} in all scopes. For
8600 C@t{++}, this means in all namespaces and classes. For Ada, this
8601 means in all packages.
8602
8603 For example, assuming a program with C@t{++} symbols named
8604 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, both commands @w{@kbd{break
8605 func}} and @w{@kbd{break B::func}} set a breakpoint on both symbols.
8606
8607 Commands that accept a linespec let you override this with the
8608 @code{-qualified} option. For example, @w{@kbd{break -qualified
8609 func}} sets a breakpoint on a free-function named @code{func} ignoring
8610 any C@t{++} class methods and namespace functions called @code{func}.
8611
8612 @xref{Explicit Locations}.
8613
8614 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
8615 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
8616
8617 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
8618 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
8619 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
8620 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
8621 functions in different source files.
8622
8623 @item @var{label}
8624 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears
8625 in the function corresponding to the currently selected stack frame.
8626 If there is no current selected stack frame (for instance, if the inferior
8627 is not running), then @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
8628
8629 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
8630 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
8631 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
8632 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
8633 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
8634 specifies the location of such a static probe.
8635
8636 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
8637 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
8638 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
8639 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
8640 each one of those probes.
8641 @end table
8642
8643 @node Explicit Locations
8644 @subsection Explicit Locations
8645 @cindex explicit locations
8646
8647 @dfn{Explicit locations} allow the user to directly specify the source
8648 location's parameters using option-value pairs.
8649
8650 Explicit locations are useful when several functions, labels, or
8651 file names have the same name (base name for files) in the program's
8652 sources. In these cases, explicit locations point to the source
8653 line you meant more accurately and unambiguously. Also, using
8654 explicit locations might be faster in large programs.
8655
8656 For example, the linespec @samp{foo:bar} may refer to a function @code{bar}
8657 defined in the file named @file{foo} or the label @code{bar} in a function
8658 named @code{foo}. @value{GDBN} must search either the file system or
8659 the symbol table to know.
8660
8661 The list of valid explicit location options is summarized in the
8662 following table:
8663
8664 @table @code
8665 @item -source @var{filename}
8666 The value specifies the source file name. To differentiate between
8667 files with the same base name, prepend as many directories as is necessary
8668 to uniquely identify the desired file, e.g., @file{foo/bar/baz.c}. Otherwise
8669 @value{GDBN} will use the first file it finds with the given base
8670 name. This option requires the use of either @code{-function} or @code{-line}.
8671
8672 @item -function @var{function}
8673 The value specifies the name of a function. Operations
8674 on function locations unmodified by other options (such as @code{-label}
8675 or @code{-line}) refer to the line that begins the body of the function.
8676 In C, for example, this is the line with the open brace.
8677
8678 By default, in C@t{++} and Ada, @var{function} is interpreted as
8679 specifying all functions named @var{function} in all scopes. For
8680 C@t{++}, this means in all namespaces and classes. For Ada, this
8681 means in all packages.
8682
8683 For example, assuming a program with C@t{++} symbols named
8684 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, both commands @w{@kbd{break
8685 -function func}} and @w{@kbd{break -function B::func}} set a
8686 breakpoint on both symbols.
8687
8688 You can use the @kbd{-qualified} flag to override this (see below).
8689
8690 @item -qualified
8691
8692 This flag makes @value{GDBN} interpret a function name specified with
8693 @kbd{-function} as a complete fully-qualified name.
8694
8695 For example, assuming a C@t{++} program with symbols named
8696 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, the @w{@kbd{break -qualified
8697 -function B::func}} command sets a breakpoint on @code{B::func}, only.
8698
8699 (Note: the @kbd{-qualified} option can precede a linespec as well
8700 (@pxref{Linespec Locations}), so the particular example above could be
8701 simplified as @w{@kbd{break -qualified B::func}}.)
8702
8703 @item -label @var{label}
8704 The value specifies the name of a label. When the function
8705 name is not specified, the label is searched in the function of the currently
8706 selected stack frame.
8707
8708 @item -line @var{number}
8709 The value specifies a line offset for the location. The offset may either
8710 be absolute (@code{-line 3}) or relative (@code{-line +3}), depending on
8711 the command. When specified without any other options, the line offset is
8712 relative to the current line.
8713 @end table
8714
8715 Explicit location options may be abbreviated by omitting any non-unique
8716 trailing characters from the option name, e.g., @w{@kbd{break -s main.c -li 3}}.
8717
8718 @node Address Locations
8719 @subsection Address Locations
8720 @cindex address locations
8721
8722 @dfn{Address locations} indicate a specific program address. They have
8723 the generalized form *@var{address}.
8724
8725 For line-oriented commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this
8726 specifies a source line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and
8727 other breakpoint-oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
8728 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
8729 source files.
8730
8731 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
8732 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
8733 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
8734 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover several situations
8735 that frequently occur during debugging. Here are the various forms
8736 of @var{address}:
8737
8738 @table @code
8739 @item @var{expression}
8740 Any expression valid in the current working language.
8741
8742 @item @var{funcaddr}
8743 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
8744 C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
8745 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
8746 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
8747 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
8748 (although the Pascal form also works).
8749
8750 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
8751 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
8752
8753 @item '@var{filename}':@var{funcaddr}
8754 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
8755 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
8756 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
8757 functions with identical names in different source files.
8758 @end table
8759
8760 @node Edit
8761 @section Editing Source Files
8762 @cindex editing source files
8763
8764 @kindex edit
8765 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
8766 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
8767 The editing program of your choice
8768 is invoked with the current line set to
8769 the active line in the program.
8770 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
8771 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
8772
8773 @table @code
8774 @item edit @var{location}
8775 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
8776 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
8777 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
8778 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
8779 command most commonly used:
8780
8781 @table @code
8782 @item edit @var{number}
8783 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
8784
8785 @item edit @var{function}
8786 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
8787 @end table
8788
8789 @end table
8790
8791 @subsection Choosing your Editor
8792 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
8793 @footnote{
8794 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
8795 following command-line syntax:
8796 @smallexample
8797 ex +@var{number} file
8798 @end smallexample
8799 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
8800 the file where to start editing.}.
8801 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
8802 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
8803 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
8804 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
8805 @smallexample
8806 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
8807 export EDITOR
8808 gdb @dots{}
8809 @end smallexample
8810 or in the @code{csh} shell,
8811 @smallexample
8812 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
8813 gdb @dots{}
8814 @end smallexample
8815
8816 @node Search
8817 @section Searching Source Files
8818 @cindex searching source files
8819
8820 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
8821 regular expression.
8822
8823 @table @code
8824 @kindex search
8825 @kindex forward-search
8826 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
8827 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
8828 @itemx search @var{regexp}
8829 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
8830 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
8831 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
8832 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
8833 @code{fo}.
8834
8835 @kindex reverse-search
8836 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
8837 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
8838 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
8839 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
8840 this command as @code{rev}.
8841 @end table
8842
8843 @node Source Path
8844 @section Specifying Source Directories
8845
8846 @cindex source path
8847 @cindex directories for source files
8848 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
8849 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
8850 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
8851 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
8852 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
8853 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
8854 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
8855
8856 For example, suppose an executable references the file
8857 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
8858 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
8859 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
8860 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
8861 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
8862 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
8863 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
8864 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
8865 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
8866 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
8867
8868 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
8869 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
8870 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
8871 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
8872 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
8873 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
8874
8875 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
8876 source files.
8877
8878 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
8879 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
8880 each line is in the file.
8881
8882 @kindex directory
8883 @kindex dir
8884 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
8885 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
8886 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
8887
8888 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
8889 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
8890
8891 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
8892 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
8893 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
8894 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
8895 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
8896 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
8897 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
8898 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
8899 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
8900 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
8901 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
8902 name to look up the sources.
8903
8904 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
8905 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
8906 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
8907 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
8908 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
8909 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
8910 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
8911 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
8912
8913 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
8914 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
8915 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
8916 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
8917 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
8918 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
8919 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
8920
8921 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
8922 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
8923 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
8924 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
8925 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
8926 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
8927 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
8928 command.
8929
8930 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
8931 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
8932 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
8933 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
8934 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
8935 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
8936 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
8937
8938 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
8939 @cindex default source path substitution
8940 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
8941 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
8942 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
8943 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
8944 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
8945 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
8946 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
8947 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
8948 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
8949 together.
8950
8951 @table @code
8952 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
8953 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
8954 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
8955 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
8956 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
8957 part of absolute file names) or
8958 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
8959 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
8960
8961 @kindex cdir
8962 @kindex cwd
8963 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
8964 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
8965 @cindex compilation directory
8966 @cindex current directory
8967 @cindex working directory
8968 @cindex directory, current
8969 @cindex directory, compilation
8970 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
8971 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
8972 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
8973 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
8974 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
8975 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
8976
8977 @item directory
8978 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
8979
8980 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
8981 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
8982
8983 @item set directories @var{path-list}
8984 @kindex set directories
8985 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
8986 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
8987
8988 @item show directories
8989 @kindex show directories
8990 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
8991
8992 @anchor{set substitute-path}
8993 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
8994 @kindex set substitute-path
8995 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
8996 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
8997 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
8998
8999 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
9000 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
9001
9002 @smallexample
9003 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /foo/bar /mnt/cross
9004 @end smallexample
9005
9006 @noindent
9007 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/foo/bar} with
9008 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
9009 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
9010
9011 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
9012 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
9013 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
9014 the substitution.
9015
9016 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
9017
9018 @smallexample
9019 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
9020 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
9021 @end smallexample
9022
9023 @noindent
9024 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
9025 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
9026 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
9027 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
9028
9029
9030 @item unset substitute-path [path]
9031 @kindex unset substitute-path
9032 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
9033 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
9034 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
9035
9036 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
9037
9038 @item show substitute-path [path]
9039 @kindex show substitute-path
9040 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
9041 which would rewrite that path, if any.
9042
9043 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
9044 rules.
9045
9046 @end table
9047
9048 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
9049 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
9050 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
9051
9052 @enumerate
9053 @item
9054 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
9055
9056 @item
9057 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
9058 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
9059 directories in one command.
9060 @end enumerate
9061
9062 @node Machine Code
9063 @section Source and Machine Code
9064 @cindex source line and its code address
9065
9066 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
9067 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
9068 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
9069 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
9070 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
9071 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
9072 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
9073 well as hex.
9074
9075 @table @code
9076 @kindex info line
9077 @item info line
9078 @itemx info line @var{location}
9079 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
9080 source line @var{location}. You can specify source lines in any of
9081 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}. With no @var{location}
9082 information about the current source line is printed.
9083 @end table
9084
9085 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
9086 the object code for the first line of function
9087 @code{m4_changequote}:
9088
9089 @smallexample
9090 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
9091 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c <m4_changequote> and \
9092 ends at 0x6350 <m4_changequote+4>.
9093 @end smallexample
9094
9095 @noindent
9096 @cindex code address and its source line
9097 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
9098 @var{location}) what source line covers a particular address:
9099 @smallexample
9100 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
9101 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 <m4_changequote+152> and \
9102 ends at 0x6404 <m4_changequote+184>.
9103 @end smallexample
9104
9105 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
9106 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
9107 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
9108 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
9109 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
9110 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
9111 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
9112 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
9113 Variables}).
9114
9115 @cindex info line, repeated calls
9116 After @code{info line}, using @code{info line} again without
9117 specifying a location will display information about the next source
9118 line.
9119
9120 @table @code
9121 @kindex disassemble
9122 @cindex assembly instructions
9123 @cindex instructions, assembly
9124 @cindex machine instructions
9125 @cindex listing machine instructions
9126 @item disassemble
9127 @itemx disassemble /m
9128 @itemx disassemble /s
9129 @itemx disassemble /r
9130 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
9131 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
9132 the @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex
9133 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
9134 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
9135 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
9136 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
9137 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
9138 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
9139 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
9140
9141 @table @code
9142 @item @var{start},@var{end}
9143 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
9144 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
9145 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
9146 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
9147 @end table
9148
9149 @noindent
9150 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
9151 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
9152
9153 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
9154 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
9155
9156 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
9157 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
9158 @end table
9159
9160 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
9161 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
9162
9163 @smallexample
9164 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
9165 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
9166 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
9167 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
9168 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
9169 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
9170 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
9171 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
9172 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
9173 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
9174 End of assembler dump.
9175 @end smallexample
9176
9177 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86
9178 with @code{/m} or @code{/s}, when the program is stopped just after
9179 function prologue in a non-optimized function with no inline code.
9180
9181 @smallexample
9182 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
9183 Dump of assembler code for function main:
9184 5 @{
9185 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
9186 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
9187 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
9188 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
9189 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
9190
9191 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
9192 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
9193 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
9194
9195 7 return 0;
9196 8 @}
9197 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
9198 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
9199 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
9200
9201 End of assembler dump.
9202 @end smallexample
9203
9204 The @code{/m} option is deprecated as its output is not useful when
9205 there is either inlined code or re-ordered code.
9206 The @code{/s} option is the preferred choice.
9207 Here is an example for AMD x86-64 showing the difference between
9208 @code{/m} output and @code{/s} output.
9209 This example has one inline function defined in a header file,
9210 and the code is compiled with @samp{-O2} optimization.
9211 Note how the @code{/m} output is missing the disassembly of
9212 several instructions that are present in the @code{/s} output.
9213
9214 @file{foo.h}:
9215
9216 @smallexample
9217 int
9218 foo (int a)
9219 @{
9220 if (a < 0)
9221 return a * 2;
9222 if (a == 0)
9223 return 1;
9224 return a + 10;
9225 @}
9226 @end smallexample
9227
9228 @file{foo.c}:
9229
9230 @smallexample
9231 #include "foo.h"
9232 volatile int x, y;
9233 int
9234 main ()
9235 @{
9236 x = foo (y);
9237 return 0;
9238 @}
9239 @end smallexample
9240
9241 @smallexample
9242 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
9243 Dump of assembler code for function main:
9244 5 @{
9245
9246 6 x = foo (y);
9247 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
9248 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
9249
9250 7 return 0;
9251 8 @}
9252 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
9253 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
9254 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
9255 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
9256
9257 End of assembler dump.
9258 (@value{GDBP}) disas /s main
9259 Dump of assembler code for function main:
9260 foo.c:
9261 5 @{
9262 6 x = foo (y);
9263 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
9264
9265 foo.h:
9266 4 if (a < 0)
9267 0x0000000000400406 <+6>: test %eax,%eax
9268 0x0000000000400408 <+8>: js 0x400420 <main+32>
9269
9270 6 if (a == 0)
9271 7 return 1;
9272 8 return a + 10;
9273 0x000000000040040a <+10>: lea 0xa(%rax),%edx
9274 0x000000000040040d <+13>: test %eax,%eax
9275 0x000000000040040f <+15>: mov $0x1,%eax
9276 0x0000000000400414 <+20>: cmovne %edx,%eax
9277
9278 foo.c:
9279 6 x = foo (y);
9280 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
9281
9282 7 return 0;
9283 8 @}
9284 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
9285 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
9286
9287 foo.h:
9288 5 return a * 2;
9289 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
9290 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
9291 End of assembler dump.
9292 @end smallexample
9293
9294 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
9295
9296 @smallexample
9297 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
9298 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
9299 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
9300 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
9301 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
9302 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
9303 End of assembler dump.
9304 @end smallexample
9305
9306 Addresses cannot be specified as a location (@pxref{Specify Location}).
9307 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
9308 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
9309 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
9310
9311 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
9312 mnemonics or other syntax.
9313
9314 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
9315 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
9316 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
9317 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
9318 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
9319
9320 @table @code
9321 @kindex set disassembler-options
9322 @cindex disassembler options
9323 @item set disassembler-options @var{option1}[,@var{option2}@dots{}]
9324 This command controls the passing of target specific information to
9325 the disassembler. For a list of valid options, please refer to the
9326 @code{-M}/@code{--disassembler-options} section of the @samp{objdump}
9327 manual and/or the output of @kbd{objdump --help}
9328 (@pxref{objdump,,objdump,binutils,The GNU Binary Utilities}).
9329 The default value is the empty string.
9330
9331 If it is necessary to specify more than one disassembler option, then
9332 multiple options can be placed together into a comma separated list.
9333 Currently this command is only supported on targets ARM, MIPS, PowerPC
9334 and S/390.
9335
9336 @kindex show disassembler-options
9337 @item show disassembler-options
9338 Show the current setting of the disassembler options.
9339 @end table
9340
9341 @table @code
9342 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
9343 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
9344 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
9345 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
9346 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
9347 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
9348
9349 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
9350 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
9351 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
9352 assemblers for x86-based targets.
9353
9354 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
9355 @item show disassembly-flavor
9356 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
9357 @end table
9358
9359 @table @code
9360 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
9361 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
9362 @item set disassemble-next-line
9363 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
9364 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
9365 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
9366 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
9367 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
9368 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
9369 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
9370 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
9371 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
9372 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
9373 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
9374 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
9375 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
9376 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
9377 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
9378 instruction.
9379 @end table
9380
9381
9382 @node Data
9383 @chapter Examining Data
9384
9385 @cindex printing data
9386 @cindex examining data
9387 @kindex print
9388 @kindex inspect
9389 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
9390 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
9391 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
9392 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
9393 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
9394 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
9395
9396 @table @code
9397 @item print [[@var{options}] --] @var{expr}
9398 @itemx print [[@var{options}] --] /@var{f} @var{expr}
9399 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
9400 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
9401 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
9402 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
9403 Formats}.
9404
9405 @anchor{print options}
9406 The @code{print} command supports a number of options that allow
9407 overriding relevant global print settings as set by @code{set print}
9408 subcommands:
9409
9410 @table @code
9411 @item -address [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9412 Set printing of addresses.
9413 Related setting: @ref{set print address}.
9414
9415 @item -array [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9416 Pretty formatting of arrays.
9417 Related setting: @ref{set print array}.
9418
9419 @item -array-indexes [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9420 Set printing of array indexes.
9421 Related setting: @ref{set print array-indexes}.
9422
9423 @item -elements @var{number-of-elements}|@code{unlimited}
9424 Set limit on string chars or array elements to print. The value
9425 @code{unlimited} causes there to be no limit. Related setting:
9426 @ref{set print elements}.
9427
9428 @item -max-depth @var{depth}|@code{unlimited}
9429 Set the threshold after which nested structures are replaced with
9430 ellipsis. Related setting: @ref{set print max-depth}.
9431
9432 @item -null-stop [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9433 Set printing of char arrays to stop at first null char. Related
9434 setting: @ref{set print null-stop}.
9435
9436 @item -object [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9437 Set printing C@t{++} virtual function tables. Related setting:
9438 @ref{set print object}.
9439
9440 @item -pretty [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9441 Set pretty formatting of structures. Related setting: @ref{set print
9442 pretty}.
9443
9444 @item -repeats @var{number-of-repeats}|@code{unlimited}
9445 Set threshold for repeated print elements. @code{unlimited} causes
9446 all elements to be individually printed. Related setting: @ref{set
9447 print repeats}.
9448
9449 @item -static-members [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9450 Set printing C@t{++} static members. Related setting: @ref{set print
9451 static-members}.
9452
9453 @item -symbol [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9454 Set printing of symbol names when printing pointers. Related setting:
9455 @ref{set print symbol}.
9456
9457 @item -union [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9458 Set printing of unions interior to structures. Related setting:
9459 @ref{set print union}.
9460
9461 @item -vtbl [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9462 Set printing of C++ virtual function tables. Related setting:
9463 @ref{set print vtbl}.
9464 @end table
9465
9466 Because the @code{print} command accepts arbitrary expressions which
9467 may look like options (including abbreviations), if you specify any
9468 command option, then you must use a double dash (@code{--}) to mark
9469 the end of option processing.
9470
9471 For example, this prints the value of the @code{-r} expression:
9472
9473 @smallexample
9474 (@value{GDBP}) print -r
9475 @end smallexample
9476
9477 While this repeats the last value in the value history (see below)
9478 with the @code{-raw} option in effect:
9479
9480 @smallexample
9481 (@value{GDBP}) print -r --
9482 @end smallexample
9483
9484 Here is an example including both on option and an expression:
9485
9486 @smallexample
9487 @group
9488 (@value{GDBP}) print -pretty -- *myptr
9489 $1 = @{
9490 next = 0x0,
9491 flags = @{
9492 sweet = 1,
9493 sour = 1
9494 @},
9495 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
9496 @}
9497 @end group
9498 @end smallexample
9499
9500 @item print [@var{options}]
9501 @itemx print [@var{options}] /@var{f}
9502 @cindex reprint the last value
9503 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
9504 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
9505 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
9506 @end table
9507
9508 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
9509 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
9510 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
9511
9512 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
9513 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
9514 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
9515 Table}.
9516
9517 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
9518 @kindex explore
9519 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
9520 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
9521 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
9522 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
9523 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
9524 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
9525 embedded in the higher level data types.
9526
9527 @table @code
9528 @item explore @var{arg}
9529 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
9530 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
9531 @end table
9532
9533 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
9534 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
9535 C program as
9536
9537 @smallexample
9538 struct SimpleStruct
9539 @{
9540 int i;
9541 double d;
9542 @};
9543
9544 struct ComplexStruct
9545 @{
9546 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
9547 int arr[10];
9548 @};
9549 @end smallexample
9550
9551 @noindent
9552 followed by variable declarations as
9553
9554 @smallexample
9555 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
9556 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
9557 @end smallexample
9558
9559 @noindent
9560 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
9561 @code{explore} command as follows.
9562
9563 @smallexample
9564 (gdb) explore cs
9565 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
9566 the following fields:
9567
9568 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
9569 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
9570
9571 Enter the field number of choice:
9572 @end smallexample
9573
9574 @noindent
9575 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
9576 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
9577 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
9578 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
9579 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
9580 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
9581 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
9582 field will be explored as if it were an array.
9583
9584 @smallexample
9585 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
9586 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
9587 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
9588 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
9589
9590 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
9591 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
9592
9593 Press enter to return to parent value:
9594 @end smallexample
9595
9596 @noindent
9597 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
9598 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
9599 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
9600 to explore.
9601
9602 @smallexample
9603 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
9604 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
9605
9606 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
9607
9608 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
9609
9610 Press enter to return to parent value:
9611 @end smallexample
9612
9613 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
9614 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
9615 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
9616 level data structure).
9617
9618 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
9619 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
9620 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
9621 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
9622 same example as above, your can explore the type
9623 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
9624 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
9625
9626 @smallexample
9627 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
9628 @end smallexample
9629
9630 @noindent
9631 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
9632 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
9633 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
9634 example.
9635
9636 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
9637 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
9638 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
9639 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
9640 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
9641
9642 @table @code
9643 @item explore value @var{expr}
9644 @cindex explore value
9645 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
9646 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
9647 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
9648 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
9649 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
9650
9651 @item explore type @var{arg}
9652 @cindex explore type
9653 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
9654 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
9655 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
9656 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
9657 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
9658 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
9659 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
9660 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
9661 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
9662 @end table
9663
9664 @menu
9665 * Expressions:: Expressions
9666 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
9667 * Variables:: Program variables
9668 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
9669 * Output Formats:: Output formats
9670 * Memory:: Examining memory
9671 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
9672 * Print Settings:: Print settings
9673 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
9674 * Value History:: Value history
9675 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
9676 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
9677 * Registers:: Registers
9678 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
9679 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
9680 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
9681 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
9682 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
9683 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
9684 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
9685 character set than GDB does
9686 * Caching Target Data:: Data caching for targets
9687 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
9688 * Value Sizes:: Managing memory allocated for values
9689 @end menu
9690
9691 @node Expressions
9692 @section Expressions
9693
9694 @cindex expressions
9695 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
9696 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
9697 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
9698 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
9699 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
9700 you compiled your program to include this information; see
9701 @ref{Compilation}.
9702
9703 @cindex arrays in expressions
9704 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
9705 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
9706 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
9707 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
9708 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
9709 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
9710
9711 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
9712 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
9713 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
9714 languages.
9715
9716 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
9717 expressions regardless of your programming language.
9718
9719 @cindex casts, in expressions
9720 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
9721 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
9722 at that address in memory.
9723 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
9724
9725 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
9726 to programming languages:
9727
9728 @table @code
9729 @item @@
9730 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
9731 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
9732
9733 @item ::
9734 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
9735 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
9736
9737 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
9738 @cindex type casting memory
9739 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
9740 @cindex casts, to view memory
9741 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
9742 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
9743 memory. The address @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is
9744 an integer or pointer (but parentheses are required around binary
9745 operators, just as in a cast). This construct is allowed regardless
9746 of what kind of data is normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
9747 @end table
9748
9749 @node Ambiguous Expressions
9750 @section Ambiguous Expressions
9751 @cindex ambiguous expressions
9752
9753 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
9754 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
9755 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
9756 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
9757 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
9758 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
9759 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
9760
9761 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
9762 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
9763 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
9764 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
9765 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
9766 as well.
9767
9768 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
9769 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
9770 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
9771 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
9772 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
9773 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
9774 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
9775 choices.
9776
9777 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
9778 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
9779 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
9780
9781 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
9782 @smallexample
9783 @group
9784 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
9785 [0] cancel
9786 [1] all
9787 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
9788 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
9789 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
9790 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
9791 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
9792 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
9793 > 2 4 6
9794 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
9795 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
9796 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
9797 Multiple breakpoints were set.
9798 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
9799 breakpoints.
9800 (@value{GDBP})
9801 @end group
9802 @end smallexample
9803
9804 @table @code
9805 @kindex set multiple-symbols
9806 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
9807 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
9808
9809 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
9810 is ambiguous.
9811
9812 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
9813 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
9814 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
9815 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
9816 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
9817 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
9818 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
9819 in the use of the menu.
9820
9821 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
9822 when an ambiguity is detected.
9823
9824 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
9825 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
9826
9827 @kindex show multiple-symbols
9828 @item show multiple-symbols
9829 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
9830 @end table
9831
9832 @node Variables
9833 @section Program Variables
9834
9835 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
9836 in your program.
9837
9838 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
9839 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
9840
9841 @itemize @bullet
9842 @item
9843 global (or file-static)
9844 @end itemize
9845
9846 @noindent or
9847
9848 @itemize @bullet
9849 @item
9850 visible according to the scope rules of the
9851 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
9852 @end itemize
9853
9854 @noindent This means that in the function
9855
9856 @smallexample
9857 foo (a)
9858 int a;
9859 @{
9860 bar (a);
9861 @{
9862 int b = test ();
9863 bar (b);
9864 @}
9865 @}
9866 @end smallexample
9867
9868 @noindent
9869 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
9870 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
9871 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
9872 the block where @code{b} is declared.
9873
9874 @cindex variable name conflict
9875 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
9876 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
9877 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
9878 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
9879 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
9880 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
9881 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
9882
9883 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
9884 @ifnotinfo
9885 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
9886 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
9887 @end ifnotinfo
9888 @smallexample
9889 @var{file}::@var{variable}
9890 @var{function}::@var{variable}
9891 @end smallexample
9892
9893 @noindent
9894 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
9895 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
9896 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
9897 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
9898
9899 @smallexample
9900 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
9901 @end smallexample
9902
9903 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
9904 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
9905 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
9906 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
9907 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
9908
9909 @smallexample
9910 void
9911 foo (int a)
9912 @{
9913 if (a < 10)
9914 bar (a);
9915 else
9916 process (a); /* Stop here */
9917 @}
9918
9919 int
9920 bar (int a)
9921 @{
9922 foo (a + 5);
9923 @}
9924 @end smallexample
9925
9926 @noindent
9927 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
9928 here is what you might see
9929 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
9930
9931 @smallexample
9932 (@value{GDBP}) p a
9933 $1 = 10
9934 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
9935 $2 = 5
9936 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
9937 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
9938 (@value{GDBP}) p a
9939 $3 = 5
9940 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
9941 $4 = 0
9942 @end smallexample
9943
9944 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
9945 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very
9946 similar use of the same notation in C@t{++}. When they are in
9947 conflict, the C@t{++} meaning takes precedence; however, this can be
9948 overridden by quoting the file or function name with single quotes.
9949
9950 For example, suppose the program is stopped in a method of a class
9951 that has a field named @code{includefile}, and there is also an
9952 include file named @file{includefile} that defines a variable,
9953 @code{some_global}.
9954
9955 @smallexample
9956 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile
9957 $1 = 23
9958 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile::some_global
9959 A syntax error in expression, near `'.
9960 (@value{GDBP}) p 'includefile'::some_global
9961 $2 = 27
9962 @end smallexample
9963
9964 @cindex wrong values
9965 @cindex variable values, wrong
9966 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
9967 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
9968 @quotation
9969 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
9970 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
9971 scope, and just before exit.
9972 @end quotation
9973 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
9974 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
9975 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
9976 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
9977 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
9978 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
9979 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
9980 variable definitions may be gone.
9981
9982 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
9983 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
9984 when compiling.
9985
9986 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
9987 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
9988 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
9989 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
9990 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
9991 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
9992 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
9993
9994 @smallexample
9995 No symbol "foo" in current context.
9996 @end smallexample
9997
9998 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
9999 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
10000 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
10001 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
10002 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
10003
10004 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
10005 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
10006 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
10007 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
10008
10009 @cindex no debug info variables
10010 If you try to examine or use the value of a (global) variable for
10011 which @value{GDBN} has no type information, e.g., because the program
10012 includes no debug information, @value{GDBN} displays an error message.
10013 @xref{Symbols, unknown type}, for more about unknown types. If you
10014 cast the variable to its declared type, @value{GDBN} gets the
10015 variable's value using the cast-to type as the variable's type. For
10016 example, in a C program:
10017
10018 @smallexample
10019 (@value{GDBP}) p var
10020 'var' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
10021 (@value{GDBP}) p (float) var
10022 $1 = 3.14
10023 @end smallexample
10024
10025 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
10026 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
10027 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
10028 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
10029 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
10030
10031 @smallexample
10032 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
10033 29 i++;
10034 (gdb) next
10035 30 e (i);
10036 (gdb) print i
10037 $1 = 31
10038 (gdb) print i@@entry
10039 $2 = 30
10040 @end smallexample
10041
10042 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
10043 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
10044 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
10045 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
10046 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
10047 For program code
10048
10049 @smallexample
10050 char var0[] = "A";
10051 signed char var1[] = "A";
10052 @end smallexample
10053
10054 You get during debugging
10055 @smallexample
10056 (gdb) print var0
10057 $1 = "A"
10058 (gdb) print var1
10059 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
10060 @end smallexample
10061
10062 @node Arrays
10063 @section Artificial Arrays
10064
10065 @cindex artificial array
10066 @cindex arrays
10067 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
10068 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
10069 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
10070 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
10071 program.
10072
10073 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
10074 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
10075 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
10076 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
10077 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
10078 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
10079 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
10080 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
10081 example. If a program says
10082
10083 @smallexample
10084 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
10085 @end smallexample
10086
10087 @noindent
10088 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
10089
10090 @smallexample
10091 p *array@@len
10092 @end smallexample
10093
10094 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
10095 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
10096 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
10097 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
10098 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
10099
10100 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
10101 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
10102 The value need not be in memory:
10103 @smallexample
10104 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
10105 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
10106 @end smallexample
10107
10108 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
10109 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
10110 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
10111 @smallexample
10112 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
10113 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
10114 @end smallexample
10115
10116 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
10117 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
10118 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
10119 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
10120 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
10121 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
10122 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
10123 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
10124 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
10125 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
10126
10127 @smallexample
10128 set $i = 0
10129 p dtab[$i++]->fv
10130 @key{RET}
10131 @key{RET}
10132 @dots{}
10133 @end smallexample
10134
10135 @node Output Formats
10136 @section Output Formats
10137
10138 @cindex formatted output
10139 @cindex output formats
10140 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
10141 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
10142 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
10143 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
10144 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
10145
10146 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
10147 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
10148 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
10149 letters supported are:
10150
10151 @table @code
10152 @item x
10153 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
10154 hexadecimal.
10155
10156 @item d
10157 Print as integer in signed decimal.
10158
10159 @item u
10160 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
10161
10162 @item o
10163 Print as integer in octal.
10164
10165 @item t
10166 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
10167 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
10168 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
10169 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
10170
10171 @item a
10172 @cindex unknown address, locating
10173 @cindex locate address
10174 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
10175 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
10176 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
10177
10178 @smallexample
10179 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
10180 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
10181 @end smallexample
10182
10183 @noindent
10184 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
10185 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
10186
10187 @item c
10188 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
10189 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
10190 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
10191 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
10192
10193 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
10194 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
10195 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
10196 data.
10197
10198 @item f
10199 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
10200 using typical floating point syntax.
10201
10202 @item s
10203 @cindex printing strings
10204 @cindex printing byte arrays
10205 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
10206 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
10207 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
10208 natural types.
10209
10210 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
10211 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
10212 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
10213 array.
10214
10215 @item z
10216 Like @samp{x} formatting, the value is treated as an integer and
10217 printed as hexadecimal, but leading zeros are printed to pad the value
10218 to the size of the integer type.
10219
10220 @item r
10221 @cindex raw printing
10222 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
10223 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
10224 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
10225 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
10226 pretty-printer which might exist.
10227 @end table
10228
10229 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
10230
10231 @smallexample
10232 p/x $pc
10233 @end smallexample
10234
10235 @noindent
10236 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
10237 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
10238
10239 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
10240 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
10241 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
10242
10243 @node Memory
10244 @section Examining Memory
10245
10246 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
10247 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
10248
10249 @cindex examining memory
10250 @table @code
10251 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
10252 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
10253 @itemx x @var{addr}
10254 @itemx x
10255 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
10256 @end table
10257
10258 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
10259 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
10260 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
10261 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
10262 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
10263
10264 @table @r
10265 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
10266 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
10267 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display. If a negative
10268 number is specified, memory is examined backward from @var{addr}.
10269 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
10270 @c 4.1.2.
10271
10272 @item @var{f}, the display format
10273 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
10274 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
10275 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
10276 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
10277 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
10278
10279 @item @var{u}, the unit size
10280 The unit size is any of
10281
10282 @table @code
10283 @item b
10284 Bytes.
10285 @item h
10286 Halfwords (two bytes).
10287 @item w
10288 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
10289 @item g
10290 Giant words (eight bytes).
10291 @end table
10292
10293 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
10294 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
10295 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
10296 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
10297 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
10298 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
10299 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
10300 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
10301 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
10302 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
10303 be altered.
10304
10305 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
10306 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
10307 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
10308 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
10309 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
10310 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
10311 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
10312 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
10313 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
10314 a value from memory).
10315 @end table
10316
10317 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
10318 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
10319 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
10320 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
10321 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
10322
10323 You can also specify a negative repeat count to examine memory backward
10324 from the given address. For example, @samp{x/-3uh 0x54320} prints three
10325 halfwords (@code{h}) at @code{0x54314}, @code{0x54328}, and @code{0x5431c}.
10326
10327 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
10328 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
10329 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
10330 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
10331 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
10332
10333 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
10334 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
10335 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
10336 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
10337 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
10338 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
10339 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
10340 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
10341 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
10342
10343 If a negative repeat count is specified for the formats @samp{s} or @samp{i},
10344 the command displays null-terminated strings or instructions before the given
10345 address as many as the absolute value of the given number. For the @samp{i}
10346 format, we use line number information in the debug info to accurately locate
10347 instruction boundaries while disassembling backward. If line info is not
10348 available, the command stops examining memory with an error message.
10349
10350 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
10351 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
10352 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
10353 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
10354 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
10355 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
10356 for successive uses of @code{x}.
10357
10358 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
10359 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
10360
10361 @smallexample
10362 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
10363 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
10364 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
10365 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
10366 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
10367 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
10368 @end smallexample
10369
10370 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
10371 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
10372 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
10373 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
10374 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
10375 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
10376 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
10377 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
10378 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
10379
10380 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
10381 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
10382 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
10383
10384 @anchor{addressable memory unit}
10385 @cindex addressable memory unit
10386 Most targets have an addressable memory unit size of 8 bits. This means
10387 that to each memory address are associated 8 bits of data. Some
10388 targets, however, have other addressable memory unit sizes.
10389 Within @value{GDBN} and this document, the term
10390 @dfn{addressable memory unit} (or @dfn{memory unit} for short) is used
10391 when explicitly referring to a chunk of data of that size. The word
10392 @dfn{byte} is used to refer to a chunk of data of 8 bits, regardless of
10393 the addressable memory unit size of the target. For most systems,
10394 addressable memory unit is a synonym of byte.
10395
10396 @cindex remote memory comparison
10397 @cindex target memory comparison
10398 @cindex verify remote memory image
10399 @cindex verify target memory image
10400 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
10401 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image
10402 in the remote machine's memory against the executable file you
10403 downloaded to the target. Or, on any target, you may want to check
10404 whether the program has corrupted its own read-only sections. The
10405 @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such situations.
10406
10407 @table @code
10408 @kindex compare-sections
10409 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{|}@code{-r}@r{]}
10410 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
10411 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
10412 the target machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
10413 arguments, compares all loadable sections. With an argument of
10414 @code{-r}, compares all loadable read-only sections.
10415
10416 Note: for remote targets, this command can be accelerated if the
10417 target supports computing the CRC checksum of a block of memory
10418 (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
10419 @end table
10420
10421 @node Auto Display
10422 @section Automatic Display
10423 @cindex automatic display
10424 @cindex display of expressions
10425
10426 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
10427 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
10428 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
10429 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
10430 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
10431 The automatic display looks like this:
10432
10433 @smallexample
10434 2: foo = 38
10435 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
10436 @end smallexample
10437
10438 @noindent
10439 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
10440 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
10441 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
10442 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
10443 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
10444 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
10445
10446 @table @code
10447 @kindex display
10448 @item display @var{expr}
10449 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
10450 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
10451
10452 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
10453
10454 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
10455 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
10456 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
10457 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
10458 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
10459
10460 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
10461 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
10462 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
10463 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
10464 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
10465 @end table
10466
10467 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
10468 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
10469 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
10470
10471 @table @code
10472 @kindex delete display
10473 @kindex undisplay
10474 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
10475 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
10476 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
10477 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
10478 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
10479 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
10480 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
10481
10482 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
10483 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
10484
10485 @kindex disable display
10486 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
10487 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
10488 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
10489 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
10490 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
10491 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
10492 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
10493 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
10494
10495 @kindex enable display
10496 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
10497 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
10498 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
10499 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
10500 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
10501 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
10502 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
10503
10504 @item display
10505 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
10506 done when your program stops.
10507
10508 @kindex info display
10509 @item info display
10510 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
10511 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
10512 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
10513 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
10514 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
10515 @end table
10516
10517 @cindex display disabled out of scope
10518 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
10519 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
10520 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
10521 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
10522 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
10523 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
10524 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
10525 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
10526 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
10527 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
10528
10529 @node Print Settings
10530 @section Print Settings
10531
10532 @cindex format options
10533 @cindex print settings
10534 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
10535 and symbols are printed.
10536
10537 @noindent
10538 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
10539
10540 @table @code
10541 @kindex set print
10542 @anchor{set print address}
10543 @item set print address
10544 @itemx set print address on
10545 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
10546 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
10547 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
10548 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
10549 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
10550 @code{set print address on}:
10551
10552 @smallexample
10553 @group
10554 (@value{GDBP}) f
10555 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
10556 at input.c:530
10557 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
10558 @end group
10559 @end smallexample
10560
10561 @item set print address off
10562 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
10563 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
10564
10565 @smallexample
10566 @group
10567 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
10568 (@value{GDBP}) f
10569 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
10570 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
10571 @end group
10572 @end smallexample
10573
10574 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
10575 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
10576 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
10577 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
10578
10579 @kindex show print
10580 @item show print address
10581 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
10582 @end table
10583
10584 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
10585 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
10586 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
10587 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
10588 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
10589 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
10590 it prints a symbolic address:
10591
10592 @table @code
10593 @item set print symbol-filename on
10594 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
10595 @cindex symbol, source file and line
10596 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
10597 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
10598
10599 @item set print symbol-filename off
10600 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
10601 default.
10602
10603 @item show print symbol-filename
10604 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
10605 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
10606 @end table
10607
10608 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
10609 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
10610 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
10611
10612 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
10613 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
10614
10615 @table @code
10616 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
10617 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
10618 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
10619 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
10620 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
10621 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
10622 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
10623 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
10624
10625 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
10626 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
10627 symbolic address.
10628 @end table
10629
10630 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
10631 @cindex pointer, finding referent
10632 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
10633 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
10634 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
10635 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
10636 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
10637 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
10638
10639 @smallexample
10640 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
10641 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
10642 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
10643 @end smallexample
10644
10645 @quotation
10646 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
10647 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
10648 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
10649 @end quotation
10650
10651 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
10652 @samp{set print symbol on}:
10653
10654 @anchor{set print symbol}
10655 @table @code
10656 @item set print symbol on
10657 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
10658 one exists.
10659
10660 @item set print symbol off
10661 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
10662 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
10663 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
10664
10665 @item show print symbol
10666 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
10667 address.
10668 @end table
10669
10670 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
10671
10672 @table @code
10673 @anchor{set print array}
10674 @item set print array
10675 @itemx set print array on
10676 @cindex pretty print arrays
10677 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
10678 but uses more space. The default is off.
10679
10680 @item set print array off
10681 Return to compressed format for arrays.
10682
10683 @item show print array
10684 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
10685 arrays.
10686
10687 @cindex print array indexes
10688 @anchor{set print array-indexes}
10689 @item set print array-indexes
10690 @itemx set print array-indexes on
10691 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
10692 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
10693 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
10694
10695 @item set print array-indexes off
10696 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
10697
10698 @item show print array-indexes
10699 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
10700 arrays.
10701
10702 @anchor{set print elements}
10703 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
10704 @itemx set print elements unlimited
10705 @cindex number of array elements to print
10706 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
10707 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
10708 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
10709 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
10710 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
10711 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
10712 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
10713 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
10714
10715 @item show print elements
10716 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
10717 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
10718
10719 @anchor{set print frame-arguments}
10720 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
10721 @kindex set print frame-arguments
10722 @cindex printing frame argument values
10723 @cindex print all frame argument values
10724 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
10725 @cindex do not print frame argument values
10726 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
10727 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
10728 values are:
10729
10730 @table @code
10731 @item all
10732 The values of all arguments are printed.
10733
10734 @item scalars
10735 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
10736 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
10737 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
10738 only scalar arguments are shown:
10739
10740 @smallexample
10741 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
10742 at frame-args.c:23
10743 @end smallexample
10744
10745 @item none
10746 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
10747 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
10748
10749 @smallexample
10750 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
10751 at frame-args.c:23
10752 @end smallexample
10753 @end table
10754
10755 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
10756 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
10757 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
10758 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
10759 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
10760 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
10761 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
10762 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
10763 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
10764 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
10765
10766 @item show print frame-arguments
10767 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
10768
10769 @anchor{set print raw-frame-arguments}
10770 @item set print raw-frame-arguments on
10771 Print frame arguments in raw, non pretty-printed, form.
10772
10773 @item set print raw-frame-arguments off
10774 Print frame arguments in pretty-printed form, if there is a pretty-printer
10775 for the value (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
10776 otherwise print the value in raw form.
10777 This is the default.
10778
10779 @item show print raw-frame-arguments
10780 Show whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
10781
10782 @anchor{set print entry-values}
10783 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
10784 @kindex set print entry-values
10785 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
10786 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
10787 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
10788 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
10789 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
10790
10791 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
10792 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
10793 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
10794 @code{no} setting.
10795
10796 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10797 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_call_site} tags. With
10798 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10799 this information.
10800
10801 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
10802
10803 @table @code
10804 @item no
10805 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
10806 point.
10807 @smallexample
10808 #0 equal (val=5)
10809 #0 different (val=6)
10810 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
10811 #0 born (val=10)
10812 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10813 @end smallexample
10814
10815 @item only
10816 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
10817 values are never printed.
10818 @smallexample
10819 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
10820 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
10821 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10822 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10823 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10824 @end smallexample
10825
10826 @item preferred
10827 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
10828 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
10829 value for such parameter.
10830 @smallexample
10831 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
10832 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
10833 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10834 #0 born (val=10)
10835 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10836 @end smallexample
10837
10838 @item if-needed
10839 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
10840 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
10841 parameter.
10842 @smallexample
10843 #0 equal (val=5)
10844 #0 different (val=6)
10845 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10846 #0 born (val=10)
10847 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10848 @end smallexample
10849
10850 @item both
10851 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
10852 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
10853 optimizations.
10854 @smallexample
10855 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
10856 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
10857 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
10858 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10859 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
10860 @end smallexample
10861
10862 @item compact
10863 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
10864 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
10865 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
10866 values are known and identical, print the shortened
10867 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
10868 @smallexample
10869 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
10870 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
10871 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
10872 #0 born (val=10)
10873 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10874 @end smallexample
10875
10876 @item default
10877 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
10878 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
10879 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
10880 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
10881 @smallexample
10882 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
10883 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
10884 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
10885 #0 born (val=10)
10886 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
10887 @end smallexample
10888 @end table
10889
10890 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
10891 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
10892
10893 @item show print entry-values
10894 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
10895 entry.
10896
10897 @anchor{set print repeats}
10898 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
10899 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
10900 @cindex repeated array elements
10901 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
10902 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
10903 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
10904 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
10905 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
10906 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
10907 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
10908 is 10.
10909
10910 @item show print repeats
10911 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
10912 elements.
10913
10914 @anchor{set print max-depth}
10915 @item set print max-depth @var{depth}
10916 @item set print max-depth unlimited
10917 @cindex printing nested structures
10918 Set the threshold after which nested structures are replaced with
10919 ellipsis, this can make visualising deeply nested structures easier.
10920
10921 For example, given this C code
10922
10923 @smallexample
10924 typedef struct s1 @{ int a; @} s1;
10925 typedef struct s2 @{ s1 b; @} s2;
10926 typedef struct s3 @{ s2 c; @} s3;
10927 typedef struct s4 @{ s3 d; @} s4;
10928
10929 s4 var = @{ @{ @{ @{ 3 @} @} @} @};
10930 @end smallexample
10931
10932 The following table shows how different values of @var{depth} will
10933 effect how @code{var} is printed by @value{GDBN}:
10934
10935 @multitable @columnfractions .3 .7
10936 @headitem @var{depth} setting @tab Result of @samp{p var}
10937 @item unlimited
10938 @tab @code{$1 = @{d = @{c = @{b = @{a = 3@}@}@}@}}
10939 @item @code{0}
10940 @tab @code{$1 = @{...@}}
10941 @item @code{1}
10942 @tab @code{$1 = @{d = @{...@}@}}
10943 @item @code{2}
10944 @tab @code{$1 = @{d = @{c = @{...@}@}@}}
10945 @item @code{3}
10946 @tab @code{$1 = @{d = @{c = @{b = @{...@}@}@}@}}
10947 @item @code{4}
10948 @tab @code{$1 = @{d = @{c = @{b = @{a = 3@}@}@}@}}
10949 @end multitable
10950
10951 To see the contents of structures that have been hidden the user can
10952 either increase the print max-depth, or they can print the elements of
10953 the structure that are visible, for example
10954
10955 @smallexample
10956 (gdb) set print max-depth 2
10957 (gdb) p var
10958 $1 = @{d = @{c = @{...@}@}@}
10959 (gdb) p var.d
10960 $2 = @{c = @{b = @{...@}@}@}
10961 (gdb) p var.d.c
10962 $3 = @{b = @{a = 3@}@}
10963 @end smallexample
10964
10965 The pattern used to replace nested structures varies based on
10966 language, for most languages @code{@{...@}} is used, but Fortran uses
10967 @code{(...)}.
10968
10969 @item show print max-depth
10970 Display the current threshold after which nested structures are
10971 replaces with ellipsis.
10972
10973 @anchor{set print null-stop}
10974 @item set print null-stop
10975 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
10976 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
10977 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
10978 contain only short strings.
10979 The default is off.
10980
10981 @item show print null-stop
10982 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
10983 @sc{null} character.
10984
10985 @anchor{set print pretty}
10986 @item set print pretty on
10987 @cindex print structures in indented form
10988 @cindex indentation in structure display
10989 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
10990 per line, like this:
10991
10992 @smallexample
10993 @group
10994 $1 = @{
10995 next = 0x0,
10996 flags = @{
10997 sweet = 1,
10998 sour = 1
10999 @},
11000 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
11001 @}
11002 @end group
11003 @end smallexample
11004
11005 @item set print pretty off
11006 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
11007
11008 @smallexample
11009 @group
11010 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
11011 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
11012 @end group
11013 @end smallexample
11014
11015 @noindent
11016 This is the default format.
11017
11018 @item show print pretty
11019 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
11020
11021 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
11022 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
11023 @cindex octal escapes in strings
11024 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
11025 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
11026 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
11027 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
11028 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
11029
11030 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
11031 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
11032 international character sets, and is the default.
11033
11034 @item show print sevenbit-strings
11035 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
11036
11037 @anchor{set print union}
11038 @item set print union on
11039 @cindex unions in structures, printing
11040 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
11041 and other unions. This is the default setting.
11042
11043 @item set print union off
11044 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
11045 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
11046 instead.
11047
11048 @item show print union
11049 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
11050 structures and other unions.
11051
11052 For example, given the declarations
11053
11054 @smallexample
11055 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
11056 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
11057 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
11058 Bug_forms;
11059
11060 struct thing @{
11061 Species it;
11062 union @{
11063 Tree_forms tree;
11064 Bug_forms bug;
11065 @} form;
11066 @};
11067
11068 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
11069 @end smallexample
11070
11071 @noindent
11072 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
11073
11074 @smallexample
11075 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
11076 @end smallexample
11077
11078 @noindent
11079 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
11080
11081 @smallexample
11082 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
11083 @end smallexample
11084
11085 @noindent
11086 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
11087 and in Pascal.
11088 @end table
11089
11090 @need 1000
11091 @noindent
11092 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
11093
11094 @table @code
11095 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
11096 @item set print demangle
11097 @itemx set print demangle on
11098 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
11099 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
11100 linkage. The default is on.
11101
11102 @item show print demangle
11103 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
11104
11105 @item set print asm-demangle
11106 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
11107 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
11108 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
11109 The default is off.
11110
11111 @item show print asm-demangle
11112 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
11113 or demangled form.
11114
11115 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
11116 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
11117 @kindex set demangle-style
11118 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
11119 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to represent
11120 C@t{++} names. If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible
11121 formats. The default value is @var{auto}, which lets @value{GDBN} choose a
11122 decoding style by inspecting your program.
11123
11124 @item show demangle-style
11125 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
11126
11127 @anchor{set print object}
11128 @item set print object
11129 @itemx set print object on
11130 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
11131 @cindex display derived types
11132 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
11133 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
11134 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
11135 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
11136 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
11137 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
11138 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
11139
11140 @item set print object off
11141 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
11142 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
11143
11144 @item show print object
11145 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
11146
11147 @anchor{set print static-members}
11148 @item set print static-members
11149 @itemx set print static-members on
11150 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
11151 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
11152
11153 @item set print static-members off
11154 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
11155
11156 @item show print static-members
11157 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
11158
11159 @item set print pascal_static-members
11160 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
11161 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
11162 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
11163 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
11164
11165 @item set print pascal_static-members off
11166 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
11167
11168 @item show print pascal_static-members
11169 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
11170
11171 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
11172 @anchor{set print vtbl}
11173 @item set print vtbl
11174 @itemx set print vtbl on
11175 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
11176 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
11177 @cindex VTBL display
11178 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
11179 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
11180 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
11181
11182 @item set print vtbl off
11183 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
11184
11185 @item show print vtbl
11186 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
11187 @end table
11188
11189 @node Pretty Printing
11190 @section Pretty Printing
11191
11192 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
11193 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
11194 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
11195
11196 @menu
11197 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
11198 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
11199 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
11200 @end menu
11201
11202 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
11203 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
11204
11205 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
11206 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
11207 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
11208
11209 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
11210 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
11211 pretty-printers with their names.
11212 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
11213 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
11214 Each such subprinter has its own name.
11215 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
11216
11217 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
11218 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
11219 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
11220 do anything special.
11221
11222 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
11223
11224 @itemize @bullet
11225 @item
11226 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
11227 all inferiors.
11228
11229 @item
11230 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
11231 when debugging that program.
11232 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
11233
11234 @item
11235 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
11236 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
11237 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
11238 @end itemize
11239
11240 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
11241 pretty-printers are selected,
11242
11243 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
11244 for new types.
11245
11246 @node Pretty-Printer Example
11247 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
11248
11249 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
11250
11251 @smallexample
11252 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11253 $1 = @{
11254 static npos = 4294967295,
11255 _M_dataplus = @{
11256 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
11257 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
11258 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
11259 @},
11260 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
11261 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
11262 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
11263 @}
11264 @}
11265 @end smallexample
11266
11267 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
11268
11269 @smallexample
11270 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11271 $2 = "abcd"
11272 @end smallexample
11273
11274 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
11275 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
11276 @cindex pretty-printer commands
11277
11278 @table @code
11279 @kindex info pretty-printer
11280 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
11281 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
11282 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
11283
11284 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
11285 whose pretty-printers to list.
11286 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
11287 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
11288 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
11289 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
11290 looks up a printer from these three objects.
11291
11292 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
11293 to list.
11294
11295 @kindex disable pretty-printer
11296 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
11297 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
11298 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
11299
11300 @kindex enable pretty-printer
11301 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
11302 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
11303 @end table
11304
11305 Example:
11306
11307 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
11308 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
11309 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
11310 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
11311
11312 @smallexample
11313 (gdb) info pretty-printer
11314 library1.so:
11315 foo
11316 library2.so:
11317 bar
11318 bar1
11319 bar2
11320 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
11321 library2.so:
11322 bar
11323 bar1
11324 bar2
11325 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
11326 1 printer disabled
11327 2 of 3 printers enabled
11328 (gdb) info pretty-printer
11329 library1.so:
11330 foo [disabled]
11331 library2.so:
11332 bar
11333 bar1
11334 bar2
11335 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar;bar1
11336 1 printer disabled
11337 1 of 3 printers enabled
11338 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
11339 library1.so:
11340 foo [disabled]
11341 library2.so:
11342 bar
11343 bar1 [disabled]
11344 bar2
11345 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
11346 1 printer disabled
11347 0 of 3 printers enabled
11348 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
11349 library1.so:
11350 foo [disabled]
11351 library2.so:
11352 bar [disabled]
11353 bar1 [disabled]
11354 bar2
11355 @end smallexample
11356
11357 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
11358 as can each individual subprinter.
11359
11360 @node Value History
11361 @section Value History
11362
11363 @cindex value history
11364 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
11365 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
11366 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
11367 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
11368 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
11369 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
11370 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
11371 symbol table.
11372
11373 @cindex @code{$}
11374 @cindex @code{$$}
11375 @cindex history number
11376 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
11377 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
11378 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
11379 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
11380 history number.
11381
11382 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
11383 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
11384 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
11385 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
11386 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
11387 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
11388 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
11389
11390 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
11391 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
11392
11393 @smallexample
11394 p *$
11395 @end smallexample
11396
11397 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
11398 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
11399
11400 @smallexample
11401 p *$.next
11402 @end smallexample
11403
11404 @noindent
11405 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
11406 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
11407
11408 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
11409 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
11410
11411 @smallexample
11412 print x
11413 set x=5
11414 @end smallexample
11415
11416 @noindent
11417 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
11418 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
11419
11420 @table @code
11421 @kindex show values
11422 @item show values
11423 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
11424 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
11425 values} does not change the history.
11426
11427 @item show values @var{n}
11428 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
11429
11430 @item show values +
11431 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
11432 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
11433 @end table
11434
11435 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
11436 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
11437
11438 @node Convenience Vars
11439 @section Convenience Variables
11440
11441 @cindex convenience variables
11442 @cindex user-defined variables
11443 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
11444 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
11445 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
11446 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
11447 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
11448
11449 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
11450 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
11451 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
11452 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
11453 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
11454
11455 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
11456 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
11457 For example:
11458
11459 @smallexample
11460 set $foo = *object_ptr
11461 @end smallexample
11462
11463 @noindent
11464 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
11465 @code{object_ptr}.
11466
11467 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
11468 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
11469 value with another assignment at any time.
11470
11471 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
11472 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
11473 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
11474 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
11475
11476 @table @code
11477 @kindex show convenience
11478 @cindex show all user variables and functions
11479 @item show convenience
11480 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
11481 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
11482 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
11483
11484 @kindex init-if-undefined
11485 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
11486 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
11487 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
11488 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
11489 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
11490 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
11491 override default values used in a command script.
11492
11493 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
11494 any side-effects do not occur.
11495 @end table
11496
11497 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
11498 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
11499 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
11500
11501 @smallexample
11502 set $i = 0
11503 print bar[$i++]->contents
11504 @end smallexample
11505
11506 @noindent
11507 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
11508
11509 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
11510 values likely to be useful.
11511
11512 @table @code
11513 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
11514 @item $_
11515 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
11516 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
11517 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
11518 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
11519 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
11520 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
11521 to the type of @code{$__}.
11522
11523 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
11524 @item $__
11525 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
11526 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
11527 to match the format in which the data was printed.
11528
11529 @item $_exitcode
11530 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
11531 When the program being debugged terminates normally, @value{GDBN}
11532 automatically sets this variable to the exit code of the program, and
11533 resets @code{$_exitsignal} to @code{void}.
11534
11535 @item $_exitsignal
11536 @vindex $_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
11537 When the program being debugged dies due to an uncaught signal,
11538 @value{GDBN} automatically sets this variable to that signal's number,
11539 and resets @code{$_exitcode} to @code{void}.
11540
11541 To distinguish between whether the program being debugged has exited
11542 (i.e., @code{$_exitcode} is not @code{void}) or signalled (i.e.,
11543 @code{$_exitsignal} is not @code{void}), the convenience function
11544 @code{$_isvoid} can be used (@pxref{Convenience Funs,, Convenience
11545 Functions}). For example, considering the following source code:
11546
11547 @smallexample
11548 #include <signal.h>
11549
11550 int
11551 main (int argc, char *argv[])
11552 @{
11553 raise (SIGALRM);
11554 return 0;
11555 @}
11556 @end smallexample
11557
11558 A valid way of telling whether the program being debugged has exited
11559 or signalled would be:
11560
11561 @smallexample
11562 (@value{GDBP}) define has_exited_or_signalled
11563 Type commands for definition of ``has_exited_or_signalled''.
11564 End with a line saying just ``end''.
11565 >if $_isvoid ($_exitsignal)
11566 >echo The program has exited\n
11567 >else
11568 >echo The program has signalled\n
11569 >end
11570 >end
11571 (@value{GDBP}) run
11572 Starting program:
11573
11574 Program terminated with signal SIGALRM, Alarm clock.
11575 The program no longer exists.
11576 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
11577 The program has signalled
11578 @end smallexample
11579
11580 As can be seen, @value{GDBN} correctly informs that the program being
11581 debugged has signalled, since it calls @code{raise} and raises a
11582 @code{SIGALRM} signal. If the program being debugged had not called
11583 @code{raise}, then @value{GDBN} would report a normal exit:
11584
11585 @smallexample
11586 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
11587 The program has exited
11588 @end smallexample
11589
11590 @item $_exception
11591 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
11592 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
11593
11594 @item $_probe_argc
11595 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
11596 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11597
11598 @item $_sdata
11599 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
11600 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
11601 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
11602 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
11603 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
11604
11605 @item $_siginfo
11606 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
11607 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
11608 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
11609 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
11610 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
11611
11612 @item $_tlb
11613 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
11614 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
11615 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
11616 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
11617 @xref{General Query Packets}.
11618 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
11619
11620 @item $_inferior
11621 The number of the current inferior. @xref{Inferiors and
11622 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}.
11623
11624 @item $_thread
11625 The thread number of the current thread. @xref{thread numbers}.
11626
11627 @item $_gthread
11628 The global number of the current thread. @xref{global thread numbers}.
11629
11630 @item $_gdb_major
11631 @itemx $_gdb_minor
11632 @vindex $_gdb_major@r{, convenience variable}
11633 @vindex $_gdb_minor@r{, convenience variable}
11634 The major and minor version numbers of the running @value{GDBN}.
11635 Development snapshots and pretest versions have their minor version
11636 incremented by one; thus, @value{GDBN} pretest 9.11.90 will produce
11637 the value 12 for @code{$_gdb_minor}. These variables allow you to
11638 write scripts that work with different versions of @value{GDBN}
11639 without errors caused by features unavailable in some of those
11640 versions.
11641
11642 @item $_shell_exitcode
11643 @itemx $_shell_exitsignal
11644 @vindex $_shell_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
11645 @vindex $_shell_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
11646 @cindex shell command, exit code
11647 @cindex shell command, exit signal
11648 @cindex exit status of shell commands
11649 @value{GDBN} commands such as @code{shell} and @code{|} are launching
11650 shell commands. When a launched command terminates, @value{GDBN}
11651 automatically maintains the variables @code{$_shell_exitcode}
11652 and @code{$_shell_exitsignal} according to the exit status of the last
11653 launched command. These variables are set and used similarly to
11654 the variables @code{$_exitcode} and @code{$_exitsignal}.
11655
11656 @end table
11657
11658 @node Convenience Funs
11659 @section Convenience Functions
11660
11661 @cindex convenience functions
11662 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
11663 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
11664 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
11665 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
11666 @value{GDBN}.
11667
11668 These functions do not require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
11669 @code{Python} support, which means that they are always available.
11670
11671 @table @code
11672
11673 @item $_isvoid (@var{expr})
11674 @findex $_isvoid@r{, convenience function}
11675 Return one if the expression @var{expr} is @code{void}. Otherwise it
11676 returns zero.
11677
11678 A @code{void} expression is an expression where the type of the result
11679 is @code{void}. For example, you can examine a convenience variable
11680 (see @ref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}) to check whether
11681 it is @code{void}:
11682
11683 @smallexample
11684 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
11685 $1 = void
11686 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
11687 $2 = 1
11688 (@value{GDBP}) run
11689 Starting program: ./a.out
11690 [Inferior 1 (process 29572) exited normally]
11691 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
11692 $3 = 0
11693 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
11694 $4 = 0
11695 @end smallexample
11696
11697 In the example above, we used @code{$_isvoid} to check whether
11698 @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void} before and after the execution of the
11699 program being debugged. Before the execution there is no exit code to
11700 be examined, therefore @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void}. After the
11701 execution the program being debugged returned zero, therefore
11702 @code{$_exitcode} is zero, which means that it is not @code{void}
11703 anymore.
11704
11705 The @code{void} expression can also be a call of a function from the
11706 program being debugged. For example, given the following function:
11707
11708 @smallexample
11709 void
11710 foo (void)
11711 @{
11712 @}
11713 @end smallexample
11714
11715 The result of calling it inside @value{GDBN} is @code{void}:
11716
11717 @smallexample
11718 (@value{GDBP}) print foo ()
11719 $1 = void
11720 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid (foo ())
11721 $2 = 1
11722 (@value{GDBP}) set $v = foo ()
11723 (@value{GDBP}) print $v
11724 $3 = void
11725 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($v)
11726 $4 = 1
11727 @end smallexample
11728
11729 @end table
11730
11731 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
11732 @code{Python} support.
11733
11734 @table @code
11735
11736 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
11737 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
11738 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
11739 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
11740 Otherwise it returns zero.
11741
11742 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
11743 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
11744 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
11745 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
11746 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
11747 regular expression support.
11748
11749 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
11750 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
11751 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
11752 Otherwise it returns zero.
11753
11754 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
11755 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
11756 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
11757
11758 @item $_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11759 @findex $_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
11760 Returns one if the calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
11761 Otherwise it returns zero.
11762
11763 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11764 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11765 The default is 1.
11766
11767 Example:
11768
11769 @smallexample
11770 (gdb) backtrace
11771 #0 bottom_func ()
11772 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:21
11773 #1 0x00000000004005a0 in middle_func ()
11774 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:27
11775 #2 0x00000000004005ab in top_func ()
11776 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:33
11777 #3 0x00000000004005b6 in main ()
11778 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:39
11779 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("middle_func")
11780 $1 = 1
11781 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("top_func", 2)
11782 $1 = 1
11783 @end smallexample
11784
11785 @item $_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11786 @findex $_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
11787 Returns one if the calling function's name matches the regular expression
11788 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
11789
11790 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11791 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11792 The default is 1.
11793
11794 @item $_any_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11795 @findex $_any_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
11796 Returns one if any calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
11797 Otherwise it returns zero.
11798
11799 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11800 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11801 The default is 1.
11802
11803 This function differs from @code{$_caller_is} in that this function
11804 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
11805 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_is} only checks the
11806 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
11807
11808 @item $_any_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
11809 @findex $_any_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
11810 Returns one if any calling function's name matches the regular expression
11811 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
11812
11813 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
11814 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
11815 The default is 1.
11816
11817 This function differs from @code{$_caller_matches} in that this function
11818 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
11819 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_matches} only checks the
11820 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
11821
11822 @item $_as_string(@var{value})
11823 @findex $_as_string@r{, convenience function}
11824 Return the string representation of @var{value}.
11825
11826 This function is useful to obtain the textual label (enumerator) of an
11827 enumeration value. For example, assuming the variable @var{node} is of
11828 an enumerated type:
11829
11830 @smallexample
11831 (gdb) printf "Visiting node of type %s\n", $_as_string(node)
11832 Visiting node of type NODE_INTEGER
11833 @end smallexample
11834
11835 @item $_cimag(@var{value})
11836 @itemx $_creal(@var{value})
11837 @findex $_cimag@r{, convenience function}
11838 @findex $_creal@r{, convenience function}
11839 Return the imaginary (@code{$_cimag}) or real (@code{$_creal}) part of
11840 the complex number @var{value}.
11841
11842 The type of the imaginary or real part depends on the type of the
11843 complex number, e.g., using @code{$_cimag} on a @code{float complex}
11844 will return an imaginary part of type @code{float}.
11845
11846 @end table
11847
11848 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
11849 convenience functions.
11850
11851 @table @code
11852 @item help function
11853 @kindex help function
11854 @cindex show all convenience functions
11855 Print a list of all convenience functions.
11856 @end table
11857
11858 @node Registers
11859 @section Registers
11860
11861 @cindex registers
11862 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
11863 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
11864 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
11865 your machine.
11866
11867 @table @code
11868 @kindex info registers
11869 @item info registers
11870 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
11871 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
11872
11873 @kindex info all-registers
11874 @cindex floating point registers
11875 @item info all-registers
11876 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
11877 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
11878
11879 @item info registers @var{reggroup} @dots{}
11880 Print the name and value of the registers in each of the specified
11881 @var{reggroup}s. The @var{reggoup} can be any of those returned by
11882 @code{maint print reggroups} (@pxref{Maintenance Commands}).
11883
11884 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
11885 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
11886 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
11887 the selected stack frame. The @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
11888 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
11889 @end table
11890
11891 @anchor{standard registers}
11892 @cindex stack pointer register
11893 @cindex program counter register
11894 @cindex process status register
11895 @cindex frame pointer register
11896 @cindex standard registers
11897 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
11898 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
11899 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
11900 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
11901 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
11902 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
11903 register that contains the processor status. For example,
11904 you could print the program counter in hex with
11905
11906 @smallexample
11907 p/x $pc
11908 @end smallexample
11909
11910 @noindent
11911 or print the instruction to be executed next with
11912
11913 @smallexample
11914 x/i $pc
11915 @end smallexample
11916
11917 @noindent
11918 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
11919 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
11920 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
11921 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
11922 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
11923 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
11924 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
11925
11926 @smallexample
11927 set $sp += 4
11928 @end smallexample
11929
11930 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
11931 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
11932 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
11933 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
11934 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
11935 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
11936 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
11937
11938 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
11939 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
11940 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
11941 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
11942 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
11943 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
11944 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
11945
11946 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
11947 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
11948 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
11949 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
11950 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
11951 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
11952 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
11953 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
11954 prints the data in both formats.
11955
11956 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
11957 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
11958 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
11959 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
11960 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
11961 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
11962 registers in @code{struct} notation:
11963
11964 @smallexample
11965 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
11966 $1 = @{
11967 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
11968 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
11969 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
11970 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
11971 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
11972 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
11973 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
11974 @}
11975 @end smallexample
11976
11977 @noindent
11978 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
11979 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
11980 value to a @code{struct} member:
11981
11982 @smallexample
11983 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
11984 @end smallexample
11985
11986 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
11987 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
11988 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
11989 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
11990 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
11991 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
11992
11993 @cindex caller-saved registers
11994 @cindex call-clobbered registers
11995 @cindex volatile registers
11996 @cindex <not saved> values
11997 Usually ABIs reserve some registers as not needed to be saved by the
11998 callee (a.k.a.: ``caller-saved'', ``call-clobbered'' or ``volatile''
11999 registers). It may therefore not be possible for @value{GDBN} to know
12000 the value a register had before the call (in other words, in the outer
12001 frame), if the register value has since been changed by the callee.
12002 @value{GDBN} tries to deduce where the inner frame saved
12003 (``callee-saved'') registers, from the debug info, unwind info, or the
12004 machine code generated by your compiler. If some register is not
12005 saved, and @value{GDBN} knows the register is ``caller-saved'' (via
12006 its own knowledge of the ABI, or because the debug/unwind info
12007 explicitly says the register's value is undefined), @value{GDBN}
12008 displays @w{@samp{<not saved>}} as the register's value. With targets
12009 that @value{GDBN} has no knowledge of the register saving convention,
12010 if a register was not saved by the callee, then its value and location
12011 in the outer frame are assumed to be the same of the inner frame.
12012 This is usually harmless, because if the register is call-clobbered,
12013 the caller either does not care what is in the register after the
12014 call, or has code to restore the value that it does care about. Note,
12015 however, that if you change such a register in the outer frame, you
12016 may also be affecting the inner frame. Also, the more ``outer'' the
12017 frame is you're looking at, the more likely a call-clobbered
12018 register's value is to be wrong, in the sense that it doesn't actually
12019 represent the value the register had just before the call.
12020
12021 @node Floating Point Hardware
12022 @section Floating Point Hardware
12023 @cindex floating point
12024
12025 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
12026 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
12027
12028 @table @code
12029 @kindex info float
12030 @item info float
12031 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
12032 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
12033 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
12034 the ARM and x86 machines.
12035 @end table
12036
12037 @node Vector Unit
12038 @section Vector Unit
12039 @cindex vector unit
12040
12041 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
12042 more information about the status of the vector unit.
12043
12044 @table @code
12045 @kindex info vector
12046 @item info vector
12047 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
12048 layout vary depending on the hardware.
12049 @end table
12050
12051 @node OS Information
12052 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
12053 @cindex OS information
12054
12055 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
12056 you debug your program.
12057
12058 @cindex auxiliary vector
12059 @cindex vector, auxiliary
12060 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
12061 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
12062 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
12063 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
12064 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
12065 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
12066 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
12067 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
12068 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
12069 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
12070 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
12071
12072 @table @code
12073 @kindex info auxv
12074 @item info auxv
12075 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
12076 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
12077 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
12078 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
12079 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
12080 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
12081 an unrecognized tag.
12082 @end table
12083
12084 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
12085 information and show it to you. The types of information available
12086 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
12087 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
12088 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
12089 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
12090 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
12091
12092 @table @code
12093 @kindex info os
12094 @item info os @var{infotype}
12095
12096 Display OS information of the requested type.
12097
12098 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
12099
12100 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
12101 @table @code
12102 @kindex info os cpus
12103 @item cpus
12104 Display the list of all CPUs/cores. For each CPU/core, @value{GDBN} prints
12105 the available fields from /proc/cpuinfo. For each supported architecture
12106 different fields are available. Two common entries are processor which gives
12107 CPU number and bogomips; a system constant that is calculated during
12108 kernel initialization.
12109
12110 @kindex info os files
12111 @item files
12112 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
12113 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
12114 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
12115 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
12116
12117 @kindex info os modules
12118 @item modules
12119 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
12120 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
12121 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
12122 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
12123 in memory.
12124
12125 @kindex info os msg
12126 @item msg
12127 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
12128 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
12129 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
12130 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
12131 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
12132 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
12133 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
12134 the message queue was last changed.
12135
12136 @kindex info os processes
12137 @item processes
12138 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
12139 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
12140 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
12141 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
12142 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
12143 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
12144
12145 @kindex info os procgroups
12146 @item procgroups
12147 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
12148 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
12149 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
12150 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
12151 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
12152 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
12153 and the process group leader is listed first.
12154
12155 @kindex info os semaphores
12156 @item semaphores
12157 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
12158 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
12159 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
12160 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
12161 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
12162
12163 @kindex info os shm
12164 @item shm
12165 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
12166 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
12167 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
12168 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
12169 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
12170 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
12171 attached to, detach from, and changed.
12172
12173 @kindex info os sockets
12174 @item sockets
12175 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
12176 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
12177 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
12178 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
12179 connection.
12180
12181 @kindex info os threads
12182 @item threads
12183 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
12184 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
12185 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
12186 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
12187 process is not listed.
12188 @end table
12189
12190 @item info os
12191 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
12192 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
12193 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
12194 types, this command will report an error.
12195 @end table
12196
12197 @node Memory Region Attributes
12198 @section Memory Region Attributes
12199 @cindex memory region attributes
12200
12201 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
12202 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
12203 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
12204 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
12205 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
12206 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
12207 user can override the fetched regions.
12208
12209 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
12210 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
12211 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
12212 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
12213 all memory.
12214
12215 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
12216 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
12217
12218 @table @code
12219 @kindex mem
12220 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
12221 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
12222 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
12223 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
12224 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
12225 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
12226
12227 @item mem auto
12228 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
12229 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
12230
12231 @kindex delete mem
12232 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
12233 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
12234 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
12235
12236 @kindex disable mem
12237 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
12238 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
12239 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
12240 It may be enabled again later.
12241
12242 @kindex enable mem
12243 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
12244 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
12245
12246 @kindex info mem
12247 @item info mem
12248 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
12249 for each region:
12250
12251 @table @emph
12252 @item Memory Region Number
12253 @item Enabled or Disabled.
12254 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
12255 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
12256
12257 @item Lo Address
12258 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
12259
12260 @item Hi Address
12261 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
12262
12263 @item Attributes
12264 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
12265 @end table
12266 @end table
12267
12268
12269 @subsection Attributes
12270
12271 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
12272 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
12273 write accesses to a memory region.
12274
12275 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
12276 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
12277 etc.@: from accessing memory.
12278
12279 @table @code
12280 @item ro
12281 Memory is read only.
12282 @item wo
12283 Memory is write only.
12284 @item rw
12285 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
12286 @end table
12287
12288 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
12289 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
12290 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
12291 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
12292 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
12293
12294 @table @code
12295 @item 8
12296 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
12297 @item 16
12298 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
12299 @item 32
12300 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
12301 @item 64
12302 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
12303 @end table
12304
12305 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
12306 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
12307 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
12308 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
12309 @c
12310 @c @table @code
12311 @c @item hwbreak
12312 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
12313 @c @item swbreak (default)
12314 @c @end table
12315
12316 @subsubsection Data Cache
12317 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
12318 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
12319 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
12320 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
12321 registers.
12322
12323 @table @code
12324 @item cache
12325 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
12326 @item nocache
12327 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
12328 @end table
12329
12330 @subsection Memory Access Checking
12331 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
12332 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
12333 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
12334 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
12335
12336 @table @code
12337 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
12338 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
12339 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
12340 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
12341 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
12342 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
12343 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
12344 The default value is @code{on}.
12345 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
12346 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
12347 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
12348 @end table
12349
12350
12351 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
12352 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
12353 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
12354 @c
12355 @c @table @code
12356 @c @item verify
12357 @c @item noverify (default)
12358 @c @end table
12359
12360 @node Dump/Restore Files
12361 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
12362 @cindex dump/restore files
12363 @cindex append data to a file
12364 @cindex dump data to a file
12365 @cindex restore data from a file
12366
12367 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
12368 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
12369 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
12370 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
12371 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex,
12372 Tektronix Hex, or Verilog Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only
12373 append to binary files, and cannot read from Verilog Hex files.
12374
12375 @table @code
12376
12377 @kindex dump
12378 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
12379 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
12380 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
12381 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
12382
12383 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
12384 @table @code
12385 @item binary
12386 Raw binary form.
12387 @item ihex
12388 Intel hex format.
12389 @item srec
12390 Motorola S-record format.
12391 @item tekhex
12392 Tektronix Hex format.
12393 @item verilog
12394 Verilog Hex format.
12395 @end table
12396
12397 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
12398 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
12399 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
12400 form.
12401
12402 @kindex append
12403 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
12404 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
12405 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
12406 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
12407 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
12408
12409 @kindex restore
12410 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
12411 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
12412 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
12413 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
12414 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
12415
12416 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
12417 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
12418 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
12419 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
12420 from that location.
12421
12422 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
12423 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
12424 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
12425 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
12426
12427 @end table
12428
12429 @node Core File Generation
12430 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
12431 @cindex dump core from inferior
12432
12433 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
12434 image of a running process and its process status (register values
12435 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
12436 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
12437 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
12438 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
12439 the post-mortem debugging mode.
12440
12441 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
12442 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
12443 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
12444
12445 @table @code
12446 @kindex gcore
12447 @kindex generate-core-file
12448 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
12449 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
12450 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
12451 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
12452 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
12453 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
12454
12455 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
12456 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
12457
12458 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, this command can take into account the value of the
12459 file @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating the core
12460 dump (@pxref{set use-coredump-filter}), and by default honors the
12461 @code{VM_DONTDUMP} flag for mappings where it is present in the file
12462 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/smaps} (@pxref{set dump-excluded-mappings}).
12463
12464 @kindex set use-coredump-filter
12465 @anchor{set use-coredump-filter}
12466 @item set use-coredump-filter on
12467 @itemx set use-coredump-filter off
12468 Enable or disable the use of the file
12469 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating core dump
12470 files. This file is used by the Linux kernel to decide what types of
12471 memory mappings will be dumped or ignored when generating a core dump
12472 file. @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process.
12473
12474 To make use of this feature, you have to write in the
12475 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file a value, in hexadecimal,
12476 which is a bit mask representing the memory mapping types. If a bit
12477 is set in the bit mask, then the memory mappings of the corresponding
12478 types will be dumped; otherwise, they will be ignored. This
12479 configuration is inherited by child processes. For more information
12480 about the bits that can be set in the
12481 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file, please refer to the
12482 manpage of @code{core(5)}.
12483
12484 By default, this option is @code{on}. If this option is turned
12485 @code{off}, @value{GDBN} does not read the @file{coredump_filter} file
12486 and instead uses the same default value as the Linux kernel in order
12487 to decide which pages will be dumped in the core dump file. This
12488 value is currently @code{0x33}, which means that bits @code{0}
12489 (anonymous private mappings), @code{1} (anonymous shared mappings),
12490 @code{4} (ELF headers) and @code{5} (private huge pages) are active.
12491 This will cause these memory mappings to be dumped automatically.
12492
12493 @kindex set dump-excluded-mappings
12494 @anchor{set dump-excluded-mappings}
12495 @item set dump-excluded-mappings on
12496 @itemx set dump-excluded-mappings off
12497 If @code{on} is specified, @value{GDBN} will dump memory mappings
12498 marked with the @code{VM_DONTDUMP} flag. This flag is represented in
12499 the file @file{/proc/@var{pid}/smaps} with the acronym @code{dd}.
12500
12501 The default value is @code{off}.
12502 @end table
12503
12504 @node Character Sets
12505 @section Character Sets
12506 @cindex character sets
12507 @cindex charset
12508 @cindex translating between character sets
12509 @cindex host character set
12510 @cindex target character set
12511
12512 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
12513 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
12514 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
12515 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
12516 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
12517 @dfn{target character set}.
12518
12519 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
12520 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
12521 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
12522 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
12523 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
12524 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
12525 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
12526 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
12527 character and string literals in expressions.
12528
12529 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
12530 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
12531 target-charset} command, described below.
12532
12533 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
12534 support:
12535
12536 @table @code
12537 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
12538 @kindex set target-charset
12539 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
12540 list of supported target character sets, type
12541 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
12542
12543 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
12544 @kindex set host-charset
12545 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
12546
12547 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
12548 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
12549 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
12550 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
12551 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
12552
12553 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
12554 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
12555 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
12556
12557 @item set charset @var{charset}
12558 @kindex set charset
12559 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
12560 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
12561 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
12562 for both host and target.
12563
12564 @item show charset
12565 @kindex show charset
12566 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
12567
12568 @item show host-charset
12569 @kindex show host-charset
12570 Show the name of the current host character set.
12571
12572 @item show target-charset
12573 @kindex show target-charset
12574 Show the name of the current target character set.
12575
12576 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
12577 @kindex set target-wide-charset
12578 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
12579 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
12580 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
12581 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
12582
12583 @item show target-wide-charset
12584 @kindex show target-wide-charset
12585 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
12586 @end table
12587
12588 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
12589 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
12590 @file{charset-test.c}:
12591
12592 @smallexample
12593 #include <stdio.h>
12594
12595 char ascii_hello[]
12596 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
12597 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
12598 char ibm1047_hello[]
12599 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
12600 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
12601
12602 main ()
12603 @{
12604 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12605 @}
12606 @end smallexample
12607
12608 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
12609 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
12610 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
12611
12612 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
12613
12614 @smallexample
12615 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
12616 $ gdb -nw charset-test
12617 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
12618 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
12619 @dots{}
12620 (@value{GDBP})
12621 @end smallexample
12622
12623 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
12624 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
12625 strings:
12626
12627 @smallexample
12628 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
12629 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
12630 (@value{GDBP})
12631 @end smallexample
12632
12633 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
12634 initial character set:
12635 @smallexample
12636 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
12637 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
12638 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
12639 (@value{GDBP})
12640 @end smallexample
12641
12642 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
12643 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
12644 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
12645 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
12646 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
12647
12648 @smallexample
12649 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
12650 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
12651 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
12652 $2 = 72 'H'
12653 (@value{GDBP})
12654 @end smallexample
12655
12656 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
12657 literals you use in expressions:
12658
12659 @smallexample
12660 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
12661 $3 = 43 '+'
12662 (@value{GDBP})
12663 @end smallexample
12664
12665 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
12666 character.
12667
12668 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
12669 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
12670 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
12671
12672 @smallexample
12673 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
12674 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
12675 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
12676 $5 = 200 '\310'
12677 (@value{GDBP})
12678 @end smallexample
12679
12680 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
12681 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
12682
12683 @smallexample
12684 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
12685 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
12686 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
12687 @end smallexample
12688
12689 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
12690 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
12691 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
12692 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
12693 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
12694
12695 @smallexample
12696 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
12697 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
12698 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
12699 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
12700 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
12701 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
12702 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
12703 $7 = 72 '\110'
12704 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
12705 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
12706 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
12707 $9 = 200 'H'
12708 (@value{GDBP})
12709 @end smallexample
12710
12711 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
12712 string literals you use in expressions:
12713
12714 @smallexample
12715 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
12716 $10 = 78 '+'
12717 (@value{GDBP})
12718 @end smallexample
12719
12720 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
12721 character.
12722
12723 @node Caching Target Data
12724 @section Caching Data of Targets
12725 @cindex caching data of targets
12726
12727 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a target.
12728 Each cache is associated with the address space of the inferior.
12729 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}, about inferior and address space.
12730 Such caching generally improves performance in remote debugging
12731 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), because it reduces the overhead of the
12732 remote protocol by bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks.
12733 Unfortunately, simply caching everything would lead to incorrect results,
12734 since @value{GDBN} does not necessarily know anything about volatile
12735 values, memory-mapped I/O addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode
12736 (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command
12737 is executing.
12738 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
12739 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
12740 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
12741 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
12742 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.} or
12743 in the code segment.
12744 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
12745 cacheable; @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
12746
12747 @table @code
12748 @kindex set remotecache
12749 @item set remotecache on
12750 @itemx set remotecache off
12751 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
12752 with old scripts.
12753
12754 @kindex show remotecache
12755 @item show remotecache
12756 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
12757
12758 @kindex set stack-cache
12759 @item set stack-cache on
12760 @itemx set stack-cache off
12761 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{on}, use
12762 caching. By default, this option is @code{on}.
12763
12764 @kindex show stack-cache
12765 @item show stack-cache
12766 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
12767
12768 @kindex set code-cache
12769 @item set code-cache on
12770 @itemx set code-cache off
12771 Enable or disable caching of code segment accesses. When @code{on},
12772 use caching. By default, this option is @code{on}. This improves
12773 performance of disassembly in remote debugging.
12774
12775 @kindex show code-cache
12776 @item show code-cache
12777 Show the current state of target memory cache for code segment
12778 accesses.
12779
12780 @kindex info dcache
12781 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
12782 Print the information about the performance of data cache of the
12783 current inferior's address space. The information displayed
12784 includes the dcache width and depth, and for each cache line, its
12785 number, address, and how many times it was referenced. This
12786 command is useful for debugging the data cache operation.
12787
12788 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
12789 printed in hex.
12790
12791 @item set dcache size @var{size}
12792 @cindex dcache size
12793 @kindex set dcache size
12794 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
12795
12796 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
12797 @cindex dcache line-size
12798 @kindex set dcache line-size
12799 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
12800 Must be a power of 2.
12801
12802 @item show dcache size
12803 @kindex show dcache size
12804 Show maximum number of dcache entries. @xref{Caching Target Data, info dcache}.
12805
12806 @item show dcache line-size
12807 @kindex show dcache line-size
12808 Show default size of dcache lines.
12809
12810 @end table
12811
12812 @node Searching Memory
12813 @section Search Memory
12814 @cindex searching memory
12815
12816 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
12817 @code{find} command.
12818
12819 @table @code
12820 @kindex find
12821 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
12822 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
12823 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
12824 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
12825 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
12826 @end table
12827
12828 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
12829 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
12830
12831 @table @r
12832 @item @var{s}, search query size
12833 The size of each search query value.
12834
12835 @table @code
12836 @item b
12837 bytes
12838 @item h
12839 halfwords (two bytes)
12840 @item w
12841 words (four bytes)
12842 @item g
12843 giant words (eight bytes)
12844 @end table
12845
12846 All values are interpreted in the current language.
12847 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
12848 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
12849 The null terminator can be removed from searching by using casts,
12850 e.g.: @samp{@{char[5]@}"hello"}.
12851
12852 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
12853 value's type in the current language.
12854 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
12855 pattern as a mixture of types.
12856 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
12857 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
12858 which is typically four bytes.
12859
12860 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
12861 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
12862 @end table
12863
12864 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
12865 (@code{"}).
12866 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
12867 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
12868
12869 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
12870 number of matches found.
12871
12872 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
12873 @samp{$_}.
12874 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
12875
12876 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
12877
12878 @smallexample
12879 void
12880 hello ()
12881 @{
12882 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
12883 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
12884 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
12885 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
12886 printf ("%s\n", hello);
12887 @}
12888 @end smallexample
12889
12890 @noindent
12891 you get during debugging:
12892
12893 @smallexample
12894 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
12895 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
12896 1 pattern found
12897 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
12898 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
12899 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
12900 2 patterns found.
12901 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), @{char[5]@}"hello"
12902 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
12903 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
12904 2 patterns found.
12905 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
12906 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
12907 1 pattern found
12908 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
12909 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
12910 1 pattern found
12911 (gdb) print $numfound
12912 $1 = 1
12913 (gdb) print $_
12914 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
12915 @end smallexample
12916
12917 @node Value Sizes
12918 @section Value Sizes
12919
12920 Whenever @value{GDBN} prints a value memory will be allocated within
12921 @value{GDBN} to hold the contents of the value. It is possible in
12922 some languages with dynamic typing systems, that an invalid program
12923 may indicate a value that is incorrectly large, this in turn may cause
12924 @value{GDBN} to try and allocate an overly large ammount of memory.
12925
12926 @table @code
12927 @kindex set max-value-size
12928 @item set max-value-size @var{bytes}
12929 @itemx set max-value-size unlimited
12930 Set the maximum size of memory that @value{GDBN} will allocate for the
12931 contents of a value to @var{bytes}, trying to display a value that
12932 requires more memory than that will result in an error.
12933
12934 Setting this variable does not effect values that have already been
12935 allocated within @value{GDBN}, only future allocations.
12936
12937 There's a minimum size that @code{max-value-size} can be set to in
12938 order that @value{GDBN} can still operate correctly, this minimum is
12939 currently 16 bytes.
12940
12941 The limit applies to the results of some subexpressions as well as to
12942 complete expressions. For example, an expression denoting a simple
12943 integer component, such as @code{x.y.z}, may fail if the size of
12944 @var{x.y} is dynamic and exceeds @var{bytes}. On the other hand,
12945 @value{GDBN} is sometimes clever; the expression @code{A[i]}, where
12946 @var{A} is an array variable with non-constant size, will generally
12947 succeed regardless of the bounds on @var{A}, as long as the component
12948 size is less than @var{bytes}.
12949
12950 The default value of @code{max-value-size} is currently 64k.
12951
12952 @kindex show max-value-size
12953 @item show max-value-size
12954 Show the maximum size of memory, in bytes, that @value{GDBN} will
12955 allocate for the contents of a value.
12956 @end table
12957
12958 @node Optimized Code
12959 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
12960 @cindex optimized code, debugging
12961 @cindex debugging optimized code
12962
12963 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
12964 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
12965 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
12966 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
12967 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
12968 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
12969 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
12970
12971 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
12972 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
12973 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
12974 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
12975
12976 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
12977 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
12978 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
12979 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
12980 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
12981 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
12982
12983 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
12984 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
12985 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
12986 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
12987 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
12988
12989 @menu
12990 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
12991 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
12992 @end menu
12993
12994 @node Inline Functions
12995 @section Inline Functions
12996 @cindex inline functions, debugging
12997
12998 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
12999 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
13000 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
13001 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
13002 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
13003 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
13004 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
13005 @code{info frame} command.
13006
13007 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
13008 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
13009 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
13010 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
13011 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
13012 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
13013 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
13014 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
13015 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
13016 local variables in the caller.
13017
13018 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
13019 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
13020 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
13021 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
13022 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
13023 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
13024 instructions are executed.
13025
13026 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
13027 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
13028 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
13029 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
13030
13031 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
13032 function calls are the same as normal calls:
13033
13034 @itemize @bullet
13035 @item
13036 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
13037 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
13038 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
13039 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
13040 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
13041 or inside the inlined function instead.
13042
13043 @item
13044 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
13045 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
13046 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
13047 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
13048
13049 @end itemize
13050
13051 @node Tail Call Frames
13052 @section Tail Call Frames
13053 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
13054
13055 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
13056 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
13057 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
13058 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
13059 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
13060
13061 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
13062 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
13063 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
13064 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
13065 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
13066 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
13067 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
13068
13069 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
13070 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_call_site} tags. With
13071 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
13072 this information.
13073
13074 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
13075 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
13076
13077 @smallexample
13078 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
13079 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
13080 (gdb) info frame
13081 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
13082 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
13083 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
13084 source language c++.
13085 Arglist at unknown address.
13086 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
13087 @end smallexample
13088
13089 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
13090 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
13091 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
13092 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
13093 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
13094 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
13095
13096 @table @code
13097 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
13098 @item set debug entry-values
13099 @kindex set debug entry-values
13100 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
13101 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
13102 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
13103 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
13104 result.
13105
13106 @item show debug entry-values
13107 @kindex show debug entry-values
13108 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
13109 values at function entry and tail calls.
13110 @end table
13111
13112 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
13113 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
13114 reference by variable @code{x}):
13115
13116 @smallexample
13117 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
13118 void (*x) (void) = c;
13119 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
13120 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
13121 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
13122
13123 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_entry_value resolving cannot find
13124 DW_TAG_call_site 0x40039a in main
13125 a () at t.c:3
13126 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
13127 (gdb) bt
13128 #0 a () at t.c:3
13129 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
13130 @end smallexample
13131
13132 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
13133
13134 @smallexample
13135 int i;
13136 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
13137 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
13138 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
13139 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
13140 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
13141 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
13142 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
13143 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
13144
13145 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
13146 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
13147 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
13148 (gdb) bt
13149 #0 f () at t.c:2
13150 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
13151 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
13152 @end smallexample
13153
13154 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
13155 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
13156
13157 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
13158 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
13159 @set ARROW @click{}
13160 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
13161 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
13162 @end ifset
13163 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
13164 @set ARROW ->
13165 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
13166 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
13167 @end ifclear
13168
13169 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
13170 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
13171 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
13172
13173 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
13174 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
13175 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
13176 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
13177 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
13178 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
13179
13180 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
13181 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
13182 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
13183 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
13184 omitted.
13185
13186 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
13187 entry may fail:
13188
13189 @smallexample
13190 int v;
13191 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
13192 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
13193 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
13194 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
13195 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
13196 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
13197
13198 (gdb) bt
13199 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
13200 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_entry_value resolving has found
13201 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
13202 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
13203 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
13204 @end smallexample
13205
13206 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
13207 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
13208 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
13209 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
13210 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
13211
13212 @node Macros
13213 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
13214
13215 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
13216 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
13217 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
13218 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
13219 where it was defined.
13220
13221 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
13222 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
13223 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
13224 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
13225
13226 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
13227 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
13228 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
13229 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
13230 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
13231 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
13232 see @ref{List}.
13233
13234 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
13235 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
13236 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
13237
13238 @table @code
13239
13240 @kindex macro expand
13241 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
13242 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
13243 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
13244 @item macro expand @var{expression}
13245 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
13246 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
13247 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
13248 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
13249 it can be any string of tokens.
13250
13251 @kindex macro exp1
13252 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
13253 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
13254 @cindex expand macro once
13255 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
13256 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
13257 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
13258 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
13259 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
13260 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
13261 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
13262 can be any string of tokens.
13263
13264 @kindex info macro
13265 @cindex macro definition, showing
13266 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
13267 @cindex macros, from debug info
13268 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
13269 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
13270 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
13271 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
13272 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
13273 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
13274
13275 @kindex info macros
13276 @item info macros @var{location}
13277 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
13278 by @var{location}, and describe the source location or compiler
13279 command-line where those definitions were established.
13280
13281 @kindex macro define
13282 @cindex user-defined macros
13283 @cindex defining macros interactively
13284 @cindex macros, user-defined
13285 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
13286 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
13287 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
13288 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
13289 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
13290 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
13291 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
13292 @var{arglist}.
13293
13294 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
13295 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
13296 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
13297 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
13298 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
13299
13300 @kindex macro undef
13301 @item macro undef @var{macro}
13302 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
13303 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
13304 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
13305 in the program being debugged.
13306
13307 @kindex macro list
13308 @item macro list
13309 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
13310 @end table
13311
13312 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
13313 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
13314 show our source files:
13315
13316 @smallexample
13317 $ cat sample.c
13318 #include <stdio.h>
13319 #include "sample.h"
13320
13321 #define M 42
13322 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
13323
13324 main ()
13325 @{
13326 #define N 28
13327 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
13328 #undef N
13329 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
13330 #define N 1729
13331 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
13332 @}
13333 $ cat sample.h
13334 #define Q <
13335 $
13336 @end smallexample
13337
13338 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
13339 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
13340 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
13341 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
13342 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
13343 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
13344 information.
13345
13346 @smallexample
13347 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
13348 $
13349 @end smallexample
13350
13351 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
13352
13353 @smallexample
13354 $ gdb -nw sample
13355 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
13356 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
13357 GDB is free software, @dots{}
13358 (@value{GDBP})
13359 @end smallexample
13360
13361 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
13362 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
13363 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
13364
13365 @smallexample
13366 (@value{GDBP}) list main
13367 3
13368 4 #define M 42
13369 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
13370 6
13371 7 main ()
13372 8 @{
13373 9 #define N 28
13374 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
13375 11 #undef N
13376 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
13377 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
13378 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
13379 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
13380 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
13381 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
13382 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
13383 #define Q <
13384 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
13385 expands to: (42 + 1)
13386 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
13387 expands to: once (M + 1)
13388 (@value{GDBP})
13389 @end smallexample
13390
13391 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
13392 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
13393 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
13394 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
13395
13396 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
13397 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
13398
13399 @smallexample
13400 (@value{GDBP}) break main
13401 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
13402 (@value{GDBP}) run
13403 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
13404
13405 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
13406 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
13407 (@value{GDBP})
13408 @end smallexample
13409
13410 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
13411
13412 @smallexample
13413 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
13414 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
13415 #define N 28
13416 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
13417 expands to: 28 < 42
13418 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
13419 $1 = 1
13420 (@value{GDBP})
13421 @end smallexample
13422
13423 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
13424 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
13425 thereof) in force at each point:
13426
13427 @smallexample
13428 (@value{GDBP}) next
13429 Hello, world!
13430 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
13431 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
13432 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
13433 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
13434 (@value{GDBP}) next
13435 We're so creative.
13436 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
13437 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
13438 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
13439 #define N 1729
13440 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
13441 expands to: 1729 < 42
13442 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
13443 $2 = 0
13444 (@value{GDBP})
13445 @end smallexample
13446
13447 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
13448 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
13449 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
13450 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
13451
13452 @smallexample
13453 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
13454 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
13455 -D__STDC__=1
13456 (@value{GDBP})
13457 @end smallexample
13458
13459
13460 @node Tracepoints
13461 @chapter Tracepoints
13462 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
13463 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
13464
13465 @cindex tracepoints
13466 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
13467 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
13468 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
13469 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
13470 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
13471 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
13472 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
13473
13474 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
13475 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
13476 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
13477 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
13478 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
13479 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
13480 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
13481 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
13482 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
13483 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
13484 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
13485
13486 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
13487 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
13488 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
13489 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
13490 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
13491 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
13492 Packets}.
13493
13494 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
13495 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
13496 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
13497
13498 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
13499
13500 @menu
13501 * Set Tracepoints::
13502 * Analyze Collected Data::
13503 * Tracepoint Variables::
13504 * Trace Files::
13505 @end menu
13506
13507 @node Set Tracepoints
13508 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
13509
13510 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
13511 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
13512 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
13513 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
13514 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
13515 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
13516 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
13517
13518 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
13519 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
13520 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
13521 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
13522 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
13523 tracepoint was hit.
13524
13525 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
13526 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
13527 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
13528 either.
13529
13530 @cindex fast tracepoints
13531 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
13532 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
13533 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
13534
13535 @cindex static tracepoints
13536 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
13537 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
13538 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
13539 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
13540 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
13541 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
13542 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
13543 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
13544 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
13545 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
13546 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
13547 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
13548 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
13549 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
13550 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
13551 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
13552 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
13553 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
13554 static tracepoint marker.
13555
13556 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
13557 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
13558
13559 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
13560 conditions and actions.
13561
13562 @menu
13563 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
13564 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
13565 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
13566 * Tracepoint Conditions::
13567 * Trace State Variables::
13568 * Tracepoint Actions::
13569 * Listing Tracepoints::
13570 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
13571 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
13572 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
13573 @end menu
13574
13575 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
13576 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
13577
13578 @table @code
13579 @cindex set tracepoint
13580 @kindex trace
13581 @item trace @var{location}
13582 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
13583 Its argument @var{location} can be any valid location.
13584 @xref{Specify Location}. The @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint,
13585 which is a point in the target program where the debugger will briefly stop,
13586 collect some data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint
13587 or changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
13588 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
13589 in tracing}).
13590 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
13591 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
13592 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
13593 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
13594 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
13595 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
13596 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
13597 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
13598 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
13599 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
13600 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
13601 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
13602
13603 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
13604
13605 @smallexample
13606 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
13607
13608 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
13609
13610 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
13611
13612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
13613
13614 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
13615 @end smallexample
13616
13617 @noindent
13618 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
13619
13620 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
13621 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
13622 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
13623 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
13624 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
13625 information on tracepoint conditions.
13626
13627 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
13628 @cindex set fast tracepoint
13629 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
13630 @kindex ftrace
13631 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
13632 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
13633 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
13634 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
13635 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
13636 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
13637 message.
13638
13639 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
13640 @code{trace}.
13641
13642 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
13643 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
13644 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
13645 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
13646 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
13647 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
13648 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
13649 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
13650
13651 @example
13652 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
13653 @end example
13654
13655 @noindent
13656 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
13657 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
13658
13659 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
13660 @cindex set static tracepoint
13661 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
13662 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
13663 @kindex strace
13664 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
13665 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
13666 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
13667 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
13668 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
13669
13670 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
13671 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
13672 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
13673 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
13674 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
13675 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
13676 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
13677 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
13678 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
13679 tracing engine:
13680
13681 @smallexample
13682 main ()
13683 @{
13684 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
13685 @}
13686 @end smallexample
13687
13688 @noindent
13689 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
13690 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
13691
13692 @smallexample
13693 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
13694 Cnt Enb ID Address What
13695 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
13696 Data: "str %s"
13697 [etc...]
13698 @end smallexample
13699
13700 @noindent
13701 so you may probe the marker above with:
13702
13703 @smallexample
13704 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
13705 @end smallexample
13706
13707 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
13708 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
13709 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
13710 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
13711 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
13712 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
13713 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
13714 the @samp{Data:} field.
13715
13716 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
13717 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
13718 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
13719
13720 @vindex $tpnum
13721 @cindex last tracepoint number
13722 @cindex recent tracepoint number
13723 @cindex tracepoint number
13724 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
13725 of the most recently set tracepoint.
13726
13727 @kindex delete tracepoint
13728 @cindex tracepoint deletion
13729 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
13730 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
13731 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
13732 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
13733
13734 Examples:
13735
13736 @smallexample
13737 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
13738
13739 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
13740 @end smallexample
13741
13742 @noindent
13743 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
13744 @end table
13745
13746 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
13747 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
13748
13749 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
13750
13751 @table @code
13752 @kindex disable tracepoint
13753 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
13754 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
13755 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
13756 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
13757 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
13758 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
13759 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
13760 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
13761 next trace experiment.
13762
13763 @kindex enable tracepoint
13764 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
13765 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
13766 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
13767 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
13768 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
13769 next time a trace experiment is run.
13770 @end table
13771
13772 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
13773 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
13774
13775 @table @code
13776 @kindex passcount
13777 @cindex tracepoint pass count
13778 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
13779 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
13780 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
13781 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
13782 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
13783 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
13784 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
13785 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
13786 user.
13787
13788 Examples:
13789
13790 @smallexample
13791 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
13792 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
13793
13794 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
13795 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
13796 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
13797 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
13798 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
13799 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
13800 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
13801 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
13802 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
13803 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
13804 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
13805 @end smallexample
13806 @end table
13807
13808 @node Tracepoint Conditions
13809 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
13810 @cindex conditional tracepoints
13811 @cindex tracepoint conditions
13812
13813 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
13814 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
13815 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
13816 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
13817 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
13818 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
13819 is true.
13820
13821 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
13822 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
13823 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
13824 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
13825 just as with breakpoints.
13826
13827 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
13828 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
13829 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
13830 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
13831 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
13832 accesses, and so forth.
13833
13834 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
13835 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
13836 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
13837 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
13838 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
13839 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
13840 search through.
13841
13842 @smallexample
13843 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
13844 @end smallexample
13845
13846 @node Trace State Variables
13847 @subsection Trace State Variables
13848 @cindex trace state variables
13849
13850 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
13851 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
13852 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
13853 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
13854 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
13855 integers.
13856
13857 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
13858 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
13859 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
13860 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
13861
13862 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
13863 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
13864 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
13865 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
13866 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
13867 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
13868 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
13869 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
13870 variable with the same name.
13871
13872 @table @code
13873
13874 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
13875 @kindex tvariable
13876 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
13877 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
13878 @var{expression}. The @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
13879 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
13880 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
13881 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
13882 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
13883 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
13884 value. The default initial value is 0.
13885
13886 @item info tvariables
13887 @kindex info tvariables
13888 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
13889 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
13890 currently running.
13891
13892 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
13893 @kindex delete tvariable
13894 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
13895 are specified.
13896
13897 @end table
13898
13899 @node Tracepoint Actions
13900 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
13901
13902 @table @code
13903 @kindex actions
13904 @cindex tracepoint actions
13905 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
13906 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
13907 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
13908 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
13909 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
13910 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
13911 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
13912 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
13913 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
13914 @code{while-stepping}.
13915
13916 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
13917 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
13918 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
13919
13920 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
13921 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
13922 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
13923
13924 @smallexample
13925 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
13926
13927 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
13928
13929 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
13930 @end smallexample
13931
13932 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
13933 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
13934 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
13935 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
13936 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
13937 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
13938 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
13939 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
13940
13941 @smallexample
13942 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
13943 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
13944 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
13945 > collect bar,baz
13946 > collect $regs
13947 > while-stepping 12
13948 > collect $pc, arr[i]
13949 > end
13950 end
13951 @end smallexample
13952
13953 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
13954 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
13955 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
13956 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
13957 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
13958 special arguments are supported:
13959
13960 @table @code
13961 @item $regs
13962 Collect all registers.
13963
13964 @item $args
13965 Collect all function arguments.
13966
13967 @item $locals
13968 Collect all local variables.
13969
13970 @item $_ret
13971 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
13972 of a backtrace.
13973
13974 @emph{Note:} The return address location can not always be reliably
13975 determined up front, and the wrong address / registers may end up
13976 collected instead. On some architectures the reliability is higher
13977 for tracepoints at function entry, while on others it's the opposite.
13978 When this happens, backtracing will stop because the return address is
13979 found unavailable (unless another collect rule happened to match it).
13980
13981 @item $_probe_argc
13982 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
13983 tracepoint is located.
13984 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
13985
13986 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
13987 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
13988 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
13989 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
13990
13991 @item $_sdata
13992 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
13993 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
13994 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
13995 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
13996 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
13997 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
13998 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
13999 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
14000 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
14001
14002 @smallexample
14003 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
14004 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
14005 @end smallexample
14006
14007 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
14008 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
14009 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
14010 @value{GDBN}.
14011 @end table
14012
14013 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
14014 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
14015 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
14016
14017 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
14018 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
14019 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
14020 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
14021 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
14022 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
14023 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
14024 @samp{mystr}.
14025
14026 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
14027 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
14028
14029 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
14030 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
14031 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
14032 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
14033 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
14034 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
14035 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
14036 action were used.
14037
14038 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
14039 @item while-stepping @var{n}
14040 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
14041 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
14042 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
14043 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
14044
14045 @smallexample
14046 > while-stepping 12
14047 > collect $regs, myglobal
14048 > end
14049 >
14050 @end smallexample
14051
14052 @noindent
14053 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
14054 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
14055 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
14056 @code{stepping}.
14057
14058 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
14059 @kindex set default-collect
14060 @cindex default collection action
14061 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
14062 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
14063 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
14064 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
14065 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
14066 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
14067
14068 @item show default-collect
14069 @kindex show default-collect
14070 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
14071 tracepoint hit.
14072
14073 @end table
14074
14075 @node Listing Tracepoints
14076 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
14077
14078 @table @code
14079 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
14080 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
14081 @cindex information about tracepoints
14082 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
14083 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
14084 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
14085 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
14086 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
14087 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
14088
14089 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
14090 tracing:
14091
14092 @itemize @bullet
14093 @item
14094 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
14095
14096 @item
14097 the state about installed on target of each location
14098 @end itemize
14099
14100 @smallexample
14101 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
14102 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
14103 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
14104 while-stepping 20
14105 collect globfoo, $regs
14106 end
14107 collect globfoo2
14108 end
14109 pass count 1200
14110 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
14111 collect $eip
14112 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
14113 installed on target
14114 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
14115 installed on target
14116 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
14117 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
14118 not installed on target
14119 (@value{GDBP})
14120 @end smallexample
14121
14122 @noindent
14123 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
14124 @end table
14125
14126 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
14127 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
14128
14129 @table @code
14130 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
14131 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
14132 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
14133 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
14134 program.
14135
14136 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
14137
14138 @table @emph
14139 @item Count
14140 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
14141 stable identifier.
14142 @item ID
14143 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
14144 @item Enabled or Disabled
14145 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
14146 that are not enabled.
14147 @item Address
14148 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
14149 @item What
14150 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
14151 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
14152 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
14153 will be left blank.
14154 @end table
14155
14156 @noindent
14157 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
14158
14159 @table @emph
14160 @item Data
14161 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
14162 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
14163 marker call.
14164 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
14165 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
14166 @end table
14167
14168 @smallexample
14169 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
14170 Cnt ID Enb Address What
14171 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
14172 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
14173 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
14174 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
14175 Data: str %s
14176 (@value{GDBP})
14177 @end smallexample
14178 @end table
14179
14180 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
14181 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
14182
14183 @table @code
14184 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
14185 @cindex start a new trace experiment
14186 @cindex collected data discarded
14187 @item tstart
14188 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
14189 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
14190 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
14191 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
14192 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
14193 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
14194 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
14195 information, and so forth.
14196
14197 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
14198 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
14199 @item tstop
14200 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
14201 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
14202 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
14203 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
14204 needs to be stopped quickly.
14205
14206 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
14207 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
14208 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
14209
14210 @kindex tstatus
14211 @cindex status of trace data collection
14212 @cindex trace experiment, status of
14213 @item tstatus
14214 This command displays the status of the current trace data
14215 collection.
14216 @end table
14217
14218 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
14219
14220 @smallexample
14221 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
14222 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
14223 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
14224 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
14225 > while-stepping 11
14226 > collect $regs
14227 > end
14228 > end
14229 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
14230 [time passes @dots{}]
14231 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
14232 @end smallexample
14233
14234 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
14235 @cindex disconnected tracing
14236 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
14237 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
14238 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
14239 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
14240 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
14241 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
14242 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
14243 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
14244
14245 @table @code
14246 @item set disconnected-tracing on
14247 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
14248 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
14249 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
14250 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
14251 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
14252 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
14253 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
14254
14255 @item show disconnected-tracing
14256 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
14257 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
14258
14259 @end table
14260
14261 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
14262 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
14263 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
14264 it will continue after reconnection.
14265
14266 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
14267 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
14268 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
14269 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
14270 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
14271 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
14272 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
14273 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
14274 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
14275 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
14276
14277 @cindex circular trace buffer
14278 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
14279 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
14280 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
14281 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
14282 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
14283 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
14284 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
14285 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
14286 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
14287 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
14288 the next run.
14289
14290 @table @code
14291 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
14292 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
14293 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
14294 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
14295 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
14296 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
14297 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
14298
14299 @item show circular-trace-buffer
14300 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
14301 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
14302 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
14303 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
14304 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
14305
14306 @end table
14307
14308 @table @code
14309 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
14310 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
14311 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
14312 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
14313 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
14314 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
14315 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
14316 likes. This is also the default.
14317
14318 @item show trace-buffer-size
14319 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
14320 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
14321 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
14322 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
14323 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
14324 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
14325 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
14326 @end table
14327
14328 @table @code
14329 @item set trace-user @var{text}
14330 @kindex set trace-user
14331
14332 @item show trace-user
14333 @kindex show trace-user
14334
14335 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
14336 @kindex set trace-notes
14337 Set the trace run's notes.
14338
14339 @item show trace-notes
14340 @kindex show trace-notes
14341 Show the trace run's notes.
14342
14343 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
14344 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
14345 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
14346 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
14347 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
14348
14349 @item show trace-stop-notes
14350 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
14351 Show the trace run's stop notes.
14352
14353 @end table
14354
14355 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
14356 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
14357
14358 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
14359 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
14360 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
14361 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
14362 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
14363 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
14364 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
14365 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
14366 mentioned here.
14367
14368 @itemize @bullet
14369
14370 @item
14371 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
14372 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
14373 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
14374 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
14375 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
14376 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
14377 cannot be collected either.
14378
14379 @item
14380 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
14381 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
14382 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
14383 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
14384 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
14385 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
14386 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
14387 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
14388 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
14389 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
14390
14391 @item
14392 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
14393 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
14394 in a misleading way.
14395
14396 @item
14397 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
14398 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
14399 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
14400 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
14401 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
14402 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
14403 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
14404 by @code{ptr}.
14405
14406 @item
14407 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
14408 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
14409 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
14410 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
14411 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
14412 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
14413 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
14414 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
14415 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
14416 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
14417 invalid address.
14418
14419 @item
14420 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
14421 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
14422 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
14423 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
14424 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
14425 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
14426 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
14427 it to zero.
14428
14429 @end itemize
14430
14431 @node Analyze Collected Data
14432 @section Using the Collected Data
14433
14434 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
14435 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
14436 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
14437 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
14438 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
14439 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
14440 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
14441 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
14442 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
14443 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
14444 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
14445 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
14446 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
14447 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
14448 the buffer will fail.
14449
14450 @menu
14451 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
14452 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
14453 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
14454 @end menu
14455
14456 @node tfind
14457 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
14458
14459 @kindex tfind
14460 @cindex select trace snapshot
14461 @cindex find trace snapshot
14462 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
14463 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
14464 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
14465 snapshot is selected.
14466
14467 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
14468
14469 @table @code
14470 @item tfind start
14471 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
14472 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
14473
14474 @item tfind none
14475 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
14476
14477 @item tfind end
14478 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
14479
14480 @item tfind
14481 No argument means find the next trace snapshot or find the first
14482 one if no trace snapshot is selected.
14483
14484 @item tfind -
14485 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
14486 retracing earlier steps.
14487
14488 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
14489 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
14490 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
14491 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
14492 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
14493
14494 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
14495 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
14496 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
14497 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
14498 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
14499
14500 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
14501 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
14502 addresses (exclusive).
14503
14504 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
14505 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
14506 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
14507
14508 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
14509 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
14510 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
14511 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
14512 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
14513 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
14514 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
14515 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
14516 @end table
14517
14518 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
14519 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
14520 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
14521 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
14522 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
14523 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
14524 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
14525 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
14526 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
14527 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
14528 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
14529 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
14530 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
14531 tracepoint as the current one.
14532
14533 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
14534 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
14535 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
14536 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
14537 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
14538
14539 @smallexample
14540 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
14541 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
14542 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
14543 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
14544 > tfind
14545 > end
14546
14547 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
14548 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
14549 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
14550 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
14551 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
14552 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
14553 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
14554 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
14555 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
14556 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
14557 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
14558 @end smallexample
14559
14560 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
14561 the buffer:
14562
14563 @smallexample
14564 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
14565 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
14566 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
14567 > tfind line
14568 > end
14569
14570 Frame 0, X = 1
14571 Frame 7, X = 2
14572 Frame 13, X = 255
14573 @end smallexample
14574
14575 @node tdump
14576 @subsection @code{tdump}
14577 @kindex tdump
14578 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
14579 @cindex tracepoint data, display
14580
14581 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
14582 the current trace snapshot.
14583
14584 @smallexample
14585 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
14586 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
14587 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
14588 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
14589 > end
14590
14591 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
14592
14593 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
14594 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
14595 at gdb_test.c:444
14596 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
14597
14598 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
14599 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
14600 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
14601 d1 0x18 24
14602 d2 0x80 128
14603 d3 0x33 51
14604 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
14605 d5 0x22 34
14606 d6 0xe0 224
14607 d7 0x380035 3670069
14608 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
14609 a1 0x3000668 50333288
14610 a2 0x100 256
14611 a3 0x322000 3284992
14612 a4 0x3000698 50333336
14613 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
14614 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
14615 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
14616 ps 0x0 0
14617 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
14618 fpcontrol 0x0 0
14619 fpstatus 0x0 0
14620 fpiaddr 0x0 0
14621 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
14622 p1 = (void *) 0x11
14623 p2 = (void *) 0x22
14624 p3 = (void *) 0x33
14625 p4 = (void *) 0x44
14626 p5 = (void *) 0x55
14627 p6 = (void *) 0x66
14628 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
14629
14630 (@value{GDBP})
14631 @end smallexample
14632
14633 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
14634 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
14635 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
14636 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
14637
14638 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
14639 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
14640 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
14641 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
14642 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
14643 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
14644 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
14645 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
14646 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
14647 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
14648
14649 @node save tracepoints
14650 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
14651 @kindex save tracepoints
14652 @kindex save-tracepoints
14653 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
14654
14655 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
14656 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
14657 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
14658 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
14659 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
14660 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
14661
14662 @node Tracepoint Variables
14663 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
14664 @cindex tracepoint variables
14665 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
14666
14667 @table @code
14668 @vindex $trace_frame
14669 @item (int) $trace_frame
14670 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
14671 snapshot is selected.
14672
14673 @vindex $tracepoint
14674 @item (int) $tracepoint
14675 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
14676
14677 @vindex $trace_line
14678 @item (int) $trace_line
14679 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
14680
14681 @vindex $trace_file
14682 @item (char []) $trace_file
14683 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
14684
14685 @vindex $trace_func
14686 @item (char []) $trace_func
14687 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
14688 @end table
14689
14690 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
14691 use @code{output} instead.
14692
14693 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
14694 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
14695 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
14696 which are managed by the target.
14697
14698 @smallexample
14699 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
14700
14701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
14702 > output $trace_file
14703 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
14704 > tfind
14705 > end
14706 @end smallexample
14707
14708 @node Trace Files
14709 @section Using Trace Files
14710 @cindex trace files
14711
14712 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
14713 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
14714 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
14715 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
14716 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
14717
14718 @table @code
14719
14720 @kindex tsave
14721 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
14722 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
14723 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
14724 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
14725 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
14726 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
14727 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
14728 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
14729 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
14730 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
14731 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
14732 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save data in CTF
14733 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
14734 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
14735 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
14736
14737 @kindex target tfile
14738 @kindex tfile
14739 @kindex target ctf
14740 @kindex ctf
14741 @item target tfile @var{filename}
14742 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
14743 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
14744 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
14745 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
14746 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
14747 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
14748 Both @var{filename} and @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
14749 the host.
14750
14751 @smallexample
14752 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
14753 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
14754 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
14755 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
14756 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
14757 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
14758 i = 0
14759 a = 0
14760 b = 1 '\001'
14761 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
14762 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
14763 (@value{GDBP}) p b
14764 $1 = 1
14765 @end smallexample
14766
14767 @end table
14768
14769 @node Overlays
14770 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
14771 @cindex overlays
14772
14773 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
14774 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
14775 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
14776 use overlays.
14777
14778 @menu
14779 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
14780 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
14781 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
14782 mapped by asking the inferior.
14783 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
14784 @end menu
14785
14786 @node How Overlays Work
14787 @section How Overlays Work
14788 @cindex mapped overlays
14789 @cindex unmapped overlays
14790 @cindex load address, overlay's
14791 @cindex mapped address
14792 @cindex overlay area
14793
14794 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
14795 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
14796 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
14797 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
14798 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
14799
14800 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
14801 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
14802 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
14803 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
14804 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
14805 largest overlay as well.
14806
14807 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
14808 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
14809 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
14810 there.
14811
14812 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
14813 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
14814 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
14815
14816 @smallexample
14817 @group
14818 Data Instruction Larger
14819 Address Space Address Space Address Space
14820 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
14821 | | | | | |
14822 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
14823 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
14824 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
14825 | and heap | | | | | |
14826 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
14827 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
14828 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
14829 | | | | | |
14830 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
14831 address | | | | | |
14832 | overlay | <-' | | |
14833 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
14834 | | <---. | | load address
14835 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
14836 | | | |
14837 +-----------+ | |
14838 +-----------+
14839 | |
14840 +-----------+
14841
14842 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
14843 @end group
14844 @end smallexample
14845
14846 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
14847 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
14848 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
14849 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
14850 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
14851 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
14852 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
14853 program and the overlay area.
14854
14855 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
14856 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
14857 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
14858 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
14859 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
14860 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
14861 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
14862
14863 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
14864 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
14865 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
14866
14867 @itemize @bullet
14868
14869 @item
14870 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
14871 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
14872 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
14873 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
14874
14875 @item
14876 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
14877 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
14878 your program's performance.
14879
14880 @item
14881 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
14882 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
14883 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
14884 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
14885 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
14886 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
14887 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
14888
14889 @item
14890 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
14891 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
14892 instruction and data spaces.
14893
14894 @end itemize
14895
14896 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
14897 improved in many ways:
14898
14899 @itemize @bullet
14900
14901 @item
14902 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
14903 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
14904 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
14905 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
14906 area in the usual way.
14907
14908 @item
14909 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
14910 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
14911
14912 @item
14913 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
14914 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
14915 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
14916 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
14917 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
14918 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
14919 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
14920
14921 @end itemize
14922
14923
14924 @node Overlay Commands
14925 @section Overlay Commands
14926
14927 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
14928 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
14929 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
14930 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
14931 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
14932 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
14933
14934 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
14935 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
14936
14937 @table @code
14938 @item overlay off
14939 @kindex overlay
14940 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
14941 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
14942 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
14943 overlay support is disabled.
14944
14945 @item overlay manual
14946 @cindex manual overlay debugging
14947 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
14948 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
14949 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
14950 commands described below.
14951
14952 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
14953 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
14954 @cindex map an overlay
14955 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
14956 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
14957 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
14958 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
14959 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
14960 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
14961
14962 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
14963 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
14964 @cindex unmap an overlay
14965 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
14966 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
14967 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
14968 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
14969
14970 @item overlay auto
14971 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
14972 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
14973 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
14974 Overlay Debugging}.
14975
14976 @item overlay load-target
14977 @itemx overlay load
14978 @cindex reloading the overlay table
14979 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
14980 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
14981 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
14982 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
14983 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
14984
14985 @item overlay list-overlays
14986 @itemx overlay list
14987 @cindex listing mapped overlays
14988 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
14989 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
14990
14991 @end table
14992
14993 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
14994 of the function the address falls in:
14995
14996 @smallexample
14997 (@value{GDBP}) print main
14998 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
14999 @end smallexample
15000 @noindent
15001 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
15002 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
15003 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
15004 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
15005
15006 @smallexample
15007 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
15008 No sections are mapped.
15009 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
15010 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
15011 @end smallexample
15012 @noindent
15013 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
15014 name normally:
15015
15016 @smallexample
15017 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
15018 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
15019 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
15020 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
15021 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
15022 @end smallexample
15023
15024 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
15025 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
15026 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
15027 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
15028 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
15029
15030 @itemize @bullet
15031 @item
15032 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
15033 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
15034 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
15035 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
15036 @item
15037 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
15038 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
15039 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
15040 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
15041 breakpoints properly.
15042 @end itemize
15043
15044
15045 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
15046 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
15047 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
15048
15049 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
15050 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
15051 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
15052 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
15053 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
15054 current state of the overlays.
15055
15056 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
15057 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
15058
15059 @table @asis
15060
15061 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
15062 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
15063
15064 @smallexample
15065 struct
15066 @{
15067 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
15068 unsigned long vma;
15069
15070 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
15071 unsigned long size;
15072
15073 /* The overlay's load address. */
15074 unsigned long lma;
15075
15076 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
15077 zero otherwise. */
15078 unsigned long mapped;
15079 @}
15080 @end smallexample
15081
15082 @item @code{_novlys}:
15083 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
15084 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
15085
15086 @end table
15087
15088 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
15089 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
15090 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
15091 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
15092 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
15093 currently mapped.
15094
15095 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
15096 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
15097 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
15098 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
15099 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
15100 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
15101 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
15102 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
15103 are not being executed.
15104
15105 @node Overlay Sample Program
15106 @section Overlay Sample Program
15107 @cindex overlay example program
15108
15109 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
15110 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
15111 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
15112 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
15113 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
15114 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
15115 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
15116
15117 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
15118 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
15119 suite. The program consists of the following files from
15120 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
15121
15122 @table @file
15123 @item overlays.c
15124 The main program file.
15125 @item ovlymgr.c
15126 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
15127 @item foo.c
15128 @itemx bar.c
15129 @itemx baz.c
15130 @itemx grbx.c
15131 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
15132 @item d10v.ld
15133 @itemx m32r.ld
15134 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
15135 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
15136 @end table
15137
15138 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
15139 cross-compiler like this:
15140
15141 @smallexample
15142 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
15143 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
15144 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
15145 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
15146 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
15147 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
15148 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
15149 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
15150 @end smallexample
15151
15152 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
15153 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
15154 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
15155
15156
15157 @node Languages
15158 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
15159 @cindex languages
15160
15161 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
15162 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
15163 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
15164 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
15165 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
15166 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
15167
15168 @cindex working language
15169 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
15170 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
15171 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
15172 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
15173 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
15174 language}.
15175
15176 @menu
15177 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
15178 * Show:: Displaying the language
15179 * Checks:: Type and range checks
15180 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
15181 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
15182 @end menu
15183
15184 @node Setting
15185 @section Switching Between Source Languages
15186
15187 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
15188 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
15189 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
15190 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
15191 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
15192 are printed, etc.
15193
15194 In addition to the working language, every source file that
15195 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
15196 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
15197 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
15198 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
15199 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
15200 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
15201 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
15202 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
15203 Displaying the Language}.
15204
15205 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
15206 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
15207 another language. In that case, make the
15208 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
15209 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
15210 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
15211
15212 @menu
15213 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
15214 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
15215 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
15216 @end menu
15217
15218 @node Filenames
15219 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
15220
15221 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
15222 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
15223
15224 @table @file
15225 @item .ada
15226 @itemx .ads
15227 @itemx .adb
15228 @itemx .a
15229 Ada source file.
15230
15231 @item .c
15232 C source file
15233
15234 @item .C
15235 @itemx .cc
15236 @itemx .cp
15237 @itemx .cpp
15238 @itemx .cxx
15239 @itemx .c++
15240 C@t{++} source file
15241
15242 @item .d
15243 D source file
15244
15245 @item .m
15246 Objective-C source file
15247
15248 @item .f
15249 @itemx .F
15250 Fortran source file
15251
15252 @item .mod
15253 Modula-2 source file
15254
15255 @item .s
15256 @itemx .S
15257 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
15258 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
15259 @end table
15260
15261 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
15262 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
15263
15264 @node Manually
15265 @subsection Setting the Working Language
15266
15267 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
15268 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
15269 your program.
15270
15271 @kindex set language
15272 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
15273 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
15274 a language, such as
15275 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
15276 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
15277
15278 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
15279 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
15280 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
15281 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
15282 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
15283 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
15284 command such as:
15285
15286 @smallexample
15287 print a = b + c
15288 @end smallexample
15289
15290 @noindent
15291 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
15292 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
15293 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
15294 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
15295
15296 @node Automatically
15297 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
15298
15299 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
15300 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
15301 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
15302 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
15303 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
15304 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
15305 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
15306 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
15307 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
15308
15309 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
15310 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
15311 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
15312 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
15313 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
15314
15315 @node Show
15316 @section Displaying the Language
15317
15318 The following commands help you find out which language is the
15319 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
15320
15321 @table @code
15322 @item show language
15323 @anchor{show language}
15324 @kindex show language
15325 Display the current working language. This is the
15326 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
15327 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
15328
15329 @item info frame
15330 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
15331 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
15332 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
15333 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
15334 information listed here.
15335
15336 @item info source
15337 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
15338 Display the source language of this source file.
15339 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
15340 information listed here.
15341 @end table
15342
15343 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
15344 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
15345 with a language explicitly:
15346
15347 @table @code
15348 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
15349 @kindex set extension-language
15350 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
15351 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
15352
15353 @item info extensions
15354 @kindex info extensions
15355 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
15356 @end table
15357
15358 @node Checks
15359 @section Type and Range Checking
15360
15361 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
15362 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
15363 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
15364 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
15365 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
15366 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
15367 errors when your program is running.
15368
15369 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
15370 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
15371 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
15372 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
15373
15374 @menu
15375 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
15376 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
15377 @end menu
15378
15379 @cindex type checking
15380 @cindex checks, type
15381 @node Type Checking
15382 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
15383
15384 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
15385 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
15386 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
15387 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
15388
15389 @smallexample
15390 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
15391
15392 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
15393 $1 = 2
15394 @exdent but
15395 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
15396 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
15397 @end smallexample
15398
15399 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
15400 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
15401
15402 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
15403 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
15404 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
15405 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
15406 expressions like the second example above.
15407
15408 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
15409 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
15410 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
15411 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
15412 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
15413 little sense to evaluate anyway.
15414
15415 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
15416
15417 @kindex set check type
15418 @kindex show check type
15419 @table @code
15420 @item set check type on
15421 @itemx set check type off
15422 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
15423 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
15424 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
15425
15426 @item show check type
15427 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
15428 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
15429 @end table
15430
15431 @cindex range checking
15432 @cindex checks, range
15433 @node Range Checking
15434 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
15435
15436 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
15437 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
15438 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
15439 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
15440 not exceed the bounds of the array.
15441
15442 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
15443 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
15444 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
15445 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
15446
15447 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
15448 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
15449 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
15450 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
15451 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
15452 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
15453
15454 @smallexample
15455 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
15456 @end smallexample
15457
15458 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
15459 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
15460 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
15461
15462 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
15463
15464 @kindex set check range
15465 @kindex show check range
15466 @table @code
15467 @item set check range auto
15468 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
15469 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
15470 each language.
15471
15472 @item set check range on
15473 @itemx set check range off
15474 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
15475 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
15476 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
15477 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
15478
15479 @item set check range warn
15480 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
15481 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
15482 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
15483 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
15484 systems).
15485
15486 @item show range
15487 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
15488 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
15489 @end table
15490
15491 @node Supported Languages
15492 @section Supported Languages
15493
15494 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran,
15495 OpenCL C, Pascal, Rust, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
15496 @c This is false ...
15497 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
15498 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
15499 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
15500 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
15501 language.
15502
15503 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
15504 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
15505 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
15506 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
15507 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
15508 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
15509 language reference or tutorial.
15510
15511 @menu
15512 * C:: C and C@t{++}
15513 * D:: D
15514 * Go:: Go
15515 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
15516 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
15517 * Fortran:: Fortran
15518 * Pascal:: Pascal
15519 * Rust:: Rust
15520 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
15521 * Ada:: Ada
15522 @end menu
15523
15524 @node C
15525 @subsection C and C@t{++}
15526
15527 @cindex C and C@t{++}
15528 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
15529
15530 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
15531 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
15532 together.
15533
15534 @cindex C@t{++}
15535 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
15536 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
15537 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
15538 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
15539 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
15540 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
15541 compiler (@code{aCC}).
15542
15543 @menu
15544 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
15545 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
15546 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
15547 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
15548 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
15549 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
15550 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
15551 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
15552 @end menu
15553
15554 @node C Operators
15555 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
15556
15557 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
15558
15559 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
15560 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
15561 often defined on groups of types.
15562
15563 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
15564
15565 @itemize @bullet
15566
15567 @item
15568 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
15569 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
15570
15571 @item
15572 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
15573 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
15574
15575 @item
15576 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
15577
15578 @item
15579 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
15580
15581 @end itemize
15582
15583 @noindent
15584 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
15585 in order of increasing precedence:
15586
15587 @table @code
15588 @item ,
15589 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
15590 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
15591 expression being the last expression evaluated.
15592
15593 @item =
15594 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
15595 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
15596
15597 @item @var{op}=
15598 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
15599 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
15600 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence. The operator
15601 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
15602 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
15603
15604 @item ?:
15605 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
15606 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. The argument @var{a}
15607 should be of an integral type.
15608
15609 @item ||
15610 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
15611
15612 @item &&
15613 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
15614
15615 @item |
15616 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
15617
15618 @item ^
15619 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
15620
15621 @item &
15622 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
15623
15624 @item ==@r{, }!=
15625 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
15626 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
15627
15628 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
15629 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
15630 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
15631 and non-zero for true.
15632
15633 @item <<@r{, }>>
15634 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
15635
15636 @item @@
15637 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
15638
15639 @item +@r{, }-
15640 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
15641 pointer types.
15642
15643 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
15644 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
15645 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
15646 integral types.
15647
15648 @item ++@r{, }--
15649 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
15650 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
15651 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
15652 operation takes place.
15653
15654 @item *
15655 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
15656 @code{++}.
15657
15658 @item &
15659 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
15660
15661 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
15662 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
15663 to examine the address
15664 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
15665 stored.
15666
15667 @item -
15668 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
15669 precedence as @code{++}.
15670
15671 @item !
15672 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
15673 @code{++}.
15674
15675 @item ~
15676 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
15677 @code{++}.
15678
15679
15680 @item .@r{, }->
15681 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
15682 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
15683 pointer based on the stored type information.
15684 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
15685
15686 @item .*@r{, }->*
15687 Dereferences of pointers to members.
15688
15689 @item []
15690 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
15691 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
15692
15693 @item ()
15694 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
15695
15696 @item ::
15697 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
15698 and @code{class} types.
15699
15700 @item ::
15701 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
15702 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
15703 above.
15704 @end table
15705
15706 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
15707 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
15708 predefined meaning.
15709
15710 @node C Constants
15711 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
15712
15713 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
15714
15715 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
15716 following ways:
15717
15718 @itemize @bullet
15719 @item
15720 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
15721 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
15722 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
15723 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
15724 @code{long} value.
15725
15726 @item
15727 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
15728 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
15729 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
15730 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
15731 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
15732 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
15733 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
15734 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
15735 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
15736 constant.
15737
15738 @item
15739 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
15740 integral equivalents.
15741
15742 @item
15743 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
15744 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
15745 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
15746 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
15747 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
15748 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
15749 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
15750 @samp{\n} for newline.
15751
15752 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
15753 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
15754 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
15755 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
15756
15757 @item
15758 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
15759 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
15760 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
15761 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
15762 characters.
15763
15764 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
15765 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
15766 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
15767
15768 @item
15769 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
15770 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
15771
15772 @item
15773 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
15774 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
15775 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
15776 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
15777 @end itemize
15778
15779 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
15780 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
15781
15782 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
15783 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
15784
15785 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
15786 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
15787 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
15788 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
15789 @quotation
15790 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
15791 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
15792 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
15793 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
15794 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
15795 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
15796 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
15797 code. @xref{Compilation}.
15798 @end quotation
15799
15800 @enumerate
15801
15802 @cindex member functions
15803 @item
15804 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
15805
15806 @smallexample
15807 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
15808 @end smallexample
15809
15810 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
15811 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
15812 @item
15813 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
15814 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
15815 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
15816 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
15817 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
15818
15819 @cindex call overloaded functions
15820 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
15821 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
15822 @item
15823 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
15824 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
15825 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
15826 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
15827 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
15828 default arguments.
15829
15830 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
15831 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
15832 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
15833 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
15834 number of function arguments.
15835
15836 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
15837 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
15838 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
15839
15840 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
15841 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
15842 @smallexample
15843 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
15844 @end smallexample
15845
15846 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
15847 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
15848
15849 @cindex reference declarations
15850 @item
15851 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} lvalue or rvalue
15852 references; you can use them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++}
15853 source---they are automatically dereferenced.
15854
15855 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
15856 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
15857 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
15858 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
15859 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
15860
15861 @item
15862 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
15863 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
15864 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
15865 necessary, for example in an expression like
15866 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
15867 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
15868 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
15869
15870 @item
15871 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
15872 specification.
15873 @end enumerate
15874
15875 @node C Defaults
15876 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
15877
15878 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
15879
15880 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
15881 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
15882 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
15883 selects the working language.
15884
15885 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
15886 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
15887 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
15888 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
15889 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
15890 for further details.
15891
15892 @node C Checks
15893 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
15894
15895 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
15896
15897 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
15898 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
15899 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
15900 constants to pointers.
15901
15902 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
15903 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
15904 that is not itself an array.
15905
15906 @node Debugging C
15907 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
15908
15909 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
15910 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
15911 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
15912 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
15913
15914 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
15915 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
15916 ,Expressions}.
15917
15918 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
15919 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
15920
15921 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
15922
15923 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
15924 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
15925
15926 @table @code
15927 @cindex break in overloaded functions
15928 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
15929 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
15930 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
15931 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
15932 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
15933
15934 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
15935 @item rbreak @var{regex}
15936 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
15937 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
15938 classes.
15939 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15940
15941 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
15942 @item catch throw
15943 @itemx catch rethrow
15944 @itemx catch catch
15945 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
15946 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
15947
15948 @cindex inheritance
15949 @item ptype @var{typename}
15950 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
15951 @var{typename}.
15952 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
15953
15954 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
15955 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
15956 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
15957 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
15958 multiple inheritance is in use.
15959
15960 @cindex C@t{++} demangling
15961 @item demangle @var{name}
15962 Demangle @var{name}.
15963 @xref{Symbols}, for a more complete description of the @code{demangle} command.
15964
15965 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
15966 @item set print demangle
15967 @itemx show print demangle
15968 @itemx set print asm-demangle
15969 @itemx show print asm-demangle
15970 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
15971 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
15972 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
15973
15974 @item set print object
15975 @itemx show print object
15976 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
15977 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
15978
15979 @item set print vtbl
15980 @itemx show print vtbl
15981 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
15982 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
15983 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
15984 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
15985
15986 @kindex set overload-resolution
15987 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
15988 @item set overload-resolution on
15989 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
15990 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
15991 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
15992 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
15993 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
15994 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
15995
15996 @item set overload-resolution off
15997 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
15998 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
15999 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
16000 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
16001 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
16002 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
16003 argument types.
16004
16005 @kindex show overload-resolution
16006 @item show overload-resolution
16007 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
16008
16009 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
16010 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
16011 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
16012 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
16013 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
16014 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
16015 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
16016
16017 @item @r{Breakpoints in functions with ABI tags}
16018
16019 The GNU C@t{++} compiler introduced the notion of ABI ``tags'', which
16020 correspond to changes in the ABI of a type, function, or variable that
16021 would not otherwise be reflected in a mangled name. See
16022 @url{https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2015/02/05/gcc5-and-the-c11-abi/}
16023 for more detail.
16024
16025 The ABI tags are visible in C@t{++} demangled names. For example, a
16026 function that returns a std::string:
16027
16028 @smallexample
16029 std::string function(int);
16030 @end smallexample
16031
16032 @noindent
16033 when compiled for the C++11 ABI is marked with the @code{cxx11} ABI
16034 tag, and @value{GDBN} displays the symbol like this:
16035
16036 @smallexample
16037 function[abi:cxx11](int)
16038 @end smallexample
16039
16040 You can set a breakpoint on such functions simply as if they had no
16041 tag. For example:
16042
16043 @smallexample
16044 (gdb) b function(int)
16045 Breakpoint 2 at 0x40060d: file main.cc, line 10.
16046 (gdb) info breakpoints
16047 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
16048 1 breakpoint keep y 0x0040060d in function[abi:cxx11](int)
16049 at main.cc:10
16050 @end smallexample
16051
16052 On the rare occasion you need to disambiguate between different ABI
16053 tags, you can do so by simply including the ABI tag in the function
16054 name, like:
16055
16056 @smallexample
16057 (@value{GDBP}) b ambiguous[abi:other_tag](int)
16058 @end smallexample
16059 @end table
16060
16061 @node Decimal Floating Point
16062 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
16063 @cindex decimal floating point format
16064
16065 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
16066 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
16067 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
16068 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
16069
16070 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
16071 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
16072 PowerPC and S/390. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the
16073 configured target.
16074
16075 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
16076 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
16077 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
16078
16079 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
16080 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
16081 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
16082
16083 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
16084 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
16085 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
16086
16087 @node D
16088 @subsection D
16089
16090 @cindex D
16091 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
16092 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
16093 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
16094
16095 @node Go
16096 @subsection Go
16097
16098 @cindex Go (programming language)
16099 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
16100 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
16101
16102 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
16103
16104 @table @code
16105 @cindex current Go package
16106 @item The current Go package
16107 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
16108 specifying global variables and functions.
16109
16110 For example, given the program:
16111
16112 @example
16113 package main
16114 var myglob = "Shall we?"
16115 func main () @{
16116 // ...
16117 @}
16118 @end example
16119
16120 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
16121
16122 @example
16123 (gdb) p myglob
16124 (gdb) p main.myglob
16125 @end example
16126
16127 @cindex builtin Go types
16128 @item Builtin Go types
16129 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
16130 as a string.
16131
16132 @cindex builtin Go functions
16133 @item Builtin Go functions
16134 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
16135 function and handles it internally.
16136
16137 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
16138 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
16139 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
16140 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
16141 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
16142 @end table
16143
16144 @node Objective-C
16145 @subsection Objective-C
16146
16147 @cindex Objective-C
16148 This section provides information about some commands and command
16149 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
16150 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
16151 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
16152
16153 @menu
16154 * Method Names in Commands::
16155 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
16156 @end menu
16157
16158 @node Method Names in Commands
16159 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
16160
16161 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
16162 names as line specifications:
16163
16164 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
16165 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
16166 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
16167 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
16168 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
16169 @itemize
16170 @item @code{clear}
16171 @item @code{break}
16172 @item @code{info line}
16173 @item @code{jump}
16174 @item @code{list}
16175 @end itemize
16176
16177 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
16178
16179 @smallexample
16180 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
16181 @end smallexample
16182
16183 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
16184 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
16185 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
16186 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
16187 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
16188 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
16189 debugged, enter:
16190
16191 @smallexample
16192 break -[Fruit create]
16193 @end smallexample
16194
16195 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
16196 enter:
16197
16198 @smallexample
16199 list +[NSText initialize]
16200 @end smallexample
16201
16202 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
16203 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
16204 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
16205 is also possible to specify just a method name:
16206
16207 @smallexample
16208 break create
16209 @end smallexample
16210
16211 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
16212 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
16213 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
16214 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
16215 none apply.
16216
16217 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
16218 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
16219
16220 @smallexample
16221 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
16222 @end smallexample
16223
16224 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
16225 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
16226 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
16227 @kindex print-object
16228 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
16229
16230 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
16231
16232 @smallexample
16233 print -[@var{object} hash]
16234 @end smallexample
16235
16236 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
16237 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
16238 @noindent
16239 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
16240 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
16241 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
16242 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
16243 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
16244 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
16245
16246 @node OpenCL C
16247 @subsection OpenCL C
16248
16249 @cindex OpenCL C
16250 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
16251
16252 @menu
16253 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
16254 * OpenCL C Expressions::
16255 * OpenCL C Operators::
16256 @end menu
16257
16258 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
16259 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
16260
16261 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
16262 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
16263 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
16264 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
16265 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
16266
16267 @node OpenCL C Expressions
16268 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
16269
16270 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
16271 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
16272 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
16273 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
16274
16275 @node OpenCL C Operators
16276 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
16277
16278 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
16279 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
16280 vector data types.
16281
16282 @node Fortran
16283 @subsection Fortran
16284 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
16285
16286 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
16287 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
16288
16289 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
16290 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
16291 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
16292 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
16293 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
16294 underscore.
16295
16296 @menu
16297 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
16298 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
16299 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
16300 @end menu
16301
16302 @node Fortran Operators
16303 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
16304
16305 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
16306
16307 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
16308 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
16309 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
16310
16311 @table @code
16312 @item **
16313 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
16314 of the second one.
16315
16316 @item :
16317 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
16318 represent a section of array.
16319
16320 @item %
16321 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
16322 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
16323 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
16324 union type.
16325 @end table
16326
16327 @node Fortran Defaults
16328 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
16329
16330 @cindex Fortran Defaults
16331
16332 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
16333 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
16334 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
16335 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
16336
16337 @node Special Fortran Commands
16338 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
16339
16340 @cindex Special Fortran commands
16341
16342 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
16343 such as displaying common blocks.
16344
16345 @table @code
16346 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
16347 @kindex info common
16348 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
16349 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
16350 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
16351 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
16352 printed.
16353 @end table
16354
16355 @node Pascal
16356 @subsection Pascal
16357
16358 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
16359 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
16360 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
16361 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
16362 syntax.
16363
16364 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
16365 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
16366 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
16367
16368 @node Rust
16369 @subsection Rust
16370
16371 @value{GDBN} supports the @url{https://www.rust-lang.org/, Rust
16372 Programming Language}. Type- and value-printing, and expression
16373 parsing, are reasonably complete. However, there are a few
16374 peculiarities and holes to be aware of.
16375
16376 @itemize @bullet
16377 @item
16378 Linespecs (@pxref{Specify Location}) are never relative to the current
16379 crate. Instead, they act as if there were a global namespace of
16380 crates, somewhat similar to the way @code{extern crate} behaves.
16381
16382 That is, if @value{GDBN} is stopped at a breakpoint in a function in
16383 crate @samp{A}, module @samp{B}, then @code{break B::f} will attempt
16384 to set a breakpoint in a function named @samp{f} in a crate named
16385 @samp{B}.
16386
16387 As a consequence of this approach, linespecs also cannot refer to
16388 items using @samp{self::} or @samp{super::}.
16389
16390 @item
16391 Because @value{GDBN} implements Rust name-lookup semantics in
16392 expressions, it will sometimes prepend the current crate to a name.
16393 For example, if @value{GDBN} is stopped at a breakpoint in the crate
16394 @samp{K}, then @code{print ::x::y} will try to find the symbol
16395 @samp{K::x::y}.
16396
16397 However, since it is useful to be able to refer to other crates when
16398 debugging, @value{GDBN} provides the @code{extern} extension to
16399 circumvent this. To use the extension, just put @code{extern} before
16400 a path expression to refer to the otherwise unavailable ``global''
16401 scope.
16402
16403 In the above example, if you wanted to refer to the symbol @samp{y} in
16404 the crate @samp{x}, you would use @code{print extern x::y}.
16405
16406 @item
16407 The Rust expression evaluator does not support ``statement-like''
16408 expressions such as @code{if} or @code{match}, or lambda expressions.
16409
16410 @item
16411 Tuple expressions are not implemented.
16412
16413 @item
16414 The Rust expression evaluator does not currently implement the
16415 @code{Drop} trait. Objects that may be created by the evaluator will
16416 never be destroyed.
16417
16418 @item
16419 @value{GDBN} does not implement type inference for generics. In order
16420 to call generic functions or otherwise refer to generic items, you
16421 will have to specify the type parameters manually.
16422
16423 @item
16424 @value{GDBN} currently uses the C@t{++} demangler for Rust. In most
16425 cases this does not cause any problems. However, in an expression
16426 context, completing a generic function name will give syntactically
16427 invalid results. This happens because Rust requires the @samp{::}
16428 operator between the function name and its generic arguments. For
16429 example, @value{GDBN} might provide a completion like
16430 @code{crate::f<u32>}, where the parser would require
16431 @code{crate::f::<u32>}.
16432
16433 @item
16434 As of this writing, the Rust compiler (version 1.8) has a few holes in
16435 the debugging information it generates. These holes prevent certain
16436 features from being implemented by @value{GDBN}:
16437 @itemize @bullet
16438
16439 @item
16440 Method calls cannot be made via traits.
16441
16442 @item
16443 Operator overloading is not implemented.
16444
16445 @item
16446 When debugging in a monomorphized function, you cannot use the generic
16447 type names.
16448
16449 @item
16450 The type @code{Self} is not available.
16451
16452 @item
16453 @code{use} statements are not available, so some names may not be
16454 available in the crate.
16455 @end itemize
16456 @end itemize
16457
16458 @node Modula-2
16459 @subsection Modula-2
16460
16461 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
16462
16463 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
16464 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
16465 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
16466 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
16467 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
16468 table.
16469
16470 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
16471 @menu
16472 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
16473 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
16474 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
16475 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
16476 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
16477 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
16478 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
16479 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
16480 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
16481 @end menu
16482
16483 @node M2 Operators
16484 @subsubsection Operators
16485 @cindex Modula-2 operators
16486
16487 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
16488 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
16489 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
16490 following definitions hold:
16491
16492 @itemize @bullet
16493
16494 @item
16495 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
16496 their subranges.
16497
16498 @item
16499 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
16500
16501 @item
16502 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
16503
16504 @item
16505 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
16506 @var{type}}.
16507
16508 @item
16509 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
16510
16511 @item
16512 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
16513
16514 @item
16515 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
16516 @end itemize
16517
16518 @noindent
16519 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
16520 increasing precedence:
16521
16522 @table @code
16523 @item ,
16524 Function argument or array index separator.
16525
16526 @item :=
16527 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
16528 @var{value}.
16529
16530 @item <@r{, }>
16531 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
16532 types.
16533
16534 @item <=@r{, }>=
16535 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
16536 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
16537 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
16538
16539 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
16540 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
16541 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
16542 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
16543 comment character.
16544
16545 @item IN
16546 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
16547 Same precedence as @code{<}.
16548
16549 @item OR
16550 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
16551
16552 @item AND@r{, }&
16553 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
16554
16555 @item @@
16556 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
16557
16558 @item +@r{, }-
16559 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
16560 and difference on set types.
16561
16562 @item *
16563 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
16564 on set types.
16565
16566 @item /
16567 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
16568 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
16569
16570 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
16571 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
16572 precedence as @code{*}.
16573
16574 @item -
16575 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
16576
16577 @item ^
16578 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
16579
16580 @item NOT
16581 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
16582 @code{^}.
16583
16584 @item .
16585 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
16586 precedence as @code{^}.
16587
16588 @item []
16589 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
16590
16591 @item ()
16592 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
16593 as @code{^}.
16594
16595 @item ::@r{, }.
16596 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
16597 @end table
16598
16599 @quotation
16600 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
16601 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
16602 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
16603 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
16604 @end quotation
16605
16606
16607 @node Built-In Func/Proc
16608 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
16609 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
16610
16611 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
16612 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
16613
16614 @table @var
16615
16616 @item a
16617 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
16618
16619 @item c
16620 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
16621
16622 @item i
16623 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
16624
16625 @item m
16626 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
16627 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
16628 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
16629
16630 @item n
16631 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
16632
16633 @item r
16634 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
16635
16636 @item t
16637 represents a type.
16638
16639 @item v
16640 represents a variable.
16641
16642 @item x
16643 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
16644 explanation of the function for details.
16645 @end table
16646
16647 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
16648
16649 @table @code
16650 @item ABS(@var{n})
16651 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
16652
16653 @item CAP(@var{c})
16654 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
16655 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
16656
16657 @item CHR(@var{i})
16658 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
16659
16660 @item DEC(@var{v})
16661 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
16662
16663 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
16664 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
16665 new value.
16666
16667 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
16668 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
16669 set.
16670
16671 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
16672 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
16673
16674 @item HIGH(@var{a})
16675 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
16676
16677 @item INC(@var{v})
16678 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
16679
16680 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
16681 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
16682 new value.
16683
16684 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
16685 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
16686 there. Returns the new set.
16687
16688 @item MAX(@var{t})
16689 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
16690
16691 @item MIN(@var{t})
16692 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
16693
16694 @item ODD(@var{i})
16695 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
16696
16697 @item ORD(@var{x})
16698 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
16699 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting
16700 the @sc{ascii} character set). The argument @var{x} must be of an
16701 ordered type, which include integral, character and enumerated types.
16702
16703 @item SIZE(@var{x})
16704 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
16705 variable or a type.
16706
16707 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
16708 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
16709
16710 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
16711 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
16712 variable or a type.
16713
16714 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
16715 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
16716 @end table
16717
16718 @quotation
16719 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
16720 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
16721 an error.
16722 @end quotation
16723
16724 @cindex Modula-2 constants
16725 @node M2 Constants
16726 @subsubsection Constants
16727
16728 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
16729 ways:
16730
16731 @itemize @bullet
16732
16733 @item
16734 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
16735 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
16736 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
16737 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
16738
16739 @item
16740 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
16741 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
16742 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
16743 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
16744 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
16745 digits.
16746
16747 @item
16748 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
16749 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
16750 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
16751 followed by a @samp{C}.
16752
16753 @item
16754 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
16755 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
16756 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
16757 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
16758 sequences.
16759
16760 @item
16761 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
16762
16763 @item
16764 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
16765 @code{FALSE}.
16766
16767 @item
16768 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
16769
16770 @item
16771 Set constants are not yet supported.
16772 @end itemize
16773
16774 @node M2 Types
16775 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
16776 @cindex Modula-2 types
16777
16778 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
16779 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
16780 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
16781 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
16782 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
16783 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
16784
16785 The first example contains the following section of code:
16786
16787 @smallexample
16788 VAR
16789 s: SET OF CHAR ;
16790 r: [20..40] ;
16791 @end smallexample
16792
16793 @noindent
16794 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
16795 @code{r} and @code{s}.
16796
16797 @smallexample
16798 (@value{GDBP}) print s
16799 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
16800 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16801 SET OF CHAR
16802 (@value{GDBP}) print r
16803 21
16804 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
16805 [20..40]
16806 @end smallexample
16807
16808 @noindent
16809 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
16810
16811 @smallexample
16812 VAR
16813 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
16814 @end smallexample
16815
16816 @noindent
16817 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
16818
16819 @smallexample
16820 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16821 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
16822 @end smallexample
16823
16824 @noindent
16825 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
16826 expressions using the debugger.
16827
16828 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
16829 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
16830
16831 @smallexample
16832 VAR
16833 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
16834 @end smallexample
16835
16836 @smallexample
16837 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16838 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
16839 @end smallexample
16840
16841 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
16842 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
16843 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
16844 above.
16845
16846 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
16847
16848 @smallexample
16849 TYPE
16850 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
16851 t = [blue..yellow] ;
16852 VAR
16853 s: t ;
16854 BEGIN
16855 s := blue ;
16856 @end smallexample
16857
16858 @noindent
16859 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
16860 and value of a variable.
16861
16862 @smallexample
16863 (@value{GDBP}) print s
16864 $1 = blue
16865 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
16866 type = [blue..yellow]
16867 @end smallexample
16868
16869 @noindent
16870 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
16871 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
16872 their @code{C} counterparts.
16873
16874 @smallexample
16875 VAR
16876 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
16877 BEGIN
16878 s[1] := 1 ;
16879 @end smallexample
16880
16881 @smallexample
16882 (@value{GDBP}) print s
16883 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
16884 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16885 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
16886 @end smallexample
16887
16888 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
16889 pointer types as shown in this example:
16890
16891 @smallexample
16892 VAR
16893 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
16894 BEGIN
16895 NEW(s) ;
16896 s^[1] := 1 ;
16897 @end smallexample
16898
16899 @noindent
16900 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
16901
16902 @smallexample
16903 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16904 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
16905 @end smallexample
16906
16907 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
16908 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
16909 types:
16910
16911 @smallexample
16912 TYPE
16913 foo = RECORD
16914 f1: CARDINAL ;
16915 f2: CHAR ;
16916 f3: myarray ;
16917 END ;
16918
16919 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
16920 myrange = [-2..2] ;
16921 VAR
16922 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
16923 @end smallexample
16924
16925 @noindent
16926 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
16927 below.
16928
16929 @smallexample
16930 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
16931 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
16932 f1 : CARDINAL;
16933 f2 : CHAR;
16934 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
16935 END
16936 @end smallexample
16937
16938 @node M2 Defaults
16939 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
16940 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
16941
16942 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
16943 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
16944 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
16945 selected the working language.
16946
16947 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
16948 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
16949 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
16950 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
16951
16952 @node Deviations
16953 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
16954 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
16955
16956 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
16957 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
16958
16959 @itemize @bullet
16960 @item
16961 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
16962 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
16963 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
16964 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
16965 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
16966 returned a pointer.)
16967
16968 @item
16969 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
16970 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
16971 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
16972 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
16973
16974 @item
16975 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
16976 argument.
16977
16978 @item
16979 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
16980 @end itemize
16981
16982 @node M2 Checks
16983 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
16984 @cindex Modula-2 checks
16985
16986 @quotation
16987 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
16988 range checking.
16989 @end quotation
16990 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
16991
16992 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
16993
16994 @itemize @bullet
16995 @item
16996 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
16997 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
16998
16999 @item
17000 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
17001 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
17002 @end itemize
17003
17004 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
17005 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
17006
17007 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
17008 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
17009
17010 @node M2 Scope
17011 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
17012 @cindex scope
17013 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
17014 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
17015 @ifinfo
17016 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
17017 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
17018 @end ifinfo
17019 @ifnotinfo
17020 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
17021 @end ifnotinfo
17022
17023 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
17024 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
17025 similar syntax:
17026
17027 @smallexample
17028
17029 @var{module} . @var{id}
17030 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
17031 @end smallexample
17032
17033 @noindent
17034 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
17035 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
17036 identifier within your program, except another module.
17037
17038 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
17039 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
17040 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
17041 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
17042
17043 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
17044 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
17045 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
17046 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
17047 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
17048 @var{module}.
17049
17050 @node GDB/M2
17051 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
17052
17053 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
17054 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
17055 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
17056 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
17057 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
17058 analogue in Modula-2.
17059
17060 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
17061 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
17062 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
17063 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
17064 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
17065 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
17066
17067 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
17068 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
17069 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
17070
17071 @node Ada
17072 @subsection Ada
17073 @cindex Ada
17074
17075 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
17076 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
17077 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
17078 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
17079 to be difficult.
17080
17081
17082 @cindex expressions in Ada
17083 @menu
17084 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
17085 and semantics supported by Ada mode
17086 in @value{GDBN}.
17087 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
17088 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
17089 * Overloading support for Ada:: Support for expressions involving overloaded
17090 subprograms.
17091 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
17092 * Ada Exceptions:: Ada Exceptions
17093 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
17094 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
17095 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
17096 Profile
17097 * Ada Settings:: New settable GDB parameters for Ada.
17098 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
17099 @end menu
17100
17101 @node Ada Mode Intro
17102 @subsubsection Introduction
17103 @cindex Ada mode, general
17104
17105 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
17106 syntax, with some extensions.
17107 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
17108
17109 @itemize @bullet
17110 @item
17111 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
17112 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
17113 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
17114 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
17115
17116 @item
17117 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
17118 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
17119
17120 @item
17121 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
17122 @end itemize
17123
17124 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
17125 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
17126 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
17127 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
17128 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
17129
17130 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
17131 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
17132 was translated from an Ada source file.
17133
17134 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
17135 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
17136 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
17137 middle (to allow based literals).
17138
17139 @node Omissions from Ada
17140 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
17141 @cindex Ada, omissions from
17142
17143 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
17144
17145 @itemize @bullet
17146 @item
17147 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
17148
17149 @itemize @minus
17150 @item
17151 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
17152 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
17153
17154 @item
17155 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
17156
17157 @item
17158 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
17159
17160 @item
17161 @t{'Tag}.
17162
17163 @item
17164 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
17165 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
17166
17167 @item
17168 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
17169 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
17170
17171 @item
17172 @t{'Address}.
17173 @end itemize
17174
17175 @item
17176 The names in
17177 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
17178 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
17179 not currently available.
17180
17181 @item
17182 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
17183 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
17184 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
17185 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
17186 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
17187 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
17188 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
17189 indeterminate values.
17190
17191 @item
17192 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
17193 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
17194 are not implemented.
17195
17196 @item
17197 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
17198 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
17199 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
17200 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
17201 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
17202
17203 @smallexample
17204 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
17205 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
17206 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
17207 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
17208 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
17209 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
17210 @end smallexample
17211
17212 Changing a
17213 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
17214 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
17215 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
17216 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
17217 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
17218 declared to have a type such as:
17219
17220 @smallexample
17221 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
17222 Id : Integer;
17223 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
17224 end record;
17225 @end smallexample
17226
17227 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
17228 assignments:
17229
17230 @smallexample
17231 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
17232 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
17233 @end smallexample
17234
17235 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
17236 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
17237 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
17238 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
17239 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
17240 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
17241 redundant component associations, although which component values are
17242 assigned in such cases is not defined.
17243
17244 @item
17245 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
17246
17247 @item
17248 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
17249 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
17250 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
17251 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
17252 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
17253 the proper resolution.
17254
17255 @item
17256 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
17257
17258 @item
17259 Entry calls are not implemented.
17260
17261 @item
17262 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
17263 formats are not supported.
17264
17265 @item
17266 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
17267
17268 @item
17269 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
17270 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
17271 context.
17272 Should your program
17273 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
17274 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
17275 @end itemize
17276
17277 @node Additions to Ada
17278 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
17279 @cindex Ada, deviations from
17280
17281 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
17282 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
17283
17284 @itemize @bullet
17285 @item
17286 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
17287 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
17288 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
17289 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
17290 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
17291 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
17292 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
17293 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
17294
17295 @item
17296 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
17297 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
17298 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
17299
17300 @item
17301 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
17302 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
17303
17304 @item
17305 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
17306 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
17307 @end itemize
17308
17309 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
17310 additions specific to Ada:
17311
17312 @itemize @bullet
17313 @item
17314 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
17315 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
17316
17317 @smallexample
17318 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
17319 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
17320 @end smallexample
17321
17322 @item
17323 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
17324 the value of its right-hand operand.
17325 This allows, for example,
17326 complex conditional breaks:
17327
17328 @smallexample
17329 (@value{GDBP}) break f
17330 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
17331 @end smallexample
17332
17333 @item
17334 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
17335 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
17336 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
17337 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
17338 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
17339 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
17340 in strings. For example,
17341 @smallexample
17342 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
17343 @end smallexample
17344 @noindent
17345 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
17346 after each period.
17347
17348 @item
17349 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
17350 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
17351 to write
17352
17353 @smallexample
17354 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
17355 @end smallexample
17356
17357 @item
17358 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
17359 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
17360 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
17361 of 3 might print as
17362
17363 @smallexample
17364 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
17365 @end smallexample
17366
17367 @noindent
17368 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
17369 clause.
17370
17371 @item
17372 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
17373 multi-character subsequence of
17374 their names (an exact match gets preference).
17375 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
17376 in place of @t{a'length}.
17377
17378 @item
17379 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
17380 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
17381 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
17382 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
17383 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
17384 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
17385 For example,
17386 @smallexample
17387 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
17388 @end smallexample
17389
17390 @item
17391 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
17392 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
17393 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
17394 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
17395 object.
17396
17397 @end itemize
17398
17399 @node Overloading support for Ada
17400 @subsubsection Overloading support for Ada
17401 @cindex overloading, Ada
17402
17403 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
17404 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
17405 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
17406 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
17407 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
17408 functions to procedures elsewhere.
17409
17410 If, after narrowing, the set of matching definitions still contains more than
17411 one definition, @value{GDBN} will display a menu to query which one it should
17412 use, for instance:
17413
17414 @smallexample
17415 (@value{GDBP}) print f(1)
17416 Multiple matches for f
17417 [0] cancel
17418 [1] foo.f (integer) return boolean at foo.adb:23
17419 [2] foo.f (foo.new_integer) return boolean at foo.adb:28
17420 >
17421 @end smallexample
17422
17423 In this case, just select one menu entry either to cancel expression evaluation
17424 (type @kbd{0} and press @key{RET}) or to continue evaluation with a specific
17425 instance (type the corresponding number and press @key{RET}).
17426
17427 Here are a couple of commands to customize @value{GDBN}'s behavior in this
17428 case:
17429
17430 @table @code
17431
17432 @kindex set ada print-signatures
17433 @item set ada print-signatures
17434 Control whether parameter types and return types are displayed in overloads
17435 selection menus. It is @code{on} by default.
17436 @xref{Overloading support for Ada}.
17437
17438 @kindex show ada print-signatures
17439 @item show ada print-signatures
17440 Show the current setting for displaying parameter types and return types in
17441 overloads selection menu.
17442 @xref{Overloading support for Ada}.
17443
17444 @end table
17445
17446 @node Stopping Before Main Program
17447 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
17448
17449 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
17450 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
17451 before reaching the main procedure.
17452 As defined in the Ada Reference
17453 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
17454 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
17455 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
17456 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
17457
17458 @node Ada Exceptions
17459 @subsubsection Ada Exceptions
17460
17461 A command is provided to list all Ada exceptions:
17462
17463 @table @code
17464 @kindex info exceptions
17465 @item info exceptions
17466 @itemx info exceptions @var{regexp}
17467 The @code{info exceptions} command allows you to list all Ada exceptions
17468 defined within the program being debugged, as well as their addresses.
17469 With a regular expression, @var{regexp}, as argument, only those exceptions
17470 whose names match @var{regexp} are listed.
17471 @end table
17472
17473 Below is a small example, showing how the command can be used, first
17474 without argument, and next with a regular expression passed as an
17475 argument.
17476
17477 @smallexample
17478 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions
17479 All defined Ada exceptions:
17480 constraint_error: 0x613da0
17481 program_error: 0x613d20
17482 storage_error: 0x613ce0
17483 tasking_error: 0x613ca0
17484 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
17485 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions const.aint
17486 All Ada exceptions matching regular expression "const.aint":
17487 constraint_error: 0x613da0
17488 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
17489 @end smallexample
17490
17491 It is also possible to ask @value{GDBN} to stop your program's execution
17492 when an exception is raised. For more details, see @ref{Set Catchpoints}.
17493
17494 @node Ada Tasks
17495 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
17496 @cindex Ada, tasking
17497
17498 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
17499 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
17500
17501 @table @code
17502 @kindex info tasks
17503 @item info tasks
17504 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
17505
17506
17507 @smallexample
17508 @iftex
17509 @leftskip=0.5cm
17510 @end iftex
17511 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17512 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17513 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17514 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
17515 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
17516 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
17517
17518 @end smallexample
17519
17520 @noindent
17521 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
17522 task currently being inspected.
17523
17524 @table @asis
17525 @item ID
17526 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
17527
17528 @item TID
17529 The Ada task ID.
17530
17531 @item P-ID
17532 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
17533
17534 @item Pri
17535 The base priority of the task.
17536
17537 @item State
17538 Current state of the task.
17539
17540 @table @code
17541 @item Unactivated
17542 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
17543 executing.
17544
17545 @item Runnable
17546 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
17547 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
17548
17549 @item Terminated
17550 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
17551 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
17552 terminated themselves.
17553
17554 @item Child Activation Wait
17555 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
17556
17557 @item Accept Statement
17558 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
17559
17560 @item Waiting on entry call
17561 The task is waiting on an entry call.
17562
17563 @item Async Select Wait
17564 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
17565 select statement.
17566
17567 @item Delay Sleep
17568 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
17569 alternative open.
17570
17571 @item Child Termination Wait
17572 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
17573 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
17574 waiting on a terminate Phase.
17575
17576 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
17577 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
17578 finish terminating.
17579
17580 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
17581 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
17582 @end table
17583
17584 @item Name
17585 Name of the task in the program.
17586
17587 @end table
17588
17589 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
17590 @item info task @var{taskno}
17591 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
17592 the following example:
17593 @smallexample
17594 @iftex
17595 @leftskip=0.5cm
17596 @end iftex
17597 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17598 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17599 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17600 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
17601 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
17602 Ada Task: 0x807c468
17603 Name: task_1
17604 Thread: 0
17605 LWP: 0x1fac
17606 Parent: 1 (main_task)
17607 Base Priority: 15
17608 State: Runnable
17609 @end smallexample
17610
17611 @item task
17612 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
17613 @cindex current Ada task ID
17614 This command prints the ID of the current task.
17615
17616 @smallexample
17617 @iftex
17618 @leftskip=0.5cm
17619 @end iftex
17620 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17621 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17622 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17623 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
17624 (@value{GDBP}) task
17625 [Current task is 2]
17626 @end smallexample
17627
17628 @item task @var{taskno}
17629 @cindex Ada task switching
17630 This command is like the @code{thread @var{thread-id}}
17631 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
17632 from the current task to the given task.
17633
17634 @smallexample
17635 @iftex
17636 @leftskip=0.5cm
17637 @end iftex
17638 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17639 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17640 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17641 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
17642 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
17643 [Switching to task 1]
17644 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
17645 (@value{GDBP}) bt
17646 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
17647 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
17648 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
17649 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
17650 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
17651 @end smallexample
17652
17653 @item break @var{location} task @var{taskno}
17654 @itemx break @var{location} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
17655 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
17656 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
17657 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
17658 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
17659 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}). The
17660 @var{location} argument specifies source lines, as described
17661 in @ref{Specify Location}.
17662
17663 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
17664 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
17665 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. The @var{taskno} is one of the
17666 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
17667 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
17668
17669 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
17670 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
17671 program.
17672
17673 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
17674 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
17675 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
17676
17677 For example,
17678
17679 @smallexample
17680 @iftex
17681 @leftskip=0.5cm
17682 @end iftex
17683 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17684 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17685 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17686 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
17687 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
17688 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
17689 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
17690 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
17691 (@value{GDBP}) cont
17692 Continuing.
17693 task # 1 running
17694 task # 2 running
17695
17696 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
17697 15 flush;
17698 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17699 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17700 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17701 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
17702 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
17703 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
17704 @end smallexample
17705 @end table
17706
17707 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
17708 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
17709 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
17710
17711 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
17712 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
17713 the platform being used.
17714 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
17715 switching is not supported.
17716
17717 On certain platforms, the debugger needs to perform some
17718 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
17719 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
17720 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
17721 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
17722 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
17723
17724 @node Ravenscar Profile
17725 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
17726 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
17727
17728 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
17729 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
17730 requirements.
17731
17732 @table @code
17733 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
17734 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
17735 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
17736 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
17737 Profile. This is the default.
17738
17739 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
17740 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
17741 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
17742 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
17743 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
17744 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
17745 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
17746
17747 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
17748 @item show ravenscar task-switching
17749 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
17750 using the Ravenscar Profile.
17751
17752 @end table
17753
17754 @node Ada Settings
17755 @subsubsection Ada Settings
17756 @cindex Ada settings
17757
17758 @table @code
17759 @kindex set varsize-limit
17760 @item set varsize-limit @var{size}
17761 Prevent @value{GDBN} from attempting to evaluate objects whose size
17762 is above the given limit (@var{size}) when those sizes are computed
17763 from run-time quantities. This is typically the case when the object
17764 has a variable size, such as an array whose bounds are not known at
17765 compile time for example. Setting @var{size} to @code{unlimited}
17766 removes the size limitation. By default, the limit is about 65KB.
17767
17768 The purpose of having such a limit is to prevent @value{GDBN} from
17769 trying to grab enormous chunks of virtual memory when asked to evaluate
17770 a quantity whose bounds have been corrupted or have not yet been fully
17771 initialized. The limit applies to the results of some subexpressions
17772 as well as to complete expressions. For example, an expression denoting
17773 a simple integer component, such as @code{x.y.z}, may fail if the size of
17774 @code{x.y} is variable and exceeds @code{size}. On the other hand,
17775 @value{GDBN} is sometimes clever; the expression @code{A(i)}, where
17776 @code{A} is an array variable with non-constant size, will generally
17777 succeed regardless of the bounds on @code{A}, as long as the component
17778 size is less than @var{size}.
17779
17780 @kindex show varsize-limit
17781 @item show varsize-limit
17782 Show the limit on types whose size is determined by run-time quantities.
17783 @end table
17784
17785 @node Ada Glitches
17786 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
17787 @cindex Ada, problems
17788
17789 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
17790 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
17791 @value{GDBN},
17792 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
17793 and the GNU Ada compiler.
17794
17795 @itemize @bullet
17796 @item
17797 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
17798 storage are invisible to the debugger.
17799
17800 @item
17801 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
17802 argument lists are treated as positional).
17803
17804 @item
17805 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
17806
17807 @item
17808 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
17809 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
17810 the host machine.
17811
17812 @item
17813 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
17814 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
17815 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
17816 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
17817 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
17818 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
17819 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
17820 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
17821 you can usually resolve the confusion
17822 by qualifying the problematic names with package
17823 @code{Standard} explicitly.
17824 @end itemize
17825
17826 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
17827 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
17828 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
17829 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
17830 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
17831 enabled.
17832
17833 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
17834 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
17835 @table @code
17836
17837 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
17838 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
17839 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
17840 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
17841 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
17842 This is the default.
17843
17844 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
17845 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
17846 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
17847 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
17848 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
17849 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
17850 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
17851
17852 @end table
17853
17854 @cindex GNAT descriptive types
17855 @cindex GNAT encoding
17856 Internally, the debugger also relies on the compiler following a number
17857 of conventions known as the @samp{GNAT Encoding}, all documented in
17858 @file{gcc/ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources. This encoding describes
17859 how the debugging information should be generated for certain types.
17860 In particular, this convention makes use of @dfn{descriptive types},
17861 which are artificial types generated purely to help the debugger.
17862
17863 These encodings were defined at a time when the debugging information
17864 format used was not powerful enough to describe some of the more complex
17865 types available in Ada. Since DWARF allows us to express nearly all
17866 Ada features, the long-term goal is to slowly replace these descriptive
17867 types by their pure DWARF equivalent. To facilitate that transition,
17868 a new maintenance option is available to force the debugger to ignore
17869 those descriptive types. It allows the user to quickly evaluate how
17870 well @value{GDBN} works without them.
17871
17872 @table @code
17873
17874 @kindex maint ada set ignore-descriptive-types
17875 @item maintenance ada set ignore-descriptive-types [on|off]
17876 Control whether the debugger should ignore descriptive types.
17877 The default is not to ignore descriptives types (@code{off}).
17878
17879 @kindex maint ada show ignore-descriptive-types
17880 @item maintenance ada show ignore-descriptive-types
17881 Show if descriptive types are ignored by @value{GDBN}.
17882
17883 @end table
17884
17885 @node Unsupported Languages
17886 @section Unsupported Languages
17887
17888 @cindex unsupported languages
17889 @cindex minimal language
17890 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
17891 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
17892 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
17893 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
17894 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
17895 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
17896
17897 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
17898 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
17899 language.
17900
17901 @node Symbols
17902 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
17903
17904 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
17905 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
17906 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
17907 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
17908 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
17909 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
17910 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17911
17912 @cindex symbol names
17913 @cindex names of symbols
17914 @cindex quoting names
17915 @anchor{quoting names}
17916 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
17917 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
17918 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
17919 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
17920 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
17921 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
17922 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
17923 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
17924
17925 @smallexample
17926 p 'foo.c'::x
17927 @end smallexample
17928
17929 @noindent
17930 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
17931
17932 @table @code
17933 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
17934 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
17935 @kindex set case-sensitive
17936 @item set case-sensitive on
17937 @itemx set case-sensitive off
17938 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
17939 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
17940 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
17941 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
17942 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
17943 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
17944 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
17945 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
17946 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
17947 case-insensitive matches.
17948
17949 @kindex show case-sensitive
17950 @item show case-sensitive
17951 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
17952 lookups.
17953
17954 @kindex set print type methods
17955 @item set print type methods
17956 @itemx set print type methods on
17957 @itemx set print type methods off
17958 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
17959 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
17960 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
17961 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
17962 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
17963 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
17964
17965 @kindex show print type methods
17966 @item show print type methods
17967 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
17968 classes.
17969
17970 @kindex set print type nested-type-limit
17971 @item set print type nested-type-limit @var{limit}
17972 @itemx set print type nested-type-limit unlimited
17973 Set the limit of displayed nested types that the type printer will
17974 show. A @var{limit} of @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} will show all
17975 nested definitions. By default, the type printer will not show any nested
17976 types defined in classes.
17977
17978 @kindex show print type nested-type-limit
17979 @item show print type nested-type-limit
17980 This command shows the current display limit of nested types when
17981 printing classes.
17982
17983 @kindex set print type typedefs
17984 @item set print type typedefs
17985 @itemx set print type typedefs on
17986 @itemx set print type typedefs off
17987
17988 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
17989 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
17990 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
17991 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
17992 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
17993 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
17994 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
17995 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
17996 types.
17997
17998 @kindex show print type typedefs
17999 @item show print type typedefs
18000 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
18001 printing classes.
18002
18003 @kindex info address
18004 @cindex address of a symbol
18005 @item info address @var{symbol}
18006 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
18007 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
18008 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
18009 is always stored.
18010
18011 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
18012 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
18013 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
18014
18015 @kindex info symbol
18016 @cindex symbol from address
18017 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
18018 @item info symbol @var{addr}
18019 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
18020 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
18021 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
18022
18023 @smallexample
18024 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
18025 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
18026 @end smallexample
18027
18028 @noindent
18029 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
18030 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
18031
18032 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
18033 library containing the symbol is also printed:
18034
18035 @smallexample
18036 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
18037 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
18038 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
18039 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
18040 @end smallexample
18041
18042 @kindex demangle
18043 @cindex demangle
18044 @item demangle @r{[}-l @var{language}@r{]} @r{[}@var{--}@r{]} @var{name}
18045 Demangle @var{name}.
18046 If @var{language} is provided it is the name of the language to demangle
18047 @var{name} in. Otherwise @var{name} is demangled in the current language.
18048
18049 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
18050 and is useful when @var{name} begins with a dash.
18051
18052 The parameter @code{demangle-style} specifies how to interpret the kind
18053 of mangling used. @xref{Print Settings}.
18054
18055 @kindex whatis
18056 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
18057 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
18058 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
18059 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
18060
18061 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
18062 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
18063 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
18064
18065 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
18066 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
18067 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
18068 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
18069 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
18070 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
18071 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
18072 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
18073 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
18074
18075 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
18076 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
18077 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
18078 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
18079 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
18080 unroll it.
18081
18082 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
18083 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
18084 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
18085
18086 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
18087 Available flags are:
18088
18089 @table @code
18090 @item r
18091 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
18092 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
18093 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
18094
18095 @item m
18096 Do not print methods defined in the class.
18097
18098 @item M
18099 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
18100 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
18101
18102 @item t
18103 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
18104 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
18105 names are substituted when printing other types.
18106
18107 @item T
18108 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
18109 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
18110
18111 @item o
18112 Print the offsets and sizes of fields in a struct, similar to what the
18113 @command{pahole} tool does. This option implies the @code{/tm} flags.
18114
18115 For example, given the following declarations:
18116
18117 @smallexample
18118 struct tuv
18119 @{
18120 int a1;
18121 char *a2;
18122 int a3;
18123 @};
18124
18125 struct xyz
18126 @{
18127 int f1;
18128 char f2;
18129 void *f3;
18130 struct tuv f4;
18131 @};
18132
18133 union qwe
18134 @{
18135 struct tuv fff1;
18136 struct xyz fff2;
18137 @};
18138
18139 struct tyu
18140 @{
18141 int a1 : 1;
18142 int a2 : 3;
18143 int a3 : 23;
18144 char a4 : 2;
18145 int64_t a5;
18146 int a6 : 5;
18147 int64_t a7 : 3;
18148 @};
18149 @end smallexample
18150
18151 Issuing a @kbd{ptype /o struct tuv} command would print:
18152
18153 @smallexample
18154 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o struct tuv
18155 /* offset | size */ type = struct tuv @{
18156 /* 0 | 4 */ int a1;
18157 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
18158 /* 8 | 8 */ char *a2;
18159 /* 16 | 4 */ int a3;
18160
18161 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
18162 @}
18163 @end smallexample
18164
18165 Notice the format of the first column of comments. There, you can
18166 find two parts separated by the @samp{|} character: the @emph{offset},
18167 which indicates where the field is located inside the struct, in
18168 bytes, and the @emph{size} of the field. Another interesting line is
18169 the marker of a @emph{hole} in the struct, indicating that it may be
18170 possible to pack the struct and make it use less space by reorganizing
18171 its fields.
18172
18173 It is also possible to print offsets inside an union:
18174
18175 @smallexample
18176 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o union qwe
18177 /* offset | size */ type = union qwe @{
18178 /* 24 */ struct tuv @{
18179 /* 0 | 4 */ int a1;
18180 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
18181 /* 8 | 8 */ char *a2;
18182 /* 16 | 4 */ int a3;
18183
18184 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
18185 @} fff1;
18186 /* 40 */ struct xyz @{
18187 /* 0 | 4 */ int f1;
18188 /* 4 | 1 */ char f2;
18189 /* XXX 3-byte hole */
18190 /* 8 | 8 */ void *f3;
18191 /* 16 | 24 */ struct tuv @{
18192 /* 16 | 4 */ int a1;
18193 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
18194 /* 24 | 8 */ char *a2;
18195 /* 32 | 4 */ int a3;
18196
18197 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
18198 @} f4;
18199
18200 /* total size (bytes): 40 */
18201 @} fff2;
18202
18203 /* total size (bytes): 40 */
18204 @}
18205 @end smallexample
18206
18207 In this case, since @code{struct tuv} and @code{struct xyz} occupy the
18208 same space (because we are dealing with an union), the offset is not
18209 printed for them. However, you can still examine the offset of each
18210 of these structures' fields.
18211
18212 Another useful scenario is printing the offsets of a struct containing
18213 bitfields:
18214
18215 @smallexample
18216 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o struct tyu
18217 /* offset | size */ type = struct tyu @{
18218 /* 0:31 | 4 */ int a1 : 1;
18219 /* 0:28 | 4 */ int a2 : 3;
18220 /* 0: 5 | 4 */ int a3 : 23;
18221 /* 3: 3 | 1 */ signed char a4 : 2;
18222 /* XXX 3-bit hole */
18223 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
18224 /* 8 | 8 */ int64_t a5;
18225 /* 16: 0 | 4 */ int a6 : 5;
18226 /* 16: 5 | 8 */ int64_t a7 : 3;
18227 "/* XXX 7-byte padding */
18228
18229 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
18230 @}
18231 @end smallexample
18232
18233 Note how the offset information is now extended to also include the
18234 first bit of the bitfield.
18235 @end table
18236
18237 @kindex ptype
18238 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
18239 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
18240 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
18241 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
18242
18243 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
18244 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
18245 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
18246 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
18247 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
18248 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
18249 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
18250 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
18251
18252 For example, for this variable declaration:
18253
18254 @smallexample
18255 typedef double real_t;
18256 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
18257 typedef struct complex complex_t;
18258 complex_t var;
18259 real_t *real_pointer_var;
18260 @end smallexample
18261
18262 @noindent
18263 the two commands give this output:
18264
18265 @smallexample
18266 @group
18267 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
18268 type = complex_t
18269 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
18270 type = struct complex @{
18271 real_t real;
18272 double imag;
18273 @}
18274 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
18275 type = struct complex
18276 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
18277 type = struct complex
18278 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
18279 type = struct complex @{
18280 real_t real;
18281 double imag;
18282 @}
18283 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
18284 type = real_t *
18285 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
18286 type = double *
18287 @end group
18288 @end smallexample
18289
18290 @noindent
18291 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
18292 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
18293
18294 @cindex incomplete type
18295 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
18296 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
18297 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
18298 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
18299 given these declarations:
18300
18301 @smallexample
18302 struct foo;
18303 struct foo *fooptr;
18304 @end smallexample
18305
18306 @noindent
18307 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
18308
18309 @smallexample
18310 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
18311 $1 = <incomplete type>
18312 @end smallexample
18313
18314 @noindent
18315 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
18316 completely specified.
18317
18318 @cindex unknown type
18319 Othertimes, information about a variable's type is completely absent
18320 from the debug information included in the program. This most often
18321 happens when the program or library where the variable is defined
18322 includes no debug information at all. @value{GDBN} knows the variable
18323 exists from inspecting the linker/loader symbol table (e.g., the ELF
18324 dynamic symbol table), but such symbols do not contain type
18325 information. Inspecting the type of a (global) variable for which
18326 @value{GDBN} has no type information shows:
18327
18328 @smallexample
18329 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
18330 type = <data variable, no debug info>
18331 @end smallexample
18332
18333 @xref{Variables, no debug info variables}, for how to print the values
18334 of such variables.
18335
18336 @kindex info types
18337 @item info types @var{regexp}
18338 @itemx info types
18339 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
18340 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
18341 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
18342 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
18343 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
18344 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
18345 name is @code{value}.
18346
18347 In programs using different languages, @value{GDBN} chooses the syntax
18348 to print the type description according to the
18349 @samp{set language} value: using @samp{set language auto}
18350 (see @ref{Automatically, ,Set Language Automatically}) means to use the
18351 language of the type, other values mean to use
18352 the manually specified language (see @ref{Manually, ,Set Language Manually}).
18353
18354 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
18355 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
18356 lists all source files and line numbers where a type is defined.
18357
18358 @kindex info type-printers
18359 @item info type-printers
18360 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
18361 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
18362 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
18363 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
18364 type printers.
18365
18366 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
18367
18368 @kindex enable type-printer
18369 @kindex disable type-printer
18370 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
18371 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
18372 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
18373
18374 @kindex info scope
18375 @cindex local variables
18376 @item info scope @var{location}
18377 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
18378 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
18379 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
18380 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
18381 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
18382
18383 @smallexample
18384 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
18385 Scope for command_line_handler:
18386 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
18387 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
18388 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
18389 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
18390 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
18391 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
18392 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
18393 @end smallexample
18394
18395 @noindent
18396 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
18397 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
18398 collect}.
18399
18400 @kindex info source
18401 @item info source
18402 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
18403 the function containing the current point of execution:
18404 @itemize @bullet
18405 @item
18406 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
18407 @item
18408 the directory it was compiled in,
18409 @item
18410 its length, in lines,
18411 @item
18412 which programming language it is written in,
18413 @item
18414 if the debug information provides it, the program that compiled the file
18415 (which may include, e.g., the compiler version and command line arguments),
18416 @item
18417 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
18418 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
18419 @item
18420 whether the debugging information includes information about
18421 preprocessor macros.
18422 @end itemize
18423
18424
18425 @kindex info sources
18426 @item info sources
18427 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
18428 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
18429 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
18430
18431 @kindex info functions
18432 @item info functions [-q]
18433 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
18434 Similarly to @samp{info types}, this command groups its output by source
18435 files and annotates each function definition with its source line
18436 number.
18437
18438 In programs using different languages, @value{GDBN} chooses the syntax
18439 to print the function name and type according to the
18440 @samp{set language} value: using @samp{set language auto}
18441 (see @ref{Automatically, ,Set Language Automatically}) means to use the
18442 language of the function, other values mean to use
18443 the manually specified language (see @ref{Manually, ,Set Language Manually}).
18444
18445 The optional flag @samp{-q}, which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables
18446 printing header information and messages explaining why no functions
18447 have been printed.
18448
18449 @item info functions [-q] [-t @var{type_regexp}] [@var{regexp}]
18450 Like @samp{info functions}, but only print the names and data types
18451 of the functions selected with the provided regexp(s).
18452
18453 If @var{regexp} is provided, print only the functions whose names
18454 match the regular expression @var{regexp}.
18455 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose
18456 names include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
18457 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters that
18458 conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
18459 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
18460
18461 If @var{type_regexp} is provided, print only the functions whose
18462 types, as printed by the @code{whatis} command, match
18463 the regular expression @var{type_regexp}.
18464 If @var{type_regexp} contains space(s), it should be enclosed in
18465 quote characters. If needed, use backslash to escape the meaning
18466 of special characters or quotes.
18467 Thus, @samp{info fun -t '^int ('} finds the functions that return
18468 an integer; @samp{info fun -t '(.*int.*'} finds the functions that
18469 have an argument type containing int; @samp{info fun -t '^int (' ^step}
18470 finds the functions whose names start with @code{step} and that return
18471 int.
18472
18473 If both @var{regexp} and @var{type_regexp} are provided, a function
18474 is printed only if its name matches @var{regexp} and its type matches
18475 @var{type_regexp}.
18476
18477
18478 @kindex info variables
18479 @item info variables [-q]
18480 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
18481 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
18482 The printed variables are grouped by source files and annotated with
18483 their respective source line numbers.
18484
18485 In programs using different languages, @value{GDBN} chooses the syntax
18486 to print the variable name and type according to the
18487 @samp{set language} value: using @samp{set language auto}
18488 (see @ref{Automatically, ,Set Language Automatically}) means to use the
18489 language of the variable, other values mean to use
18490 the manually specified language (see @ref{Manually, ,Set Language Manually}).
18491
18492 The optional flag @samp{-q}, which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables
18493 printing header information and messages explaining why no variables
18494 have been printed.
18495
18496 @item info variables [-q] [-t @var{type_regexp}] [@var{regexp}]
18497 Like @kbd{info variables}, but only print the variables selected
18498 with the provided regexp(s).
18499
18500 If @var{regexp} is provided, print only the variables whose names
18501 match the regular expression @var{regexp}.
18502
18503 If @var{type_regexp} is provided, print only the variables whose
18504 types, as printed by the @code{whatis} command, match
18505 the regular expression @var{type_regexp}.
18506 If @var{type_regexp} contains space(s), it should be enclosed in
18507 quote characters. If needed, use backslash to escape the meaning
18508 of special characters or quotes.
18509
18510 If both @var{regexp} and @var{type_regexp} are provided, an argument
18511 is printed only if its name matches @var{regexp} and its type matches
18512 @var{type_regexp}.
18513
18514 @kindex info classes
18515 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
18516 @item info classes
18517 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
18518 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
18519 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
18520 expression.
18521
18522 @kindex info selectors
18523 @item info selectors
18524 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
18525 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
18526 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
18527 expression.
18528
18529 @ignore
18530 This was never implemented.
18531 @kindex info methods
18532 @item info methods
18533 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
18534 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
18535 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
18536 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
18537 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
18538 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
18539 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
18540 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
18541 @end ignore
18542
18543 @cindex opaque data types
18544 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
18545 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
18546 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
18547 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
18548 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
18549 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
18550 another source file. The default is on.
18551
18552 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
18553 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
18554
18555 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
18556 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
18557 is printed as follows:
18558 @smallexample
18559 @{<no data fields>@}
18560 @end smallexample
18561
18562 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
18563 @item show opaque-type-resolution
18564 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
18565
18566 @kindex set print symbol-loading
18567 @cindex print messages when symbols are loaded
18568 @item set print symbol-loading
18569 @itemx set print symbol-loading full
18570 @itemx set print symbol-loading brief
18571 @itemx set print symbol-loading off
18572 The @code{set print symbol-loading} command allows you to control the
18573 printing of messages when @value{GDBN} loads symbol information.
18574 By default a message is printed for the executable and one for each
18575 shared library, and normally this is what you want. However, when
18576 debugging apps with large numbers of shared libraries these messages
18577 can be annoying.
18578 When set to @code{brief} a message is printed for each executable,
18579 and when @value{GDBN} loads a collection of shared libraries at once
18580 it will only print one message regardless of the number of shared
18581 libraries. When set to @code{off} no messages are printed.
18582
18583 @kindex show print symbol-loading
18584 @item show print symbol-loading
18585 Show whether messages will be printed when a @value{GDBN} command
18586 entered from the keyboard causes symbol information to be loaded.
18587
18588 @kindex maint print symbols
18589 @cindex symbol dump
18590 @kindex maint print psymbols
18591 @cindex partial symbol dump
18592 @kindex maint print msymbols
18593 @cindex minimal symbol dump
18594 @item maint print symbols @r{[}-pc @var{address}@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
18595 @itemx maint print symbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-source @var{source}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
18596 @itemx maint print psymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-pc @var{address}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
18597 @itemx maint print psymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-source @var{source}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
18598 @itemx maint print msymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
18599 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename} or
18600 the terminal if @var{filename} is unspecified.
18601 If @code{-objfile @var{objfile}} is specified, only dump symbols for
18602 that objfile.
18603 If @code{-pc @var{address}} is specified, only dump symbols for the file
18604 with code at that address. Note that @var{address} may be a symbol like
18605 @code{main}.
18606 If @code{-source @var{source}} is specified, only dump symbols for that
18607 source file.
18608
18609 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code.
18610 These commands do not modify internal @value{GDBN} state, therefore
18611 @samp{maint print symbols} will only print symbols for already expanded symbol
18612 tables.
18613 You can use the command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are.
18614 If you use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information
18615 about symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols
18616 defined in files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely.
18617 Finally, @samp{maint print msymbols} just dumps ``minimal symbols'', e.g.,
18618 ``ELF symbols''.
18619
18620 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
18621 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
18622
18623 @kindex maint info symtabs
18624 @kindex maint info psymtabs
18625 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
18626 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
18627 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
18628 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
18629 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
18630 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
18631
18632 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
18633 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
18634 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
18635 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
18636 structure in more detail. For example:
18637
18638 @smallexample
18639 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
18640 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
18641 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
18642 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
18643 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
18644 readin no
18645 fullname (null)
18646 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
18647 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
18648 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
18649 dependencies (none)
18650 @}
18651 @}
18652 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
18653 (@value{GDBP})
18654 @end smallexample
18655 @noindent
18656 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
18657 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
18658 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
18659 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
18660 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
18661
18662 @smallexample
18663 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
18664 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
18665 line 1574.
18666 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
18667 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
18668 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
18669 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
18670 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
18671 dirname (null)
18672 fullname (null)
18673 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
18674 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
18675 debugformat DWARF 2
18676 @}
18677 @}
18678 (@value{GDBP})
18679 @end smallexample
18680
18681 @kindex maint info line-table
18682 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal line tables
18683 @cindex line tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
18684 @item maint info line-table @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
18685
18686 List the @code{struct linetable} from all @code{struct symtab}
18687 instances whose name matches @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
18688 given, list the @code{struct linetable} from all @code{struct symtab}.
18689
18690 @kindex maint set symbol-cache-size
18691 @cindex symbol cache size
18692 @item maint set symbol-cache-size @var{size}
18693 Set the size of the symbol cache to @var{size}.
18694 The default size is intended to be good enough for debugging
18695 most applications. This option exists to allow for experimenting
18696 with different sizes.
18697
18698 @kindex maint show symbol-cache-size
18699 @item maint show symbol-cache-size
18700 Show the size of the symbol cache.
18701
18702 @kindex maint print symbol-cache
18703 @cindex symbol cache, printing its contents
18704 @item maint print symbol-cache
18705 Print the contents of the symbol cache.
18706 This is useful when debugging symbol cache issues.
18707
18708 @kindex maint print symbol-cache-statistics
18709 @cindex symbol cache, printing usage statistics
18710 @item maint print symbol-cache-statistics
18711 Print symbol cache usage statistics.
18712 This helps determine how well the cache is being utilized.
18713
18714 @kindex maint flush-symbol-cache
18715 @cindex symbol cache, flushing
18716 @item maint flush-symbol-cache
18717 Flush the contents of the symbol cache, all entries are removed.
18718 This command is useful when debugging the symbol cache.
18719 It is also useful when collecting performance data.
18720
18721 @end table
18722
18723 @node Altering
18724 @chapter Altering Execution
18725
18726 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
18727 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
18728 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
18729 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
18730 program.
18731
18732 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
18733 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
18734 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
18735
18736 @menu
18737 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
18738 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
18739 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
18740 * Returning:: Returning from a function
18741 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
18742 * Patching:: Patching your program
18743 * Compiling and Injecting Code:: Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
18744 @end menu
18745
18746 @node Assignment
18747 @section Assignment to Variables
18748
18749 @cindex assignment
18750 @cindex setting variables
18751 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
18752 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
18753
18754 @smallexample
18755 print x=4
18756 @end smallexample
18757
18758 @noindent
18759 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
18760 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
18761 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
18762 information on operators in supported languages.
18763
18764 @kindex set variable
18765 @cindex variables, setting
18766 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
18767 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
18768 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
18769 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
18770 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
18771
18772 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
18773 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
18774 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
18775 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
18776 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
18777 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
18778 command @code{set width}:
18779
18780 @smallexample
18781 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
18782 type = double
18783 (@value{GDBP}) p width
18784 $4 = 13
18785 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
18786 Invalid syntax in expression.
18787 @end smallexample
18788
18789 @noindent
18790 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
18791 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
18792
18793 @smallexample
18794 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
18795 @end smallexample
18796
18797 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
18798 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
18799 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
18800 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
18801 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
18802 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
18803
18804 @smallexample
18805 @group
18806 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
18807 type = double
18808 (@value{GDBP}) p g
18809 $1 = 1
18810 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
18811 (@value{GDBP}) p g
18812 $2 = 1
18813 (@value{GDBP}) r
18814 The program being debugged has been started already.
18815 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
18816 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
18817 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
18818 Invalid bfd target.
18819 (@value{GDBP}) show g
18820 The current BFD target is "=4".
18821 @end group
18822 @end smallexample
18823
18824 @noindent
18825 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
18826 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
18827 @code{g}, use
18828
18829 @smallexample
18830 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
18831 @end smallexample
18832
18833 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
18834 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
18835 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
18836 same length or shorter.
18837 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
18838 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
18839
18840 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
18841 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
18842 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
18843 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
18844 and representation in memory), and
18845
18846 @smallexample
18847 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
18848 @end smallexample
18849
18850 @noindent
18851 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
18852
18853 @node Jumping
18854 @section Continuing at a Different Address
18855
18856 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
18857 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
18858 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
18859
18860 @table @code
18861 @kindex jump
18862 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
18863 @item jump @var{location}
18864 @itemx j @var{location}
18865 Resume execution at @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately
18866 if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description
18867 of the different forms of @var{location}. It is common
18868 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
18869 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
18870
18871 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
18872 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
18873 register other than the program counter. If @var{location} is in
18874 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
18875 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
18876 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
18877 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
18878 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
18879 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
18880 @end table
18881
18882 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
18883 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
18884 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
18885 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
18886 example,
18887
18888 @smallexample
18889 set $pc = 0x485
18890 @end smallexample
18891
18892 @noindent
18893 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
18894 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
18895 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
18896
18897 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
18898 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
18899 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
18900 detail.
18901
18902 @c @group
18903 @node Signaling
18904 @section Giving your Program a Signal
18905 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
18906
18907 @table @code
18908 @kindex signal
18909 @item signal @var{signal}
18910 Resume execution where your program is stopped, but immediately give it the
18911 signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
18912 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
18913 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
18914
18915 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
18916 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
18917 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
18918 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
18919 signal.
18920
18921 @emph{Note:} When resuming a multi-threaded program, @var{signal} is
18922 delivered to the currently selected thread, not the thread that last
18923 reported a stop. This includes the situation where a thread was
18924 stopped due to a signal. So if you want to continue execution
18925 suppressing the signal that stopped a thread, you should select that
18926 same thread before issuing the @samp{signal 0} command. If you issue
18927 the @samp{signal 0} command with another thread as the selected one,
18928 @value{GDBN} detects that and asks for confirmation.
18929
18930 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
18931 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
18932 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
18933 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
18934 passes the signal directly to your program.
18935
18936 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
18937 after executing the command.
18938
18939 @kindex queue-signal
18940 @item queue-signal @var{signal}
18941 Queue @var{signal} to be delivered immediately to the current thread
18942 when execution of the thread resumes. The @var{signal} can be the name or
18943 the number of a signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and
18944 @code{signal SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
18945 The handling of the signal must be set to pass the signal to the program,
18946 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error.
18947 You can control the handling of signals from @value{GDBN} with the
18948 @code{handle} command (@pxref{Signals}).
18949
18950 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, any currently queued signal
18951 for the current thread is discarded and when execution resumes no signal
18952 will be delivered. This is useful when your program stopped on account
18953 of a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
18954 @code{continue} command.
18955
18956 This command differs from the @code{signal} command in that the signal
18957 is just queued, execution is not resumed. And @code{queue-signal} cannot
18958 be used to pass a signal whose handling state has been set to @code{nopass}
18959 (@pxref{Signals}).
18960 @end table
18961 @c @end group
18962
18963 @xref{stepping into signal handlers}, for information on how stepping
18964 commands behave when the thread has a signal queued.
18965
18966 @node Returning
18967 @section Returning from a Function
18968
18969 @table @code
18970 @cindex returning from a function
18971 @kindex return
18972 @item return
18973 @itemx return @var{expression}
18974 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
18975 command. If you give an
18976 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
18977 value.
18978 @end table
18979
18980 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
18981 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
18982 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
18983 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
18984
18985 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
18986 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
18987 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
18988 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
18989 of functions.
18990
18991 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
18992 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
18993 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
18994 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
18995 selected stack frame returns naturally.
18996
18997 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
18998 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
18999 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
19000 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
19001 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
19002 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
19003 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
19004 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
19005 assignment into the right register(s).
19006
19007 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
19008 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
19009 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
19010 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
19011 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
19012 into a @code{long long int}:
19013
19014 @smallexample
19015 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
19016 29 return 31;
19017 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
19018 Make func return now? (y or n) y
19019 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
19020 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
19021 (@value{GDBP})
19022 @end smallexample
19023
19024 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
19025 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
19026 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
19027 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
19028 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
19029 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
19030 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
19031 an appropriate cast explicitly:
19032
19033 @smallexample
19034 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
19035 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
19036 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
19037 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
19038 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
19039 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
19040 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
19041 (@value{GDBP})
19042 @end smallexample
19043
19044 @node Calling
19045 @section Calling Program Functions
19046
19047 @table @code
19048 @cindex calling functions
19049 @cindex inferior functions, calling
19050 @item print @var{expr}
19051 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
19052 The expression may include calls to functions in the program being
19053 debugged.
19054
19055 @kindex call
19056 @item call @var{expr}
19057 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
19058 returned values.
19059
19060 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
19061 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
19062 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
19063 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
19064 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
19065 value history.
19066 @end table
19067
19068 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
19069 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
19070 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
19071 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
19072
19073 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
19074 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
19075 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
19076 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
19077 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
19078 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
19079 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
19080 in that case is controlled by the
19081 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
19082
19083 @table @code
19084 @item set unwindonsignal
19085 @kindex set unwindonsignal
19086 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
19087 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
19088 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
19089 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
19090 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
19091 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
19092 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
19093 received.
19094
19095 @item show unwindonsignal
19096 @kindex show unwindonsignal
19097 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
19098 @value{GDBN}.
19099
19100 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
19101 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
19102 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
19103 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
19104 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
19105 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
19106 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
19107 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
19108 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
19109 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
19110
19111 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
19112 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
19113 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
19114 @value{GDBN}.
19115
19116 @item set may-call-functions
19117 @kindex set may-call-functions
19118 @cindex disabling calling functions in the program
19119 @cindex calling functions in the program, disabling
19120 Set permission to call functions in the program.
19121 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to call functions in
19122 the program, such as with expressions in the @code{print} command. It
19123 defaults to @code{on}.
19124
19125 To call a function in the program, @value{GDBN} has to temporarily
19126 modify the state of the inferior. This has potentially undesired side
19127 effects. Also, having @value{GDBN} call nested functions is likely to
19128 be erroneous and may even crash the program being debugged. You can
19129 avoid such hazards by forbidding @value{GDBN} from calling functions
19130 in the program being debugged. If calling functions in the program
19131 is forbidden, GDB will throw an error when a command (such as printing
19132 an expression) starts a function call in the program.
19133
19134 @item show may-call-functions
19135 @kindex show may-call-functions
19136 Show permission to call functions in the program.
19137
19138 @end table
19139
19140 @subsection Calling functions with no debug info
19141
19142 @cindex no debug info functions
19143 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is missing debug information.
19144 In such case, @value{GDBN} does not know the type of the function,
19145 including the types of the function's parameters. To avoid calling
19146 the inferior function incorrectly, which could result in the called
19147 function functioning erroneously and even crash, @value{GDBN} refuses
19148 to call the function unless you tell it the type of the function.
19149
19150 For prototyped (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) functions, there are two ways
19151 to do that. The simplest is to cast the call to the function's
19152 declared return type. For example:
19153
19154 @smallexample
19155 (@value{GDBP}) p getenv ("PATH")
19156 'getenv' has unknown return type; cast the call to its declared return type
19157 (@value{GDBP}) p (char *) getenv ("PATH")
19158 $1 = 0x7fffffffe7ba "/usr/local/bin:/"...
19159 @end smallexample
19160
19161 Casting the return type of a no-debug function is equivalent to
19162 casting the function to a pointer to a prototyped function that has a
19163 prototype that matches the types of the passed-in arguments, and
19164 calling that. I.e., the call above is equivalent to:
19165
19166 @smallexample
19167 (@value{GDBP}) p ((char * (*) (const char *)) getenv) ("PATH")
19168 @end smallexample
19169
19170 @noindent
19171 and given this prototyped C or C++ function with float parameters:
19172
19173 @smallexample
19174 float multiply (float v1, float v2) @{ return v1 * v2; @}
19175 @end smallexample
19176
19177 @noindent
19178 these calls are equivalent:
19179
19180 @smallexample
19181 (@value{GDBP}) p (float) multiply (2.0f, 3.0f)
19182 (@value{GDBP}) p ((float (*) (float, float)) multiply) (2.0f, 3.0f)
19183 @end smallexample
19184
19185 If the function you wish to call is declared as unprototyped (i.e.@:
19186 old K&R style), you must use the cast-to-function-pointer syntax, so
19187 that @value{GDBN} knows that it needs to apply default argument
19188 promotions (promote float arguments to double). @xref{ABI, float
19189 promotion}. For example, given this unprototyped C function with
19190 float parameters, and no debug info:
19191
19192 @smallexample
19193 float
19194 multiply_noproto (v1, v2)
19195 float v1, v2;
19196 @{
19197 return v1 * v2;
19198 @}
19199 @end smallexample
19200
19201 @noindent
19202 you call it like this:
19203
19204 @smallexample
19205 (@value{GDBP}) p ((float (*) ()) multiply_noproto) (2.0f, 3.0f)
19206 @end smallexample
19207
19208 @node Patching
19209 @section Patching Programs
19210
19211 @cindex patching binaries
19212 @cindex writing into executables
19213 @cindex writing into corefiles
19214
19215 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
19216 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
19217 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
19218 patching your program's binary.
19219
19220 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
19221 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
19222 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
19223 repairs.
19224
19225 @table @code
19226 @kindex set write
19227 @item set write on
19228 @itemx set write off
19229 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
19230 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
19231 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
19232
19233 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
19234 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
19235 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
19236
19237 @item show write
19238 @kindex show write
19239 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
19240 as well as reading.
19241 @end table
19242
19243 @node Compiling and Injecting Code
19244 @section Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
19245 @cindex injecting code
19246 @cindex writing into executables
19247 @cindex compiling code
19248
19249 @value{GDBN} supports on-demand compilation and code injection into
19250 programs running under @value{GDBN}. GCC 5.0 or higher built with
19251 @file{libcc1.so} must be installed for this functionality to be enabled.
19252 This functionality is implemented with the following commands.
19253
19254 @table @code
19255 @kindex compile code
19256 @item compile code @var{source-code}
19257 @itemx compile code -raw @var{--} @var{source-code}
19258 Compile @var{source-code} with the compiler language found as the current
19259 language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). If compilation and
19260 injection is not supported with the current language specified in
19261 @value{GDBN}, or the compiler does not support this feature, an error
19262 message will be printed. If @var{source-code} compiles and links
19263 successfully, @value{GDBN} will load the object-code emitted,
19264 and execute it within the context of the currently selected inferior.
19265 It is important to note that the compiled code is executed immediately.
19266 After execution, the compiled code is removed from @value{GDBN} and any
19267 new types or variables you have defined will be deleted.
19268
19269 The command allows you to specify @var{source-code} in two ways.
19270 The simplest method is to provide a single line of code to the command.
19271 E.g.:
19272
19273 @smallexample
19274 compile code printf ("hello world\n");
19275 @end smallexample
19276
19277 If you specify options on the command line as well as source code, they
19278 may conflict. The @samp{--} delimiter can be used to separate options
19279 from actual source code. E.g.:
19280
19281 @smallexample
19282 compile code -r -- printf ("hello world\n");
19283 @end smallexample
19284
19285 Alternatively you can enter source code as multiple lines of text. To
19286 enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile code} command without any text
19287 following the command. This will start the multiple-line editor and
19288 allow you to type as many lines of source code as required. When you
19289 have completed typing, enter @samp{end} on its own line to exit the
19290 editor.
19291
19292 @smallexample
19293 compile code
19294 >printf ("hello\n");
19295 >printf ("world\n");
19296 >end
19297 @end smallexample
19298
19299 Specifying @samp{-raw}, prohibits @value{GDBN} from wrapping the
19300 provided @var{source-code} in a callable scope. In this case, you must
19301 specify the entry point of the code by defining a function named
19302 @code{_gdb_expr_}. The @samp{-raw} code cannot access variables of the
19303 inferior. Using @samp{-raw} option may be needed for example when
19304 @var{source-code} requires @samp{#include} lines which may conflict with
19305 inferior symbols otherwise.
19306
19307 @kindex compile file
19308 @item compile file @var{filename}
19309 @itemx compile file -raw @var{filename}
19310 Like @code{compile code}, but take the source code from @var{filename}.
19311
19312 @smallexample
19313 compile file /home/user/example.c
19314 @end smallexample
19315 @end table
19316
19317 @table @code
19318 @item compile print [[@var{options}] --] @var{expr}
19319 @itemx compile print [[@var{options}] --] /@var{f} @var{expr}
19320 Compile and execute @var{expr} with the compiler language found as the
19321 current language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). By default the
19322 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
19323 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
19324 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
19325 Formats}. The @code{compile print} command accepts the same options
19326 as the @code{print} command; see @ref{print options}.
19327
19328 @item compile print [[@var{options}] --]
19329 @itemx compile print [[@var{options}] --] /@var{f}
19330 @cindex reprint the last value
19331 Alternatively you can enter the expression (source code producing it) as
19332 multiple lines of text. To enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile print}
19333 command without any text following the command. This will start the
19334 multiple-line editor.
19335 @end table
19336
19337 @noindent
19338 The process of compiling and injecting the code can be inspected using:
19339
19340 @table @code
19341 @anchor{set debug compile}
19342 @item set debug compile
19343 @cindex compile command debugging info
19344 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} process of compiling and
19345 injecting the code. The default is off.
19346
19347 @item show debug compile
19348 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} process of
19349 compiling and injecting the code.
19350
19351 @anchor{set debug compile-cplus-types}
19352 @item set debug compile-cplus-types
19353 @cindex compile C@t{++} type conversion
19354 Turns on or off the display of C@t{++} type conversion debugging information.
19355 The default is off.
19356
19357 @item show debug compile-cplus-types
19358 Displays the current state of displaying debugging information for
19359 C@t{++} type conversion.
19360 @end table
19361
19362 @subsection Compilation options for the @code{compile} command
19363
19364 @value{GDBN} needs to specify the right compilation options for the code
19365 to be injected, in part to make its ABI compatible with the inferior
19366 and in part to make the injected code compatible with @value{GDBN}'s
19367 injecting process.
19368
19369 @noindent
19370 The options used, in increasing precedence:
19371
19372 @table @asis
19373 @item target architecture and OS options (@code{gdbarch})
19374 These options depend on target processor type and target operating
19375 system, usually they specify at least 32-bit (@code{-m32}) or 64-bit
19376 (@code{-m64}) compilation option.
19377
19378 @item compilation options recorded in the target
19379 @value{NGCC} (since version 4.7) stores the options used for compilation
19380 into @code{DW_AT_producer} part of DWARF debugging information according
19381 to the @value{NGCC} option @code{-grecord-gcc-switches}. One has to
19382 explicitly specify @code{-g} during inferior compilation otherwise
19383 @value{NGCC} produces no DWARF. This feature is only relevant for
19384 platforms where @code{-g} produces DWARF by default, otherwise one may
19385 try to enforce DWARF by using @code{-gdwarf-4}.
19386
19387 @item compilation options set by @code{set compile-args}
19388 @end table
19389
19390 @noindent
19391 You can override compilation options using the following command:
19392
19393 @table @code
19394 @item set compile-args
19395 @cindex compile command options override
19396 Set compilation options used for compiling and injecting code with the
19397 @code{compile} commands. These options override any conflicting ones
19398 from the target architecture and/or options stored during inferior
19399 compilation.
19400
19401 @item show compile-args
19402 Displays the current state of compilation options override.
19403 This does not show all the options actually used during compilation,
19404 use @ref{set debug compile} for that.
19405 @end table
19406
19407 @subsection Caveats when using the @code{compile} command
19408
19409 There are a few caveats to keep in mind when using the @code{compile}
19410 command. As the caveats are different per language, the table below
19411 highlights specific issues on a per language basis.
19412
19413 @table @asis
19414 @item C code examples and caveats
19415 When the language in @value{GDBN} is set to @samp{C}, the compiler will
19416 attempt to compile the source code with a @samp{C} compiler. The source
19417 code provided to the @code{compile} command will have much the same
19418 access to variables and types as it normally would if it were part of
19419 the program currently being debugged in @value{GDBN}.
19420
19421 Below is a sample program that forms the basis of the examples that
19422 follow. This program has been compiled and loaded into @value{GDBN},
19423 much like any other normal debugging session.
19424
19425 @smallexample
19426 void function1 (void)
19427 @{
19428 int i = 42;
19429 printf ("function 1\n");
19430 @}
19431
19432 void function2 (void)
19433 @{
19434 int j = 12;
19435 function1 ();
19436 @}
19437
19438 int main(void)
19439 @{
19440 int k = 6;
19441 int *p;
19442 function2 ();
19443 return 0;
19444 @}
19445 @end smallexample
19446
19447 For the purposes of the examples in this section, the program above has
19448 been compiled, loaded into @value{GDBN}, stopped at the function
19449 @code{main}, and @value{GDBN} is awaiting input from the user.
19450
19451 To access variables and types for any program in @value{GDBN}, the
19452 program must be compiled and packaged with debug information. The
19453 @code{compile} command is not an exception to this rule. Without debug
19454 information, you can still use the @code{compile} command, but you will
19455 be very limited in what variables and types you can access.
19456
19457 So with that in mind, the example above has been compiled with debug
19458 information enabled. The @code{compile} command will have access to
19459 all variables and types (except those that may have been optimized
19460 out). Currently, as @value{GDBN} has stopped the program in the
19461 @code{main} function, the @code{compile} command would have access to
19462 the variable @code{k}. You could invoke the @code{compile} command
19463 and type some source code to set the value of @code{k}. You can also
19464 read it, or do anything with that variable you would normally do in
19465 @code{C}. Be aware that changes to inferior variables in the
19466 @code{compile} command are persistent. In the following example:
19467
19468 @smallexample
19469 compile code k = 3;
19470 @end smallexample
19471
19472 @noindent
19473 the variable @code{k} is now 3. It will retain that value until
19474 something else in the example program changes it, or another
19475 @code{compile} command changes it.
19476
19477 Normal scope and access rules apply to source code compiled and
19478 injected by the @code{compile} command. In the example, the variables
19479 @code{j} and @code{k} are not accessible yet, because the program is
19480 currently stopped in the @code{main} function, where these variables
19481 are not in scope. Therefore, the following command
19482
19483 @smallexample
19484 compile code j = 3;
19485 @end smallexample
19486
19487 @noindent
19488 will result in a compilation error message.
19489
19490 Once the program is continued, execution will bring these variables in
19491 scope, and they will become accessible; then the code you specify via
19492 the @code{compile} command will be able to access them.
19493
19494 You can create variables and types with the @code{compile} command as
19495 part of your source code. Variables and types that are created as part
19496 of the @code{compile} command are not visible to the rest of the program for
19497 the duration of its run. This example is valid:
19498
19499 @smallexample
19500 compile code int ff = 5; printf ("ff is %d\n", ff);
19501 @end smallexample
19502
19503 However, if you were to type the following into @value{GDBN} after that
19504 command has completed:
19505
19506 @smallexample
19507 compile code printf ("ff is %d\n'', ff);
19508 @end smallexample
19509
19510 @noindent
19511 a compiler error would be raised as the variable @code{ff} no longer
19512 exists. Object code generated and injected by the @code{compile}
19513 command is removed when its execution ends. Caution is advised
19514 when assigning to program variables values of variables created by the
19515 code submitted to the @code{compile} command. This example is valid:
19516
19517 @smallexample
19518 compile code int ff = 5; k = ff;
19519 @end smallexample
19520
19521 The value of the variable @code{ff} is assigned to @code{k}. The variable
19522 @code{k} does not require the existence of @code{ff} to maintain the value
19523 it has been assigned. However, pointers require particular care in
19524 assignment. If the source code compiled with the @code{compile} command
19525 changed the address of a pointer in the example program, perhaps to a
19526 variable created in the @code{compile} command, that pointer would point
19527 to an invalid location when the command exits. The following example
19528 would likely cause issues with your debugged program:
19529
19530 @smallexample
19531 compile code int ff = 5; p = &ff;
19532 @end smallexample
19533
19534 In this example, @code{p} would point to @code{ff} when the
19535 @code{compile} command is executing the source code provided to it.
19536 However, as variables in the (example) program persist with their
19537 assigned values, the variable @code{p} would point to an invalid
19538 location when the command exists. A general rule should be followed
19539 in that you should either assign @code{NULL} to any assigned pointers,
19540 or restore a valid location to the pointer before the command exits.
19541
19542 Similar caution must be exercised with any structs, unions, and typedefs
19543 defined in @code{compile} command. Types defined in the @code{compile}
19544 command will no longer be available in the next @code{compile} command.
19545 Therefore, if you cast a variable to a type defined in the
19546 @code{compile} command, care must be taken to ensure that any future
19547 need to resolve the type can be achieved.
19548
19549 @smallexample
19550 (gdb) compile code static struct a @{ int a; @} v = @{ 42 @}; argv = &v;
19551 (gdb) compile code printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
19552 gdb command line:1:36: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type ‘struct a’
19553 Compilation failed.
19554 (gdb) compile code struct a @{ int a; @}; printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
19555 42
19556 @end smallexample
19557
19558 Variables that have been optimized away by the compiler are not
19559 accessible to the code submitted to the @code{compile} command.
19560 Access to those variables will generate a compiler error which @value{GDBN}
19561 will print to the console.
19562 @end table
19563
19564 @subsection Compiler search for the @code{compile} command
19565
19566 @value{GDBN} needs to find @value{NGCC} for the inferior being debugged
19567 which may not be obvious for remote targets of different architecture
19568 than where @value{GDBN} is running. Environment variable @code{PATH} on
19569 @value{GDBN} host is searched for @value{NGCC} binary matching the
19570 target architecture and operating system. This search can be overriden
19571 by @code{set compile-gcc} @value{GDBN} command below. @code{PATH} is
19572 taken from shell that executed @value{GDBN}, it is not the value set by
19573 @value{GDBN} command @code{set environment}). @xref{Environment}.
19574
19575
19576 Specifically @code{PATH} is searched for binaries matching regular expression
19577 @code{@var{arch}(-[^-]*)?-@var{os}-gcc} according to the inferior target being
19578 debugged. @var{arch} is processor name --- multiarch is supported, so for
19579 example both @code{i386} and @code{x86_64} targets look for pattern
19580 @code{(x86_64|i.86)} and both @code{s390} and @code{s390x} targets look
19581 for pattern @code{s390x?}. @var{os} is currently supported only for
19582 pattern @code{linux(-gnu)?}.
19583
19584 On Posix hosts the compiler driver @value{GDBN} needs to find also
19585 shared library @file{libcc1.so} from the compiler. It is searched in
19586 default shared library search path (overridable with usual environment
19587 variable @code{LD_LIBRARY_PATH}), unrelated to @code{PATH} or @code{set
19588 compile-gcc} settings. Contrary to it @file{libcc1plugin.so} is found
19589 according to the installation of the found compiler --- as possibly
19590 specified by the @code{set compile-gcc} command.
19591
19592 @table @code
19593 @item set compile-gcc
19594 @cindex compile command driver filename override
19595 Set compilation command used for compiling and injecting code with the
19596 @code{compile} commands. If this option is not set (it is set to
19597 an empty string), the search described above will occur --- that is the
19598 default.
19599
19600 @item show compile-gcc
19601 Displays the current compile command @value{NGCC} driver filename.
19602 If set, it is the main command @command{gcc}, found usually for example
19603 under name @file{x86_64-linux-gnu-gcc}.
19604 @end table
19605
19606 @node GDB Files
19607 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
19608
19609 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
19610 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
19611 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
19612 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
19613
19614 @menu
19615 * Files:: Commands to specify files
19616 * File Caching:: Information about @value{GDBN}'s file caching
19617 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
19618 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
19619 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
19620 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
19621 * Data Files:: GDB data files
19622 @end menu
19623
19624 @node Files
19625 @section Commands to Specify Files
19626
19627 @cindex symbol table
19628 @cindex core dump file
19629
19630 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
19631 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
19632 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
19633 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
19634
19635 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
19636 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
19637 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
19638 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
19639 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
19640 new files are useful.
19641
19642 @table @code
19643 @cindex executable file
19644 @kindex file
19645 @item file @var{filename}
19646 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
19647 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
19648 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
19649 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
19650 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
19651 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
19652 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
19653 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
19654
19655 @cindex unlinked object files
19656 @cindex patching object files
19657 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
19658 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
19659 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
19660 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
19661 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
19662 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
19663 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
19664 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
19665
19666 @item file
19667 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
19668 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
19669
19670 @kindex exec-file
19671 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
19672 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
19673 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
19674 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
19675 discard information on the executable file.
19676
19677 @kindex symbol-file
19678 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{[} -o @var{offset} @r{]]}
19679 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
19680 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
19681 table and program to run from the same file.
19682
19683 If an optional @var{offset} is specified, it is added to the start
19684 address of each section in the symbol file. This is useful if the
19685 program is relocated at runtime, such as the Linux kernel with kASLR
19686 enabled.
19687
19688 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
19689 program's symbol table.
19690
19691 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
19692 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
19693 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
19694 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
19695 @value{GDBN}.
19696
19697 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
19698 executing it once.
19699
19700 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
19701 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
19702 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
19703 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
19704 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
19705 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
19706 optimized code.
19707
19708 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
19709 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
19710 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
19711 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
19712 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
19713
19714 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
19715 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
19716 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
19717 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
19718 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
19719 Warnings and Messages}.)
19720
19721 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
19722 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
19723 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
19724 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
19725 in stabs format.
19726
19727 @kindex readnow
19728 @cindex reading symbols immediately
19729 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
19730 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
19731 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
19732 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
19733 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
19734 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
19735 entire symbol table available.
19736
19737 @cindex @code{-readnever}, option for symbol-file command
19738 @cindex never read symbols
19739 @cindex symbols, never read
19740 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnever @r{]} @var{filename}
19741 @itemx file @r{[} -readnever @r{]} @var{filename}
19742 You can instruct @value{GDBN} to never read the symbolic information
19743 contained in @var{filename} by using the @samp{-readnever} option.
19744 @xref{--readnever}.
19745
19746 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
19747 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
19748 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
19749 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
19750 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
19751 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
19752 @c files.
19753
19754 @kindex core-file
19755 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
19756 @itemx core
19757 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
19758 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
19759 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
19760 executable file itself for other parts.
19761
19762 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
19763 to be used.
19764
19765 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
19766 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
19767 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
19768 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
19769 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
19770
19771 @kindex add-symbol-file
19772 @cindex dynamic linking
19773 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{|} -readnever @r{]} @r{[} -o @var{offset} @r{]} @r{[} @var{textaddress} @r{]} @r{[} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{} @r{]}
19774 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
19775 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
19776 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
19777 into the program that is running. The @var{textaddress} parameter gives
19778 the memory address at which the file's text section has been loaded.
19779 You can additionally specify the base address of other sections using
19780 an arbitrary number of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs.
19781 If a section is omitted, @value{GDBN} will use its default addresses
19782 as found in @var{filename}. Any @var{address} or @var{textaddress}
19783 can be given as an expression.
19784
19785 If an optional @var{offset} is specified, it is added to the start
19786 address of each section, except those for which the address was
19787 specified explicitly.
19788
19789 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
19790 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
19791 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
19792 thus read is kept in addition to the old.
19793
19794 Changes can be reverted using the command @code{remove-symbol-file}.
19795
19796 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
19797 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
19798 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
19799 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
19800 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
19801 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
19802 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
19803 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
19804 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
19805
19806 @itemize @bullet
19807 @item
19808 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
19809 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
19810 @item
19811 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
19812 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
19813 @item
19814 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
19815 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
19816 @end itemize
19817
19818 @noindent
19819 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
19820 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
19821 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
19822 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
19823 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
19824 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
19825 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
19826 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
19827 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
19828 way.
19829
19830 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
19831
19832 @kindex remove-symbol-file
19833 @item remove-symbol-file @var{filename}
19834 @item remove-symbol-file -a @var{address}
19835 Remove a symbol file added via the @code{add-symbol-file} command. The
19836 file to remove can be identified by its @var{filename} or by an @var{address}
19837 that lies within the boundaries of this symbol file in memory. Example:
19838
19839 @smallexample
19840 (gdb) add-symbol-file /home/user/gdb/mylib.so 0x7ffff7ff9480
19841 add symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so" at
19842 .text_addr = 0x7ffff7ff9480
19843 (y or n) y
19844 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/mylib.so...done.
19845 (gdb) remove-symbol-file -a 0x7ffff7ff9480
19846 Remove symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so"? (y or n) y
19847 (gdb)
19848 @end smallexample
19849
19850
19851 @code{remove-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
19852
19853 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
19854 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
19855 @cindex load symbols from memory
19856 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
19857 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
19858 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
19859 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
19860 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
19861 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
19862 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
19863 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
19864 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
19865
19866 @kindex section
19867 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
19868 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
19869 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
19870 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
19871 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
19872 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
19873 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
19874 their addresses.
19875
19876 @kindex info files
19877 @kindex info target
19878 @item info files
19879 @itemx info target
19880 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
19881 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
19882 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
19883 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
19884 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
19885 current ones.
19886
19887 @kindex maint info sections
19888 @item maint info sections
19889 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
19890 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
19891 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
19892 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
19893 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
19894 may be arbitrarily combined):
19895
19896 @table @code
19897 @item ALLOBJ
19898 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
19899 @item @var{sections}
19900 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
19901 @item @var{section-flags}
19902 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
19903 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
19904 @table @code
19905 @item ALLOC
19906 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
19907 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
19908 @item LOAD
19909 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
19910 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
19911 @item RELOC
19912 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
19913 @item READONLY
19914 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
19915 @item CODE
19916 Section contains executable code only.
19917 @item DATA
19918 Section contains data only (no executable code).
19919 @item ROM
19920 Section will reside in ROM.
19921 @item CONSTRUCTOR
19922 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
19923 @item HAS_CONTENTS
19924 Section is not empty.
19925 @item NEVER_LOAD
19926 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
19927 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
19928 A notification to the linker that the section contains
19929 COFF shared library information.
19930 @item IS_COMMON
19931 Section contains common symbols.
19932 @end table
19933 @end table
19934 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
19935 @cindex read-only sections
19936 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
19937 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
19938 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
19939 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
19940 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
19941 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
19942 enhancement to debugging performance.
19943
19944 The default is off.
19945
19946 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
19947 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
19948 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
19949 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
19950
19951 @item show trust-readonly-sections
19952 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
19953 @end table
19954
19955 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
19956 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
19957 name and remembers it that way.
19958
19959 @cindex shared libraries
19960 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
19961 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, SunOS,
19962 Darwin/Mach-O, SVr4, IBM RS/6000 AIX, QNX Neutrino, FDPIC (FR-V), and
19963 DSBT (TIC6X) shared libraries.
19964
19965 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
19966 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
19967
19968 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
19969 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
19970 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
19971 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
19972 debugging a core file).
19973
19974 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
19975 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
19976 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
19977
19978 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
19979 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
19980 particularly large or there are many of them.
19981
19982 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
19983 commands:
19984
19985 @table @code
19986 @kindex set auto-solib-add
19987 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
19988 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
19989 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
19990 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
19991 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
19992 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
19993 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
19994
19995 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
19996 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
19997 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
19998 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
19999 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
20000 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
20001 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
20002 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
20003 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
20004
20005 @kindex show auto-solib-add
20006 @item show auto-solib-add
20007 Display the current autoloading mode.
20008 @end table
20009
20010 @cindex load shared library
20011 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
20012 command:
20013
20014 @table @code
20015 @kindex info sharedlibrary
20016 @kindex info share
20017 @item info share @var{regex}
20018 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
20019 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
20020 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
20021 all shared libraries that are loaded.
20022
20023 @kindex info dll
20024 @item info dll @var{regex}
20025 This is an alias of @code{info sharedlibrary}.
20026
20027 @kindex sharedlibrary
20028 @kindex share
20029 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
20030 @itemx share @var{regex}
20031 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
20032 Unix regular expression.
20033 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
20034 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
20035 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
20036 loaded.
20037
20038 @item nosharedlibrary
20039 @kindex nosharedlibrary
20040 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
20041 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
20042 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
20043 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
20044 discarded.
20045 @end table
20046
20047 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
20048 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
20049 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
20050 Catchpoints}).
20051
20052 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
20053 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
20054 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
20055 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
20056
20057 @table @code
20058 @item set stop-on-solib-events
20059 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
20060 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
20061 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
20062 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
20063 shared library.
20064
20065 @item show stop-on-solib-events
20066 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
20067 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
20068 library events happen.
20069 @end table
20070
20071 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
20072 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
20073 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
20074 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
20075 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
20076 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
20077 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
20078 not.
20079
20080 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
20081 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
20082 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
20083 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
20084 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
20085
20086 @table @code
20087 @cindex prefix for executable and shared library file names
20088 @cindex system root, alternate
20089 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
20090 @kindex set sysroot
20091 @item set sysroot @var{path}
20092 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
20093 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
20094 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
20095 target program's memory. When starting processes remotely, and when
20096 attaching to already-running processes (local or remote), their
20097 executable filenames will be prefixed with @var{path} if reported to
20098 @value{GDBN} as absolute by the operating system. If you use
20099 @code{set sysroot} to find executables and shared libraries, they need
20100 to be laid out in the same way that they are on the target, with
20101 e.g.@: a @file{/bin}, @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy under
20102 @var{path}.
20103
20104 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{target:} and the target
20105 system is remote then @value{GDBN} will retrieve the target binaries
20106 from the remote system. This is only supported when using a remote
20107 target that supports the @code{remote get} command (@pxref{File
20108 Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}). The part of @var{path}
20109 following the initial @file{target:} (if present) is used as system
20110 root prefix on the remote file system. If @var{path} starts with the
20111 sequence @file{remote:} this is converted to the sequence
20112 @file{target:} by @code{set sysroot}@footnote{Historically the
20113 functionality to retrieve binaries from the remote system was
20114 provided by prefixing @var{path} with @file{remote:}}. If you want
20115 to specify a local system root using a directory that happens to be
20116 named @file{target:} or @file{remote:}, you need to use some
20117 equivalent variant of the name like @file{./target:}.
20118
20119 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
20120 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
20121 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
20122 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
20123 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
20124
20125 @smallexample
20126 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
20127 @end smallexample
20128
20129 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
20130 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
20131 system:
20132
20133 @smallexample
20134 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
20135 @end smallexample
20136
20137 If that does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries removing
20138 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
20139 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
20140 colons:
20141
20142 @smallexample
20143 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
20144 @end smallexample
20145
20146 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
20147 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
20148 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
20149 @samp{z}):
20150
20151 @smallexample
20152 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
20153 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
20154 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
20155 @end smallexample
20156
20157 @noindent
20158 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
20159 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
20160 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
20161
20162 If that still does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries
20163 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
20164
20165 @smallexample
20166 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
20167 @end smallexample
20168
20169 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
20170 if you don't want or need to.
20171
20172 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
20173 sysroot}.
20174
20175 @cindex default system root
20176 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
20177 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
20178 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
20179 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
20180 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
20181 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
20182 location.
20183
20184 @kindex show sysroot
20185 @item show sysroot
20186 Display the current executable and shared library prefix.
20187
20188 @kindex set solib-search-path
20189 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
20190 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
20191 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
20192 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
20193 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
20194 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
20195 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
20196 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
20197 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
20198 of shared library symbols.
20199
20200 @kindex show solib-search-path
20201 @item show solib-search-path
20202 Display the current shared library search path.
20203
20204 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
20205 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
20206 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
20207 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
20208 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
20209
20210 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
20211 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
20212 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
20213 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
20214 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
20215 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
20216 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
20217 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
20218 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
20219 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
20220 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
20221 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
20222 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
20223 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
20224 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
20225 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
20226 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
20227 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
20228 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
20229 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
20230 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
20231 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
20232
20233 @table @code
20234 @item unix
20235 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
20236 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
20237 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
20238 the forward slash.
20239
20240 @item dos-based
20241 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
20242 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
20243 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
20244 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
20245 considered directory separators.
20246
20247 @item auto
20248 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
20249 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
20250 This is the default.
20251 @end table
20252 @end table
20253
20254 @cindex file name canonicalization
20255 @cindex base name differences
20256 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
20257 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
20258 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
20259 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
20260 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
20261 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
20262 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
20263 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
20264 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
20265 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
20266 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
20267 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
20268 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
20269 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
20270 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
20271
20272 @table @code
20273 @item set basenames-may-differ
20274 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
20275 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
20276
20277 @item show basenames-may-differ
20278 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
20279 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
20280 @end table
20281
20282 @node File Caching
20283 @section File Caching
20284 @cindex caching of opened files
20285 @cindex caching of bfd objects
20286
20287 To speed up file loading, and reduce memory usage, @value{GDBN} will
20288 reuse the @code{bfd} objects used to track open files. @xref{Top, ,
20289 BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}. The following commands
20290 allow visibility and control of the caching behavior.
20291
20292 @table @code
20293 @kindex maint info bfds
20294 @item maint info bfds
20295 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
20296 @value{GDBN}.
20297
20298 @kindex maint set bfd-sharing
20299 @kindex maint show bfd-sharing
20300 @kindex bfd caching
20301 @item maint set bfd-sharing
20302 @item maint show bfd-sharing
20303 Control whether @code{bfd} objects can be shared. When sharing is
20304 enabled @value{GDBN} reuses already open @code{bfd} objects rather
20305 than reopening the same file. Turning sharing off does not cause
20306 already shared @code{bfd} objects to be unshared, but all future files
20307 that are opened will create a new @code{bfd} object. Similarly,
20308 re-enabling sharing does not cause multiple existing @code{bfd}
20309 objects to be collapsed into a single shared @code{bfd} object.
20310
20311 @kindex set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
20312 @kindex bfd caching
20313 @item set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
20314 Turns on debugging of the bfd cache, setting the level to @var{level}.
20315
20316 @kindex show debug bfd-cache
20317 @kindex bfd caching
20318 @item show debug bfd-cache
20319 Show the current debugging level of the bfd cache.
20320 @end table
20321
20322 @node Separate Debug Files
20323 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
20324 @cindex separate debugging information files
20325 @cindex debugging information in separate files
20326 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
20327 @cindex debugging information directory, global
20328 @cindex global debugging information directories
20329 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
20330 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
20331
20332 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
20333 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
20334 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
20335 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
20336 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
20337 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
20338 install only when they need to debug a problem.
20339
20340 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
20341 file:
20342
20343 @itemize @bullet
20344 @item
20345 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
20346 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
20347 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
20348 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
20349 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
20350 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
20351 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
20352 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
20353
20354 @item
20355 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
20356 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
20357 only on some operating systems, when using the ELF or PE file formats
20358 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
20359 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
20360 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld,
20361 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
20362 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
20363 below.
20364 @end itemize
20365
20366 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
20367 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
20368
20369 @itemize @bullet
20370 @item
20371 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
20372 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
20373 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the
20374 global debug directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to
20375 the leading directories of the executable's absolute file name. (On
20376 MS-Windows/MS-DOS, the drive letter of the executable's leading
20377 directories is converted to a one-letter subdirectory, i.e.@:
20378 @file{d:/usr/bin/} is converted to @file{/d/usr/bin/}, because Windows
20379 filesystems disallow colons in file names.)
20380
20381 @item
20382 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
20383 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
20384 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
20385 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
20386 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
20387 hex characters, not 10.)
20388 @end itemize
20389
20390 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
20391 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
20392 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
20393 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
20394 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
20395 debug information files, in the indicated order:
20396
20397 @itemize @minus
20398 @item
20399 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
20400 @item
20401 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
20402 @item
20403 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
20404 @item
20405 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
20406 @end itemize
20407
20408 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
20409 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
20410 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
20411 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
20412 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
20413
20414 @table @code
20415
20416 @kindex set debug-file-directory
20417 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
20418 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
20419 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
20420 concatenating them by a path separator.
20421
20422 @kindex show debug-file-directory
20423 @item show debug-file-directory
20424 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
20425 information files.
20426
20427 @end table
20428
20429 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
20430 @cindex debug link sections
20431 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
20432 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
20433
20434 @itemize
20435 @item
20436 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
20437 a zero byte,
20438 @item
20439 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
20440 boundary within the section, and
20441 @item
20442 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
20443 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
20444 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
20445 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
20446 @end itemize
20447
20448 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
20449 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
20450 described above.
20451
20452 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
20453 @cindex build ID sections
20454 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
20455 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
20456 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
20457 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
20458 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
20459 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
20460 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
20461 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
20462 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
20463
20464 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
20465 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
20466 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
20467 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
20468 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
20469 in an ordinary executable.
20470
20471 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
20472 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
20473 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
20474 following commands:
20475
20476 @smallexample
20477 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
20478 @kbd{strip -g foo}
20479 @end smallexample
20480
20481 @noindent
20482 These commands remove the debugging
20483 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
20484 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
20485 two files:
20486
20487 @itemize @bullet
20488 @item
20489 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
20490 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
20491
20492 @smallexample
20493 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
20494 @end smallexample
20495
20496 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
20497 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
20498 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
20499 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
20500
20501 @item
20502 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
20503 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
20504 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
20505 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
20506 @end itemize
20507
20508 @noindent
20509
20510 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
20511 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
20512 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
20513
20514 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
20515 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
20516 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
20517 @c different ways!
20518 @ifhtml
20519 @display
20520 @html
20521 <em>x</em><sup>32</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>26</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>23</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>22</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>16</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>12</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>11</sup>
20522 + <em>x</em><sup>10</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>8</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>7</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>5</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>4</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>x</em> + 1
20523 @end html
20524 @end display
20525 @end ifhtml
20526 @ifnothtml
20527 @display
20528 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
20529 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
20530 @end display
20531 @end ifnothtml
20532
20533 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
20534 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
20535 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
20536 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
20537 CRC.
20538
20539 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
20540 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
20541 However in the case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed
20542 @emph{most} significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so
20543 trailing zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
20544
20545 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
20546 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
20547 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
20548 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
20549 @code{0xffffffff}.
20550
20551 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
20552 @smallexample
20553 unsigned long
20554 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
20555 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
20556 @{
20557 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
20558 @{
20559 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
20560 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
20561 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
20562 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
20563 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
20564 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
20565 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
20566 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
20567 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
20568 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
20569 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
20570 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
20571 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
20572 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
20573 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
20574 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
20575 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
20576 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
20577 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
20578 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
20579 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
20580 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
20581 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
20582 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
20583 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
20584 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
20585 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
20586 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
20587 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
20588 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
20589 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
20590 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
20591 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
20592 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
20593 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
20594 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
20595 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
20596 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
20597 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
20598 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
20599 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
20600 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
20601 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
20602 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
20603 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
20604 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
20605 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
20606 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
20607 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
20608 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
20609 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
20610 0x2d02ef8d
20611 @};
20612 unsigned char *end;
20613
20614 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
20615 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
20616 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
20617 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
20618 @}
20619 @end smallexample
20620
20621 @noindent
20622 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
20623
20624 @node MiniDebugInfo
20625 @section Debugging information in a special section
20626 @cindex separate debug sections
20627 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
20628
20629 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
20630 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
20631 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
20632 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
20633
20634 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
20635 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
20636 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
20637 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
20638 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
20639 debugging information might be included in the section.
20640
20641 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
20642 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
20643 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
20644
20645 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
20646 standard utilities:
20647
20648 @smallexample
20649 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
20650 # to also have these in the normal symbol table.
20651 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
20652 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
20653
20654 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo.
20655 # (Note that we actually also accept "D" symbols, for the benefit
20656 # of platforms like PowerPC64 that use function descriptors.)
20657 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
20658 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t" || $2 == "D") print $1 @}' \
20659 | sort > funcsyms
20660
20661 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
20662 # table.
20663 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
20664
20665 # Separate full debug info into debug binary.
20666 objcopy --only-keep-debug @var{binary} debug
20667
20668 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
20669 # removing some unnecessary sections.
20670 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
20671 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols debug mini_debuginfo
20672
20673 # Drop the full debug info from the original binary.
20674 strip --strip-all -R .comment @var{binary}
20675
20676 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
20677 # original binary.
20678 xz mini_debuginfo
20679 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
20680 @end smallexample
20681
20682 @node Index Files
20683 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
20684 @cindex index files
20685 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
20686
20687 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
20688 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
20689 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
20690 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
20691 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
20692 startup.
20693
20694 For convenience, @value{GDBN} comes with a program,
20695 @command{gdb-add-index}, which can be used to add the index to a
20696 symbol file. It takes the symbol file as its only argument:
20697
20698 @smallexample
20699 $ gdb-add-index symfile
20700 @end smallexample
20701
20702 @xref{gdb-add-index}.
20703
20704 It is also possible to do the work manually. Here is what
20705 @command{gdb-add-index} does behind the curtains.
20706
20707 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
20708 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
20709 using @command{objcopy}.
20710
20711 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
20712
20713 @table @code
20714 @item save gdb-index [-dwarf-5] @var{directory}
20715 @kindex save gdb-index
20716 Create index files for all symbol files currently known by
20717 @value{GDBN}. For each known @var{symbol-file}, this command by
20718 default creates it produces a single file
20719 @file{@var{symbol-file}.gdb-index}. If you invoke this command with
20720 the @option{-dwarf-5} option, it produces 2 files:
20721 @file{@var{symbol-file}.debug_names} and
20722 @file{@var{symbol-file}.debug_str}. The files are created in the
20723 given @var{directory}.
20724 @end table
20725
20726 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
20727 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
20728
20729 @smallexample
20730 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
20731 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
20732 @end smallexample
20733
20734 Or for @code{-dwarf-5}:
20735
20736 @smallexample
20737 $ objcopy --dump-section .debug_str=symfile.debug_str.new symfile
20738 $ cat symfile.debug_str >>symfile.debug_str.new
20739 $ objcopy --add-section .debug_names=symfile.gdb-index \
20740 --set-section-flags .debug_names=readonly \
20741 --update-section .debug_str=symfile.debug_str.new symfile symfile
20742 @end smallexample
20743
20744 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
20745 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
20746 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
20747 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
20748 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
20749 The default is @code{off}.
20750 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
20751 @xref{Index Section Format}.
20752
20753 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
20754 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
20755
20756 @smallexample
20757 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
20758 @end smallexample
20759
20760 Instead you must do, for example,
20761
20762 @smallexample
20763 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
20764 @end smallexample
20765
20766 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
20767 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
20768 currently work for programs using Ada.
20769
20770 @subsection Automatic symbol index cache
20771
20772 @cindex automatic symbol index cache
20773 It is possible for @value{GDBN} to automatically save a copy of this index in a
20774 cache on disk and retrieve it from there when loading the same binary in the
20775 future. This feature can be turned on with @kbd{set index-cache on}. The
20776 following commands can be used to tweak the behavior of the index cache.
20777
20778 @table @code
20779
20780 @kindex set index-cache
20781 @item set index-cache on
20782 @itemx set index-cache off
20783 Enable or disable the use of the symbol index cache.
20784
20785 @item set index-cache directory @var{directory}
20786 @kindex show index-cache
20787 @itemx show index-cache directory
20788 Set/show the directory where index files will be saved.
20789
20790 The default value for this directory depends on the host platform. On
20791 most systems, the index is cached in the @file{gdb} subdirectory of
20792 the directory pointed to by the @env{XDG_CACHE_HOME} environment
20793 variable, if it is defined, else in the @file{.cache/gdb} subdirectory
20794 of your home directory. However, on some systems, the default may
20795 differ according to local convention.
20796
20797 There is no limit on the disk space used by index cache. It is perfectly safe
20798 to delete the content of that directory to free up disk space.
20799
20800 @item show index-cache stats
20801 Print the number of cache hits and misses since the launch of @value{GDBN}.
20802
20803 @end table
20804
20805 @node Symbol Errors
20806 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
20807
20808 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
20809 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
20810 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
20811 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
20812 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
20813 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
20814 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
20815 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
20816 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
20817 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
20818 Messages}).
20819
20820 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
20821
20822 @table @code
20823 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
20824
20825 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
20826 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
20827 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
20828 in its outer scope blocks.
20829
20830 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
20831 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
20832 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
20833 function.
20834
20835 @item block at @var{address} out of order
20836
20837 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
20838 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
20839 do so.
20840
20841 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
20842 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
20843 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
20844 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
20845 Messages}.)
20846
20847 @item bad block start address patched
20848
20849 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
20850 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
20851 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
20852
20853 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
20854 starting on the previous source line.
20855
20856 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
20857
20858 @cindex foo
20859 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
20860 larger than the size of the string table.
20861
20862 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
20863 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
20864 with this name.
20865
20866 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
20867
20868 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
20869 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
20870 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
20871
20872 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
20873 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
20874 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
20875 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
20876 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
20877 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
20878
20879 @item stub type has NULL name
20880
20881 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
20882
20883 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
20884 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
20885 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
20886 it.
20887
20888 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
20889
20890 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
20891
20892 @end table
20893
20894 @node Data Files
20895 @section GDB Data Files
20896
20897 @cindex prefix for data files
20898 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
20899 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
20900
20901 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
20902 is currently using.
20903
20904 @table @code
20905 @kindex set data-directory
20906 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
20907 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
20908 to @var{directory}.
20909
20910 @kindex show data-directory
20911 @item show data-directory
20912 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
20913 @end table
20914
20915 @cindex default data directory
20916 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
20917 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
20918 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
20919 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
20920 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
20921 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
20922 location.
20923
20924 The data directory may also be specified with the
20925 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
20926 @xref{Mode Options}.
20927
20928 @node Targets
20929 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
20930
20931 @cindex debugging target
20932 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
20933
20934 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
20935 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
20936 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
20937 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
20938 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
20939 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
20940 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
20941 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
20942
20943 @cindex target architecture
20944 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
20945 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
20946 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
20947 command.
20948
20949 @table @code
20950 @kindex set architecture
20951 @kindex show architecture
20952 @item set architecture @var{arch}
20953 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
20954 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
20955 supported architectures.
20956
20957 @item show architecture
20958 Show the current target architecture.
20959
20960 @item set processor
20961 @itemx processor
20962 @kindex set processor
20963 @kindex show processor
20964 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
20965 and @code{show architecture}.
20966 @end table
20967
20968 @menu
20969 * Active Targets:: Active targets
20970 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
20971 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
20972 @end menu
20973
20974 @node Active Targets
20975 @section Active Targets
20976
20977 @cindex stacking targets
20978 @cindex active targets
20979 @cindex multiple targets
20980
20981 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
20982 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
20983 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
20984 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
20985 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
20986 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
20987 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
20988 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
20989 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
20990
20991 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
20992 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
20993 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
20994 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
20995
20996 @node Target Commands
20997 @section Commands for Managing Targets
20998
20999 @table @code
21000 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
21001 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
21002 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
21003 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
21004 protocol of the target machine.
21005
21006 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
21007 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
21008 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
21009
21010 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
21011 after executing the command.
21012
21013 @kindex help target
21014 @item help target
21015 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
21016 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
21017 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
21018
21019 @item help target @var{name}
21020 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
21021 select it.
21022
21023 @kindex set gnutarget
21024 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
21025 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
21026 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
21027 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
21028 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
21029 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
21030
21031 @quotation
21032 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
21033 you must know the actual BFD name.
21034 @end quotation
21035
21036 @noindent
21037 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
21038
21039 @kindex show gnutarget
21040 @item show gnutarget
21041 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
21042 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
21043 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
21044 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
21045 @end table
21046
21047 @cindex common targets
21048 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
21049 configuration):
21050
21051 @table @code
21052 @kindex target
21053 @item target exec @var{program}
21054 @cindex executable file target
21055 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
21056 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
21057
21058 @item target core @var{filename}
21059 @cindex core dump file target
21060 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
21061 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
21062
21063 @item target remote @var{medium}
21064 @cindex remote target
21065 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
21066 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
21067 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
21068
21069 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
21070 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
21071
21072 @smallexample
21073 target remote /dev/ttya
21074 @end smallexample
21075
21076 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
21077 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
21078 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
21079 clobbered by the download.
21080
21081 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
21082 @cindex built-in simulator target
21083 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
21084 In general,
21085 @smallexample
21086 target sim
21087 load
21088 run
21089 @end smallexample
21090 @noindent
21091 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
21092 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
21093 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
21094 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
21095 Processors}.
21096
21097 @item target native
21098 @cindex native target
21099 Setup for local/native process debugging. Useful to make the
21100 @code{run} command spawn native processes (likewise @code{attach},
21101 etc.@:) even when @code{set auto-connect-native-target} is @code{off}
21102 (@pxref{set auto-connect-native-target}).
21103
21104 @end table
21105
21106 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
21107 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
21108
21109 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
21110 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
21111 various aspects of this process.
21112
21113 @table @code
21114
21115 @item set hash
21116 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
21117 @cindex hash mark while downloading
21118 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
21119 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
21120 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
21121 monitor.
21122
21123 @item show hash
21124 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
21125 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
21126
21127 @item set debug monitor
21128 @kindex set debug monitor
21129 @cindex display remote monitor communications
21130 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
21131 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
21132
21133 @item show debug monitor
21134 @kindex show debug monitor
21135 Show the current status of displaying communications between
21136 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
21137 @end table
21138
21139 @table @code
21140
21141 @kindex load @var{filename} @var{offset}
21142 @item load @var{filename} @var{offset}
21143 @anchor{load}
21144 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
21145 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
21146 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
21147 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
21148 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
21149 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
21150
21151 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
21152 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
21153 target is @dots{}}''
21154
21155 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
21156 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
21157 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
21158 specifies a fixed address.
21159 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
21160
21161 It is also possible to tell @value{GDBN} to load the executable file at a
21162 specific offset described by the optional argument @var{offset}. When
21163 @var{offset} is provided, @var{filename} must also be provided.
21164
21165 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
21166 load programs into flash memory.
21167
21168 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
21169 @end table
21170
21171 @table @code
21172
21173 @kindex flash-erase
21174 @item flash-erase
21175 @anchor{flash-erase}
21176
21177 Erases all known flash memory regions on the target.
21178
21179 @end table
21180
21181 @node Byte Order
21182 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
21183
21184 @cindex choosing target byte order
21185 @cindex target byte order
21186
21187 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
21188 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
21189 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
21190 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
21191 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
21192 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
21193
21194 @table @code
21195 @kindex set endian
21196 @item set endian big
21197 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
21198
21199 @item set endian little
21200 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
21201
21202 @item set endian auto
21203 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
21204 executable.
21205
21206 @item show endian
21207 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
21208
21209 @end table
21210
21211 If the @code{set endian auto} mode is in effect and no executable has
21212 been selected, then the endianness used is the last one chosen either
21213 by one of the @code{set endian big} and @code{set endian little}
21214 commands or by inferring from the last executable used. If no
21215 endianness has been previously chosen, then the default for this mode
21216 is inferred from the target @value{GDBN} has been built for, and is
21217 @code{little} if the name of the target CPU has an @code{el} suffix
21218 and @code{big} otherwise.
21219
21220 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
21221 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
21222 target system.
21223
21224
21225 @node Remote Debugging
21226 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
21227 @cindex remote debugging
21228
21229 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
21230 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
21231 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
21232 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
21233 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
21234
21235 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
21236 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
21237 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
21238 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
21239 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
21240 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
21241
21242 Other remote targets may be available in your
21243 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
21244
21245 @menu
21246 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
21247 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
21248 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
21249 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
21250 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
21251 @end menu
21252
21253 @node Connecting
21254 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
21255 @cindex remote debugging, connecting
21256 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, connecting
21257 @cindex remote debugging, types of connections
21258 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, types of connections
21259 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, @code{target remote} mode
21260 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, @code{target extended-remote} mode
21261
21262 This section describes how to connect to a remote target, including the
21263 types of connections and their differences, how to set up executable and
21264 symbol files on the host and target, and the commands used for
21265 connecting to and disconnecting from the remote target.
21266
21267 @subsection Types of Remote Connections
21268
21269 @value{GDBN} supports two types of remote connections, @code{target remote}
21270 mode and @code{target extended-remote} mode. Note that many remote targets
21271 support only @code{target remote} mode. There are several major
21272 differences between the two types of connections, enumerated here:
21273
21274 @table @asis
21275
21276 @cindex remote debugging, detach and program exit
21277 @item Result of detach or program exit
21278 @strong{With target remote mode:} When the debugged program exits or you
21279 detach from it, @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target. When using
21280 @code{gdbserver}, @code{gdbserver} will exit.
21281
21282 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} When the debugged program exits or
21283 you detach from it, @value{GDBN} remains connected to the target, even
21284 though no program is running. You can rerun the program, attach to a
21285 running program, or use @code{monitor} commands specific to the target.
21286
21287 When using @code{gdbserver} in this case, it does not exit unless it was
21288 invoked using the @option{--once} option. If the @option{--once} option
21289 was not used, you can ask @code{gdbserver} to exit using the
21290 @code{monitor exit} command (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
21291
21292 @item Specifying the program to debug
21293 For both connection types you use the @code{file} command to specify the
21294 program on the host system. If you are using @code{gdbserver} there are
21295 some differences in how to specify the location of the program on the
21296 target.
21297
21298 @strong{With target remote mode:} You must either specify the program to debug
21299 on the @code{gdbserver} command line or use the @option{--attach} option
21300 (@pxref{Attaching to a program,,Attaching to a Running Program}).
21301
21302 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
21303 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} You may specify the program to debug
21304 on the @code{gdbserver} command line, or you can load the program or attach
21305 to it using @value{GDBN} commands after connecting to @code{gdbserver}.
21306
21307 @anchor{--multi Option in Types of Remote Connnections}
21308 You can start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
21309 or process ID to attach. To do this, use the @option{--multi} command line
21310 option. Then you can connect using @code{target extended-remote} and start
21311 the program you want to debug (see below for details on using the
21312 @code{run} command in this scenario). Note that the conditions under which
21313 @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN} connects to it
21314 (@code{target remote} or @code{target extended-remote}). The
21315 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
21316
21317 @item The @code{run} command
21318 @strong{With target remote mode:} The @code{run} command is not
21319 supported. Once a connection has been established, you can use all
21320 the usual @value{GDBN} commands to examine and change data. The
21321 remote program is already running, so you can use commands like
21322 @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}.
21323
21324 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} The @code{run} command is
21325 supported. The @code{run} command uses the value set by
21326 @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set remote exec-file}) to select
21327 the program to run. Command line arguments are supported, except for
21328 wildcard expansion and I/O redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
21329
21330 If you specify the program to debug on the command line, then the
21331 @code{run} command is not required to start execution, and you can
21332 resume using commands like @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue} as with
21333 @code{target remote} mode.
21334
21335 @anchor{Attaching in Types of Remote Connections}
21336 @item Attaching
21337 @strong{With target remote mode:} The @value{GDBN} command @code{attach} is
21338 not supported. To attach to a running program using @code{gdbserver}, you
21339 must use the @option{--attach} option (@pxref{Running gdbserver}).
21340
21341 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} To attach to a running program,
21342 you may use the @code{attach} command after the connection has been
21343 established. If you are using @code{gdbserver}, you may also invoke
21344 @code{gdbserver} using the @option{--attach} option
21345 (@pxref{Running gdbserver}).
21346
21347 @end table
21348
21349 @anchor{Host and target files}
21350 @subsection Host and Target Files
21351 @cindex remote debugging, symbol files
21352 @cindex symbol files, remote debugging
21353
21354 @value{GDBN}, running on the host, needs access to symbol and debugging
21355 information for your program running on the target. This requires
21356 access to an unstripped copy of your program, and possibly any associated
21357 symbol files. Note that this section applies equally to both @code{target
21358 remote} mode and @code{target extended-remote} mode.
21359
21360 Some remote targets (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}, and
21361 @pxref{Host I/O Packets}) allow @value{GDBN} to access program files over
21362 the same connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. With such a
21363 target, if the remote program is unstripped, the only command you need is
21364 @code{target remote} (or @code{target extended-remote}).
21365
21366 If the remote program is stripped, or the target does not support remote
21367 program file access, start up @value{GDBN} using the name of the local
21368 unstripped copy of your program as the first argument, or use the
21369 @code{file} command. Use @code{set sysroot} to specify the location (on
21370 the host) of target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN} was compiled with
21371 the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}). Alternatively, you
21372 may use @code{set solib-search-path} to specify how @value{GDBN} locates
21373 target libraries.
21374
21375 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
21376 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
21377 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
21378 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
21379 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
21380 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
21381 programs.
21382
21383 @subsection Remote Connection Commands
21384 @cindex remote connection commands
21385 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, a
21386 local Unix domain socket, or
21387 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
21388 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
21389 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
21390 @code{target remote} and @code{target extended-remote} commands
21391 establish a connection to the target. Both commands accept the same
21392 arguments, which indicate the medium to use:
21393
21394 @table @code
21395
21396 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
21397 @itemx target extended-remote @var{serial-device}
21398 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
21399 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
21400 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
21401
21402 @smallexample
21403 target remote /dev/ttyb
21404 @end smallexample
21405
21406 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
21407 @samp{--baud} option, or use the @code{set serial baud} command
21408 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set serial baud}) before the
21409 @code{target} command.
21410
21411 @item target remote @var{local-socket}
21412 @itemx target extended-remote @var{local-socket}
21413 @cindex local socket, @code{target remote}
21414 @cindex Unix domain socket
21415 Use @var{local-socket} to communicate with the target. For example,
21416 to use a local Unix domain socket bound to the file system entry @file{/tmp/gdb-socket0}:
21417
21418 @smallexample
21419 target remote /tmp/gdb-socket0
21420 @end smallexample
21421
21422 Note that this command has the same form as the command to connect
21423 to a serial line. @value{GDBN} will automatically determine which
21424 kind of file you have specified and will make the appropriate kind
21425 of connection.
21426 This feature is not available if the host system does not support
21427 Unix domain sockets.
21428
21429 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
21430 @itemx target remote @code{@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21431 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21432 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21433 @itemx target remote @code{tcp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21434 @itemx target remote @code{tcp6:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21435 @itemx target remote @code{tcp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21436 @itemx target extended-remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
21437 @itemx target extended-remote @code{@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21438 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21439 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21440 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21441 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp6:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21442 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21443 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
21444 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
21445 The @var{host} may be either a host name, a numeric @acronym{IPv4}
21446 address, or a numeric @acronym{IPv6} address (with or without the
21447 square brackets to separate the address from the port); @var{port}
21448 must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be the target machine
21449 itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or it might be a
21450 terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the target.
21451
21452 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
21453 @code{manyfarms}:
21454
21455 @smallexample
21456 target remote manyfarms:2828
21457 @end smallexample
21458
21459 To connect to port 2828 on a terminal server whose address is
21460 @code{2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334}, you can either use the
21461 square bracket syntax:
21462
21463 @smallexample
21464 target remote [2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334]:2828
21465 @end smallexample
21466
21467 @noindent
21468 or explicitly specify the @acronym{IPv6} protocol:
21469
21470 @smallexample
21471 target remote tcp6:2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334:2828
21472 @end smallexample
21473
21474 This last example may be confusing to the reader, because there is no
21475 visible separation between the hostname and the port number.
21476 Therefore, we recommend the user to provide @acronym{IPv6} addresses
21477 using square brackets for clarity. However, it is important to
21478 mention that for @value{GDBN} there is no ambiguity: the number after
21479 the last colon is considered to be the port number.
21480
21481 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
21482 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
21483 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
21484 port 1234 on your local machine:
21485
21486 @smallexample
21487 target remote :1234
21488 @end smallexample
21489 @noindent
21490
21491 Note that the colon is still required here.
21492
21493 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21494 @itemx target remote @code{udp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21495 @itemx target remote @code{udp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21496 @itemx target remote @code{udp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21497 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21498 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21499 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21500 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21501 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp6:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21502 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21503 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
21504 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
21505 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
21506
21507 @smallexample
21508 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
21509 @end smallexample
21510
21511 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
21512 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
21513 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
21514 cause havoc with your debugging session.
21515
21516 @item target remote | @var{command}
21517 @itemx target extended-remote | @var{command}
21518 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
21519 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
21520 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
21521 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
21522 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
21523 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
21524 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
21525 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
21526
21527 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
21528 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
21529 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
21530
21531 @end table
21532
21533 @cindex interrupting remote programs
21534 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
21535 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
21536 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
21537 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
21538 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
21539 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
21540
21541 @smallexample
21542 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
21543 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
21544 @end smallexample
21545
21546 In @code{target remote} mode, if you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons
21547 the remote debugging session. (If you decide you want to try again later,
21548 you can use @kbd{target remote} again to connect once more.) If you type
21549 @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN} goes back to waiting.
21550
21551 In @code{target extended-remote} mode, typing @kbd{n} will leave
21552 @value{GDBN} connected to the target.
21553
21554 @table @code
21555 @kindex detach (remote)
21556 @item detach
21557 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
21558 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
21559 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
21560 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
21561 command in @code{target remote} mode, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to
21562 another target. In @code{target extended-remote} mode, @value{GDBN} is
21563 still connected to the target.
21564
21565 @kindex disconnect
21566 @item disconnect
21567 The @code{disconnect} command closes the connection to the target, and
21568 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
21569 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
21570 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
21571 another target.
21572
21573 @cindex send command to remote monitor
21574 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
21575 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
21576 @kindex monitor
21577 @item monitor @var{cmd}
21578 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
21579 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
21580 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
21581 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
21582 and implement.
21583 @end table
21584
21585 @node File Transfer
21586 @section Sending files to a remote system
21587 @cindex remote target, file transfer
21588 @cindex file transfer
21589 @cindex sending files to remote systems
21590
21591 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
21592 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
21593 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
21594 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
21595 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
21596 the only way to upload or download files.
21597
21598 Not all remote targets support these commands.
21599
21600 @table @code
21601 @kindex remote put
21602 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
21603 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
21604 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
21605
21606 @kindex remote get
21607 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
21608 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
21609 on the host system.
21610
21611 @kindex remote delete
21612 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
21613 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
21614
21615 @end table
21616
21617 @node Server
21618 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
21619
21620 @kindex gdbserver
21621 @cindex remote connection without stubs
21622 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
21623 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
21624 @code{target remote} or @code{target extended-remote}---but without
21625 linking in the usual debugging stub.
21626
21627 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
21628 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
21629 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
21630 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
21631 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
21632 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
21633 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
21634 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
21635 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
21636 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
21637 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
21638 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
21639 choice for debugging.
21640
21641 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
21642 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
21643 protocol.
21644
21645 @quotation
21646 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
21647 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
21648 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
21649 target system with the same privileges as the user running
21650 @code{gdbserver}.
21651 @end quotation
21652
21653 @anchor{Running gdbserver}
21654 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
21655 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
21656 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
21657
21658 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
21659 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
21660 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
21661 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
21662 system does all the symbol handling.
21663
21664 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
21665 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
21666 syntax is:
21667
21668 @smallexample
21669 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
21670 @end smallexample
21671
21672 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
21673 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
21674 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
21675 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
21676 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
21677 @file{/dev/com1}:
21678
21679 @smallexample
21680 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
21681 @end smallexample
21682
21683 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
21684 with it.
21685
21686 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
21687
21688 @smallexample
21689 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
21690 @end smallexample
21691
21692 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
21693 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
21694 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
21695 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
21696 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
21697 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
21698 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
21699 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
21700 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
21701 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
21702 @code{target remote} command.
21703
21704 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
21705 with ssh:
21706
21707 @smallexample
21708 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
21709 @end smallexample
21710
21711 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
21712 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
21713 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
21714 You could elide it if you want to.
21715
21716 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
21717 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
21718 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
21719 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
21720
21721 @anchor{Attaching to a program}
21722 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
21723 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
21724 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
21725
21726 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
21727 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
21728
21729 @smallexample
21730 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
21731 @end smallexample
21732
21733 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
21734 necessary to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
21735
21736 In @code{target extended-remote} mode, you can also attach using the
21737 @value{GDBN} attach command
21738 (@pxref{Attaching in Types of Remote Connections}).
21739
21740 @pindex pidof
21741 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
21742 @code{pidof} utility:
21743
21744 @smallexample
21745 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
21746 @end smallexample
21747
21748 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
21749 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
21750 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
21751
21752 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
21753
21754 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP
21755 port.
21756
21757 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
21758 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
21759 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
21760 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
21761 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
21762 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
21763 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
21764 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
21765
21766 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
21767 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
21768 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
21769
21770 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
21771 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
21772 subsequent connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
21773 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
21774 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
21775 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
21776 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
21777 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
21778 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
21779 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
21780 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
21781 instance closes its port after the first connection.
21782
21783 @anchor{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}
21784 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
21785
21786 You can use the @option{--multi} option to start @code{gdbserver} without
21787 specifying a program to debug or a process to attach to. Then you can
21788 attach in @code{target extended-remote} mode and run or attach to a
21789 program. For more information,
21790 @pxref{--multi Option in Types of Remote Connnections}.
21791
21792 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
21793 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
21794 status information about the debugging process.
21795 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
21796 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
21797 remote protocol debug output.
21798 @cindex @option{--debug-file}, @code{gdbserver} option
21799 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, send all debug output to a single file
21800 The @option{--debug-file=@var{filename}} option tells @code{gdbserver} to
21801 write any debug output to the given @var{filename}. These options are intended
21802 for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
21803
21804 @cindex @option{--debug-format}, @code{gdbserver} option
21805 The @option{--debug-format=option1[,option2,...]} option tells
21806 @code{gdbserver} to include additional information in each output.
21807 Possible options are:
21808
21809 @table @code
21810 @item none
21811 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
21812 @item all
21813 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
21814 @item timestamps
21815 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
21816 @end table
21817
21818 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
21819 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
21820
21821 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
21822 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
21823 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
21824 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
21825 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
21826
21827 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
21828 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
21829 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
21830 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
21831
21832 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
21833 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
21834 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
21835 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
21836
21837 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
21838 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
21839 environment:
21840
21841 @smallexample
21842 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
21843 @end smallexample
21844
21845 @cindex @option{--selftest}
21846 The @option{--selftest} option runs the self tests in @code{gdbserver}:
21847
21848 @smallexample
21849 $ gdbserver --selftest
21850 Ran 2 unit tests, 0 failed
21851 @end smallexample
21852
21853 These tests are disabled in release.
21854 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
21855
21856 The basic procedure for connecting to the remote target is:
21857 @itemize
21858
21859 @item
21860 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
21861
21862 @item
21863 Make sure you have the necessary symbol files
21864 (@pxref{Host and target files}).
21865 Load symbols for your application using the @code{file} command before you
21866 connect. Use @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your
21867 @value{GDBN} was compiled with the correct sysroot using
21868 @code{--with-sysroot}).
21869
21870 @item
21871 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
21872 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
21873 the @code{target} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
21874 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
21875 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
21876 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{target remote} mode, since the
21877 program is already on the target.
21878
21879 @end itemize
21880
21881 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
21882 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
21883 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
21884
21885 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
21886 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
21887 Here are the available commands.
21888
21889 @table @code
21890 @item monitor help
21891 List the available monitor commands.
21892
21893 @item monitor set debug 0
21894 @itemx monitor set debug 1
21895 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
21896
21897 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
21898 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
21899 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
21900 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
21901
21902 @item monitor set debug-file filename
21903 @itemx monitor set debug-file
21904 Send any debug output to the given file, or to stderr.
21905
21906 @item monitor set debug-format option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
21907 Specify additional text to add to debugging messages.
21908 Possible options are:
21909
21910 @table @code
21911 @item none
21912 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
21913 @item all
21914 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
21915 @item timestamps
21916 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
21917 @end table
21918
21919 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
21920 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
21921
21922 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
21923 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
21924 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
21925 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
21926 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
21927 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
21928
21929 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
21930 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
21931
21932 @item monitor exit
21933 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
21934 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
21935 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
21936 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
21937 of a multi-process mode debug session.
21938
21939 @end table
21940
21941 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
21942 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
21943
21944 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
21945 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
21946
21947 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
21948 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
21949 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
21950 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
21951 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
21952 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
21953 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
21954 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
21955 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
21956 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
21957 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
21958 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
21959
21960 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
21961
21962 @table @code
21963 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
21964
21965 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
21966 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
21967 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
21968
21969 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
21970
21971 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
21972 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
21973 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
21974 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
21975 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
21976 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
21977
21978 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
21979
21980 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
21981 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
21982 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
21983 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
21984 command for that. For example:
21985
21986 @smallexample
21987 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
21988 @end smallexample
21989
21990 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
21991 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
21992 @end table
21993
21994 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
21995 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
21996 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
21997 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
21998 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
21999 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
22000 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
22001 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
22002 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
22003 @code{gdbserver} like so:
22004
22005 @smallexample
22006 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
22007 @end smallexample
22008
22009 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
22010
22011 @smallexample
22012 $ gdb myprogram
22013 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
22014 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
22015 (@value{GDBP}) b main
22016 (@value{GDBP}) continue
22017 @end smallexample
22018
22019 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
22020 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
22021 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
22022 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
22023 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
22024 tracing.
22025
22026 @node Remote Configuration
22027 @section Remote Configuration
22028
22029 @kindex set remote
22030 @kindex show remote
22031 This section documents the configuration options available when
22032 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
22033 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
22034 system-call-allowed}.
22035
22036 @table @code
22037 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
22038 @cindex address size for remote targets
22039 @cindex bits in remote address
22040 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
22041 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
22042 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
22043 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
22044
22045 @item show remoteaddresssize
22046 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
22047
22048 @item set serial baud @var{n}
22049 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
22050 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
22051 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
22052 remote targets.
22053
22054 @item show serial baud
22055 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
22056
22057 @item set serial parity @var{parity}
22058 Set the parity for the remote serial I/O. Supported values of @var{parity} are:
22059 @code{even}, @code{none}, and @code{odd}. The default is @code{none}.
22060
22061 @item show serial parity
22062 Show the current parity of the serial port.
22063
22064 @item set remotebreak
22065 @cindex interrupt remote programs
22066 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
22067 @anchor{set remotebreak}
22068 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
22069 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
22070 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
22071 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
22072 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
22073
22074 @item show remotebreak
22075 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
22076 interrupt the remote program.
22077
22078 @item set remoteflow on
22079 @itemx set remoteflow off
22080 @kindex set remoteflow
22081 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
22082 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
22083
22084 @item show remoteflow
22085 @kindex show remoteflow
22086 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
22087
22088 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
22089 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
22090 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
22091 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
22092 @code{ascii}.
22093
22094 @item show remotelogbase
22095 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
22096 protocol.
22097
22098 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
22099 @cindex record serial communications on file
22100 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
22101 default is not to record at all.
22102
22103 @item show remotelogfile
22104 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
22105 serial communications.
22106
22107 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
22108 @cindex timeout for serial communications
22109 @cindex remote timeout
22110 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
22111 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
22112
22113 @item show remotetimeout
22114 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
22115 responses.
22116
22117 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
22118 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
22119 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
22120 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
22121 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
22122 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
22123 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware watchpoints
22124 or breakpoints. The @var{limit} can be set to 0 to disable hardware
22125 watchpoints or breakpoints, and @code{unlimited} for unlimited
22126 watchpoints or breakpoints.
22127
22128 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-limit
22129 @itemx show remote hardware-breakpoint-limit
22130 Show the current limit for the number of hardware watchpoints or
22131 breakpoints that @value{GDBN} can use.
22132
22133 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
22134 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
22135 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
22136 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
22137 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum
22138 length of a remote hardware watchpoint. A @var{limit} of 0 disables
22139 hardware watchpoints and @code{unlimited} allows watchpoints of any
22140 length.
22141
22142 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
22143 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
22144 a remote hardware watchpoint.
22145
22146 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
22147 @itemx show remote exec-file
22148 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
22149 @cindex executable file, for remote target
22150 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
22151 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
22152 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
22153 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
22154
22155 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
22156 @cindex interrupt remote programs
22157 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
22158 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
22159 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
22160 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
22161 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
22162 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
22163 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
22164 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
22165
22166 @item show interrupt-sequence
22167 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
22168 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
22169 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
22170 also known as Magic SysRq g.
22171
22172 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
22173 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
22174 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
22175 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
22176 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
22177 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
22178
22179 @item show interrupt-on-connect
22180 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
22181 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
22182
22183 @kindex set tcp
22184 @kindex show tcp
22185 @item set tcp auto-retry on
22186 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
22187 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
22188 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
22189 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
22190 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
22191 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
22192 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
22193 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
22194
22195 @item set tcp auto-retry off
22196 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
22197
22198 @item show tcp auto-retry
22199 Show the current auto-retry setting.
22200
22201 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
22202 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
22203 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
22204 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
22205 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
22206 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
22207 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
22208 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
22209 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
22210 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
22211 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
22212
22213 @item show tcp connect-timeout
22214 Show the current connection timeout setting.
22215 @end table
22216
22217 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
22218 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
22219 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
22220 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
22221 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
22222 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
22223 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
22224 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
22225 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
22226
22227 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
22228 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
22229 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
22230 @value{GDBN} developers.
22231
22232 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
22233 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
22234 are:
22235
22236 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
22237 @item Command Name
22238 @tab Remote Packet
22239 @tab Related Features
22240
22241 @item @code{fetch-register}
22242 @tab @code{p}
22243 @tab @code{info registers}
22244
22245 @item @code{set-register}
22246 @tab @code{P}
22247 @tab @code{set}
22248
22249 @item @code{binary-download}
22250 @tab @code{X}
22251 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
22252
22253 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
22254 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
22255 @tab @code{info auxv}
22256
22257 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
22258 @tab @code{qSymbol}
22259 @tab Detecting multiple threads
22260
22261 @item @code{attach}
22262 @tab @code{vAttach}
22263 @tab @code{attach}
22264
22265 @item @code{verbose-resume}
22266 @tab @code{vCont}
22267 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
22268
22269 @item @code{run}
22270 @tab @code{vRun}
22271 @tab @code{run}
22272
22273 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
22274 @tab @code{Z0}
22275 @tab @code{break}
22276
22277 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
22278 @tab @code{Z1}
22279 @tab @code{hbreak}
22280
22281 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
22282 @tab @code{Z2}
22283 @tab @code{watch}
22284
22285 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
22286 @tab @code{Z3}
22287 @tab @code{rwatch}
22288
22289 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
22290 @tab @code{Z4}
22291 @tab @code{awatch}
22292
22293 @item @code{pid-to-exec-file}
22294 @tab @code{qXfer:exec-file:read}
22295 @tab @code{attach}, @code{run}
22296
22297 @item @code{target-features}
22298 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
22299 @tab @code{set architecture}
22300
22301 @item @code{library-info}
22302 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
22303 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
22304
22305 @item @code{memory-map}
22306 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
22307 @tab @code{info mem}
22308
22309 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
22310 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
22311 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
22312
22313 @item @code{read-spu-object}
22314 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
22315 @tab @code{info spu}
22316
22317 @item @code{write-spu-object}
22318 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
22319 @tab @code{info spu}
22320
22321 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
22322 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
22323 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
22324
22325 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
22326 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
22327 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
22328
22329 @item @code{threads}
22330 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
22331 @tab @code{info threads}
22332
22333 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
22334 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
22335 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
22336
22337 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
22338 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
22339 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
22340
22341 @item @code{search-memory}
22342 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
22343 @tab @code{find}
22344
22345 @item @code{supported-packets}
22346 @tab @code{qSupported}
22347 @tab Remote communications parameters
22348
22349 @item @code{catch-syscalls}
22350 @tab @code{QCatchSyscalls}
22351 @tab @code{catch syscall}
22352
22353 @item @code{pass-signals}
22354 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
22355 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
22356
22357 @item @code{program-signals}
22358 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
22359 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
22360
22361 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
22362 @tab @code{vFile:close}
22363 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
22364
22365 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
22366 @tab @code{vFile:open}
22367 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
22368
22369 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
22370 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
22371 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
22372
22373 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
22374 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
22375 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
22376
22377 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
22378 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
22379 @tab @code{remote delete}
22380
22381 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
22382 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
22383 @tab Host I/O
22384
22385 @item @code{hostio-fstat-packet}
22386 @tab @code{vFile:fstat}
22387 @tab Host I/O
22388
22389 @item @code{hostio-setfs-packet}
22390 @tab @code{vFile:setfs}
22391 @tab Host I/O
22392
22393 @item @code{noack-packet}
22394 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
22395 @tab Packet acknowledgment
22396
22397 @item @code{osdata}
22398 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
22399 @tab @code{info os}
22400
22401 @item @code{query-attached}
22402 @tab @code{qAttached}
22403 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
22404
22405 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
22406 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
22407 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
22408
22409 @item @code{trace-status}
22410 @tab @code{qTStatus}
22411 @tab @code{tstatus}
22412
22413 @item @code{traceframe-info}
22414 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
22415 @tab Traceframe info
22416
22417 @item @code{install-in-trace}
22418 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
22419 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
22420
22421 @item @code{disable-randomization}
22422 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
22423 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
22424
22425 @item @code{startup-with-shell}
22426 @tab @code{QStartupWithShell}
22427 @tab @code{set startup-with-shell}
22428
22429 @item @code{environment-hex-encoded}
22430 @tab @code{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
22431 @tab @code{set environment}
22432
22433 @item @code{environment-unset}
22434 @tab @code{QEnvironmentUnset}
22435 @tab @code{unset environment}
22436
22437 @item @code{environment-reset}
22438 @tab @code{QEnvironmentReset}
22439 @tab @code{Reset the inferior environment (i.e., unset user-set variables)}
22440
22441 @item @code{set-working-dir}
22442 @tab @code{QSetWorkingDir}
22443 @tab @code{set cwd}
22444
22445 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
22446 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
22447 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
22448
22449 @item @code{multiprocess-extensions}
22450 @tab @code{multiprocess extensions}
22451 @tab Debug multiple processes and remote process PID awareness
22452
22453 @item @code{swbreak-feature}
22454 @tab @code{swbreak stop reason}
22455 @tab @code{break}
22456
22457 @item @code{hwbreak-feature}
22458 @tab @code{hwbreak stop reason}
22459 @tab @code{hbreak}
22460
22461 @item @code{fork-event-feature}
22462 @tab @code{fork stop reason}
22463 @tab @code{fork}
22464
22465 @item @code{vfork-event-feature}
22466 @tab @code{vfork stop reason}
22467 @tab @code{vfork}
22468
22469 @item @code{exec-event-feature}
22470 @tab @code{exec stop reason}
22471 @tab @code{exec}
22472
22473 @item @code{thread-events}
22474 @tab @code{QThreadEvents}
22475 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
22476
22477 @item @code{no-resumed-stop-reply}
22478 @tab @code{no resumed thread left stop reply}
22479 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
22480
22481 @end multitable
22482
22483 @node Remote Stub
22484 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
22485
22486 @cindex debugging stub, example
22487 @cindex remote stub, example
22488 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
22489 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
22490 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
22491 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
22492 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
22493 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
22494 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
22495 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
22496
22497 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
22498 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
22499 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
22500 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
22501 program, you need:
22502
22503 @enumerate
22504 @item
22505 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
22506 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
22507 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
22508
22509 @item
22510 A C subroutine library to support your program's
22511 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
22512
22513 @item
22514 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
22515 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
22516 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
22517 documentation.
22518 @end enumerate
22519
22520 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
22521 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
22522 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
22523
22524 @table @emph
22525 @item On the host,
22526 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
22527 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
22528 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
22529
22530 @item On the target,
22531 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
22532 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
22533 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
22534
22535 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
22536 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
22537 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
22538 @end table
22539
22540 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
22541 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
22542 @sc{sparc} boards.
22543
22544 @cindex remote serial stub list
22545 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
22546
22547 @table @code
22548
22549 @item i386-stub.c
22550 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
22551 @cindex Intel
22552 @cindex i386
22553 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
22554
22555 @item m68k-stub.c
22556 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
22557 @cindex Motorola 680x0
22558 @cindex m680x0
22559 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
22560
22561 @item sh-stub.c
22562 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
22563 @cindex Renesas
22564 @cindex SH
22565 For Renesas SH architectures.
22566
22567 @item sparc-stub.c
22568 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
22569 @cindex Sparc
22570 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
22571
22572 @item sparcl-stub.c
22573 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
22574 @cindex Fujitsu
22575 @cindex SparcLite
22576 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
22577
22578 @end table
22579
22580 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
22581 recently added stubs.
22582
22583 @menu
22584 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
22585 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
22586 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
22587 @end menu
22588
22589 @node Stub Contents
22590 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
22591
22592 @cindex remote serial stub
22593 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
22594 subroutines:
22595
22596 @table @code
22597 @item set_debug_traps
22598 @findex set_debug_traps
22599 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
22600 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
22601 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
22602 program's startup code.
22603
22604 @item handle_exception
22605 @findex handle_exception
22606 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
22607 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
22608 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
22609 run when a trap is triggered.
22610
22611 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
22612 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
22613 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
22614 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
22615 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
22616 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
22617 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
22618 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
22619 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
22620 machine.
22621
22622 @item breakpoint
22623 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
22624 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
22625 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
22626 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
22627 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
22628 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
22629 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
22630 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
22631 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
22632 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
22633 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
22634
22635 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
22636 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
22637 start of your debugging session.
22638 @end table
22639
22640 @node Bootstrapping
22641 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
22642
22643 @cindex remote stub, support routines
22644 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
22645 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
22646 debugging target machine.
22647
22648 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
22649 serial port.
22650
22651 @table @code
22652 @item int getDebugChar()
22653 @findex getDebugChar
22654 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
22655 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
22656 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
22657
22658 @item void putDebugChar(int)
22659 @findex putDebugChar
22660 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
22661 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
22662 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
22663 @end table
22664
22665 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
22666 @cindex interrupting remote targets
22667 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
22668 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
22669 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
22670 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
22671 remote system to stop.
22672
22673 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
22674 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
22675 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
22676 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
22677
22678 Other routines you need to supply are:
22679
22680 @table @code
22681 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
22682 @findex exceptionHandler
22683 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
22684 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
22685 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
22686 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
22687 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
22688 The @var{exception_number} specifies the exception which should be changed;
22689 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
22690 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
22691 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
22692 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
22693 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
22694 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
22695 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
22696
22697 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
22698 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
22699 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
22700 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
22701 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
22702
22703 @item void flush_i_cache()
22704 @findex flush_i_cache
22705 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
22706 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
22707 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
22708
22709 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
22710 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
22711 @end table
22712
22713 @noindent
22714 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
22715
22716 @table @code
22717 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
22718 @findex memset
22719 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
22720 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
22721 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
22722 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
22723 @end table
22724
22725 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
22726 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
22727 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
22728 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
22729
22730
22731 @node Debug Session
22732 @subsection Putting it All Together
22733
22734 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
22735 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
22736 steps.
22737
22738 @enumerate
22739 @item
22740 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
22741 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
22742 @display
22743 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
22744 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
22745 @end display
22746
22747 @item
22748 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
22749 procedure is called:
22750
22751 @smallexample
22752 set_debug_traps();
22753 breakpoint();
22754 @end smallexample
22755
22756 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
22757 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
22758 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
22759 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
22760 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
22761 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
22762 progress.
22763
22764 @item
22765 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
22766 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
22767
22768 @smallexample
22769 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
22770 @end smallexample
22771
22772 @noindent
22773 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
22774 function in your program, that function is called when
22775 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
22776 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
22777 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
22778
22779 @item
22780 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
22781 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
22782
22783 @item
22784 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
22785 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
22786
22787 @item
22788 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
22789 @c document that. FIXME.
22790 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
22791 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
22792
22793 @item
22794 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
22795 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
22796
22797 @end enumerate
22798
22799 @node Configurations
22800 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
22801
22802 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
22803 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
22804 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
22805
22806 There are three major categories of configurations: native
22807 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
22808 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
22809 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
22810 are quite different from each other.
22811
22812 @menu
22813 * Native::
22814 * Embedded OS::
22815 * Embedded Processors::
22816 * Architectures::
22817 @end menu
22818
22819 @node Native
22820 @section Native
22821
22822 This section describes details specific to particular native
22823 configurations.
22824
22825 @menu
22826 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
22827 * Process Information:: Process information
22828 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
22829 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
22830 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
22831 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
22832 * FreeBSD:: Features specific to FreeBSD
22833 @end menu
22834
22835 @node BSD libkvm Interface
22836 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
22837
22838 @cindex libkvm
22839 @cindex kernel memory image
22840 @cindex kernel crash dump
22841
22842 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
22843 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
22844 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
22845 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
22846 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
22847 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
22848 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
22849 @code{kvm} target:
22850
22851 @smallexample
22852 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
22853 @end smallexample
22854
22855 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
22856 argument:
22857
22858 @smallexample
22859 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
22860 @end smallexample
22861
22862 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
22863 available:
22864
22865 @table @code
22866 @kindex kvm
22867 @item kvm pcb
22868 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
22869
22870 @item kvm proc
22871 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
22872 modern FreeBSD systems.
22873 @end table
22874
22875 @node Process Information
22876 @subsection Process Information
22877 @cindex /proc
22878 @cindex examine process image
22879 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
22880
22881 Some operating systems provide interfaces to fetch additional
22882 information about running processes beyond memory and per-thread
22883 register state. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system
22884 with a supported interface, the command @code{info proc} is available
22885 to report information about the process running your program, or about
22886 any process running on your system.
22887
22888 One supported interface is a facility called @samp{/proc} that can be
22889 used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
22890 subroutines. This facility is supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris
22891 systems.
22892
22893 On FreeBSD systems, system control nodes are used to query process
22894 information.
22895
22896 In addition, some systems may provide additional process information
22897 in core files. Note that a core file may include a subset of the
22898 information available from a live process. Process information is
22899 currently avaiable from cores created on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD
22900 systems.
22901
22902 @table @code
22903 @kindex info proc
22904 @cindex process ID
22905 @item info proc
22906 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
22907 Summarize available information about a process. If a
22908 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
22909 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
22910 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
22911 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
22912 executable file's absolute file name.
22913
22914 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
22915 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
22916 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
22917 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
22918 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
22919 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
22920
22921 @item info proc cmdline
22922 @cindex info proc cmdline
22923 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
22924 supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
22925
22926 @item info proc cwd
22927 @cindex info proc cwd
22928 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
22929 supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
22930
22931 @item info proc exe
22932 @cindex info proc exe
22933 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is supported
22934 on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
22935
22936 @item info proc files
22937 @cindex info proc files
22938 Show the file descriptors open by the process. For each open file
22939 descriptor, @value{GDBN} shows its number, type (file, directory,
22940 character device, socket), file pointer offset, and the name of the
22941 resource open on the descriptor. The resource name can be a file name
22942 (for files, directories, and devices) or a protocol followed by socket
22943 address (for network connections). This command is supported on
22944 FreeBSD.
22945
22946 This example shows the open file descriptors for a process using a
22947 tty for standard input and output as well as two network sockets:
22948
22949 @smallexample
22950 (gdb) info proc files 22136
22951 process 22136
22952 Open files:
22953
22954 FD Type Offset Flags Name
22955 text file - r-------- /usr/bin/ssh
22956 ctty chr - rw------- /dev/pts/20
22957 cwd dir - r-------- /usr/home/john
22958 root dir - r-------- /
22959 0 chr 0x32933a4 rw------- /dev/pts/20
22960 1 chr 0x32933a4 rw------- /dev/pts/20
22961 2 chr 0x32933a4 rw------- /dev/pts/20
22962 3 socket 0x0 rw----n-- tcp4 10.0.1.2:53014 -> 10.0.1.10:22
22963 4 socket 0x0 rw------- unix stream:/tmp/ssh-FIt89oAzOn5f/agent.2456
22964 @end smallexample
22965
22966 @item info proc mappings
22967 @cindex memory address space mappings
22968 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in a process. On
22969 Solaris and FreeBSD systems, each memory range includes information on
22970 whether the process has read, write, or execute access rights to each
22971 range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD systems, each memory range
22972 includes the object file which is mapped to that range.
22973
22974 @item info proc stat
22975 @itemx info proc status
22976 @cindex process detailed status information
22977 Show additional process-related information, including the user ID and
22978 group ID; virtual memory usage; the signals that are pending, blocked,
22979 and ignored; its TTY; its consumption of system and user time; its
22980 stack size; its @samp{nice} value; etc. These commands are supported
22981 on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
22982
22983 For @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, see the @samp{proc} man page for more
22984 information (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
22985
22986 For FreeBSD systems, @code{info proc stat} is an alias for @code{info
22987 proc status}.
22988
22989 @item info proc all
22990 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
22991 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
22992
22993 @ignore
22994 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
22995 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
22996 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
22997 @kindex info proc times
22998 @item info proc times
22999 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
23000 its children.
23001
23002 @kindex info proc id
23003 @item info proc id
23004 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
23005 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
23006 @end ignore
23007
23008 @item set procfs-trace
23009 @kindex set procfs-trace
23010 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
23011 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
23012
23013 @item show procfs-trace
23014 @kindex show procfs-trace
23015 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
23016
23017 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
23018 @kindex set procfs-file
23019 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
23020 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
23021 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
23022 standard output.
23023
23024 @item show procfs-file
23025 @kindex show procfs-file
23026 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
23027
23028 @item proc-trace-entry
23029 @itemx proc-trace-exit
23030 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
23031 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
23032 @kindex proc-trace-entry
23033 @kindex proc-trace-exit
23034 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
23035 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
23036 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
23037 from the @code{syscall} interface.
23038
23039 @item info pidlist
23040 @kindex info pidlist
23041 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
23042 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
23043 processes and all the threads within each process.
23044
23045 @item info meminfo
23046 @kindex info meminfo
23047 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
23048 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
23049 @end table
23050
23051 @node DJGPP Native
23052 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
23053 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
23054 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
23055 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
23056
23057 @cindex DPMI
23058 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
23059 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
23060 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
23061 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
23062
23063 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
23064 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
23065 subsection describes those commands.
23066
23067 @table @code
23068 @kindex info dos
23069 @item info dos
23070 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
23071 information about the target system and important OS structures.
23072
23073 @kindex sysinfo
23074 @cindex MS-DOS system info
23075 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
23076 @item info dos sysinfo
23077 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
23078 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
23079 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
23080
23081 @cindex GDT
23082 @cindex LDT
23083 @cindex IDT
23084 @cindex segment descriptor tables
23085 @cindex descriptor tables display
23086 @item info dos gdt
23087 @itemx info dos ldt
23088 @itemx info dos idt
23089 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
23090 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
23091 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
23092 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
23093 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
23094 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
23095 rights.
23096
23097 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
23098 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
23099 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
23100 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
23101 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
23102
23103 @cindex garbled pointers
23104 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
23105 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
23106 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
23107 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
23108 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
23109 debugged program's data segment:
23110
23111 @smallexample
23112 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
23113 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
23114 @end smallexample
23115
23116 @noindent
23117 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
23118 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
23119
23120 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
23121 @item info dos pde
23122 @itemx info dos pte
23123 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
23124 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
23125 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
23126 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
23127 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
23128 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
23129 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
23130 that is currently in use.
23131
23132 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
23133 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
23134 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
23135 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
23136 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
23137 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
23138 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
23139
23140 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
23141 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
23142 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
23143 controller.
23144
23145 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
23146
23147 @cindex physical address from linear address
23148 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
23149 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
23150 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
23151 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
23152 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
23153 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
23154 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
23155
23156 @smallexample
23157 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
23158 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
23159 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
23160 @end smallexample
23161
23162 @noindent
23163 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
23164 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
23165 attributes of that page.
23166
23167 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
23168 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
23169 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
23170 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
23171 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
23172 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
23173
23174 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
23175 transfer buffer:
23176
23177 @smallexample
23178 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
23179 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
23180 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
23181 @end smallexample
23182
23183 @noindent
23184 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
23185 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
23186 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
23187 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
23188 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
23189
23190 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
23191 @end table
23192
23193 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
23194 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
23195 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
23196 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
23197
23198 @table @code
23199 @kindex set com1base
23200 @kindex set com1irq
23201 @kindex set com2base
23202 @kindex set com2irq
23203 @kindex set com3base
23204 @kindex set com3irq
23205 @kindex set com4base
23206 @kindex set com4irq
23207 @item set com1base @var{addr}
23208 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
23209 port.
23210
23211 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
23212 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
23213 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
23214
23215 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
23216 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
23217 other 3 COM ports.
23218
23219 @kindex show com1base
23220 @kindex show com1irq
23221 @kindex show com2base
23222 @kindex show com2irq
23223 @kindex show com3base
23224 @kindex show com3irq
23225 @kindex show com4base
23226 @kindex show com4irq
23227 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
23228 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
23229 lines used by the COM ports.
23230
23231 @item info serial
23232 @kindex info serial
23233 @cindex DOS serial port status
23234 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
23235 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
23236 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
23237 counts of various errors encountered so far.
23238 @end table
23239
23240
23241 @node Cygwin Native
23242 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
23243 @cindex MS Windows debugging
23244 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
23245 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
23246
23247 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
23248 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
23249
23250 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
23251 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
23252 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
23253 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
23254 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
23255 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
23256 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
23257 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
23258
23259 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
23260 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
23261 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
23262
23263 @table @code
23264 @kindex info w32
23265 @item info w32
23266 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
23267 information about the target system and important OS structures.
23268
23269 @item info w32 selector
23270 This command displays information returned by
23271 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
23272 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
23273 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
23274 Without argument, this command displays information
23275 about the six segment registers.
23276
23277 @item info w32 thread-information-block
23278 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
23279 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
23280 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
23281
23282 @kindex signal-event
23283 @item signal-event @var{id}
23284 This command signals an event with user-provided @var{id}. Used to resume
23285 crashing process when attached to it using MS-Windows JIT debugging (AeDebug).
23286
23287 To use it, create or edit the following keys in
23288 @code{HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug} and/or
23289 @code{HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug}
23290 (for x86_64 versions):
23291
23292 @itemize @minus
23293 @item
23294 @code{Debugger} (REG_SZ) --- a command to launch the debugger.
23295 Suggested command is: @code{@var{fully-qualified-path-to-gdb.exe} -ex
23296 "attach %ld" -ex "signal-event %ld" -ex "continue"}.
23297
23298 The first @code{%ld} will be replaced by the process ID of the
23299 crashing process, the second @code{%ld} will be replaced by the ID of
23300 the event that blocks the crashing process, waiting for @value{GDBN}
23301 to attach.
23302
23303 @item
23304 @code{Auto} (REG_SZ) --- either @code{1} or @code{0}. @code{1} will
23305 make the system run debugger specified by the Debugger key
23306 automatically, @code{0} will cause a dialog box with ``OK'' and
23307 ``Cancel'' buttons to appear, which allows the user to either
23308 terminate the crashing process (OK) or debug it (Cancel).
23309 @end itemize
23310
23311 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
23312 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
23313 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
23314 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
23315 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
23316 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
23317 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
23318 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
23319 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
23320 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
23321 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
23322
23323 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
23324 @item show cygwin-exceptions
23325 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
23326 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
23327
23328 @kindex set new-console
23329 @item set new-console @var{mode}
23330 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
23331 be started in a new console on next start.
23332 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
23333 be started in the same console as the debugger.
23334
23335 @kindex show new-console
23336 @item show new-console
23337 Displays whether a new console is used
23338 when the debuggee is started.
23339
23340 @kindex set new-group
23341 @item set new-group @var{mode}
23342 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
23343 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
23344 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
23345 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
23346
23347 @kindex show new-group
23348 @item show new-group
23349 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
23350
23351 @kindex set debugevents
23352 @item set debugevents
23353 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
23354 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
23355 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
23356 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
23357 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
23358
23359 @kindex set debugexec
23360 @item set debugexec
23361 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
23362 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
23363
23364 @kindex set debugexceptions
23365 @item set debugexceptions
23366 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
23367 debuggee seen by the debugger.
23368
23369 @kindex set debugmemory
23370 @item set debugmemory
23371 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
23372 and writes by the debugger.
23373
23374 @kindex set shell
23375 @item set shell
23376 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
23377 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
23378
23379 @kindex show shell
23380 @item show shell
23381 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
23382
23383 @end table
23384
23385 @menu
23386 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
23387 @end menu
23388
23389 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
23390 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
23391 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
23392 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
23393
23394 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
23395 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
23396 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
23397 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
23398 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
23399 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
23400 ``minimal symbols''.
23401
23402 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
23403 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
23404 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
23405 program run once to completion.
23406
23407 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
23408
23409 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
23410 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
23411 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
23412 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
23413 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
23414 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
23415 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
23416 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
23417 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
23418
23419 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
23420 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
23421 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
23422 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
23423 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
23424 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
23425
23426 @smallexample
23427 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
23428 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
23429
23430 Non-debugging symbols:
23431 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
23432 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
23433 @end smallexample
23434
23435 @smallexample
23436 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
23437 All functions matching regular expression "!":
23438
23439 Non-debugging symbols:
23440 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
23441 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
23442 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
23443 [etc...]
23444 @end smallexample
23445
23446 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
23447
23448 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
23449 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
23450 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
23451 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
23452 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
23453 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
23454 a function within a DLL without a running program.
23455
23456 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
23457 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
23458 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
23459 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
23460 problem:
23461
23462 @smallexample
23463 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
23464 'cygwin1!__argv' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
23465 @end smallexample
23466
23467 @smallexample
23468 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
23469 'cygwin1!__argv' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
23470 @end smallexample
23471
23472 And two possible solutions:
23473
23474 @smallexample
23475 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
23476 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
23477 @end smallexample
23478
23479 @smallexample
23480 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
23481 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
23482 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
23483 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
23484 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
23485 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
23486 @end smallexample
23487
23488 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
23489 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
23490 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
23491 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
23492 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
23493
23494 @smallexample
23495 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
23496 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
23497 @end smallexample
23498
23499 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
23500 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
23501 safe.
23502
23503 @node Hurd Native
23504 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
23505 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
23506
23507 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
23508 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
23509
23510 @table @code
23511 @item set signals
23512 @itemx set sigs
23513 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
23514 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
23515 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
23516 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
23517 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
23518 @code{signals}.
23519
23520 @item show signals
23521 @itemx show sigs
23522 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
23523 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
23524 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
23525
23526 @item set signal-thread
23527 @itemx set sigthread
23528 @kindex set signal-thread
23529 @kindex set sigthread
23530 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
23531 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
23532 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
23533 signal-thread}.
23534
23535 @item show signal-thread
23536 @itemx show sigthread
23537 @kindex show signal-thread
23538 @kindex show sigthread
23539 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
23540 delivered a signal.
23541
23542 @item set stopped
23543 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
23544 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
23545 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
23546 continued by delivering a signal to it.
23547
23548 @item show stopped
23549 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
23550 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
23551 stopped.
23552
23553 @item set exceptions
23554 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
23555 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
23556 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
23557 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
23558 trapping on.
23559
23560 @item show exceptions
23561 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
23562 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
23563
23564 @item set task pause
23565 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
23566 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
23567 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
23568 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
23569 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
23570 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
23571 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
23572 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
23573 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
23574
23575 @item show task pause
23576 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
23577 Show the current state of task suspension.
23578
23579 @item set task detach-suspend-count
23580 @cindex task suspend count
23581 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23582 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
23583 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
23584
23585 @item show task detach-suspend-count
23586 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
23587
23588 @item set task exception-port
23589 @itemx set task excp
23590 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23591 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
23592 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
23593 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
23594
23595 @item set noninvasive
23596 @cindex noninvasive task options
23597 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
23598 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
23599 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
23600 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
23601
23602 @item info send-rights
23603 @itemx info receive-rights
23604 @itemx info port-rights
23605 @itemx info port-sets
23606 @itemx info dead-names
23607 @itemx info ports
23608 @itemx info psets
23609 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23610 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23611 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23612 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23613 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23614 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
23615 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
23616 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
23617 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
23618
23619 @item set thread pause
23620 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
23621 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23622 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
23623 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
23624 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
23625 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
23626 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
23627 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
23628 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
23629 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
23630 only the current thread.
23631
23632 @item show thread pause
23633 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
23634 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
23635
23636 @item set thread run
23637 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
23638
23639 @item show thread run
23640 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
23641
23642 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
23643 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23644 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23645 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
23646 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
23647 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
23648 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
23649
23650 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
23651 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
23652 detaching.
23653
23654 @item set thread exception-port
23655 @itemx set thread excp
23656 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
23657 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
23658 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
23659
23660 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
23661 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
23662 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
23663 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
23664
23665 @item set thread default
23666 @itemx show thread default
23667 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23668 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
23669 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
23670 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
23671 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
23672 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
23673 the non-default commands.
23674 @end table
23675
23676 @node Darwin
23677 @subsection Darwin
23678 @cindex Darwin
23679
23680 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
23681
23682 @table @code
23683 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
23684 @kindex set debug darwin
23685 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
23686 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
23687
23688 @item show debug darwin
23689 @kindex show debug darwin
23690 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
23691
23692 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
23693 @kindex set debug mach-o
23694 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
23695 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
23696 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
23697 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
23698 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
23699 usage.
23700
23701 @item show debug mach-o
23702 @kindex show debug mach-o
23703 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
23704
23705 @item set mach-exceptions on
23706 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
23707 @kindex set mach-exceptions
23708 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
23709 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
23710 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
23711 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
23712
23713 @item show mach-exceptions
23714 @kindex show mach-exceptions
23715 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
23716 @end table
23717
23718 @node FreeBSD
23719 @subsection FreeBSD
23720 @cindex FreeBSD
23721
23722 When the ABI of a system call is changed in the FreeBSD kernel, this
23723 is implemented by leaving a compatibility system call using the old
23724 ABI at the existing number and allocating a new system call number for
23725 the version using the new ABI. As a convenience, when a system call
23726 is caught by name (@pxref{catch syscall}), compatibility system calls
23727 are also caught.
23728
23729 For example, FreeBSD 12 introduced a new variant of the @code{kevent}
23730 system call and catching the @code{kevent} system call by name catches
23731 both variants:
23732
23733 @smallexample
23734 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall kevent
23735 Catchpoint 1 (syscalls 'freebsd11_kevent' [363] 'kevent' [560])
23736 (@value{GDBP})
23737 @end smallexample
23738
23739
23740 @node Embedded OS
23741 @section Embedded Operating Systems
23742
23743 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
23744 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
23745 architectures.
23746
23747 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
23748 various real-time operating systems.
23749
23750 @node Embedded Processors
23751 @section Embedded Processors
23752
23753 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
23754 configurations.
23755
23756 @cindex send command to simulator
23757 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
23758 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
23759
23760 @table @code
23761 @item sim @var{command}
23762 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
23763 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
23764 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
23765 acceptable commands.
23766 @end table
23767
23768
23769 @menu
23770 * ARC:: Synopsys ARC
23771 * ARM:: ARM
23772 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
23773 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
23774 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
23775 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRISC 1000 (or1k)
23776 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
23777 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
23778 * CRIS:: CRIS
23779 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
23780 @end menu
23781
23782 @node ARC
23783 @subsection Synopsys ARC
23784 @cindex Synopsys ARC
23785 @cindex ARC specific commands
23786 @cindex ARC600
23787 @cindex ARC700
23788 @cindex ARC EM
23789 @cindex ARC HS
23790
23791 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARC-specific commands:
23792
23793 @table @code
23794 @item set debug arc
23795 @kindex set debug arc
23796 Control the level of ARC specific debug messages. Use 0 for no messages (the
23797 default), 1 for debug messages, and 2 for even more debug messages.
23798
23799 @item show debug arc
23800 @kindex show debug arc
23801 Show the level of ARC specific debugging in operation.
23802
23803 @item maint print arc arc-instruction @var{address}
23804 @kindex maint print arc arc-instruction
23805 Print internal disassembler information about instruction at a given address.
23806
23807 @end table
23808
23809 @node ARM
23810 @subsection ARM
23811
23812 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
23813
23814 @table @code
23815 @item set arm disassembler
23816 @kindex set arm
23817 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
23818 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
23819
23820 @item show arm disassembler
23821 @kindex show arm
23822 Show the current disassembly style.
23823
23824 @item set arm apcs32
23825 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
23826 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
23827
23828 @item show arm apcs32
23829 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
23830
23831 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
23832 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
23833 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
23834
23835 @table @code
23836 @item auto
23837 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
23838 @item softfpa
23839 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
23840 processors.
23841 @item fpa
23842 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
23843 @item softvfp
23844 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
23845 @item vfp
23846 VFP co-processor.
23847 @end table
23848
23849 @item show arm fpu
23850 Show the current type of the FPU.
23851
23852 @item set arm abi
23853 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
23854
23855 @item show arm abi
23856 Show the currently used ABI.
23857
23858 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
23859 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
23860 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
23861 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
23862 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
23863 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
23864 register).
23865
23866 @item show arm fallback-mode
23867 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
23868
23869 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
23870 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
23871 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
23872 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
23873 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
23874
23875 @item show arm force-mode
23876 Show the current forced instruction mode.
23877
23878 @item set debug arm
23879 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
23880 target support subsystem.
23881
23882 @item show debug arm
23883 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
23884 @end table
23885
23886 @table @code
23887 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
23888 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
23889
23890 @table @code
23891 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
23892 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support. The argument
23893 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
23894 The default value is @code{all}.
23895
23896 @table @code
23897 @item none
23898 @item demon
23899 @item angel
23900 @item redboot
23901 @item all
23902 @end table
23903 @end table
23904 @end table
23905
23906 @node M68K
23907 @subsection M68k
23908
23909 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support.
23910
23911 @node MicroBlaze
23912 @subsection MicroBlaze
23913 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
23914 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
23915
23916 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
23917 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
23918 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
23919 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
23920 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
23921 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
23922 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
23923 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
23924 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
23925 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
23926 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
23927
23928 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
23929
23930 @table @code
23931 @item target remote :1234
23932 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
23933 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
23934
23935 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
23936 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
23937 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
23938
23939 @item load
23940 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
23941
23942 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
23943 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
23944
23945 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
23946 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
23947 @end table
23948
23949 @node MIPS Embedded
23950 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
23951
23952 @noindent
23953 @value{GDBN} supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
23954
23955 @table @code
23956 @item set mipsfpu double
23957 @itemx set mipsfpu single
23958 @itemx set mipsfpu none
23959 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
23960 @itemx show mipsfpu
23961 @kindex set mipsfpu
23962 @kindex show mipsfpu
23963 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
23964 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
23965 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
23966 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
23967 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
23968 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
23969 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
23970 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
23971 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
23972 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
23973 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
23974 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
23975 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
23976
23977 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
23978 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
23979 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
23980
23981 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
23982 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
23983 @end table
23984
23985 @node OpenRISC 1000
23986 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
23987 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
23988
23989 @noindent
23990 The OpenRISC 1000 provides a free RISC instruction set architecture. It is
23991 mainly provided as a soft-core which can run on Xilinx, Altera and other
23992 FPGA's.
23993
23994 @value{GDBN} for OpenRISC supports the below commands when connecting to
23995 a target:
23996
23997 @table @code
23998
23999 @kindex target sim
24000 @item target sim
24001
24002 Runs the builtin CPU simulator which can run very basic
24003 programs but does not support most hardware functions like MMU.
24004 For more complex use cases the user is advised to run an external
24005 target, and connect using @samp{target remote}.
24006
24007 Example: @code{target sim}
24008
24009 @item set debug or1k
24010 Toggle whether to display OpenRISC-specific debugging messages from the
24011 OpenRISC target support subsystem.
24012
24013 @item show debug or1k
24014 Show whether OpenRISC-specific debugging messages are enabled.
24015 @end table
24016
24017 @node PowerPC Embedded
24018 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
24019
24020 @cindex DVC register
24021 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
24022 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
24023
24024 @smallexample
24025 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
24026 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
24027 @end smallexample
24028
24029 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
24030 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
24031 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
24032 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
24033 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
24034 or newer.
24035
24036 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
24037 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
24038 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
24039 watching variables of scalar types.
24040
24041 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
24042 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
24043
24044 @smallexample
24045 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
24046 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
24047 @end smallexample
24048
24049 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
24050 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
24051
24052 @cindex ranged breakpoint
24053 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
24054 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
24055 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
24056 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
24057 use the @code{break-range} command.
24058
24059 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
24060
24061 @table @code
24062 @kindex break-range
24063 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
24064 Set a breakpoint for an address range given by
24065 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}, which can specify a function name,
24066 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
24067 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
24068 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
24069 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
24070 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
24071 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
24072
24073 @kindex set powerpc
24074 @item set powerpc soft-float
24075 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
24076 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
24077 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
24078 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
24079
24080 @item set powerpc vector-abi
24081 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
24082 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
24083 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
24084 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
24085 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
24086 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
24087 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
24088
24089 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
24090 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
24091 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
24092 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
24093 address of its first byte.
24094
24095 @end table
24096
24097 @node AVR
24098 @subsection Atmel AVR
24099 @cindex AVR
24100
24101 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
24102 following AVR-specific commands:
24103
24104 @table @code
24105 @item info io_registers
24106 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
24107 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
24108 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
24109 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
24110 @end table
24111
24112 @node CRIS
24113 @subsection CRIS
24114 @cindex CRIS
24115
24116 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
24117 following CRIS-specific commands:
24118
24119 @table @code
24120 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
24121 @cindex CRIS version
24122 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
24123 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
24124 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
24125
24126 @item show cris-version
24127 Show the current CRIS version.
24128
24129 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
24130 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
24131 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
24132 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
24133 @code{R59}.
24134
24135 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
24136 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
24137
24138 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
24139 @cindex CRIS mode
24140 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
24141 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
24142 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
24143
24144 @item show cris-mode
24145 Show the current CRIS mode.
24146 @end table
24147
24148 @node Super-H
24149 @subsection Renesas Super-H
24150 @cindex Super-H
24151
24152 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
24153 commands:
24154
24155 @table @code
24156 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
24157 @kindex set sh calling-convention
24158 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
24159 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
24160 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
24161 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
24162 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
24163 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
24164 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
24165 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
24166 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
24167 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
24168
24169 @item show sh calling-convention
24170 @kindex show sh calling-convention
24171 Show the current calling convention setting.
24172
24173 @end table
24174
24175
24176 @node Architectures
24177 @section Architectures
24178
24179 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
24180 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
24181
24182 @menu
24183 * AArch64::
24184 * i386::
24185 * Alpha::
24186 * MIPS::
24187 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
24188 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
24189 * PowerPC::
24190 * Nios II::
24191 * Sparc64::
24192 * S12Z::
24193 @end menu
24194
24195 @node AArch64
24196 @subsection AArch64
24197 @cindex AArch64 support
24198
24199 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
24200 following special commands:
24201
24202 @table @code
24203 @item set debug aarch64
24204 @kindex set debug aarch64
24205 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
24206 messages are to be displayed.
24207
24208 @item show debug aarch64
24209 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
24210
24211 @end table
24212
24213 @subsubsection AArch64 SVE.
24214 @cindex AArch64 SVE.
24215
24216 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, if the Scalable Vector
24217 Extension (SVE) is present, then @value{GDBN} will provide the vector registers
24218 @code{$z0} through @code{$z31}, vector predicate registers @code{$p0} through
24219 @code{$p15}, and the @code{$ffr} register. In addition, the pseudo register
24220 @code{$vg} will be provided. This is the vector granule for the current thread
24221 and represents the number of 64-bit chunks in an SVE @code{z} register.
24222
24223 If the vector length changes, then the @code{$vg} register will be updated,
24224 but the lengths of the @code{z} and @code{p} registers will not change. This
24225 is a known limitation of @value{GDBN} and does not affect the execution of the
24226 target process.
24227
24228
24229 @node i386
24230 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
24231
24232 @table @code
24233 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
24234 @kindex set struct-convention
24235 @cindex struct return convention
24236 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
24237 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
24238 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
24239 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
24240 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
24241 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
24242 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
24243 be returned in a register.
24244
24245 @item show struct-convention
24246 @kindex show struct-convention
24247 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
24248 from functions.
24249 @end table
24250
24251
24252 @subsubsection Intel @dfn{Memory Protection Extensions} (MPX).
24253 @cindex Intel Memory Protection Extensions (MPX).
24254
24255 Memory Protection Extension (MPX) adds the bound registers @samp{BND0}
24256 @footnote{The register named with capital letters represent the architecture
24257 registers.} through @samp{BND3}. Bound registers store a pair of 64-bit values
24258 which are the lower bound and upper bound. Bounds are effective addresses or
24259 memory locations. The upper bounds are architecturally represented in 1's
24260 complement form. A bound having lower bound = 0, and upper bound = 0
24261 (1's complement of all bits set) will allow access to the entire address space.
24262
24263 @samp{BND0} through @samp{BND3} are represented in @value{GDBN} as @samp{bnd0raw}
24264 through @samp{bnd3raw}. Pseudo registers @samp{bnd0} through @samp{bnd3}
24265 display the upper bound performing the complement of one operation on the
24266 upper bound value, i.e.@ when upper bound in @samp{bnd0raw} is 0 in the
24267 @value{GDBN} @samp{bnd0} it will be @code{0xfff@dots{}}. In this sense it
24268 can also be noted that the upper bounds are inclusive.
24269
24270 As an example, assume that the register BND0 holds bounds for a pointer having
24271 access allowed for the range between 0x32 and 0x71. The values present on
24272 bnd0raw and bnd registers are presented as follows:
24273
24274 @smallexample
24275 bnd0raw = @{0x32, 0xffffffff8e@}
24276 bnd0 = @{lbound = 0x32, ubound = 0x71@} : size 64
24277 @end smallexample
24278
24279 This way the raw value can be accessed via bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw. Any
24280 change on bnd0@dots{}bnd3 or bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw is reflect on its
24281 counterpart. When the bnd0@dots{}bnd3 registers are displayed via
24282 Python, the display includes the memory size, in bits, accessible to
24283 the pointer.
24284
24285 Bounds can also be stored in bounds tables, which are stored in
24286 application memory. These tables store bounds for pointers by specifying
24287 the bounds pointer's value along with its bounds. Evaluating and changing
24288 bounds located in bound tables is therefore interesting while investigating
24289 bugs on MPX context. @value{GDBN} provides commands for this purpose:
24290
24291 @table @code
24292 @item show mpx bound @var{pointer}
24293 @kindex show mpx bound
24294 Display bounds of the given @var{pointer}.
24295
24296 @item set mpx bound @var{pointer}, @var{lbound}, @var{ubound}
24297 @kindex set mpx bound
24298 Set the bounds of a pointer in the bound table.
24299 This command takes three parameters: @var{pointer} is the pointers
24300 whose bounds are to be changed, @var{lbound} and @var{ubound} are new values
24301 for lower and upper bounds respectively.
24302 @end table
24303
24304 When you call an inferior function on an Intel MPX enabled program,
24305 GDB sets the inferior's bound registers to the init (disabled) state
24306 before calling the function. As a consequence, bounds checks for the
24307 pointer arguments passed to the function will always pass.
24308
24309 This is necessary because when you call an inferior function, the
24310 program is usually in the middle of the execution of other function.
24311 Since at that point bound registers are in an arbitrary state, not
24312 clearing them would lead to random bound violations in the called
24313 function.
24314
24315 You can still examine the influence of the bound registers on the
24316 execution of the called function by stopping the execution of the
24317 called function at its prologue, setting bound registers, and
24318 continuing the execution. For example:
24319
24320 @smallexample
24321 $ break *upper
24322 Breakpoint 2 at 0x4009de: file i386-mpx-call.c, line 47.
24323 $ print upper (a, b, c, d, 1)
24324 Breakpoint 2, upper (a=0x0, b=0x6e0000005b, c=0x0, d=0x0, len=48)....
24325 $ print $bnd0
24326 @{lbound = 0x0, ubound = ffffffff@} : size -1
24327 @end smallexample
24328
24329 At this last step the value of bnd0 can be changed for investigation of bound
24330 violations caused along the execution of the call. In order to know how to
24331 set the bound registers or bound table for the call consult the ABI.
24332
24333 @node Alpha
24334 @subsection Alpha
24335
24336 See the following section.
24337
24338 @node MIPS
24339 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
24340
24341 @cindex stack on Alpha
24342 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
24343 @cindex Alpha stack
24344 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
24345 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
24346 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
24347 find the beginning of a function.
24348
24349 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
24350 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
24351 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
24352 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
24353 commands:
24354
24355 @table @code
24356 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
24357 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
24358 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
24359 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
24360 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
24361 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
24362 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
24363 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
24364
24365 @item show heuristic-fence-post
24366 Display the current limit.
24367 @end table
24368
24369 @noindent
24370 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
24371 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
24372
24373 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
24374 programs:
24375
24376 @table @code
24377 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
24378 @kindex set mips abi
24379 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
24380 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
24381 values of @var{arg} are:
24382
24383 @table @samp
24384 @item auto
24385 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
24386 default).
24387 @item o32
24388 @item o64
24389 @item n32
24390 @item n64
24391 @item eabi32
24392 @item eabi64
24393 @end table
24394
24395 @item show mips abi
24396 @kindex show mips abi
24397 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
24398
24399 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
24400 @kindex set mips compression
24401 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
24402 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
24403 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
24404 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
24405 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
24406 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
24407 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
24408 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
24409 provided by the executable.
24410
24411 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
24412 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
24413 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
24414 identified as such.
24415
24416 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
24417 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
24418 implicitly from an executable.
24419
24420 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
24421 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
24422 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
24423 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
24424 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
24425
24426 @item show mips compression
24427 @kindex show mips compression
24428 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
24429 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
24430
24431 @item set mipsfpu
24432 @itemx show mipsfpu
24433 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
24434
24435 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
24436 @kindex set mips mask-address
24437 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
24438 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
24439 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
24440 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
24441 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
24442
24443 @item show mips mask-address
24444 @kindex show mips mask-address
24445 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
24446 not.
24447
24448 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
24449 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
24450 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
24451 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
24452 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
24453 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
24454
24455 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
24456 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
24457 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
24458
24459 @item set debug mips
24460 @kindex set debug mips
24461 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
24462 target code in @value{GDBN}.
24463
24464 @item show debug mips
24465 @kindex show debug mips
24466 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
24467 @end table
24468
24469
24470 @node HPPA
24471 @subsection HPPA
24472 @cindex HPPA support
24473
24474 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
24475 following special commands:
24476
24477 @table @code
24478 @item set debug hppa
24479 @kindex set debug hppa
24480 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
24481 messages are to be displayed.
24482
24483 @item show debug hppa
24484 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
24485
24486 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
24487 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
24488 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
24489 given @var{address}.
24490
24491 @end table
24492
24493
24494 @node SPU
24495 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
24496 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
24497 @cindex SPU
24498
24499 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
24500 it provides the following special commands:
24501
24502 @table @code
24503 @item info spu event
24504 @kindex info spu
24505 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
24506 and pending event status.
24507
24508 @item info spu signal
24509 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
24510 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
24511 notification channels.
24512
24513 @item info spu mailbox
24514 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
24515 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
24516 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
24517
24518 @item info spu dma
24519 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
24520 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
24521 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
24522
24523 @item info spu proxydma
24524 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
24525 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
24526 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
24527
24528 @end table
24529
24530 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
24531 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
24532 special commands:
24533
24534 @table @code
24535 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
24536 @kindex set spu
24537 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
24538 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
24539 function. The default is @code{off}.
24540
24541 @item show spu stop-on-load
24542 @kindex show spu
24543 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
24544
24545 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
24546 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
24547 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
24548 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
24549 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
24550 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
24551
24552 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
24553 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
24554
24555 @end table
24556
24557 @node PowerPC
24558 @subsection PowerPC
24559 @cindex PowerPC architecture
24560
24561 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
24562 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
24563 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
24564 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
24565 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
24566
24567 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
24568 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
24569 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
24570
24571 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
24572 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
24573
24574 @node Nios II
24575 @subsection Nios II
24576 @cindex Nios II architecture
24577
24578 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
24579 it provides the following special commands:
24580
24581 @table @code
24582
24583 @item set debug nios2
24584 @kindex set debug nios2
24585 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
24586 target code in @value{GDBN}.
24587
24588 @item show debug nios2
24589 @kindex show debug nios2
24590 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
24591 @end table
24592
24593 @node Sparc64
24594 @subsection Sparc64
24595 @cindex Sparc64 support
24596 @cindex Application Data Integrity
24597 @subsubsection ADI Support
24598
24599 The M7 processor supports an Application Data Integrity (ADI) feature that
24600 detects invalid data accesses. When software allocates memory and enables
24601 ADI on the allocated memory, it chooses a 4-bit version number, sets the
24602 version in the upper 4 bits of the 64-bit pointer to that data, and stores
24603 the 4-bit version in every cacheline of that data. Hardware saves the latter
24604 in spare bits in the cache and memory hierarchy. On each load and store,
24605 the processor compares the upper 4 VA (virtual address) bits to the
24606 cacheline's version. If there is a mismatch, the processor generates a
24607 version mismatch trap which can be either precise or disrupting. The trap
24608 is an error condition which the kernel delivers to the process as a SIGSEGV
24609 signal.
24610
24611 Note that only 64-bit applications can use ADI and need to be built with
24612 ADI-enabled.
24613
24614 Values of the ADI version tags, which are in granularity of a
24615 cacheline (64 bytes), can be viewed or modified.
24616
24617
24618 @table @code
24619 @kindex adi examine
24620 @item adi (examine | x) [ / @var{n} ] @var{addr}
24621
24622 The @code{adi examine} command displays the value of one ADI version tag per
24623 cacheline.
24624
24625 @var{n} is a decimal integer specifying the number in bytes; the default
24626 is 1. It specifies how much ADI version information, at the ratio of 1:ADI
24627 block size, to display.
24628
24629 @var{addr} is the address in user address space where you want @value{GDBN}
24630 to begin displaying the ADI version tags.
24631
24632 Below is an example of displaying ADI versions of variable "shmaddr".
24633
24634 @smallexample
24635 (@value{GDBP}) adi x/100 shmaddr
24636 0xfff800010002c000: 0 0
24637 @end smallexample
24638
24639 @kindex adi assign
24640 @item adi (assign | a) [ / @var{n} ] @var{addr} = @var{tag}
24641
24642 The @code{adi assign} command is used to assign new ADI version tag
24643 to an address.
24644
24645 @var{n} is a decimal integer specifying the number in bytes;
24646 the default is 1. It specifies how much ADI version information, at the
24647 ratio of 1:ADI block size, to modify.
24648
24649 @var{addr} is the address in user address space where you want @value{GDBN}
24650 to begin modifying the ADI version tags.
24651
24652 @var{tag} is the new ADI version tag.
24653
24654 For example, do the following to modify then verify ADI versions of
24655 variable "shmaddr":
24656
24657 @smallexample
24658 (@value{GDBP}) adi a/100 shmaddr = 7
24659 (@value{GDBP}) adi x/100 shmaddr
24660 0xfff800010002c000: 7 7
24661 @end smallexample
24662
24663 @end table
24664
24665 @node S12Z
24666 @subsection S12Z
24667 @cindex S12Z support
24668
24669 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the S12Z architecture,
24670 it provides the following special command:
24671
24672 @table @code
24673 @item maint info bdccsr
24674 @kindex maint info bdccsr@r{, S12Z}
24675 This command displays the current value of the microprocessor's
24676 BDCCSR register.
24677 @end table
24678
24679
24680 @node Controlling GDB
24681 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
24682
24683 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
24684 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
24685 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
24686 described here.
24687
24688 @menu
24689 * Prompt:: Prompt
24690 * Editing:: Command editing
24691 * Command History:: Command history
24692 * Screen Size:: Screen size
24693 * Output Styling:: Output styling
24694 * Numbers:: Numbers
24695 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
24696 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
24697 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
24698 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
24699 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
24700 @end menu
24701
24702 @node Prompt
24703 @section Prompt
24704
24705 @cindex prompt
24706
24707 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
24708 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
24709 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
24710 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
24711 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
24712 which one you are talking to.
24713
24714 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
24715 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
24716 or a prompt that does not.
24717
24718 @table @code
24719 @kindex set prompt
24720 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
24721 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
24722
24723 @kindex show prompt
24724 @item show prompt
24725 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
24726 @end table
24727
24728 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
24729 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
24730 are:
24731
24732 @table @code
24733 @kindex set extended-prompt
24734 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
24735 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
24736 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
24737 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
24738 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
24739 is displayed.
24740
24741 For example:
24742
24743 @smallexample
24744 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
24745 @end smallexample
24746
24747 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
24748 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
24749
24750 @kindex show extended-prompt
24751 @item show extended-prompt
24752 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
24753 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
24754 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
24755 @end table
24756
24757 @node Editing
24758 @section Command Editing
24759 @cindex readline
24760 @cindex command line editing
24761
24762 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
24763 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
24764 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
24765 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
24766 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
24767 debugging sessions.
24768
24769 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
24770 command @code{set}.
24771
24772 @table @code
24773 @kindex set editing
24774 @cindex editing
24775 @item set editing
24776 @itemx set editing on
24777 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
24778
24779 @item set editing off
24780 Disable command line editing.
24781
24782 @kindex show editing
24783 @item show editing
24784 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
24785 @end table
24786
24787 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24788 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
24789 @end ifset
24790 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24791 @xref{Command Line Editing},
24792 @end ifclear
24793 for more details about the Readline
24794 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
24795 encouraged to read that chapter.
24796
24797 @node Command History
24798 @section Command History
24799 @cindex command history
24800
24801 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
24802 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
24803 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
24804 history facility.
24805
24806 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
24807 package, to provide the history facility.
24808 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24809 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
24810 @end ifset
24811 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24812 @xref{Using History Interactively},
24813 @end ifclear
24814 for the detailed description of the History library.
24815
24816 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
24817 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
24818 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
24819 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
24820 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
24821 pressed on a line by itself.
24822
24823 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
24824 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
24825 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
24826 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
24827
24828 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
24829 history.
24830
24831 @table @code
24832 @cindex history substitution
24833 @cindex history file
24834 @kindex set history filename
24835 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
24836 @item set history filename @var{fname}
24837 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
24838 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
24839 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
24840 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
24841 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
24842 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
24843 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
24844 is not set.
24845
24846 @cindex save command history
24847 @kindex set history save
24848 @item set history save
24849 @itemx set history save on
24850 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
24851 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
24852
24853 @item set history save off
24854 Stop recording command history in a file.
24855
24856 @cindex history size
24857 @kindex set history size
24858 @cindex @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, environment variable
24859 @item set history size @var{size}
24860 @itemx set history size unlimited
24861 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
24862 This defaults to the value of the environment variable @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, or
24863 to 256 if this variable is not set. Non-numeric values of @env{GDBHISTSIZE}
24864 are ignored. If @var{size} is @code{unlimited} or if @env{GDBHISTSIZE} is
24865 either a negative number or the empty string, then the number of commands
24866 @value{GDBN} keeps in the history list is unlimited.
24867
24868 @cindex remove duplicate history
24869 @kindex set history remove-duplicates
24870 @item set history remove-duplicates @var{count}
24871 @itemx set history remove-duplicates unlimited
24872 Control the removal of duplicate history entries in the command history list.
24873 If @var{count} is non-zero, @value{GDBN} will look back at the last @var{count}
24874 history entries and remove the first entry that is a duplicate of the current
24875 entry being added to the command history list. If @var{count} is
24876 @code{unlimited} then this lookbehind is unbounded. If @var{count} is 0, then
24877 removal of duplicate history entries is disabled.
24878
24879 Only history entries added during the current session are considered for
24880 removal. This option is set to 0 by default.
24881
24882 @end table
24883
24884 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
24885 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24886 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
24887 @end ifset
24888 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24889 @xref{Event Designators},
24890 @end ifclear
24891 for more details.
24892
24893 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
24894 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
24895 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
24896 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
24897 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
24898 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
24899 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
24900 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
24901
24902 The commands to control history expansion are:
24903
24904 @table @code
24905 @item set history expansion on
24906 @itemx set history expansion
24907 @kindex set history expansion
24908 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
24909
24910 @item set history expansion off
24911 Disable history expansion.
24912
24913 @c @group
24914 @kindex show history
24915 @item show history
24916 @itemx show history filename
24917 @itemx show history save
24918 @itemx show history size
24919 @itemx show history expansion
24920 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
24921 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
24922 @c @end group
24923 @end table
24924
24925 @table @code
24926 @kindex show commands
24927 @cindex show last commands
24928 @cindex display command history
24929 @item show commands
24930 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
24931
24932 @item show commands @var{n}
24933 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
24934
24935 @item show commands +
24936 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
24937 @end table
24938
24939 @node Screen Size
24940 @section Screen Size
24941 @cindex size of screen
24942 @cindex screen size
24943 @cindex pagination
24944 @cindex page size
24945 @cindex pauses in output
24946
24947 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
24948 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
24949 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
24950 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to see one more page of output,
24951 @kbd{q} to discard the remaining output, or @kbd{c} to continue
24952 without paging for the rest of the current command. Also, the screen
24953 width setting determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on
24954 what is being printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a
24955 readable place, rather than simply letting it overflow onto the
24956 following line.
24957
24958 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
24959 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
24960 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
24961 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
24962 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
24963 width} commands:
24964
24965 @table @code
24966 @kindex set height
24967 @kindex set width
24968 @kindex show width
24969 @kindex show height
24970 @item set height @var{lpp}
24971 @itemx set height unlimited
24972 @itemx show height
24973 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
24974 @itemx set width unlimited
24975 @itemx show width
24976 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
24977 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
24978 commands display the current settings.
24979
24980 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
24981 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
24982 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
24983 buffer.
24984
24985 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
24986 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
24987
24988 @item set pagination on
24989 @itemx set pagination off
24990 @kindex set pagination
24991 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
24992 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
24993 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
24994 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
24995
24996 @item show pagination
24997 @kindex show pagination
24998 Show the current pagination mode.
24999 @end table
25000
25001 @node Output Styling
25002 @section Output Styling
25003 @cindex styling
25004 @cindex colors
25005
25006 @kindex set style
25007 @kindex show style
25008 @value{GDBN} can style its output on a capable terminal. This is
25009 enabled by default on most systems, but disabled by default when in
25010 batch mode (@pxref{Mode Options}). Various style settings are available;
25011 and styles can also be disabled entirely.
25012
25013 @table @code
25014 @item set style enabled @samp{on|off}
25015 Enable or disable all styling. The default is host-dependent, with
25016 most hosts defaulting to @samp{on}.
25017
25018 @item show style enabled
25019 Show the current state of styling.
25020
25021 @item set style sources @samp{on|off}
25022 Enable or disable source code styling. This affects whether source
25023 code, such as the output of the @code{list} command, is styled. Note
25024 that source styling only works if styling in general is enabled, and
25025 if @value{GDBN} was linked with the GNU Source Highlight library. The
25026 default is @samp{on}.
25027
25028 @item show style sources
25029 Show the current state of source code styling.
25030 @end table
25031
25032 Subcommands of @code{set style} control specific forms of styling.
25033 These subcommands all follow the same pattern: each style-able object
25034 can be styled with a foreground color, a background color, and an
25035 intensity.
25036
25037 For example, the style of file names can be controlled using the
25038 @code{set style filename} group of commands:
25039
25040 @table @code
25041 @item set style filename background @var{color}
25042 Set the background to @var{color}. Valid colors are @samp{none}
25043 (meaning the terminal's default color), @samp{black}, @samp{red},
25044 @samp{green}, @samp{yellow}, @samp{blue}, @samp{magenta}, @samp{cyan},
25045 and@samp{white}.
25046
25047 @item set style filename foreground @var{color}
25048 Set the foreground to @var{color}. Valid colors are @samp{none}
25049 (meaning the terminal's default color), @samp{black}, @samp{red},
25050 @samp{green}, @samp{yellow}, @samp{blue}, @samp{magenta}, @samp{cyan},
25051 and@samp{white}.
25052
25053 @item set style filename intensity @var{value}
25054 Set the intensity to @var{value}. Valid intensities are @samp{normal}
25055 (the default), @samp{bold}, and @samp{dim}.
25056 @end table
25057
25058 The @code{show style} command and its subcommands are styling
25059 a style name in their output using its own style.
25060 So, use @command{show style} to see the complete list of styles,
25061 their characteristics and the visual aspect of each style.
25062
25063 The style-able objects are:
25064 @table @code
25065 @item filename
25066 Control the styling of file names. By default, this style's
25067 foreground color is green.
25068
25069 @item function
25070 Control the styling of function names. These are managed with the
25071 @code{set style function} family of commands. By default, this
25072 style's foreground color is yellow.
25073
25074 @item variable
25075 Control the styling of variable names. These are managed with the
25076 @code{set style variable} family of commands. By default, this style's
25077 foreground color is cyan.
25078
25079 @item address
25080 Control the styling of addresses. These are managed with the
25081 @code{set style address} family of commands. By default, this style's
25082 foreground color is blue.
25083
25084 @item title
25085 Control the styling of titles. These are managed with the
25086 @code{set style title} family of commands. By default, this style's
25087 intensity is bold. Commands are using the title style to improve
25088 the readibility of large output. For example, the commands
25089 @command{apropos} and @command{help} are using the title style
25090 for the command names.
25091
25092 @item highlight
25093 Control the styling of highlightings. These are managed with the
25094 @code{set style highlight} family of commands. By default, this style's
25095 foreground color is red. Commands are using the highlight style to draw
25096 the user attention to some specific parts of their output. For example,
25097 the command @command{apropos -v REGEXP} uses the highlight style to
25098 mark the documentation parts matching @var{regexp}.
25099
25100 @end table
25101
25102 @node Numbers
25103 @section Numbers
25104 @cindex number representation
25105 @cindex entering numbers
25106
25107 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
25108 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
25109 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
25110 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
25111 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
25112 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
25113 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
25114 both input and output with the commands described below.
25115
25116 @table @code
25117 @kindex set input-radix
25118 @item set input-radix @var{base}
25119 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
25120 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
25121 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
25122 example, any of
25123
25124 @smallexample
25125 set input-radix 012
25126 set input-radix 10.
25127 set input-radix 0xa
25128 @end smallexample
25129
25130 @noindent
25131 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
25132 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
25133 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
25134 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
25135 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
25136 change the radix.
25137
25138 @kindex set output-radix
25139 @item set output-radix @var{base}
25140 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
25141 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
25142 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
25143
25144 @kindex show input-radix
25145 @item show input-radix
25146 Display the current default base for numeric input.
25147
25148 @kindex show output-radix
25149 @item show output-radix
25150 Display the current default base for numeric display.
25151
25152 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
25153 @itemx show radix
25154 @kindex set radix
25155 @kindex show radix
25156 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
25157 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
25158 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
25159 default value of 10.
25160
25161 @end table
25162
25163 @node ABI
25164 @section Configuring the Current ABI
25165
25166 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
25167 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
25168 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
25169 current ABI.
25170
25171 @cindex OS ABI
25172 @kindex set osabi
25173 @kindex show osabi
25174 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
25175
25176 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
25177 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
25178 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
25179 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
25180 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
25181 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
25182 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
25183 platform provides.
25184
25185 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
25186 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
25187 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
25188 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
25189
25190 @table @code
25191 @item show osabi
25192 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
25193
25194 @item set osabi
25195 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
25196
25197 @item set osabi @var{abi}
25198 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
25199 @end table
25200
25201 @cindex float promotion
25202
25203 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
25204 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
25205 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
25206 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
25207 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
25208 @code{double} and then passed.
25209
25210 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
25211 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
25212 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
25213
25214 @table @code
25215 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
25216 @item set coerce-float-to-double
25217 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
25218 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
25219 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
25220
25221 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
25222 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
25223 functions.
25224
25225 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
25226 @item show coerce-float-to-double
25227 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
25228 @end table
25229
25230 @kindex set cp-abi
25231 @kindex show cp-abi
25232 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
25233 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
25234 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
25235 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
25236 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
25237 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
25238 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
25239 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
25240 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
25241 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
25242 ``auto''.
25243
25244 @table @code
25245 @item show cp-abi
25246 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
25247
25248 @item set cp-abi
25249 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
25250
25251 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
25252 @itemx set cp-abi auto
25253 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
25254 @end table
25255
25256 @node Auto-loading
25257 @section Automatically loading associated files
25258 @cindex auto-loading
25259
25260 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
25261 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
25262 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
25263 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
25264 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
25265 sources).
25266
25267 @menu
25268 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
25269 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
25270
25271 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
25272 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
25273 @end menu
25274
25275 There are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load.
25276 In addition to these files, @value{GDBN} supports auto-loading code written
25277 in various extension languages. @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
25278
25279 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
25280 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
25281 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25282
25283 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
25284 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
25285
25286 @table @code
25287 @anchor{set auto-load off}
25288 @kindex set auto-load off
25289 @item set auto-load off
25290 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
25291 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
25292 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
25293 @smallexample
25294 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
25295 @end smallexample
25296
25297 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
25298 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
25299 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
25300 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
25301 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
25302 @code{set auto-load no}.
25303
25304 @anchor{show auto-load}
25305 @kindex show auto-load
25306 @item show auto-load
25307 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
25308 or disabled.
25309
25310 @smallexample
25311 (gdb) show auto-load
25312 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
25313 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
25314 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
25315 is on.
25316 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
25317 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
25318 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
25319 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
25320 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
25321 @end smallexample
25322
25323 @anchor{info auto-load}
25324 @kindex info auto-load
25325 @item info auto-load
25326 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
25327 not.
25328
25329 @smallexample
25330 (gdb) info auto-load
25331 gdb-scripts:
25332 Loaded Script
25333 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
25334 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
25335 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
25336 loaded.
25337 python-scripts:
25338 Loaded Script
25339 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
25340 @end smallexample
25341 @end table
25342
25343 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
25344
25345 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
25346 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
25347 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
25348 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
25349 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
25350 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
25351 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
25352 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
25353 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
25354 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
25355 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
25356 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
25357 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
25358 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
25359 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
25360 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
25361 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
25362 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
25363 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
25364 @item @xref{set auto-load guile-scripts}.
25365 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
25366 @item @xref{show auto-load guile-scripts}.
25367 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
25368 @item @xref{info auto-load guile-scripts}.
25369 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
25370 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
25371 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
25372 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
25373 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
25374 @item @xref{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}.
25375 @tab Add directory for auto-loaded scripts location list.
25376 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
25377 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
25378 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
25379 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
25380 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
25381 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
25382 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
25383 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
25384 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
25385 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
25386 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
25387 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
25388 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
25389 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
25390 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
25391 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
25392 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
25393 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
25394 @end multitable
25395
25396 @node Init File in the Current Directory
25397 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
25398 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
25399
25400 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
25401 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
25402 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
25403
25404 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
25405 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25406
25407 @table @code
25408 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
25409 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
25410 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
25411 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
25412 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
25413
25414 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
25415 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
25416 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
25417 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
25418 current directory is enabled or disabled.
25419
25420 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
25421 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
25422 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
25423 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
25424 current directory have been auto-loaded.
25425 @end table
25426
25427 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
25428 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
25429 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
25430
25431 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
25432
25433 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
25434 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
25435
25436 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
25437 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
25438 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
25439 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
25440 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
25441 library.
25442
25443 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
25444 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25445
25446 @table @code
25447 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
25448 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
25449 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
25450 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
25451
25452 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
25453 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
25454 @item show auto-load libthread-db
25455 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
25456 enabled or disabled.
25457
25458 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
25459 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
25460 @item info auto-load libthread-db
25461 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
25462 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
25463 @end table
25464
25465 @node Auto-loading safe path
25466 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
25467 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
25468
25469 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
25470 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
25471 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
25472 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
25473 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
25474
25475 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
25476 get loaded:
25477
25478 @smallexample
25479 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
25480 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
25481 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
25482 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
25483 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
25484 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
25485 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
25486 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
25487 @end smallexample
25488
25489 @noindent
25490 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
25491 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
25492
25493 @smallexample
25494 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
25495 @end smallexample
25496
25497 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
25498
25499 @table @code
25500 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
25501 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
25502 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
25503 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
25504 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
25505 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
25506 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
25507 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
25508 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
25509 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
25510
25511 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
25512 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
25513 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
25514
25515 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
25516 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
25517 @item show auto-load safe-path
25518 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
25519 scripts.
25520
25521 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
25522 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
25523 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
25524 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of directories trusted for
25525 automatic loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited
25526 by the host platform path separator in use.
25527 @end table
25528
25529 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
25530 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
25531 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
25532 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
25533 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
25534
25535 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
25536 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
25537 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
25538 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
25539 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
25540 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
25541 init file in the current directory
25542 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
25543
25544 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
25545 example, you could use one of the following ways:
25546
25547 @table @asis
25548 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
25549 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
25550 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
25551 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
25552
25553 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
25554 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
25555 @value{GDBN} session.
25556
25557 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
25558 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
25559 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
25560 from trusted sources.
25561
25562 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
25563 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
25564 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
25565 trusted sources.
25566 @end table
25567
25568 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
25569 also suppresses any such warning messages:
25570
25571 @table @asis
25572 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
25573 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
25574
25575 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
25576 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
25577 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
25578 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
25579 @end table
25580
25581 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
25582 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
25583 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
25584 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
25585 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
25586 recommended to be entered.
25587
25588 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
25589 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
25590 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
25591
25592 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
25593 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
25594 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
25595 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
25596 be printed.
25597
25598 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
25599 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
25600 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
25601
25602 @smallexample
25603 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
25604 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
25605 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
25606 for objfile "/tmp/true".
25607 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
25608 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
25609 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
25610 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
25611 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
25612 @end smallexample
25613
25614 @table @code
25615 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
25616 @kindex set debug auto-load
25617 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
25618 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
25619
25620 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
25621 @kindex show debug auto-load
25622 @item show debug auto-load
25623 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
25624 on or off.
25625 @end table
25626
25627 @node Messages/Warnings
25628 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
25629
25630 @cindex verbose operation
25631 @cindex optional warnings
25632 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
25633 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
25634 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
25635 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
25636
25637 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
25638 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
25639 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
25640
25641 @table @code
25642 @kindex set verbose
25643 @item set verbose on
25644 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
25645
25646 @item set verbose off
25647 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
25648
25649 @kindex show verbose
25650 @item show verbose
25651 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
25652 @end table
25653
25654 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
25655 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
25656 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
25657 Symbol Files}).
25658
25659 @table @code
25660
25661 @kindex set complaints
25662 @item set complaints @var{limit}
25663 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
25664 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
25665 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
25666 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
25667
25668 @kindex show complaints
25669 @item show complaints
25670 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
25671
25672 @end table
25673
25674 @anchor{confirmation requests}
25675 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
25676 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
25677 you try to run a program which is already running:
25678
25679 @smallexample
25680 (@value{GDBP}) run
25681 The program being debugged has been started already.
25682 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
25683 @end smallexample
25684
25685 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
25686 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
25687
25688 @table @code
25689
25690 @kindex set confirm
25691 @cindex flinching
25692 @cindex confirmation
25693 @cindex stupid questions
25694 @item set confirm off
25695 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
25696 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
25697 automatically disables confirmation requests.
25698
25699 @item set confirm on
25700 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
25701
25702 @kindex show confirm
25703 @item show confirm
25704 Displays state of confirmation requests.
25705
25706 @end table
25707
25708 @cindex command tracing
25709 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
25710 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
25711 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
25712 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
25713
25714 @table @code
25715 @kindex set trace-commands
25716 @cindex command scripts, debugging
25717 @item set trace-commands on
25718 Enable command tracing.
25719 @item set trace-commands off
25720 Disable command tracing.
25721 @item show trace-commands
25722 Display the current state of command tracing.
25723 @end table
25724
25725 @node Debugging Output
25726 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
25727 @cindex optional debugging messages
25728
25729 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
25730 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
25731 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
25732 section documents those commands.
25733
25734 @table @code
25735 @kindex set exec-done-display
25736 @item set exec-done-display
25737 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
25738 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
25739 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
25740 @kindex show exec-done-display
25741 @item show exec-done-display
25742 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
25743 notification.
25744 @kindex set debug
25745 @cindex ARM AArch64
25746 @item set debug aarch64
25747 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
25748 The default is off.
25749 @kindex show debug
25750 @item show debug aarch64
25751 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
25752 ARM AArch64.
25753 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
25754 @cindex architecture debugging info
25755 @item set debug arch
25756 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
25757 @item show debug arch
25758 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
25759 @item set debug aix-solib
25760 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
25761 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
25762 support module. The default is off.
25763 @item show debug aix-thread
25764 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
25765 @item set debug aix-thread
25766 @cindex AIX threads
25767 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
25768 module.
25769 @item show debug aix-thread
25770 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
25771 @item set debug check-physname
25772 @cindex physname
25773 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
25774 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
25775 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
25776 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
25777 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
25778 both ways and display any discrepancies.
25779 @item show debug check-physname
25780 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
25781 @item set debug coff-pe-read
25782 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
25783 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
25784 exported symbols. The default is off.
25785 @item show debug coff-pe-read
25786 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
25787 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
25788 @item set debug dwarf-die
25789 @cindex DWARF DIEs
25790 Dump DWARF DIEs after they are read in.
25791 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
25792 A value of zero turns off the display.
25793 @item show debug dwarf-die
25794 Show the current state of DWARF DIE debugging.
25795 @item set debug dwarf-line
25796 @cindex DWARF Line Tables
25797 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
25798 DWARF line tables. The default is 0 (off).
25799 A value of 1 provides basic information.
25800 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
25801 @item show debug dwarf-line
25802 Show the current state of DWARF line table debugging.
25803 @item set debug dwarf-read
25804 @cindex DWARF Reading
25805 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
25806 DWARF debug info. The default is 0 (off).
25807 A value of 1 provides basic information.
25808 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
25809 @item show debug dwarf-read
25810 Show the current state of DWARF reader debugging.
25811 @item set debug displaced
25812 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
25813 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
25814 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
25815 @item show debug displaced
25816 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
25817 related to displaced stepping.
25818 @item set debug event
25819 @cindex event debugging info
25820 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
25821 default is off.
25822 @item show debug event
25823 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
25824 info.
25825 @item set debug expression
25826 @cindex expression debugging info
25827 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
25828 expression parsing. The default is off.
25829 @item show debug expression
25830 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
25831 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
25832 @item set debug fbsd-lwp
25833 @cindex FreeBSD LWP debug messages
25834 Turns on or off debugging messages from the FreeBSD LWP debug support.
25835 @item show debug fbsd-lwp
25836 Show the current state of FreeBSD LWP debugging messages.
25837 @item set debug fbsd-nat
25838 @cindex FreeBSD native target debug messages
25839 Turns on or off debugging messages from the FreeBSD native target.
25840 @item show debug fbsd-nat
25841 Show the current state of FreeBSD native target debugging messages.
25842 @item set debug frame
25843 @cindex frame debugging info
25844 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
25845 default is off.
25846 @item show debug frame
25847 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
25848 info.
25849 @item set debug gnu-nat
25850 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
25851 Turn on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
25852 @item show debug gnu-nat
25853 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
25854 @item set debug infrun
25855 @cindex inferior debugging info
25856 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
25857 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
25858 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
25859 @item show debug infrun
25860 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
25861 @item set debug jit
25862 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
25863 Turn on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
25864 @item show debug jit
25865 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
25866 @item set debug lin-lwp
25867 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
25868 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
25869 Turn on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
25870 @item show debug lin-lwp
25871 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
25872 @item set debug linux-namespaces
25873 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux namespaces debug messages
25874 Turn on or off debugging messages from the Linux namespaces debug support.
25875 @item show debug linux-namespaces
25876 Show the current state of Linux namespaces debugging messages.
25877 @item set debug mach-o
25878 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
25879 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
25880 processing. The default is off.
25881 @item show debug mach-o
25882 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
25883 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
25884 @item set debug notification
25885 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
25886 Turn on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
25887 The default is off.
25888 @item show debug notification
25889 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
25890 @item set debug observer
25891 @cindex observer debugging info
25892 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
25893 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
25894 @item show debug observer
25895 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
25896 @item set debug overload
25897 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
25898 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
25899 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
25900 is off.
25901 @item show debug overload
25902 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
25903 debugging info.
25904 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
25905 @cindex debug expression parser
25906 @item set debug parser
25907 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
25908 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
25909 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
25910 details. The default is off.
25911 @item show debug parser
25912 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
25913 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
25914 @cindex serial connections, debugging
25915 @cindex debug remote protocol
25916 @cindex remote protocol debugging
25917 @cindex display remote packets
25918 @item set debug remote
25919 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
25920 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
25921 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
25922 @item show debug remote
25923 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
25924
25925 @item set debug separate-debug-file
25926 Turns on or off display of debug output about separate debug file search.
25927 @item show debug separate-debug-file
25928 Displays the state of separate debug file search debug output.
25929
25930 @item set debug serial
25931 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
25932 default is off.
25933 @item show debug serial
25934 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
25935 info.
25936 @item set debug solib-frv
25937 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
25938 Turn on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
25939 @item show debug solib-frv
25940 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
25941 messages.
25942 @item set debug symbol-lookup
25943 @cindex symbol lookup
25944 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol lookup.
25945 The default is 0 (off).
25946 A value of 1 provides basic information.
25947 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
25948 @item show debug symbol-lookup
25949 Show the current state of symbol lookup debugging messages.
25950 @item set debug symfile
25951 @cindex symbol file functions
25952 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol file functions.
25953 The default is off. @xref{Files}.
25954 @item show debug symfile
25955 Show the current state of symbol file debugging messages.
25956 @item set debug symtab-create
25957 @cindex symbol table creation
25958 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
25959 The default is 0 (off).
25960 A value of 1 provides basic information.
25961 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
25962 @item show debug symtab-create
25963 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
25964 @item set debug target
25965 @cindex target debugging info
25966 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
25967 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
25968 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
25969 value of large memory transfers.
25970 @item show debug target
25971 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
25972 info.
25973 @item set debug timestamp
25974 @cindex timestampping debugging info
25975 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
25976 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
25977 message.
25978 @item show debug timestamp
25979 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
25980 debugging info.
25981 @item set debug varobj
25982 @cindex variable object debugging info
25983 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
25984 info. The default is off.
25985 @item show debug varobj
25986 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
25987 debugging info.
25988 @item set debug xml
25989 @cindex XML parser debugging
25990 Turn on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
25991 @item show debug xml
25992 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
25993 @end table
25994
25995 @node Other Misc Settings
25996 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
25997 @cindex miscellaneous settings
25998
25999 @table @code
26000 @kindex set interactive-mode
26001 @item set interactive-mode
26002 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
26003 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
26004 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
26005 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
26006 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
26007 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
26008 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
26009 is, non-interactively otherwise.
26010
26011 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
26012 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
26013 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
26014 inside a cygwin window.
26015
26016 @kindex show interactive-mode
26017 @item show interactive-mode
26018 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
26019 @end table
26020
26021 @node Extending GDB
26022 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
26023 @cindex extending GDB
26024
26025 @value{GDBN} provides several mechanisms for extension.
26026 @value{GDBN} also provides the ability to automatically load
26027 extensions when it reads a file for debugging. This allows the
26028 user to automatically customize @value{GDBN} for the program
26029 being debugged.
26030
26031 @menu
26032 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of @value{GDBN} Commands
26033 * Python:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Python
26034 * Guile:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Guile
26035 * Auto-loading extensions:: Automatically loading extensions
26036 * Multiple Extension Languages:: Working with multiple extension languages
26037 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
26038 @end menu
26039
26040 To facilitate the use of extension languages, @value{GDBN} is capable
26041 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
26042 can recognize which extension language is being used by looking at
26043 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
26044 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
26045 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
26046
26047 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
26048 setting:
26049
26050 @table @code
26051 @kindex set script-extension
26052 @kindex show script-extension
26053 @item set script-extension off
26054 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
26055
26056 @item set script-extension soft
26057 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
26058 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
26059 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
26060 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
26061
26062 @item set script-extension strict
26063 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
26064 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
26065 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
26066
26067 @item show script-extension
26068 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
26069
26070 @end table
26071
26072 @node Sequences
26073 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
26074
26075 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
26076 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
26077 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
26078 files.
26079
26080 @menu
26081 * Define:: How to define your own commands
26082 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
26083 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
26084 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
26085 * Auto-loading sequences:: Controlling auto-loaded command files
26086 @end menu
26087
26088 @node Define
26089 @subsection User-defined Commands
26090
26091 @cindex user-defined command
26092 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
26093 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
26094 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
26095 @code{define} command. User commands may accept an unlimited number of arguments
26096 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
26097 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$argN}. A trivial example:
26098
26099 @smallexample
26100 define adder
26101 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
26102 end
26103 @end smallexample
26104
26105 @noindent
26106 To execute the command use:
26107
26108 @smallexample
26109 adder 1 2 3
26110 @end smallexample
26111
26112 @noindent
26113 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
26114 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
26115 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
26116 functions calls.
26117
26118 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
26119 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
26120 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
26121 been passed.
26122
26123 @smallexample
26124 define adder
26125 if $argc == 2
26126 print $arg0 + $arg1
26127 end
26128 if $argc == 3
26129 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
26130 end
26131 end
26132 @end smallexample
26133
26134 Combining with the @code{eval} command (@pxref{eval}) makes it easier
26135 to process a variable number of arguments:
26136
26137 @smallexample
26138 define adder
26139 set $i = 0
26140 set $sum = 0
26141 while $i < $argc
26142 eval "set $sum = $sum + $arg%d", $i
26143 set $i = $i + 1
26144 end
26145 print $sum
26146 end
26147 @end smallexample
26148
26149 @table @code
26150
26151 @kindex define
26152 @item define @var{commandname}
26153 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
26154 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
26155 The argument @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
26156 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
26157 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
26158 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
26159
26160 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
26161 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
26162 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
26163
26164 @kindex document
26165 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
26166 @item document @var{commandname}
26167 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
26168 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
26169 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
26170 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
26171 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
26172 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
26173
26174 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
26175 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
26176 does not change the documentation.
26177
26178 @kindex dont-repeat
26179 @cindex don't repeat command
26180 @item dont-repeat
26181 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
26182 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
26183 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
26184
26185 @kindex help user-defined
26186 @item help user-defined
26187 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
26188 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
26189 included (if any).
26190
26191 @kindex show user
26192 @item show user
26193 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
26194 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
26195 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
26196 definitions for all user-defined commands.
26197 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
26198
26199 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
26200 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
26201 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
26202 @item show max-user-call-depth
26203 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
26204 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
26205 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
26206 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
26207 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
26208 @end table
26209
26210 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
26211 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
26212
26213 When user-defined commands are executed, the
26214 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
26215 stops execution of the user-defined command.
26216
26217 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
26218 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
26219 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
26220 messages when used in a user-defined command.
26221
26222 @node Hooks
26223 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
26224 @cindex command hooks
26225 @cindex hooks, for commands
26226 @cindex hooks, pre-command
26227
26228 @kindex hook
26229 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
26230 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
26231 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
26232 before that command.
26233
26234 @cindex hooks, post-command
26235 @kindex hookpost
26236 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
26237 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
26238 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
26239 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
26240 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
26241
26242 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
26243 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
26244
26245 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
26246 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
26247
26248 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
26249 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
26250 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
26251 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
26252 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
26253
26254 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
26255 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
26256 you could define:
26257
26258 @smallexample
26259 define hook-stop
26260 handle SIGALRM nopass
26261 end
26262
26263 define hook-run
26264 handle SIGALRM pass
26265 end
26266
26267 define hook-continue
26268 handle SIGALRM pass
26269 end
26270 @end smallexample
26271
26272 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
26273 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
26274 you could define:
26275
26276 @smallexample
26277 define hook-echo
26278 echo <<<---
26279 end
26280
26281 define hookpost-echo
26282 echo --->>>\n
26283 end
26284
26285 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
26286 <<<---Hello World--->>>
26287 (@value{GDBP})
26288
26289 @end smallexample
26290
26291 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
26292 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
26293 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
26294 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
26295 @c or not?
26296 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
26297 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
26298 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
26299
26300 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
26301 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
26302 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
26303
26304 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
26305 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
26306
26307 @node Command Files
26308 @subsection Command Files
26309
26310 @cindex command files
26311 @cindex scripting commands
26312 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
26313 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
26314 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
26315 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
26316 terminal.
26317
26318 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
26319 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
26320 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
26321 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
26322 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
26323
26324 @table @code
26325 @kindex source
26326 @cindex execute commands from a file
26327 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
26328 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
26329 @end table
26330
26331 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
26332 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
26333 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
26334 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
26335 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
26336
26337 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
26338 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
26339 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
26340 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
26341 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
26342 is not relevant to scripts.
26343
26344 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
26345 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
26346 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
26347 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
26348 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
26349 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
26350 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
26351 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
26352 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
26353 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
26354 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
26355 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
26356 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
26357 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
26358
26359 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
26360 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
26361 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
26362
26363 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
26364 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
26365 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
26366 when called from command files.
26367
26368 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
26369 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
26370 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
26371 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
26372 the next command.
26373
26374 @smallexample
26375 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
26376 @end smallexample
26377
26378 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
26379 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
26380 would be directed to @file{log}.
26381
26382 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
26383 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
26384 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
26385 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
26386 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
26387 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
26388 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
26389 conditionally, etc.
26390
26391 @table @code
26392 @kindex if
26393 @kindex else
26394 @item if
26395 @itemx else
26396 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
26397 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
26398 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
26399 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
26400 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
26401 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
26402 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
26403
26404 @kindex while
26405 @item while
26406 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
26407 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
26408 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
26409 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
26410 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
26411 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
26412
26413 @kindex loop_break
26414 @item loop_break
26415 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
26416 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
26417 line.
26418
26419 @kindex loop_continue
26420 @item loop_continue
26421 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
26422 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
26423 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
26424 the controlling expression.
26425
26426 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
26427 @item end
26428 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
26429 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
26430 @end table
26431
26432
26433 @node Output
26434 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
26435
26436 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
26437 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
26438 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
26439 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
26440 want.
26441
26442 @table @code
26443 @kindex echo
26444 @item echo @var{text}
26445 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
26446 @c because it is not in ANSI.
26447 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
26448 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
26449 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
26450 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
26451 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
26452 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
26453 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
26454 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
26455 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
26456
26457 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
26458 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
26459
26460 @smallexample
26461 echo This is some text\n\
26462 which is continued\n\
26463 onto several lines.\n
26464 @end smallexample
26465
26466 produces the same output as
26467
26468 @smallexample
26469 echo This is some text\n
26470 echo which is continued\n
26471 echo onto several lines.\n
26472 @end smallexample
26473
26474 @kindex output
26475 @item output @var{expression}
26476 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
26477 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
26478 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
26479 on expressions.
26480
26481 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
26482 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
26483 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
26484 Formats}, for more information.
26485
26486 @kindex printf
26487 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
26488 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
26489 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
26490 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
26491 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
26492 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
26493 executing the code below:
26494
26495 @smallexample
26496 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
26497 @end smallexample
26498
26499 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
26500 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
26501 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
26502 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
26503 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
26504 printed.
26505
26506 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
26507
26508 @smallexample
26509 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
26510 @end smallexample
26511
26512 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
26513 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
26514 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
26515
26516 @itemize @bullet
26517 @item
26518 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
26519
26520 @item
26521 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
26522 width.
26523
26524 @item
26525 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
26526 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
26527
26528 @item
26529 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
26530 supported.
26531
26532 @item
26533 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
26534
26535 @item
26536 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
26537 @end itemize
26538
26539 @noindent
26540 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
26541 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
26542 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
26543 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
26544
26545 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
26546 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
26547 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
26548 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
26549 supported.
26550
26551 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
26552 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
26553 together with a floating point specifier.
26554 letters:
26555
26556 @itemize @bullet
26557 @item
26558 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
26559
26560 @item
26561 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
26562
26563 @item
26564 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
26565 @end itemize
26566
26567 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
26568 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
26569 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
26570
26571 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
26572 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
26573
26574 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
26575 @smallexample
26576 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
26577 @end smallexample
26578
26579 @anchor{eval}
26580 @kindex eval
26581 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
26582 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
26583 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
26584
26585 @end table
26586
26587 @node Auto-loading sequences
26588 @subsection Controlling auto-loading native @value{GDBN} scripts
26589 @cindex native script auto-loading
26590
26591 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
26592 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
26593 @value{GDBN} will look for the command file @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}.
26594 @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
26595
26596 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
26597 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
26598
26599 @table @code
26600 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
26601 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
26602 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
26603 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
26604
26605 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
26606 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
26607 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
26608 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
26609 disabled.
26610
26611 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
26612 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
26613 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
26614 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
26615 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
26616 auto-loaded.
26617 @end table
26618
26619 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
26620 matching names are printed.
26621
26622 @c Python docs live in a separate file.
26623 @include python.texi
26624
26625 @c Guile docs live in a separate file.
26626 @include guile.texi
26627
26628 @node Auto-loading extensions
26629 @section Auto-loading extensions
26630 @cindex auto-loading extensions
26631
26632 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for automatically loading extensions
26633 when a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
26634 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library):
26635 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} and the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}
26636 section of modern file formats like ELF.
26637
26638 @menu
26639 * objfile-gdb.ext file: objfile-gdbdotext file. The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
26640 * .debug_gdb_scripts section: dotdebug_gdb_scripts section. The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26641 * Which flavor to choose?::
26642 @end menu
26643
26644 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
26645 debugging commands and features.
26646
26647 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
26648 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
26649 See the @samp{auto-loading} section of each extension language
26650 for more information.
26651 For @value{GDBN} command files see @ref{Auto-loading sequences}.
26652 For Python files see @ref{Python Auto-loading}.
26653
26654 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
26655 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26656
26657 @node objfile-gdbdotext file
26658 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
26659 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
26660 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
26661 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
26662
26663 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for a file named
26664 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
26665 where @var{objfile} is the object file's name and
26666 where @var{ext} is the file extension for the extension language:
26667
26668 @table @code
26669 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
26670 GDB's own command language
26671 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
26672 Python
26673 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
26674 Guile
26675 @end table
26676
26677 @var{script-name} is formed by ensuring that the file name of @var{objfile}
26678 is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving @code{.} and @code{..}
26679 components, and appending the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} suffix.
26680 If this file exists and is readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a
26681 script in the specified extension language.
26682
26683 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
26684 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
26685
26686 Note that loading of these files requires an accordingly configured
26687 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26688
26689 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
26690 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
26691 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
26692 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
26693 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
26694 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
26695
26696 @table @code
26697 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
26698 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
26699 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
26700 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
26701 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
26702 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
26703
26704 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
26705 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
26706
26707 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
26708 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
26709 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
26710 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
26711
26712 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
26713 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
26714 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
26715 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
26716 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
26717 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
26718 platform.
26719
26720 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
26721 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
26722 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
26723
26724 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
26725 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
26726 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
26727 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
26728
26729 @anchor{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}
26730 @kindex add-auto-load-scripts-directory
26731 @item add-auto-load-scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@dots{}@r{]}
26732 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of auto-loaded scripts locations.
26733 Multiple entries may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use.
26734 @end table
26735
26736 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
26737 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
26738 @var{objfile} is opened.
26739 So your @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
26740 is evaluated more than once.
26741
26742 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
26743 @subsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26744 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26745
26746 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
26747 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
26748 it will look for a special section named @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
26749 If this section exists, its contents is a list of null-terminated entries
26750 specifying scripts to load. Each entry begins with a non-null prefix byte that
26751 specifies the kind of entry, typically the extension language and whether the
26752 script is in a file or inlined in @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
26753
26754 The following entries are supported:
26755
26756 @table @code
26757 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_FILE = 1
26758 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_FILE = 3
26759 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT = 4
26760 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_TEXT = 6
26761 @end table
26762
26763 @subsubsection Script File Entries
26764
26765 If the entry specifies a file, @value{GDBN} will look for the file first
26766 in the current directory and then along the source search path
26767 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
26768 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
26769 directory is not relevant to scripts.
26770
26771 File entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
26772 for example, this GCC macro for Python scripts.
26773
26774 @example
26775 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
26776 #define DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT(script_name) \
26777 asm("\
26778 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
26779 .byte 1 /* Python */\n\
26780 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
26781 .popsection \n\
26782 ");
26783 @end example
26784
26785 @noindent
26786 For Guile scripts, replace @code{.byte 1} with @code{.byte 3}.
26787 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
26788
26789 @example
26790 DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
26791 @end example
26792
26793 The script name may include directories if desired.
26794
26795 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
26796 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26797
26798 If the macro invocation is put in a header, any application or library
26799 using this header will get a reference to the specified script,
26800 and with the use of @code{"MS"} attributes on the section, the linker
26801 will remove duplicates.
26802
26803 @subsubsection Script Text Entries
26804
26805 Script text entries allow to put the executable script in the entry
26806 itself instead of loading it from a file.
26807 The first line of the entry, everything after the prefix byte and up to
26808 the first newline (@code{0xa}) character, is the script name, and must not
26809 contain any kind of space character, e.g., spaces or tabs.
26810 The rest of the entry, up to the trailing null byte, is the script to
26811 execute in the specified language. The name needs to be unique among
26812 all script names, as @value{GDBN} executes each script only once based
26813 on its name.
26814
26815 Here is an example from file @file{py-section-script.c} in the @value{GDBN}
26816 testsuite.
26817
26818 @example
26819 #include "symcat.h"
26820 #include "gdb/section-scripts.h"
26821 asm(
26822 ".pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n"
26823 ".byte " XSTRING (SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT) "\n"
26824 ".ascii \"gdb.inlined-script\\n\"\n"
26825 ".ascii \"class test_cmd (gdb.Command):\\n\"\n"
26826 ".ascii \" def __init__ (self):\\n\"\n"
26827 ".ascii \" super (test_cmd, self).__init__ ("
26828 "\\\"test-cmd\\\", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)\\n\"\n"
26829 ".ascii \" def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):\\n\"\n"
26830 ".ascii \" print (\\\"test-cmd output, arg = %s\\\" % arg)\\n\"\n"
26831 ".ascii \"test_cmd ()\\n\"\n"
26832 ".byte 0\n"
26833 ".popsection\n"
26834 );
26835 @end example
26836
26837 Loading of inlined scripts requires a properly configured
26838 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26839 The path to specify in @code{auto-load safe-path} is the path of the file
26840 containing the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
26841
26842 @node Which flavor to choose?
26843 @subsection Which flavor to choose?
26844
26845 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading extensions, it might not always
26846 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
26847
26848 @noindent
26849 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way:
26850
26851 @itemize @bullet
26852 @item
26853 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
26854
26855 @item
26856 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
26857
26858 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
26859 in the source search path.
26860 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
26861 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
26862
26863 @item
26864 Doesn't require source code additions.
26865 @end itemize
26866
26867 @noindent
26868 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
26869
26870 @itemize @bullet
26871 @item
26872 Works with static linking.
26873
26874 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way require an objfile to
26875 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
26876 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
26877 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's
26878 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script.
26879
26880 @item
26881 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
26882
26883 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
26884 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script to.
26885
26886 @item
26887 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
26888
26889 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
26890 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
26891 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
26892 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
26893 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
26894 top of the source tree to the source search path.
26895 @end itemize
26896
26897 @node Multiple Extension Languages
26898 @section Multiple Extension Languages
26899
26900 The Guile and Python extension languages do not share any state,
26901 and generally do not interfere with each other.
26902 There are some things to be aware of, however.
26903
26904 @subsection Python comes first
26905
26906 Python was @value{GDBN}'s first extension language, and to avoid breaking
26907 existing behaviour Python comes first. This is generally solved by the
26908 ``first one wins'' principle. @value{GDBN} maintains a list of enabled
26909 extension languages, and when it makes a call to an extension language,
26910 (say to pretty-print a value), it tries each in turn until an extension
26911 language indicates it has performed the request (e.g., has returned the
26912 pretty-printed form of a value).
26913 This extends to errors while performing such requests: If an error happens
26914 while, for example, trying to pretty-print an object then the error is
26915 reported and any following extension languages are not tried.
26916
26917 @node Aliases
26918 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
26919 @cindex aliases for commands
26920
26921 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
26922 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
26923 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
26924 that involves less typing.
26925
26926 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
26927 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
26928 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
26929
26930 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
26931 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
26932 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
26933
26934 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
26935
26936 @table @code
26937
26938 @kindex alias
26939 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
26940
26941 @end table
26942
26943 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
26944 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
26945 underscores.
26946
26947 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
26948 that is being aliased.
26949
26950 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
26951 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
26952 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
26953
26954 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
26955 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
26956
26957 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
26958 of a command so that there is less to type.
26959 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
26960 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
26961 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
26962 The following will accomplish this.
26963
26964 @smallexample
26965 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
26966 @end smallexample
26967
26968 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
26969 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
26970 for it with the @samp{document} command.
26971 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
26972
26973 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
26974 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
26975 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
26976 of a command.
26977
26978 @smallexample
26979 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
26980 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
26981 (gdb) set p elms 20
26982 (gdb) show p elms
26983 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
26984 @end smallexample
26985
26986 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
26987 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
26988 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
26989
26990 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
26991 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
26992
26993 @smallexample
26994 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
26995 @end smallexample
26996
26997 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
26998 alias for a more complex command.
26999 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
27000
27001 @smallexample
27002 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
27003 (gdb) spe 20
27004 @end smallexample
27005
27006 @node Interpreters
27007 @chapter Command Interpreters
27008 @cindex command interpreters
27009
27010 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
27011 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
27012 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
27013
27014 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
27015 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
27016 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
27017 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
27018
27019 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
27020 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
27021 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
27022 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
27023
27024 @table @code
27025 @item console
27026 @cindex console interpreter
27027 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
27028 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
27029 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
27030
27031 @item mi
27032 @cindex mi interpreter
27033 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi3}). Used primarily
27034 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
27035 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
27036 Interface}.
27037
27038 @item mi3
27039 @cindex mi3 interpreter
27040 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface introduced in @value{GDBN} 9.1.
27041
27042 @item mi2
27043 @cindex mi2 interpreter
27044 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface introduced in @value{GDBN} 6.0.
27045
27046 @item mi1
27047 @cindex mi1 interpreter
27048 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface introduced in @value{GDBN} 5.1.
27049
27050 @end table
27051
27052 @cindex invoke another interpreter
27053
27054 @kindex interpreter-exec
27055 You may execute commands in any interpreter from the current
27056 interpreter using the appropriate command. If you are running the
27057 console interpreter, simply use the @code{interpreter-exec} command:
27058
27059 @smallexample
27060 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
27061 @end smallexample
27062
27063 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
27064 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
27065
27066 Note that @code{interpreter-exec} only changes the interpreter for the
27067 duration of the specified command. It does not change the interpreter
27068 permanently.
27069
27070 @cindex start a new independent interpreter
27071
27072 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, it is
27073 possible to run an independent interpreter on a specified input/output
27074 device (usually a tty).
27075
27076 For example, consider a debugger GUI or IDE that wants to provide a
27077 @value{GDBN} console view. It may do so by embedding a terminal
27078 emulator widget in its GUI, starting @value{GDBN} in the traditional
27079 command-line mode with stdin/stdout/stderr redirected to that
27080 terminal, and then creating an MI interpreter running on a specified
27081 input/output device. The console interpreter created by @value{GDBN}
27082 at startup handles commands the user types in the terminal widget,
27083 while the GUI controls and synchronizes state with @value{GDBN} using
27084 the separate MI interpreter.
27085
27086 To start a new secondary @dfn{user interface} running MI, use the
27087 @code{new-ui} command:
27088
27089 @kindex new-ui
27090 @cindex new user interface
27091 @smallexample
27092 new-ui @var{interpreter} @var{tty}
27093 @end smallexample
27094
27095 The @var{interpreter} parameter specifies the interpreter to run.
27096 This accepts the same values as the @code{interpreter-exec} command.
27097 For example, @samp{console}, @samp{mi}, @samp{mi2}, etc. The
27098 @var{tty} parameter specifies the name of the bidirectional file the
27099 interpreter uses for input/output, usually the name of a
27100 pseudoterminal slave on Unix systems. For example:
27101
27102 @smallexample
27103 (@value{GDBP}) new-ui mi /dev/pts/9
27104 @end smallexample
27105
27106 @noindent
27107 runs an MI interpreter on @file{/dev/pts/9}.
27108
27109 @node TUI
27110 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
27111 @cindex TUI
27112 @cindex Text User Interface
27113
27114 @menu
27115 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
27116 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
27117 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
27118 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
27119 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
27120 @end menu
27121
27122 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
27123 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
27124 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
27125 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
27126 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
27127 is available.
27128
27129 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
27130 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
27131 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
27132 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @command{tui
27133 enable} or @kbd{C-x C-a}. @xref{TUI Commands, ,TUI Commands}, and
27134 @ref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
27135
27136 @node TUI Overview
27137 @section TUI Overview
27138
27139 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
27140
27141 @table @emph
27142 @item command
27143 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
27144 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
27145 managed using readline.
27146
27147 @item source
27148 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
27149 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
27150
27151 @item assembly
27152 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
27153
27154 @item register
27155 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
27156 when their values change.
27157 @end table
27158
27159 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
27160 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
27161 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
27162 indicates the breakpoint type:
27163
27164 @table @code
27165 @item B
27166 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27167
27168 @item b
27169 Breakpoint which was never hit.
27170
27171 @item H
27172 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27173
27174 @item h
27175 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
27176 @end table
27177
27178 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
27179
27180 @table @code
27181 @item +
27182 Breakpoint is enabled.
27183
27184 @item -
27185 Breakpoint is disabled.
27186 @end table
27187
27188 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
27189 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
27190 changes.
27191
27192 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
27193 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
27194 layouts:
27195
27196 @itemize @bullet
27197 @item
27198 source only,
27199
27200 @item
27201 assembly only,
27202
27203 @item
27204 source and assembly,
27205
27206 @item
27207 source and registers, or
27208
27209 @item
27210 assembly and registers.
27211 @end itemize
27212
27213 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
27214
27215 @table @emph
27216 @item target
27217 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
27218 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
27219
27220 @item process
27221 Gives the current process or thread number.
27222 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
27223
27224 @item function
27225 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
27226 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
27227 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
27228 the string @code{??} is displayed.
27229
27230 @item line
27231 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
27232 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
27233
27234 @item pc
27235 Indicates the current program counter address.
27236 @end table
27237
27238 @node TUI Keys
27239 @section TUI Key Bindings
27240 @cindex TUI key bindings
27241
27242 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
27243 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
27244 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
27245 @end ifset
27246 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
27247 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
27248 @end ifclear
27249 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
27250 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
27251
27252 @table @kbd
27253 @kindex C-x C-a
27254 @item C-x C-a
27255 @kindex C-x a
27256 @itemx C-x a
27257 @kindex C-x A
27258 @itemx C-x A
27259 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
27260 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
27261 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
27262 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
27263 The screen is then refreshed.
27264
27265 @kindex C-x 1
27266 @item C-x 1
27267 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
27268 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
27269 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
27270
27271 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
27272
27273 @kindex C-x 2
27274 @item C-x 2
27275 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
27276 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
27277 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
27278 previous layout and the new one.
27279
27280 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
27281
27282 @kindex C-x o
27283 @item C-x o
27284 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
27285 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
27286 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
27287
27288 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
27289
27290 @kindex C-x s
27291 @item C-x s
27292 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
27293 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
27294 @end table
27295
27296 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
27297
27298 @table @asis
27299 @kindex PgUp
27300 @item @key{PgUp}
27301 Scroll the active window one page up.
27302
27303 @kindex PgDn
27304 @item @key{PgDn}
27305 Scroll the active window one page down.
27306
27307 @kindex Up
27308 @item @key{Up}
27309 Scroll the active window one line up.
27310
27311 @kindex Down
27312 @item @key{Down}
27313 Scroll the active window one line down.
27314
27315 @kindex Left
27316 @item @key{Left}
27317 Scroll the active window one column left.
27318
27319 @kindex Right
27320 @item @key{Right}
27321 Scroll the active window one column right.
27322
27323 @kindex C-L
27324 @item @kbd{C-L}
27325 Refresh the screen.
27326 @end table
27327
27328 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
27329 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
27330 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
27331 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
27332 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
27333
27334 @node TUI Single Key Mode
27335 @section TUI Single Key Mode
27336 @cindex TUI single key mode
27337
27338 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
27339 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
27340 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
27341
27342 @table @kbd
27343 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27344 @item c
27345 continue
27346
27347 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27348 @item d
27349 down
27350
27351 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27352 @item f
27353 finish
27354
27355 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27356 @item n
27357 next
27358
27359 @kindex o @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27360 @item o
27361 nexti. The shortcut letter @samp{o} stands for ``step Over''.
27362
27363 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27364 @item q
27365 exit the SingleKey mode.
27366
27367 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27368 @item r
27369 run
27370
27371 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27372 @item s
27373 step
27374
27375 @kindex i @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27376 @item i
27377 stepi. The shortcut letter @samp{i} stands for ``step Into''.
27378
27379 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27380 @item u
27381 up
27382
27383 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27384 @item v
27385 info locals
27386
27387 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27388 @item w
27389 where
27390 @end table
27391
27392 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
27393 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
27394 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
27395 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
27396 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
27397 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
27398
27399
27400 @node TUI Commands
27401 @section TUI-specific Commands
27402 @cindex TUI commands
27403
27404 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
27405 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
27406 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
27407 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
27408
27409 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
27410 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
27411 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
27412 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
27413 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
27414
27415 @table @code
27416 @item tui enable
27417 @kindex tui enable
27418 Activate TUI mode. The last active TUI window layout will be used if
27419 TUI mode has prevsiouly been used in the current debugging session,
27420 otherwise a default layout is used.
27421
27422 @item tui disable
27423 @kindex tui disable
27424 Disable TUI mode, returning to the console interpreter.
27425
27426 @item info win
27427 @kindex info win
27428 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
27429
27430 @item layout @var{name}
27431 @kindex layout
27432 Changes which TUI windows are displayed. In each layout the command
27433 window is always displayed, the @var{name} parameter controls which
27434 additional windows are displayed, and can be any of the following:
27435
27436 @table @code
27437 @item next
27438 Display the next layout.
27439
27440 @item prev
27441 Display the previous layout.
27442
27443 @item src
27444 Display the source and command windows.
27445
27446 @item asm
27447 Display the assembly and command windows.
27448
27449 @item split
27450 Display the source, assembly, and command windows.
27451
27452 @item regs
27453 When in @code{src} layout display the register, source, and command
27454 windows. When in @code{asm} or @code{split} layout display the
27455 register, assembler, and command windows.
27456 @end table
27457
27458 @item focus @var{name}
27459 @kindex focus
27460 Changes which TUI window is currently active for scrolling. The
27461 @var{name} parameter can be any of the following:
27462
27463 @table @code
27464 @item next
27465 Make the next window active for scrolling.
27466
27467 @item prev
27468 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
27469
27470 @item src
27471 Make the source window active for scrolling.
27472
27473 @item asm
27474 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
27475
27476 @item regs
27477 Make the register window active for scrolling.
27478
27479 @item cmd
27480 Make the command window active for scrolling.
27481 @end table
27482
27483 @item refresh
27484 @kindex refresh
27485 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
27486
27487 @item tui reg @var{group}
27488 @kindex tui reg
27489 Changes the register group displayed in the tui register window to
27490 @var{group}. If the register window is not currently displayed this
27491 command will cause the register window to be displayed. The list of
27492 register groups, as well as their order is target specific. The
27493 following groups are available on most targets:
27494 @table @code
27495 @item next
27496 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
27497 through all of the available register groups.
27498
27499 @item prev
27500 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
27501 through all of the available register groups in the reverse order to
27502 @var{next}.
27503
27504 @item general
27505 Display the general registers.
27506 @item float
27507 Display the floating point registers.
27508 @item system
27509 Display the system registers.
27510 @item vector
27511 Display the vector registers.
27512 @item all
27513 Display all registers.
27514 @end table
27515
27516 @item update
27517 @kindex update
27518 Update the source window and the current execution point.
27519
27520 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
27521 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
27522 @kindex winheight
27523 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
27524 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
27525 decrease it. The @var{name} parameter can be one of @code{src} (the
27526 source window), @code{cmd} (the command window), @code{asm} (the
27527 disassembly window), or @code{regs} (the register display window).
27528 @end table
27529
27530 @node TUI Configuration
27531 @section TUI Configuration Variables
27532 @cindex TUI configuration variables
27533
27534 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
27535
27536 @table @code
27537 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
27538 @kindex set tui border-kind
27539 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
27540 The possible values are the following:
27541 @table @code
27542 @item space
27543 Use a space character to draw the border.
27544
27545 @item ascii
27546 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
27547
27548 @item acs
27549 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
27550 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
27551 @end table
27552
27553 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
27554 @kindex set tui border-mode
27555 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
27556 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
27557 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
27558 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
27559 @table @code
27560 @item normal
27561 Use normal attributes to display the border.
27562
27563 @item standout
27564 Use standout mode.
27565
27566 @item reverse
27567 Use reverse video mode.
27568
27569 @item half
27570 Use half bright mode.
27571
27572 @item half-standout
27573 Use half bright and standout mode.
27574
27575 @item bold
27576 Use extra bright or bold mode.
27577
27578 @item bold-standout
27579 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
27580 @end table
27581
27582 @item set tui tab-width @var{nchars}
27583 @kindex set tui tab-width
27584 @kindex tabset
27585 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters. This
27586 setting affects the display of TAB characters in the source and
27587 assembly windows.
27588 @end table
27589
27590 @node Emacs
27591 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
27592
27593 @cindex Emacs
27594 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
27595 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
27596 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
27597 @value{GDBN}.
27598
27599 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
27600 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
27601 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
27602 created Emacs buffer.
27603 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
27604
27605 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
27606 things:
27607
27608 @itemize @bullet
27609 @item
27610 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
27611 the GUD buffer.
27612
27613 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
27614 and output done by the program you are debugging.
27615
27616 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
27617 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
27618 in this way.
27619
27620 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
27621 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
27622 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
27623 stop.
27624
27625 @item
27626 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
27627
27628 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
27629 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
27630 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
27631 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
27632 and the source.
27633
27634 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
27635 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
27636 @end itemize
27637
27638 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
27639 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
27640 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
27641 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
27642
27643 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
27644 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
27645 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
27646 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
27647 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
27648 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
27649 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
27650 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
27651 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
27652
27653 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
27654 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
27655 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
27656 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
27657
27658 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
27659 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
27660 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
27661 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
27662 one you want.
27663
27664 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
27665 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
27666
27667 @table @kbd
27668 @item C-h m
27669 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
27670
27671 @item C-c C-s
27672 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
27673 update the display window to show the current file and location.
27674
27675 @item C-c C-n
27676 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
27677 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
27678 to show the current file and location.
27679
27680 @item C-c C-i
27681 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
27682 display window accordingly.
27683
27684 @item C-c C-f
27685 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
27686 @code{finish} command.
27687
27688 @item C-c C-r
27689 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
27690 command.
27691
27692 @item C-c <
27693 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
27694 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
27695 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
27696
27697 @item C-c >
27698 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
27699 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
27700 @end table
27701
27702 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
27703 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
27704
27705 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
27706 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
27707 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
27708 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
27709 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
27710 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
27711 speedbar displays watch expressions.
27712
27713 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
27714 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
27715 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
27716 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
27717 frame.
27718
27719 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
27720 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
27721 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
27722 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
27723 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
27724 to correspond properly with the code.
27725
27726 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
27727 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
27728 Emacs Manual}).
27729
27730 @node GDB/MI
27731 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
27732
27733 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
27734
27735 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
27736 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
27737 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
27738 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
27739 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
27740 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
27741
27742 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
27743 in the form of a reference manual.
27744
27745 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
27746 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
27747 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
27748
27749 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
27750
27751 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
27752 This chapter uses the following notation:
27753
27754 @itemize @bullet
27755 @item
27756 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
27757
27758 @item
27759 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
27760 it may or may not be given.
27761
27762 @item
27763 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
27764 may repeat zero or more times.
27765
27766 @item
27767 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
27768 may repeat one or more times.
27769
27770 @item
27771 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
27772 @end itemize
27773
27774 @ignore
27775 @heading Dependencies
27776 @end ignore
27777
27778 @menu
27779 * GDB/MI General Design::
27780 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
27781 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
27782 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
27783 * GDB/MI Output Records::
27784 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
27785 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
27786 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
27787 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
27788 * GDB/MI Program Context::
27789 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
27790 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
27791 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
27792 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
27793 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
27794 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
27795 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
27796 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
27797 * GDB/MI File Commands::
27798 @ignore
27799 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
27800 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
27801 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
27802 @end ignore
27803 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
27804 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
27805 * GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands::
27806 * GDB/MI Support Commands::
27807 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
27808 @end menu
27809
27810 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27811 @node GDB/MI General Design
27812 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
27813 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
27814
27815 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
27816 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
27817 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
27818 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
27819 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
27820 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
27821 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
27822 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
27823 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
27824 a command and reported as part of that command response.
27825
27826 The important examples of notifications are:
27827 @itemize @bullet
27828
27829 @item
27830 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
27831 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
27832 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
27833 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
27834 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
27835 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
27836 command itself was successfully executed.
27837
27838 @item
27839 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
27840 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
27841 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
27842 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
27843 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
27844 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
27845
27846 @item
27847 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
27848 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
27849 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
27850 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
27851 orthogonal frontend design.
27852
27853 @end itemize
27854
27855 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
27856 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
27857 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
27858 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
27859 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
27860 the user interface.
27861
27862
27863 @menu
27864 * Context management::
27865 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
27866 * Thread groups::
27867 @end menu
27868
27869 @node Context management
27870 @subsection Context management
27871
27872 @subsubsection Threads and Frames
27873
27874 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
27875 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
27876 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
27877 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
27878 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
27879 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
27880 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
27881 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
27882 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
27883
27884 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
27885 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
27886 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
27887 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
27888 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
27889 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
27890 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
27891 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
27892 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
27893 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} global
27894 identifier for thread and frame to operate on.
27895
27896 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
27897 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
27898 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
27899 current thread or frame be changed. For example, when stopping on a
27900 breakpoint it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is
27901 hit. For another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} or
27902 @samp{frame} commands via the frontend, it is desirable to change the
27903 frontend's selection to the one specified by user. @value{GDBN}
27904 communicates the suggestion to change current thread and frame using the
27905 @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
27906
27907 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
27908 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
27909 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
27910 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
27911 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
27912 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
27913 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
27914 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
27915 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
27916 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
27917 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
27918 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
27919 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
27920 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
27921 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
27922 @samp{--frame} options.
27923
27924 @subsubsection Language
27925
27926 The execution of several commands depends on which language is selected.
27927 By default, the current language (@pxref{show language}) is used.
27928 But for commands known to be language-sensitive, it is recommended
27929 to use the @samp{--language} option. This option takes one argument,
27930 which is the name of the language to use while executing the command.
27931 For instance:
27932
27933 @smallexample
27934 -data-evaluate-expression --language c "sizeof (void*)"
27935 ^done,value="4"
27936 (gdb)
27937 @end smallexample
27938
27939 The valid language names are the same names accepted by the
27940 @samp{set language} command (@pxref{Manually}), excluding @samp{auto},
27941 @samp{local} or @samp{unknown}.
27942
27943 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
27944 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
27945
27946 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
27947 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
27948 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
27949 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
27950 @code{-gdb-set mi-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
27951 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
27952 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
27953 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
27954 @code{-list-target-features} command.
27955
27956 @table @code
27957 @item -gdb-set mi-async on
27958 @item -gdb-set mi-async off
27959 Set whether MI is in asynchronous mode.
27960
27961 When @code{off}, which is the default, MI execution commands (e.g.,
27962 @code{-exec-continue}) are foreground commands, and @value{GDBN} waits
27963 for the program to stop before processing further commands.
27964
27965 When @code{on}, MI execution commands are background execution
27966 commands (e.g., @code{-exec-continue} becomes the equivalent of the
27967 @code{c&} CLI command), and so @value{GDBN} is capable of processing
27968 MI commands even while the target is running.
27969
27970 @item -gdb-show mi-async
27971 Show whether MI asynchronous mode is enabled.
27972 @end table
27973
27974 Note: In @value{GDBN} version 7.7 and earlier, this option was called
27975 @code{target-async} instead of @code{mi-async}, and it had the effect
27976 of both putting MI in asynchronous mode and making CLI background
27977 commands possible. CLI background commands are now always possible
27978 ``out of the box'' if the target supports them. The old spelling is
27979 kept as a deprecated alias for backwards compatibility.
27980
27981 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
27982 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
27983 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
27984 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
27985 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
27986 are running.
27987
27988 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
27989 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
27990 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
27991 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
27992 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
27993 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
27994 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
27995 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
27996 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
27997 @samp{--thread} option).
27998
27999 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
28000 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
28001 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
28002 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
28003
28004 @node Thread groups
28005 @subsection Thread groups
28006 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
28007 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
28008 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
28009 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
28010 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
28011
28012 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
28013 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
28014 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
28015 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
28016 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
28017 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
28018 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
28019 into processes.
28020
28021 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
28022 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
28023 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
28024 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
28025 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
28026 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
28027 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
28028 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
28029 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
28030 the members of specific thread group.
28031
28032 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
28033 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
28034 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
28035 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
28036 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
28037 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
28038 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
28039 after attaching to that thread group.
28040
28041 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
28042 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
28043 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
28044 such thread groups.
28045
28046 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28047 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
28048 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
28049
28050 @menu
28051 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
28052 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
28053 @end menu
28054
28055 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
28056 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
28057
28058 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
28059 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
28060 @table @code
28061 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
28062 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
28063
28064 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
28065 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
28066 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
28067
28068 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
28069 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
28070 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
28071
28072 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28073 "any sequence of digits"
28074
28075 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
28076 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
28077
28078 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
28079 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
28080
28081 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
28082 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
28083
28084 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
28085 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
28086 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
28087
28088 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
28089 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
28090
28091 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28092 @code{CR | CR-LF}
28093 @end table
28094
28095 @noindent
28096 Notes:
28097
28098 @itemize @bullet
28099 @item
28100 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
28101 output is described below.
28102
28103 @item
28104 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
28105 finishes.
28106
28107 @item
28108 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
28109 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
28110 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
28111 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
28112 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
28113 @end itemize
28114
28115 Pragmatics:
28116
28117 @itemize @bullet
28118 @item
28119 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
28120
28121 @item
28122 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
28123 @end itemize
28124
28125 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
28126 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
28127
28128 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
28129 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
28130 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
28131 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
28132 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
28133 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
28134
28135 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
28136 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
28137 @var{token}.
28138
28139 @table @code
28140 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
28141 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
28142
28143 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
28144 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
28145
28146 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
28147 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
28148
28149 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
28150 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
28151
28152 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
28153 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output nl}}
28154
28155 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
28156 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output nl}}
28157
28158 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
28159 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output nl}}
28160
28161 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
28162 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )*}
28163
28164 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
28165 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
28166
28167 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
28168 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
28169 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
28170
28171 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
28172 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
28173
28174 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
28175 @code{ @var{string} }
28176
28177 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
28178 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
28179
28180 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
28181 @code{@var{c-string}}
28182
28183 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
28184 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
28185
28186 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
28187 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
28188 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
28189
28190 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
28191 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
28192
28193 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
28194 @code{"~" @var{c-string nl}}
28195
28196 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
28197 @code{"@@" @var{c-string nl}}
28198
28199 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
28200 @code{"&" @var{c-string nl}}
28201
28202 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28203 @code{CR | CR-LF}
28204
28205 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28206 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
28207 @end table
28208
28209 @noindent
28210 Notes:
28211
28212 @itemize @bullet
28213 @item
28214 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
28215
28216 @item
28217 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
28218 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
28219 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
28220 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
28221 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
28222 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
28223 prior command.
28224
28225 @item
28226 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28227 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
28228 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
28229 prefixed by @samp{+}.
28230
28231 @item
28232 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28233 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
28234 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
28235 @samp{*}.
28236
28237 @item
28238 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28239 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
28240 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
28241 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
28242
28243 @item
28244 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28245 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
28246 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
28247 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
28248
28249 @item
28250 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28251 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
28252 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
28253
28254 @item
28255 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28256 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
28257 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
28258 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
28259
28260 @item
28261 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28262 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
28263 @var{values}.
28264
28265
28266 @end itemize
28267
28268 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
28269 details about the various output records.
28270
28271 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28272 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
28273 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
28274
28275 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
28276 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
28277
28278 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
28279 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
28280 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
28281 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
28282 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
28283 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
28284
28285 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
28286 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
28287 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
28288
28289 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28290 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
28291 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
28292 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
28293
28294 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
28295 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
28296
28297 Since @sc{gdb/mi} is used by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}, changes
28298 to the MI interface may break existing usage. This section describes how the
28299 protocol changes and how to request previous version of the protocol when it
28300 does.
28301
28302 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
28303 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
28304 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
28305 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
28306
28307 @itemize @bullet
28308 @item
28309 New MI commands may be added.
28310
28311 @item
28312 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
28313
28314 @item
28315 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
28316 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
28317
28318 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
28319 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
28320
28321 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
28322 @c resolve inconsistencies.
28323 @end itemize
28324
28325 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
28326 will be increased by one. The new versions of the MI protocol are not compatible
28327 with the old versions. Old versions of MI remain available, allowing front ends
28328 to keep using them until they are modified to use the latest MI version.
28329
28330 Since @code{--interpreter=mi} always points to the latest MI version, it is
28331 recommended that front ends request a specific version of MI when launching
28332 @value{GDBN} (e.g. @code{--interpreter=mi2}) to make sure they get an
28333 interpreter with the MI version they expect.
28334
28335 The following table gives a summary of the the released versions of the MI
28336 interface: the version number, the version of GDB in which it first appeared
28337 and the breaking changes compared to the previous version.
28338
28339 @multitable @columnfractions .05 .05 .9
28340 @headitem MI version @tab GDB version @tab Breaking changes
28341
28342 @item
28343 @center 1
28344 @tab
28345 @center 5.1
28346 @tab
28347 None
28348
28349 @item
28350 @center 2
28351 @tab
28352 @center 6.0
28353 @tab
28354
28355 @itemize
28356 @item
28357 The @code{-environment-pwd}, @code{-environment-directory} and
28358 @code{-environment-path} commands now returns values using the MI output
28359 syntax, rather than CLI output syntax.
28360
28361 @item
28362 @code{-var-list-children}'s @code{children} result field is now a list, rather
28363 than a tuple.
28364
28365 @item
28366 @code{-var-update}'s @code{changelist} result field is now a list, rather than
28367 a tuple.
28368 @end itemize
28369
28370 @item
28371 @center 3
28372 @tab
28373 @center 9.1
28374 @tab
28375
28376 @itemize
28377 @item
28378 The output of information about multi-location breakpoints has changed in the
28379 responses to the @code{-break-insert} and @code{-break-info} commands, as well
28380 as in the @code{=breakpoint-created} and @code{=breakpoint-modified} events.
28381 The multiple locations are now placed in a @code{locations} field, whose value
28382 is a list.
28383 @end itemize
28384
28385 @end multitable
28386
28387 If your front end cannot yet migrate to a more recent version of the
28388 MI protocol, you can nevertheless selectively enable specific features
28389 available in those recent MI versions, using the following commands:
28390
28391 @table @code
28392
28393 @item -fix-multi-location-breakpoint-output
28394 Use the output for multi-location breakpoints which was introduced by
28395 MI 3, even when using MI versions 2 or 1. This command has no
28396 effect when using MI version 3 or later.
28397
28398 @end table
28399
28400 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
28401 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
28402 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
28403 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
28404 @cindex mailing lists
28405
28406 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28407 @node GDB/MI Output Records
28408 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
28409
28410 @menu
28411 * GDB/MI Result Records::
28412 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
28413 * GDB/MI Async Records::
28414 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
28415 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
28416 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
28417 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
28418 @end menu
28419
28420 @node GDB/MI Result Records
28421 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
28422
28423 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28424 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
28425 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
28426 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
28427
28428 @table @code
28429 @findex ^done
28430 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
28431 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
28432 values.
28433
28434 @item "^running"
28435 @findex ^running
28436 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
28437 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
28438 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
28439 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
28440 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
28441 which threads are resumed.
28442
28443 @item "^connected"
28444 @findex ^connected
28445 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
28446
28447 @item "^error" "," "msg=" @var{c-string} [ "," "code=" @var{c-string} ]
28448 @findex ^error
28449 The operation failed. The @code{msg=@var{c-string}} variable contains
28450 the corresponding error message.
28451
28452 If present, the @code{code=@var{c-string}} variable provides an error
28453 code on which consumers can rely on to detect the corresponding
28454 error condition. At present, only one error code is defined:
28455
28456 @table @samp
28457 @item "undefined-command"
28458 Indicates that the command causing the error does not exist.
28459 @end table
28460
28461 @item "^exit"
28462 @findex ^exit
28463 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
28464
28465 @end table
28466
28467 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
28468 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
28469
28470 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
28471 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28472 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
28473 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
28474 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
28475
28476 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
28477 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
28478 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
28479 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
28480 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
28481
28482 @table @code
28483 @item "~" @var{string-output}
28484 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
28485 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
28486
28487 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
28488 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
28489 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
28490 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
28491
28492 @item "&" @var{string-output}
28493 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
28494 internals.
28495 @end table
28496
28497 @node GDB/MI Async Records
28498 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
28499
28500 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28501 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
28502 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
28503 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
28504 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
28505 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
28506
28507 The following is the list of possible async records:
28508
28509 @table @code
28510
28511 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
28512 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field can be the global
28513 thread ID of the the thread that is now running, and it can be
28514 @samp{all} if all threads are running. The frontend should assume
28515 that no interaction with a running thread is possible after this
28516 notification is produced. The frontend should not assume that this
28517 notification is output only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may
28518 emit this notification several times, either for different threads,
28519 because it cannot resume all threads together, or even for a single
28520 thread, if the thread must be stepped though some code before letting
28521 it run freely.
28522
28523 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
28524 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
28525 following values:
28526
28527 @table @code
28528 @item breakpoint-hit
28529 A breakpoint was reached.
28530 @item watchpoint-trigger
28531 A watchpoint was triggered.
28532 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
28533 A read watchpoint was triggered.
28534 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
28535 An access watchpoint was triggered.
28536 @item function-finished
28537 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28538 @item location-reached
28539 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28540 @item watchpoint-scope
28541 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
28542 @item end-stepping-range
28543 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
28544 similar CLI command was accomplished.
28545 @item exited-signalled
28546 The inferior exited because of a signal.
28547 @item exited
28548 The inferior exited.
28549 @item exited-normally
28550 The inferior exited normally.
28551 @item signal-received
28552 A signal was received by the inferior.
28553 @item solib-event
28554 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
28555 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
28556 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
28557 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
28558 @item fork
28559 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
28560 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28561 @item vfork
28562 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
28563 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28564 @item syscall-entry
28565 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
28566 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28567 @item syscall-return
28568 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
28569 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28570 @item exec
28571 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
28572 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28573 @end table
28574
28575 The @var{id} field identifies the global thread ID of the thread
28576 that directly caused the stop -- for example by hitting a breakpoint.
28577 Depending on whether all-stop
28578 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
28579 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
28580 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
28581 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
28582 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
28583 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
28584 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
28585 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
28586 if such information is not available.
28587
28588 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
28589 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
28590 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
28591 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
28592 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
28593 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
28594 cannot be used in any way.
28595
28596 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
28597 A thread group became associated with a running program,
28598 either because the program was just started or the thread group
28599 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
28600 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
28601 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
28602
28603 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
28604 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
28605 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
28606 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
28607 thread group. The @var{code} field is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
28608 only when the inferior exited with some code.
28609
28610 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
28611 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
28612 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
28613 contains the global @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
28614 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
28615
28616 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"[,frame="@var{frame}"]
28617 Informs that the selected thread or frame were changed. This notification
28618 is not emitted as result of the @code{-thread-select} or
28619 @code{-stack-select-frame} commands, but is emitted whenever an MI command
28620 that is not documented to change the selected thread and frame actually
28621 changes them. In particular, invoking, directly or indirectly
28622 (via user-defined command), the CLI @code{thread} or @code{frame} commands,
28623 will generate this notification. Changing the thread or frame from another
28624 user interface (see @ref{Interpreters}) will also generate this notification.
28625
28626 The @var{frame} field is only present if the newly selected thread is
28627 stopped. See @ref{GDB/MI Frame Information} for the format of its value.
28628
28629 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
28630 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
28631 that thread.
28632
28633 @item =library-loaded,...
28634 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
28635 notification has 5 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
28636 @var{host-name}, @var{symbols-loaded} and @var{ranges}. The @var{id} field is an
28637 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
28638 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
28639 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
28640 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
28641 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
28642 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
28643 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
28644 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
28645 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
28646 thread groups. The @var{ranges} field specifies the ranges of addresses belonging
28647 to this library.
28648
28649 @item =library-unloaded,...
28650 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
28651 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
28652 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
28653 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
28654 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
28655 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
28656 thread groups.
28657
28658 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
28659 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
28660 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
28661 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
28662 frame is @var{tpnum}.
28663
28664 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
28665 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
28666 initial value @var{initial}.
28667
28668 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
28669 @itemx =tsv-deleted
28670 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
28671 trace state variables are deleted.
28672
28673 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
28674 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
28675 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
28676 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
28677 value of trace state variable is known.
28678
28679 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
28680 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
28681 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
28682 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
28683 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
28684 user.
28685
28686 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
28687 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
28688 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
28689
28690 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
28691 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
28692
28693 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}",method="@var{method}"[,format="@var{format}"]
28694 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
28695 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
28696 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
28697 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
28698
28699 The @var{method} field indicates the method used to record execution. If the
28700 method in use supports multiple recording formats, @var{format} will be present
28701 and contain the currently used format. @xref{Process Record and Replay},
28702 for existing method and format values.
28703
28704 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
28705 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
28706 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
28707 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
28708 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
28709 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
28710
28711 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
28712 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
28713 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
28714 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
28715 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
28716 executable code.
28717 @end table
28718
28719 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
28720 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
28721
28722 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
28723 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
28724 following fields:
28725
28726 @table @code
28727 @item number
28728 The breakpoint number.
28729
28730 @item type
28731 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
28732 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
28733
28734 @item catch-type
28735 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
28736 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
28737
28738 @item disp
28739 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
28740 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
28741 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
28742
28743 @item enabled
28744 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
28745 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
28746 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
28747
28748 @item addr
28749 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
28750 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
28751 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
28752 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
28753 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
28754
28755 @item func
28756 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
28757 If not known, this field is not present.
28758
28759 @item filename
28760 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
28761 If not known, this field is not present.
28762
28763 @item fullname
28764 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
28765 known. If not known, this field is not present.
28766
28767 @item line
28768 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
28769 If not known, this field is not present.
28770
28771 @item at
28772 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
28773 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
28774 by a symbol name.
28775
28776 @item pending
28777 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
28778 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
28779
28780 @item evaluated-by
28781 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
28782 @samp{target}.
28783
28784 @item thread
28785 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
28786 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
28787
28788 @item task
28789 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
28790 field will hold the task identifier.
28791
28792 @item cond
28793 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
28794
28795 @item ignore
28796 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
28797
28798 @item enable
28799 The enable count of the breakpoint.
28800
28801 @item traceframe-usage
28802 FIXME.
28803
28804 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
28805 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
28806
28807 @item mask
28808 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
28809
28810 @item pass
28811 A tracepoint's pass count.
28812
28813 @item original-location
28814 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
28815 This field is optional.
28816
28817 @item times
28818 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
28819
28820 @item installed
28821 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
28822 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
28823 is not.
28824
28825 @item what
28826 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
28827
28828 @item locations
28829 This field is present if the breakpoint has multiple locations. It is also
28830 exceptionally present if the breakpoint is enabled and has a single, disabled
28831 location.
28832
28833 The value is a list of locations. The format of a location is decribed below.
28834
28835 @end table
28836
28837 A location in a multi-location breakpoint is represented as a tuple with the
28838 following fields:
28839
28840 @table @code
28841
28842 @item number
28843 The location number as a dotted pair, like @samp{1.2}. The first digit is the
28844 number of the parent breakpoint. The second digit is the number of the
28845 location within that breakpoint.
28846
28847 @item enabled
28848 This indicates whether the location is enabled, in which case the
28849 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
28850 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
28851
28852 @item addr
28853 The address of this location as an hexidecimal number.
28854
28855 @item func
28856 If known, the function in which the location appears.
28857 If not known, this field is not present.
28858
28859 @item file
28860 The name of the source file which contains this location, if known.
28861 If not known, this field is not present.
28862
28863 @item fullname
28864 The full file name of the source file which contains this location, if
28865 known. If not known, this field is not present.
28866
28867 @item line
28868 The line number at which this location appears, if known.
28869 If not known, this field is not present.
28870
28871 @item thread-groups
28872 The thread groups this location is in.
28873
28874 @end table
28875
28876 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
28877 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
28878
28879 @smallexample
28880 -> -break-insert main
28881 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28882 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28883 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28884 times="0"@}
28885 <- (gdb)
28886 @end smallexample
28887
28888 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
28889 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
28890
28891 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
28892 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
28893 fields:
28894
28895 @table @code
28896 @item level
28897 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
28898 zero. This field is always present.
28899
28900 @item func
28901 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
28902 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
28903
28904 @item addr
28905 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
28906
28907 @item file
28908 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
28909 address. This field may be absent.
28910
28911 @item line
28912 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
28913 may be absent.
28914
28915 @item from
28916 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
28917 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
28918
28919 @end table
28920
28921 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
28922 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
28923
28924 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
28925 uses a tuple with the following fields. The fields are always present unless
28926 stated otherwise.
28927
28928 @table @code
28929 @item id
28930 The global numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}.
28931
28932 @item target-id
28933 The target-specific string identifying the thread.
28934
28935 @item details
28936 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
28937 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
28938 frontend. This field is optional.
28939
28940 @item name
28941 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
28942 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
28943 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
28944 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
28945 field is omitted.
28946
28947 @item state
28948 The execution state of the thread, either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running},
28949 depending on whether the thread is presently running.
28950
28951 @item frame
28952 The stack frame currently executing in the thread. This field is only present
28953 if the thread is stopped. Its format is documented in
28954 @ref{GDB/MI Frame Information}.
28955
28956 @item core
28957 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
28958 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
28959 @end table
28960
28961 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
28962 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
28963
28964 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
28965 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
28966 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
28967 the @code{exception-name} field. Also, for exceptions that were raised
28968 with an exception message, @value{GDBN} provides that message via
28969 the @code{exception-message} field.
28970
28971 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28972 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
28973 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
28974 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
28975
28976 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
28977 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
28978 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
28979 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
28980
28981 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
28982 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
28983
28984 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
28985
28986 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
28987 information of the breakpoint.
28988
28989 @smallexample
28990 -> -break-insert main
28991 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28992 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28993 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28994 times="0"@}
28995 <- (gdb)
28996 @end smallexample
28997
28998 @subheading Program Execution
28999
29000 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
29001 reason that execution stopped.
29002
29003 @smallexample
29004 -> -exec-run
29005 <- ^running
29006 <- (gdb)
29007 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
29008 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
29009 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
29010 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",
29011 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29012 <- (gdb)
29013 -> -exec-continue
29014 <- ^running
29015 <- (gdb)
29016 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29017 <- (gdb)
29018 @end smallexample
29019
29020 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
29021
29022 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
29023
29024 @smallexample
29025 -> (gdb)
29026 <- -gdb-exit
29027 <- ^exit
29028 @end smallexample
29029
29030 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
29031 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
29032 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
29033 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
29034 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
29035 fails to exit in reasonable time.
29036
29037 @subheading A Bad Command
29038
29039 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
29040
29041 @smallexample
29042 -> -rubbish
29043 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
29044 <- (gdb)
29045 @end smallexample
29046
29047
29048 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29049 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
29050 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
29051
29052 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
29053 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
29054
29055 @subheading Motivation
29056
29057 The motivation for this collection of commands.
29058
29059 @subheading Introduction
29060
29061 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
29062
29063 @subheading Commands
29064
29065 For each command in the block, the following is described:
29066
29067 @subsubheading Synopsis
29068
29069 @smallexample
29070 -command @var{args}@dots{}
29071 @end smallexample
29072
29073 @subsubheading Result
29074
29075 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29076
29077 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
29078
29079 @subsubheading Example
29080
29081 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
29082 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
29083
29084
29085 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29086 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
29087 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
29088
29089 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
29090 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
29091 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
29092 breakpoints.
29093
29094 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
29095 @findex -break-after
29096
29097 @subsubheading Synopsis
29098
29099 @smallexample
29100 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
29101 @end smallexample
29102
29103 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
29104 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
29105 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
29106 @samp{-break-list} command below.
29107
29108 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29109
29110 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
29111
29112 @subsubheading Example
29113
29114 @smallexample
29115 (gdb)
29116 -break-insert main
29117 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29118 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29119 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29120 times="0"@}
29121 (gdb)
29122 -break-after 1 3
29123 ~
29124 ^done
29125 (gdb)
29126 -break-list
29127 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29128 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29129 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29130 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29131 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29132 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29133 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29134 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29135 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29136 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29137 (gdb)
29138 @end smallexample
29139
29140 @ignore
29141 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
29142 @findex -break-catch
29143 @end ignore
29144
29145 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
29146 @findex -break-commands
29147
29148 @subsubheading Synopsis
29149
29150 @smallexample
29151 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
29152 @end smallexample
29153
29154 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
29155 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
29156 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
29157 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
29158 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
29159 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
29160
29161 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29162
29163 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
29164
29165 @subsubheading Example
29166
29167 @smallexample
29168 (gdb)
29169 -break-insert main
29170 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29171 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29172 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29173 times="0"@}
29174 (gdb)
29175 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
29176 ^done
29177 (gdb)
29178 @end smallexample
29179
29180 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
29181 @findex -break-condition
29182
29183 @subsubheading Synopsis
29184
29185 @smallexample
29186 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
29187 @end smallexample
29188
29189 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
29190 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
29191 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
29192 command below).
29193
29194 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29195
29196 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
29197
29198 @subsubheading Example
29199
29200 @smallexample
29201 (gdb)
29202 -break-condition 1 1
29203 ^done
29204 (gdb)
29205 -break-list
29206 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29207 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29208 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29209 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29210 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29211 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29212 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29213 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29214 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29215 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29216 (gdb)
29217 @end smallexample
29218
29219 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
29220 @findex -break-delete
29221
29222 @subsubheading Synopsis
29223
29224 @smallexample
29225 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29226 @end smallexample
29227
29228 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
29229 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
29230
29231 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29232
29233 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
29234
29235 @subsubheading Example
29236
29237 @smallexample
29238 (gdb)
29239 -break-delete 1
29240 ^done
29241 (gdb)
29242 -break-list
29243 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29244 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29245 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29246 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29247 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29248 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29249 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29250 body=[]@}
29251 (gdb)
29252 @end smallexample
29253
29254 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
29255 @findex -break-disable
29256
29257 @subsubheading Synopsis
29258
29259 @smallexample
29260 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29261 @end smallexample
29262
29263 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
29264 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
29265
29266 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29267
29268 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
29269
29270 @subsubheading Example
29271
29272 @smallexample
29273 (gdb)
29274 -break-disable 2
29275 ^done
29276 (gdb)
29277 -break-list
29278 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29279 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29280 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29281 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29282 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29283 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29284 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29285 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
29286 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29287 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29288 (gdb)
29289 @end smallexample
29290
29291 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
29292 @findex -break-enable
29293
29294 @subsubheading Synopsis
29295
29296 @smallexample
29297 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29298 @end smallexample
29299
29300 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
29301
29302 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29303
29304 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
29305
29306 @subsubheading Example
29307
29308 @smallexample
29309 (gdb)
29310 -break-enable 2
29311 ^done
29312 (gdb)
29313 -break-list
29314 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29315 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29316 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29317 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29318 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29319 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29320 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29321 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29322 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29323 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29324 (gdb)
29325 @end smallexample
29326
29327 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
29328 @findex -break-info
29329
29330 @subsubheading Synopsis
29331
29332 @smallexample
29333 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
29334 @end smallexample
29335
29336 @c REDUNDANT???
29337 Get information about a single breakpoint.
29338
29339 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
29340 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
29341 table.
29342
29343 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29344
29345 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
29346
29347 @subsubheading Example
29348 N.A.
29349
29350 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
29351 @findex -break-insert
29352 @anchor{-break-insert}
29353
29354 @subsubheading Synopsis
29355
29356 @smallexample
29357 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
29358 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29359 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
29360 @end smallexample
29361
29362 @noindent
29363 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
29364
29365 @table @var
29366 @item linespec location
29367 A linespec location. @xref{Linespec Locations}.
29368
29369 @item explicit location
29370 An explicit location. @sc{gdb/mi} explicit locations are
29371 analogous to the CLI's explicit locations using the option names
29372 listed below. @xref{Explicit Locations}.
29373
29374 @table @samp
29375 @item --source @var{filename}
29376 The source file name of the location. This option requires the use
29377 of either @samp{--function} or @samp{--line}.
29378
29379 @item --function @var{function}
29380 The name of a function or method.
29381
29382 @item --label @var{label}
29383 The name of a label.
29384
29385 @item --line @var{lineoffset}
29386 An absolute or relative line offset from the start of the location.
29387 @end table
29388
29389 @item address location
29390 An address location, *@var{address}. @xref{Address Locations}.
29391 @end table
29392
29393 @noindent
29394 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
29395
29396 @table @samp
29397 @item -t
29398 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
29399 @item -h
29400 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
29401 @item -f
29402 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
29403 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
29404 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
29405 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
29406 cannot be parsed.
29407 @item -d
29408 Create a disabled breakpoint.
29409 @item -a
29410 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
29411 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
29412 @item -c @var{condition}
29413 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29414 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
29415 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
29416 @item -p @var{thread-id}
29417 Restrict the breakpoint to the thread with the specified global
29418 @var{thread-id}.
29419 @end table
29420
29421 @subsubheading Result
29422
29423 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
29424 resulting breakpoint.
29425
29426 Note: this format is open to change.
29427 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
29428
29429 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29430
29431 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
29432 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
29433
29434 @subsubheading Example
29435
29436 @smallexample
29437 (gdb)
29438 -break-insert main
29439 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
29440 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29441 times="0"@}
29442 (gdb)
29443 -break-insert -t foo
29444 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
29445 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29446 times="0"@}
29447 (gdb)
29448 -break-list
29449 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29450 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29451 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29452 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29453 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29454 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29455 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29456 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29457 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
29458 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29459 times="0"@},
29460 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
29461 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
29462 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29463 times="0"@}]@}
29464 (gdb)
29465 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
29466 @c ~int foo(int, int);
29467 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
29468 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29469 @c times="0"@}
29470 @c (gdb)
29471 @end smallexample
29472
29473 @subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
29474 @findex -dprintf-insert
29475
29476 @subsubheading Synopsis
29477
29478 @smallexample
29479 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
29480 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29481 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
29482 [ @var{argument} ]
29483 @end smallexample
29484
29485 @noindent
29486 If supplied, @var{location} may be specified the same way as for
29487 the @code{-break-insert} command. @xref{-break-insert}.
29488
29489 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
29490
29491 @table @samp
29492 @item -t
29493 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
29494 @item -f
29495 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
29496 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
29497 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
29498 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
29499 cannot be parsed.
29500 @item -d
29501 Create a disabled breakpoint.
29502 @item -c @var{condition}
29503 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29504 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
29505 Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
29506 to @var{ignore-count}.
29507 @item -p @var{thread-id}
29508 Restrict the breakpoint to the thread with the specified global
29509 @var{thread-id}.
29510 @end table
29511
29512 @subsubheading Result
29513
29514 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
29515 resulting breakpoint.
29516
29517 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
29518
29519 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29520
29521 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
29522
29523 @subsubheading Example
29524
29525 @smallexample
29526 (gdb)
29527 4-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
29528 4^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29529 addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
29530 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
29531 times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
29532 original-location="foo"@}
29533 (gdb)
29534 5-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
29535 5^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29536 addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
29537 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
29538 times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
29539 original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
29540 (gdb)
29541 @end smallexample
29542
29543 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
29544 @findex -break-list
29545
29546 @subsubheading Synopsis
29547
29548 @smallexample
29549 -break-list
29550 @end smallexample
29551
29552 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
29553
29554 @table @samp
29555 @item Number
29556 number of the breakpoint
29557 @item Type
29558 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
29559 @item Disposition
29560 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
29561 or @samp{nokeep}
29562 @item Enabled
29563 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
29564 @item Address
29565 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
29566 @item What
29567 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
29568 name, line number
29569 @item Thread-groups
29570 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
29571 @item Times
29572 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
29573 @end table
29574
29575 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
29576 @code{body} field is an empty list.
29577
29578 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29579
29580 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
29581
29582 @subsubheading Example
29583
29584 @smallexample
29585 (gdb)
29586 -break-list
29587 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29588 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29589 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29590 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29591 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29592 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29593 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29594 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29595 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29596 times="0"@},
29597 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29598 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29599 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29600 (gdb)
29601 @end smallexample
29602
29603 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
29604
29605 @smallexample
29606 (gdb)
29607 -break-list
29608 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29609 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29610 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29611 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29612 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29613 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29614 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29615 body=[]@}
29616 (gdb)
29617 @end smallexample
29618
29619 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
29620 @findex -break-passcount
29621
29622 @subsubheading Synopsis
29623
29624 @smallexample
29625 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
29626 @end smallexample
29627
29628 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
29629 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
29630 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
29631 command @samp{passcount}.
29632
29633 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
29634 @findex -break-watch
29635
29636 @subsubheading Synopsis
29637
29638 @smallexample
29639 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
29640 @end smallexample
29641
29642 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
29643 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
29644 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
29645 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
29646 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
29647 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
29648 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
29649 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
29650
29651 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
29652 breakpoints inserted.
29653
29654 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29655
29656 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
29657 @samp{rwatch}.
29658
29659 @subsubheading Example
29660
29661 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
29662
29663 @smallexample
29664 (gdb)
29665 -break-watch x
29666 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
29667 (gdb)
29668 -exec-continue
29669 ^running
29670 (gdb)
29671 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
29672 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
29673 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29674 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29675 (gdb)
29676 @end smallexample
29677
29678 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
29679 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
29680 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
29681
29682 @smallexample
29683 (gdb)
29684 -break-watch C
29685 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
29686 (gdb)
29687 -exec-continue
29688 ^running
29689 (gdb)
29690 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
29691 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
29692 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29693 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29694 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13",
29695 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29696 (gdb)
29697 -exec-continue
29698 ^running
29699 (gdb)
29700 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
29701 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
29702 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29703 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29704 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18",
29705 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29706 (gdb)
29707 @end smallexample
29708
29709 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
29710 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
29711 deleted.
29712
29713 @smallexample
29714 (gdb)
29715 -break-watch C
29716 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
29717 (gdb)
29718 -break-list
29719 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29720 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29721 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29722 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29723 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29724 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29725 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29726 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29727 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29728 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29729 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
29730 times="1"@},
29731 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
29732 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29733 (gdb)
29734 -exec-continue
29735 ^running
29736 (gdb)
29737 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
29738 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
29739 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29740 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29741 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13",
29742 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29743 (gdb)
29744 -break-list
29745 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29746 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29747 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29748 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29749 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29750 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29751 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29752 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29753 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29754 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29755 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
29756 times="1"@},
29757 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
29758 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
29759 (gdb)
29760 -exec-continue
29761 ^running
29762 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
29763 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
29764 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29765 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29766 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18",
29767 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29768 (gdb)
29769 -break-list
29770 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29771 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29772 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29773 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29774 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29775 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29776 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29777 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29778 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29779 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29780 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
29781 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
29782 (gdb)
29783 @end smallexample
29784
29785
29786 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29787 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
29788 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
29789
29790 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
29791 catchpoints.
29792
29793 @menu
29794 * Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
29795 * Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
29796 @end menu
29797
29798 @node Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
29799 @subsection Shared Library @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
29800
29801 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
29802 @findex -catch-load
29803
29804 @subsubheading Synopsis
29805
29806 @smallexample
29807 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
29808 @end smallexample
29809
29810 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
29811 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
29812 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
29813 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
29814 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
29815
29816
29817 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29818
29819 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
29820
29821 @subsubheading Example
29822
29823 @smallexample
29824 -catch-load -t foo.so
29825 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
29826 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
29827 (gdb)
29828 @end smallexample
29829
29830
29831 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
29832 @findex -catch-unload
29833
29834 @subsubheading Synopsis
29835
29836 @smallexample
29837 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
29838 @end smallexample
29839
29840 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
29841 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
29842 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
29843 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
29844 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
29845
29846 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29847
29848 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
29849
29850 @subsubheading Example
29851
29852 @smallexample
29853 -catch-unload -d bar.so
29854 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
29855 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
29856 (gdb)
29857 @end smallexample
29858
29859 @node Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
29860 @subsection Ada Exception @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
29861
29862 The following @sc{gdb/mi} commands can be used to create catchpoints
29863 that stop the execution when Ada exceptions are being raised.
29864
29865 @subheading The @code{-catch-assert} Command
29866 @findex -catch-assert
29867
29868 @subsubheading Synopsis
29869
29870 @smallexample
29871 -catch-assert [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -t ]
29872 @end smallexample
29873
29874 Add a catchpoint for failed Ada assertions.
29875
29876 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
29877
29878 @table @samp
29879 @item -c @var{condition}
29880 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29881 @item -d
29882 Create a disabled catchpoint.
29883 @item -t
29884 Create a temporary catchpoint.
29885 @end table
29886
29887 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29888
29889 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch assert}.
29890
29891 @subsubheading Example
29892
29893 @smallexample
29894 -catch-assert
29895 ^done,bkptno="5",bkpt=@{number="5",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29896 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404888",what="failed Ada assertions",
29897 thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",
29898 original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_assert_failure"@}
29899 (gdb)
29900 @end smallexample
29901
29902 @subheading The @code{-catch-exception} Command
29903 @findex -catch-exception
29904
29905 @subsubheading Synopsis
29906
29907 @smallexample
29908 -catch-exception [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
29909 [ -t ] [ -u ]
29910 @end smallexample
29911
29912 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are raised.
29913 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
29914 gets raised. But it is also possible, by using some of the
29915 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
29916 catchpoints.
29917
29918 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
29919
29920 @table @samp
29921 @item -c @var{condition}
29922 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29923 @item -d
29924 Create a disabled catchpoint.
29925 @item -e @var{exception-name}
29926 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is raised. This option cannot
29927 be used combined with @samp{-u}.
29928 @item -t
29929 Create a temporary catchpoint.
29930 @item -u
29931 Stop only when an unhandled exception gets raised. This option
29932 cannot be used combined with @samp{-e}.
29933 @end table
29934
29935 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29936
29937 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch exception}
29938 and @samp{catch exception unhandled}.
29939
29940 @subsubheading Example
29941
29942 @smallexample
29943 -catch-exception -e Program_Error
29944 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29945 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404874",
29946 what="`Program_Error' Ada exception", thread-groups=["i1"],
29947 times="0",original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_exception"@}
29948 (gdb)
29949 @end smallexample
29950
29951 @subheading The @code{-catch-handlers} Command
29952 @findex -catch-handlers
29953
29954 @subsubheading Synopsis
29955
29956 @smallexample
29957 -catch-handlers [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
29958 [ -t ]
29959 @end smallexample
29960
29961 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are handled.
29962 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
29963 gets handled. But it is also possible, by using some of the
29964 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
29965 catchpoints.
29966
29967 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
29968
29969 @table @samp
29970 @item -c @var{condition}
29971 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29972 @item -d
29973 Create a disabled catchpoint.
29974 @item -e @var{exception-name}
29975 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is handled.
29976 @item -t
29977 Create a temporary catchpoint.
29978 @end table
29979
29980 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29981
29982 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch handlers}.
29983
29984 @subsubheading Example
29985
29986 @smallexample
29987 -catch-handlers -e Constraint_Error
29988 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29989 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000402f68",
29990 what="`Constraint_Error' Ada exception handlers",thread-groups=["i1"],
29991 times="0",original-location="__gnat_begin_handler"@}
29992 (gdb)
29993 @end smallexample
29994
29995 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29996 @node GDB/MI Program Context
29997 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
29998
29999 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
30000 @findex -exec-arguments
30001
30002
30003 @subsubheading Synopsis
30004
30005 @smallexample
30006 -exec-arguments @var{args}
30007 @end smallexample
30008
30009 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
30010 @samp{-exec-run}.
30011
30012 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30013
30014 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
30015
30016 @subsubheading Example
30017
30018 @smallexample
30019 (gdb)
30020 -exec-arguments -v word
30021 ^done
30022 (gdb)
30023 @end smallexample
30024
30025
30026 @ignore
30027 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
30028 @findex -exec-show-arguments
30029
30030 @subsubheading Synopsis
30031
30032 @smallexample
30033 -exec-show-arguments
30034 @end smallexample
30035
30036 Print the arguments of the program.
30037
30038 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30039
30040 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
30041
30042 @subsubheading Example
30043 N.A.
30044 @end ignore
30045
30046
30047 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
30048 @findex -environment-cd
30049
30050 @subsubheading Synopsis
30051
30052 @smallexample
30053 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
30054 @end smallexample
30055
30056 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
30057
30058 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30059
30060 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
30061
30062 @subsubheading Example
30063
30064 @smallexample
30065 (gdb)
30066 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30067 ^done
30068 (gdb)
30069 @end smallexample
30070
30071
30072 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
30073 @findex -environment-directory
30074
30075 @subsubheading Synopsis
30076
30077 @smallexample
30078 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30079 @end smallexample
30080
30081 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
30082 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
30083 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
30084 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30085 occurs as normal.
30086 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30087 multiple directories in a single command
30088 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30089 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30090 If blanks are needed as
30091 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30092 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30093 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30094 character must not be used
30095 in any directory name.
30096 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
30097
30098 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30099
30100 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
30101
30102 @subsubheading Example
30103
30104 @smallexample
30105 (gdb)
30106 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30107 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30108 (gdb)
30109 -environment-directory ""
30110 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30111 (gdb)
30112 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
30113 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
30114 (gdb)
30115 -environment-directory -r
30116 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
30117 (gdb)
30118 @end smallexample
30119
30120
30121 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
30122 @findex -environment-path
30123
30124 @subsubheading Synopsis
30125
30126 @smallexample
30127 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30128 @end smallexample
30129
30130 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
30131 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
30132 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
30133 supplied in addition to the
30134 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30135 occurs as normal.
30136 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30137 multiple directories in a single command
30138 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30139 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30140 If blanks are needed as
30141 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30142 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30143 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30144 character must not be used
30145 in any directory name.
30146 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
30147
30148
30149 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30150
30151 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
30152
30153 @subsubheading Example
30154
30155 @smallexample
30156 (gdb)
30157 -environment-path
30158 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
30159 (gdb)
30160 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
30161 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
30162 (gdb)
30163 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
30164 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
30165 (gdb)
30166 @end smallexample
30167
30168
30169 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
30170 @findex -environment-pwd
30171
30172 @subsubheading Synopsis
30173
30174 @smallexample
30175 -environment-pwd
30176 @end smallexample
30177
30178 Show the current working directory.
30179
30180 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30181
30182 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
30183
30184 @subsubheading Example
30185
30186 @smallexample
30187 (gdb)
30188 -environment-pwd
30189 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
30190 (gdb)
30191 @end smallexample
30192
30193 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30194 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
30195 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
30196
30197
30198 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
30199 @findex -thread-info
30200
30201 @subsubheading Synopsis
30202
30203 @smallexample
30204 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
30205 @end smallexample
30206
30207 Reports information about either a specific thread, if the
30208 @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all threads.
30209 @var{thread-id} is the thread's global thread ID. When printing
30210 information about all threads, also reports the global ID of the
30211 current thread.
30212
30213 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30214
30215 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
30216 about all threads.
30217
30218 @subsubheading Result
30219
30220 The result contains the following attributes:
30221
30222 @table @samp
30223 @item threads
30224 A list of threads. The format of the elements of the list is described in
30225 @ref{GDB/MI Thread Information}.
30226
30227 @item current-thread-id
30228 The global id of the currently selected thread. This field is omitted if there
30229 is no selected thread (for example, when the selected inferior is not running,
30230 and therefore has no threads) or if a @var{thread-id} argument was passed to
30231 the command.
30232
30233 @end table
30234
30235 @subsubheading Example
30236
30237 @smallexample
30238 -thread-info
30239 ^done,threads=[
30240 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30241 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
30242 args=[]@},state="running"@},
30243 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30244 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
30245 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30246 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158",arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30247 state="running"@}],
30248 current-thread-id="1"
30249 (gdb)
30250 @end smallexample
30251
30252 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
30253 @findex -thread-list-ids
30254
30255 @subsubheading Synopsis
30256
30257 @smallexample
30258 -thread-list-ids
30259 @end smallexample
30260
30261 Produces a list of the currently known global @value{GDBN} thread ids.
30262 At the end of the list it also prints the total number of such
30263 threads.
30264
30265 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
30266 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
30267
30268 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30269
30270 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
30271
30272 @subsubheading Example
30273
30274 @smallexample
30275 (gdb)
30276 -thread-list-ids
30277 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30278 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
30279 (gdb)
30280 @end smallexample
30281
30282
30283 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
30284 @findex -thread-select
30285
30286 @subsubheading Synopsis
30287
30288 @smallexample
30289 -thread-select @var{thread-id}
30290 @end smallexample
30291
30292 Make thread with global thread number @var{thread-id} the current
30293 thread. It prints the number of the new current thread, and the
30294 topmost frame for that thread.
30295
30296 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
30297 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
30298
30299 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30300
30301 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
30302
30303 @subsubheading Example
30304
30305 @smallexample
30306 (gdb)
30307 -exec-next
30308 ^running
30309 (gdb)
30310 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
30311 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
30312 (gdb)
30313 -thread-list-ids
30314 ^done,
30315 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30316 number-of-threads="3"
30317 (gdb)
30318 -thread-select 3
30319 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
30320 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
30321 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
30322 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30323 (gdb)
30324 @end smallexample
30325
30326 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30327 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
30328 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
30329
30330 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
30331 @findex -ada-task-info
30332
30333 @subsubheading Synopsis
30334
30335 @smallexample
30336 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
30337 @end smallexample
30338
30339 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
30340 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
30341
30342 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30343
30344 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
30345 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
30346
30347 @subsubheading Result
30348
30349 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
30350 defined for each Ada task:
30351
30352 @table @samp
30353 @item current
30354 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
30355
30356 @item id
30357 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
30358
30359 @item task-id
30360 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
30361
30362 @item thread-id
30363 The global thread identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada
30364 task.
30365
30366 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
30367 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
30368 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
30369
30370 @item parent-id
30371 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
30372 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
30373
30374 @item priority
30375 The base priority of the task.
30376
30377 @item state
30378 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
30379 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
30380
30381 @item name
30382 The name of the task.
30383
30384 @end table
30385
30386 @subsubheading Example
30387
30388 @smallexample
30389 -ada-task-info
30390 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
30391 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
30392 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
30393 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
30394 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
30395 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
30396 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
30397 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
30398 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
30399 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
30400 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
30401 (gdb)
30402 @end smallexample
30403
30404 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30405 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
30406 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
30407
30408 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
30409 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
30410 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
30411 other cases.
30412
30413 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
30414 @findex -exec-continue
30415
30416 @subsubheading Synopsis
30417
30418 @smallexample
30419 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
30420 @end smallexample
30421
30422 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
30423 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
30424 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
30425 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
30426 @itemize @bullet
30427 @item
30428 breakpoints or watchpoints
30429 @item
30430 signals or exceptions
30431 @item
30432 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
30433 @item
30434 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
30435 @end itemize
30436 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
30437 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
30438 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
30439 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
30440 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
30441 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
30442
30443 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30444
30445 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
30446
30447 @subsubheading Example
30448
30449 @smallexample
30450 -exec-continue
30451 ^running
30452 (gdb)
30453 @@Hello world
30454 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
30455 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
30456 line="13",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30457 (gdb)
30458 @end smallexample
30459
30460
30461 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
30462 @findex -exec-finish
30463
30464 @subsubheading Synopsis
30465
30466 @smallexample
30467 -exec-finish [--reverse]
30468 @end smallexample
30469
30470 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
30471 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
30472 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
30473 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
30474 function was called.
30475
30476 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30477
30478 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
30479
30480 @subsubheading Example
30481
30482 Function returning @code{void}.
30483
30484 @smallexample
30485 -exec-finish
30486 ^running
30487 (gdb)
30488 @@hello from foo
30489 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
30490 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30491 (gdb)
30492 @end smallexample
30493
30494 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
30495 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
30496 value itself.
30497
30498 @smallexample
30499 -exec-finish
30500 ^running
30501 (gdb)
30502 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
30503 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
30504 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
30505 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30506 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
30507 (gdb)
30508 @end smallexample
30509
30510
30511 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
30512 @findex -exec-interrupt
30513
30514 @subsubheading Synopsis
30515
30516 @smallexample
30517 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
30518 @end smallexample
30519
30520 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
30521 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
30522 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
30523 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
30524 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
30525
30526 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
30527 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
30528 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
30529 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
30530
30531 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
30532 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
30533 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
30534 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
30535
30536 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30537
30538 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
30539
30540 @subsubheading Example
30541
30542 @smallexample
30543 (gdb)
30544 111-exec-continue
30545 111^running
30546
30547 (gdb)
30548 222-exec-interrupt
30549 222^done
30550 (gdb)
30551 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
30552 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30553 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30554 (gdb)
30555
30556 (gdb)
30557 -exec-interrupt
30558 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
30559 (gdb)
30560 @end smallexample
30561
30562 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
30563 @findex -exec-jump
30564
30565 @subsubheading Synopsis
30566
30567 @smallexample
30568 -exec-jump @var{location}
30569 @end smallexample
30570
30571 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
30572 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
30573 different forms of @var{location}.
30574
30575 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30576
30577 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
30578
30579 @subsubheading Example
30580
30581 @smallexample
30582 -exec-jump foo.c:10
30583 *running,thread-id="all"
30584 ^running
30585 @end smallexample
30586
30587
30588 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
30589 @findex -exec-next
30590
30591 @subsubheading Synopsis
30592
30593 @smallexample
30594 -exec-next [--reverse]
30595 @end smallexample
30596
30597 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
30598 of the next source line is reached.
30599
30600 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
30601 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
30602 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
30603 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
30604 source line where the function was called.
30605
30606
30607 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30608
30609 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
30610
30611 @subsubheading Example
30612
30613 @smallexample
30614 -exec-next
30615 ^running
30616 (gdb)
30617 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
30618 (gdb)
30619 @end smallexample
30620
30621
30622 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
30623 @findex -exec-next-instruction
30624
30625 @subsubheading Synopsis
30626
30627 @smallexample
30628 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
30629 @end smallexample
30630
30631 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
30632 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
30633 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
30634 printed as well.
30635
30636 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
30637 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
30638 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
30639 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
30640 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
30641
30642 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30643
30644 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
30645
30646 @subsubheading Example
30647
30648 @smallexample
30649 (gdb)
30650 -exec-next-instruction
30651 ^running
30652
30653 (gdb)
30654 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30655 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
30656 (gdb)
30657 @end smallexample
30658
30659
30660 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
30661 @findex -exec-return
30662
30663 @subsubheading Synopsis
30664
30665 @smallexample
30666 -exec-return
30667 @end smallexample
30668
30669 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
30670 Displays the new current frame.
30671
30672 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30673
30674 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
30675
30676 @subsubheading Example
30677
30678 @smallexample
30679 (gdb)
30680 200-break-insert callee4
30681 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
30682 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
30683 (gdb)
30684 000-exec-run
30685 000^running
30686 (gdb)
30687 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30688 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30689 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30690 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
30691 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30692 (gdb)
30693 205-break-delete
30694 205^done
30695 (gdb)
30696 111-exec-return
30697 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
30698 args=[@{name="strarg",
30699 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30700 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30701 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18",
30702 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30703 (gdb)
30704 @end smallexample
30705
30706
30707 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
30708 @findex -exec-run
30709
30710 @subsubheading Synopsis
30711
30712 @smallexample
30713 -exec-run [ --all | --thread-group N ] [ --start ]
30714 @end smallexample
30715
30716 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
30717 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
30718 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
30719 the program has exited exceptionally.
30720
30721 When neither the @samp{--all} nor the @samp{--thread-group} option
30722 is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
30723 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
30724 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
30725 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
30726
30727 Using the @samp{--start} option instructs the debugger to stop
30728 the execution at the start of the inferior's main subprogram,
30729 following the same behavior as the @code{start} command
30730 (@pxref{Starting}).
30731
30732 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30733
30734 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
30735
30736 @subsubheading Examples
30737
30738 @smallexample
30739 (gdb)
30740 -break-insert main
30741 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30742 (gdb)
30743 -exec-run
30744 ^running
30745 (gdb)
30746 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30747 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
30748 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30749 (gdb)
30750 @end smallexample
30751
30752 @noindent
30753 Program exited normally:
30754
30755 @smallexample
30756 (gdb)
30757 -exec-run
30758 ^running
30759 (gdb)
30760 x = 55
30761 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
30762 (gdb)
30763 @end smallexample
30764
30765 @noindent
30766 Program exited exceptionally:
30767
30768 @smallexample
30769 (gdb)
30770 -exec-run
30771 ^running
30772 (gdb)
30773 x = 55
30774 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
30775 (gdb)
30776 @end smallexample
30777
30778 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
30779 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
30780
30781 @smallexample
30782 (gdb)
30783 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
30784 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
30785 @end smallexample
30786
30787
30788 @c @subheading -exec-signal
30789
30790
30791 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
30792 @findex -exec-step
30793
30794 @subsubheading Synopsis
30795
30796 @smallexample
30797 -exec-step [--reverse]
30798 @end smallexample
30799
30800 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
30801 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
30802 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
30803 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
30804 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
30805 previously executed source line.
30806
30807 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30808
30809 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
30810
30811 @subsubheading Example
30812
30813 Stepping into a function:
30814
30815 @smallexample
30816 -exec-step
30817 ^running
30818 (gdb)
30819 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30820 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
30821 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
30822 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30823 (gdb)
30824 @end smallexample
30825
30826 Regular stepping:
30827
30828 @smallexample
30829 -exec-step
30830 ^running
30831 (gdb)
30832 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
30833 (gdb)
30834 @end smallexample
30835
30836
30837 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
30838 @findex -exec-step-instruction
30839
30840 @subsubheading Synopsis
30841
30842 @smallexample
30843 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
30844 @end smallexample
30845
30846 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
30847 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
30848 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
30849 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
30850 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
30851 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
30852 as well.
30853
30854 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30855
30856 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
30857
30858 @subsubheading Example
30859
30860 @smallexample
30861 (gdb)
30862 -exec-step-instruction
30863 ^running
30864
30865 (gdb)
30866 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30867 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30868 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30869 (gdb)
30870 -exec-step-instruction
30871 ^running
30872
30873 (gdb)
30874 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30875 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30876 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30877 (gdb)
30878 @end smallexample
30879
30880
30881 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
30882 @findex -exec-until
30883
30884 @subsubheading Synopsis
30885
30886 @smallexample
30887 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
30888 @end smallexample
30889
30890 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
30891 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
30892 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
30893 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
30894
30895 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30896
30897 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
30898
30899 @subsubheading Example
30900
30901 @smallexample
30902 (gdb)
30903 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
30904 ^running
30905 (gdb)
30906 x = 55
30907 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
30908 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6",
30909 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30910 (gdb)
30911 @end smallexample
30912
30913 @ignore
30914 @subheading -file-clear
30915 Is this going away????
30916 @end ignore
30917
30918 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30919 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
30920 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
30921
30922 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
30923 @findex -enable-frame-filters
30924
30925 @smallexample
30926 -enable-frame-filters
30927 @end smallexample
30928
30929 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
30930 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
30931 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
30932 request that this functionality be enabled.
30933
30934 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
30935
30936 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
30937 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
30938
30939 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
30940 @findex -stack-info-frame
30941
30942 @subsubheading Synopsis
30943
30944 @smallexample
30945 -stack-info-frame
30946 @end smallexample
30947
30948 Get info on the selected frame.
30949
30950 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30951
30952 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
30953 (without arguments).
30954
30955 @subsubheading Example
30956
30957 @smallexample
30958 (gdb)
30959 -stack-info-frame
30960 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
30961 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30962 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17",
30963 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30964 (gdb)
30965 @end smallexample
30966
30967 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
30968 @findex -stack-info-depth
30969
30970 @subsubheading Synopsis
30971
30972 @smallexample
30973 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
30974 @end smallexample
30975
30976 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
30977 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
30978
30979 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30980
30981 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
30982
30983 @subsubheading Example
30984
30985 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
30986
30987 @smallexample
30988 (gdb)
30989 -stack-info-depth
30990 ^done,depth="12"
30991 (gdb)
30992 -stack-info-depth 4
30993 ^done,depth="4"
30994 (gdb)
30995 -stack-info-depth 12
30996 ^done,depth="12"
30997 (gdb)
30998 -stack-info-depth 11
30999 ^done,depth="11"
31000 (gdb)
31001 -stack-info-depth 13
31002 ^done,depth="12"
31003 (gdb)
31004 @end smallexample
31005
31006 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
31007 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
31008 @findex -stack-list-arguments
31009
31010 @subsubheading Synopsis
31011
31012 @smallexample
31013 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
31014 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31015 @end smallexample
31016
31017 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
31018 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
31019 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
31020 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
31021 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
31022 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
31023 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
31024 which case only existing frames will be returned.
31025
31026 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31027 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31028 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31029 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31030 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31031 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31032
31033 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, arguments that
31034 are not available are not listed. Partially available arguments
31035 are still displayed, however.
31036
31037 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
31038 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31039
31040 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31041
31042 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
31043 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
31044 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
31045
31046 @subsubheading Example
31047
31048 @smallexample
31049 (gdb)
31050 -stack-list-frames
31051 ^done,
31052 stack=[
31053 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
31054 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31055 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
31056 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31057 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31058 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31059 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17",
31060 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31061 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
31062 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31063 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22",
31064 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31065 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
31066 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31067 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27",
31068 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31069 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
31070 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31071 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32",
31072 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
31073 (gdb)
31074 -stack-list-arguments 0
31075 ^done,
31076 stack-args=[
31077 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31078 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
31079 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
31080 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
31081 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31082 (gdb)
31083 -stack-list-arguments 1
31084 ^done,
31085 stack-args=[
31086 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31087 frame=@{level="1",
31088 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31089 frame=@{level="2",args=[
31090 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31091 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31092 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
31093 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31094 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
31095 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
31096 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31097 (gdb)
31098 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
31099 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
31100 (gdb)
31101 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
31102 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
31103 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31104 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
31105 (gdb)
31106 @end smallexample
31107
31108 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
31109
31110
31111 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
31112 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
31113 @findex -stack-list-frames
31114
31115 @subsubheading Synopsis
31116
31117 @smallexample
31118 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31119 @end smallexample
31120
31121 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
31122 following info:
31123
31124 @table @samp
31125 @item @var{level}
31126 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
31127 @item @var{addr}
31128 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
31129 @item @var{func}
31130 Function name.
31131 @item @var{file}
31132 File name of the source file where the function lives.
31133 @item @var{fullname}
31134 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
31135 @item @var{line}
31136 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
31137 @item @var{from}
31138 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
31139 if the frame's function is not known.
31140 @item @var{arch}
31141 Frame's architecture.
31142 @end table
31143
31144 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
31145 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
31146 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
31147 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
31148 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
31149 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
31150 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
31151 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31152 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31153
31154 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31155
31156 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
31157
31158 @subsubheading Example
31159
31160 Full stack backtrace:
31161
31162 @smallexample
31163 (gdb)
31164 -stack-list-frames
31165 ^done,stack=
31166 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
31167 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11",
31168 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31169 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31170 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31171 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31172 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31173 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31174 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31175 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31176 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31177 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31178 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31179 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31180 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31181 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31182 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31183 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31184 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31185 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31186 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31187 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31188 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31189 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31190 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31191 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31192 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31193 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31194 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31195 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31196 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31197 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31198 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31199 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
31200 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4",
31201 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
31202 (gdb)
31203 @end smallexample
31204
31205 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
31206
31207 @smallexample
31208 (gdb)
31209 -stack-list-frames 3 5
31210 ^done,stack=
31211 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31212 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31213 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31214 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31215 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31216 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31217 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31218 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31219 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
31220 (gdb)
31221 @end smallexample
31222
31223 Show a single frame:
31224
31225 @smallexample
31226 (gdb)
31227 -stack-list-frames 3 3
31228 ^done,stack=
31229 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31230 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31231 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
31232 (gdb)
31233 @end smallexample
31234
31235
31236 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
31237 @findex -stack-list-locals
31238 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
31239
31240 @subsubheading Synopsis
31241
31242 @smallexample
31243 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
31244 @end smallexample
31245
31246 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
31247 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31248 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31249 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31250 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31251 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
31252 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
31253 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
31254 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31255 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31256
31257 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
31258 that are not available are not listed. Partially available local
31259 variables are still displayed, however.
31260
31261 This command is deprecated in favor of the
31262 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31263
31264 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31265
31266 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
31267
31268 @subsubheading Example
31269
31270 @smallexample
31271 (gdb)
31272 -stack-list-locals 0
31273 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
31274 (gdb)
31275 -stack-list-locals --all-values
31276 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
31277 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
31278 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
31279 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
31280 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
31281 (gdb)
31282 @end smallexample
31283
31284 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
31285 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
31286 @findex -stack-list-variables
31287
31288 @subsubheading Synopsis
31289
31290 @smallexample
31291 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
31292 @end smallexample
31293
31294 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
31295 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31296 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31297 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31298 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31299 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31300 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31301
31302 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
31303 and arguments that are not available are not listed. Partially
31304 available arguments and local variables are still displayed, however.
31305
31306 @subsubheading Example
31307
31308 @smallexample
31309 (gdb)
31310 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
31311 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
31312 (gdb)
31313 @end smallexample
31314
31315
31316 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
31317 @findex -stack-select-frame
31318
31319 @subsubheading Synopsis
31320
31321 @smallexample
31322 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
31323 @end smallexample
31324
31325 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
31326 the stack.
31327
31328 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
31329 option to every command.
31330
31331 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31332
31333 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
31334 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
31335
31336 @subsubheading Example
31337
31338 @smallexample
31339 (gdb)
31340 -stack-select-frame 2
31341 ^done
31342 (gdb)
31343 @end smallexample
31344
31345 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31346 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
31347 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
31348
31349 @ignore
31350
31351 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31352
31353 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
31354 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
31355 used by @code{Insight}.
31356
31357 The two main reasons for that are:
31358
31359 @enumerate 1
31360 @item
31361 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
31362
31363 @item
31364 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
31365 now).
31366 @end enumerate
31367
31368 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
31369 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
31370 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
31371 hints about their use.
31372
31373 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
31374 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
31375 least, the following operations:
31376
31377 @itemize @bullet
31378 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
31379 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
31380 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
31381 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
31382 @end itemize
31383
31384 @end ignore
31385
31386 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
31387
31388 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31389
31390 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
31391 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
31392 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
31393 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
31394 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
31395 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
31396 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
31397 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
31398 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
31399 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
31400 object, or to change display format.
31401
31402 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
31403 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
31404 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
31405 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
31406 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
31407 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
31408 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
31409 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
31410 child will be created.
31411
31412 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
31413 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
31414 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
31415 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
31416 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
31417
31418 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
31419 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
31420 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
31421 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
31422 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
31423 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
31424 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
31425 variables that frontend has created.
31426
31427 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
31428 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
31429 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
31430 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
31431 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
31432 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
31433 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
31434 implicitly updated.
31435
31436 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
31437 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
31438 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
31439 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
31440 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
31441 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
31442 frame. Consider this example:
31443
31444 @smallexample
31445 void do_work(...)
31446 @{
31447 struct work_state state;
31448
31449 if (...)
31450 do_work(...);
31451 @}
31452 @end smallexample
31453
31454 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
31455 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
31456 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
31457 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
31458 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
31459
31460 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
31461 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
31462 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
31463 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
31464 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
31465 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
31466
31467 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
31468 access this functionality:
31469
31470 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
31471 @item @strong{Operation}
31472 @tab @strong{Description}
31473
31474 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
31475 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
31476 @item @code{-var-create}
31477 @tab create a variable object
31478 @item @code{-var-delete}
31479 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
31480 @item @code{-var-set-format}
31481 @tab set the display format of this variable
31482 @item @code{-var-show-format}
31483 @tab show the display format of this variable
31484 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
31485 @tab tells how many children this object has
31486 @item @code{-var-list-children}
31487 @tab return a list of the object's children
31488 @item @code{-var-info-type}
31489 @tab show the type of this variable object
31490 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
31491 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
31492 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
31493 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
31494 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
31495 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
31496 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
31497 @tab get the value of this variable
31498 @item @code{-var-assign}
31499 @tab set the value of this variable
31500 @item @code{-var-update}
31501 @tab update the variable and its children
31502 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
31503 @tab set frozeness attribute
31504 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
31505 @tab set range of children to display on update
31506 @end multitable
31507
31508 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
31509 how it can be used.
31510
31511 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
31512
31513 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
31514 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
31515
31516 @smallexample
31517 -enable-pretty-printing
31518 @end smallexample
31519
31520 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
31521 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
31522 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
31523 request that this functionality be enabled.
31524
31525 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
31526
31527 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
31528 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
31529
31530 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
31531 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
31532
31533 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
31534 @findex -var-create
31535
31536 @subsubheading Synopsis
31537
31538 @smallexample
31539 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
31540 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
31541 @end smallexample
31542
31543 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
31544 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
31545 register.
31546
31547 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
31548 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
31549 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
31550 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
31551 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
31552
31553 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
31554 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
31555 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
31556 object must be created.
31557
31558 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
31559 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
31560
31561 @itemize @bullet
31562 @item
31563 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
31564
31565 @item
31566 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
31567
31568 @item
31569 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
31570 @end itemize
31571
31572 @cindex dynamic varobj
31573 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
31574 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
31575 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
31576 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
31577 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
31578 compatibility for existing clients.
31579
31580 @subsubheading Result
31581
31582 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
31583 are:
31584
31585 @table @samp
31586 @item name
31587 The name of the varobj.
31588
31589 @item numchild
31590 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
31591 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
31592 @samp{has_more} attribute.
31593
31594 @item value
31595 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
31596 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
31597 will not be interesting.
31598
31599 @item type
31600 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
31601 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
31602 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
31603 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
31604 @emph{declared} one.
31605
31606 @item thread-id
31607 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
31608 thread's global identifier.
31609
31610 @item has_more
31611 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
31612 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
31613
31614 @item dynamic
31615 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31616 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31617 then this attribute will not be present.
31618
31619 @item displayhint
31620 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31621 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31622 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31623 @end table
31624
31625 Typical output will look like this:
31626
31627 @smallexample
31628 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
31629 has_more="@var{has_more}"
31630 @end smallexample
31631
31632
31633 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
31634 @findex -var-delete
31635
31636 @subsubheading Synopsis
31637
31638 @smallexample
31639 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
31640 @end smallexample
31641
31642 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
31643 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
31644
31645 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
31646
31647
31648 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
31649 @findex -var-set-format
31650
31651 @subsubheading Synopsis
31652
31653 @smallexample
31654 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
31655 @end smallexample
31656
31657 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
31658 @var{format-spec}.
31659
31660 @anchor{-var-set-format}
31661 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
31662
31663 @smallexample
31664 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
31665 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural | zero-hexadecimal@}
31666 @end smallexample
31667
31668 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
31669 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
31670 for pointers, etc.).
31671
31672 The zero-hexadecimal format has a representation similar to hexadecimal
31673 but with padding zeroes to the left of the value. For example, a 32-bit
31674 hexadecimal value of 0x1234 would be represented as 0x00001234 in the
31675 zero-hexadecimal format.
31676
31677 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
31678 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
31679
31680 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
31681 @findex -var-show-format
31682
31683 @subsubheading Synopsis
31684
31685 @smallexample
31686 -var-show-format @var{name}
31687 @end smallexample
31688
31689 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
31690
31691 @smallexample
31692 @var{format} @expansion{}
31693 @var{format-spec}
31694 @end smallexample
31695
31696
31697 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
31698 @findex -var-info-num-children
31699
31700 @subsubheading Synopsis
31701
31702 @smallexample
31703 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
31704 @end smallexample
31705
31706 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
31707
31708 @smallexample
31709 numchild=@var{n}
31710 @end smallexample
31711
31712 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
31713 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
31714 be available.
31715
31716
31717 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
31718 @findex -var-list-children
31719
31720 @subsubheading Synopsis
31721
31722 @smallexample
31723 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
31724 @end smallexample
31725 @anchor{-var-list-children}
31726
31727 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
31728 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
31729 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
31730 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
31731 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
31732 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
31733 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
31734 and unions.
31735
31736 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
31737 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
31738 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
31739 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
31740 reported.
31741
31742 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
31743 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
31744 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
31745 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
31746 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
31747 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
31748 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
31749 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
31750 the visible items.
31751
31752 For each child the following results are returned:
31753
31754 @table @var
31755
31756 @item name
31757 Name of the variable object created for this child.
31758
31759 @item exp
31760 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
31761 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
31762
31763 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
31764 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
31765
31766 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
31767 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
31768 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
31769 type and value are not present.
31770
31771 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
31772 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
31773 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
31774
31775 @item numchild
31776 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
31777 0.
31778
31779 @item type
31780 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
31781 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
31782 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
31783 @emph{declared} one.
31784
31785 @item value
31786 If values were requested, this is the value.
31787
31788 @item thread-id
31789 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the
31790 thread's global thread id. Otherwise this result is not present.
31791
31792 @item frozen
31793 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
31794
31795 @item displayhint
31796 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31797 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31798 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31799
31800 @item dynamic
31801 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31802 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31803 then this attribute will not be present.
31804
31805 @end table
31806
31807 The result may have its own attributes:
31808
31809 @table @samp
31810 @item displayhint
31811 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31812 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31813 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31814
31815 @item has_more
31816 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
31817 remaining after the end of the selected range.
31818 @end table
31819
31820 @subsubheading Example
31821
31822 @smallexample
31823 (gdb)
31824 -var-list-children n
31825 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
31826 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
31827 (gdb)
31828 -var-list-children --all-values n
31829 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
31830 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
31831 @end smallexample
31832
31833
31834 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
31835 @findex -var-info-type
31836
31837 @subsubheading Synopsis
31838
31839 @smallexample
31840 -var-info-type @var{name}
31841 @end smallexample
31842
31843 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
31844 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
31845 @value{GDBN} CLI:
31846
31847 @smallexample
31848 type=@var{typename}
31849 @end smallexample
31850
31851
31852 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
31853 @findex -var-info-expression
31854
31855 @subsubheading Synopsis
31856
31857 @smallexample
31858 -var-info-expression @var{name}
31859 @end smallexample
31860
31861 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
31862 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
31863 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
31864
31865 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
31866 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
31867
31868 @smallexample
31869 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
31870 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
31871 @end smallexample
31872
31873 @noindent
31874 Here, the value of @code{lang} is the language name, which can be
31875 found in @ref{Supported Languages}.
31876
31877 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
31878 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
31879 is of limited use.
31880
31881 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
31882 @findex -var-info-path-expression
31883
31884 @subsubheading Synopsis
31885
31886 @smallexample
31887 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
31888 @end smallexample
31889
31890 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
31891 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
31892 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
31893 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
31894 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
31895 watchpoint from a variable object.
31896
31897 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
31898 and will give an error when invoked on one.
31899
31900 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
31901 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
31902 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
31903 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
31904 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
31905 @smallexample
31906 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
31907 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
31908 @end smallexample
31909
31910 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
31911 @findex -var-show-attributes
31912
31913 @subsubheading Synopsis
31914
31915 @smallexample
31916 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
31917 @end smallexample
31918
31919 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
31920
31921 @smallexample
31922 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
31923 @end smallexample
31924
31925 @noindent
31926 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
31927
31928 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
31929 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
31930
31931 @subsubheading Synopsis
31932
31933 @smallexample
31934 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
31935 @end smallexample
31936
31937 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
31938 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
31939 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
31940 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
31941 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
31942 the current display format will be used. The current display format
31943 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
31944
31945 @smallexample
31946 value=@var{value}
31947 @end smallexample
31948
31949 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
31950 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
31951
31952 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
31953 @findex -var-assign
31954
31955 @subsubheading Synopsis
31956
31957 @smallexample
31958 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
31959 @end smallexample
31960
31961 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
31962 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
31963 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
31964 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
31965
31966 @subsubheading Example
31967
31968 @smallexample
31969 (gdb)
31970 -var-assign var1 3
31971 ^done,value="3"
31972 (gdb)
31973 -var-update *
31974 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
31975 (gdb)
31976 @end smallexample
31977
31978 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
31979 @findex -var-update
31980
31981 @subsubheading Synopsis
31982
31983 @smallexample
31984 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
31985 @end smallexample
31986
31987 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
31988 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
31989 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
31990 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
31991 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
31992 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
31993 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
31994 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
31995 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
31996 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
31997 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
31998 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
31999 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
32000
32001 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
32002 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
32003 diagnostic.
32004
32005 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
32006 only the selected range of children will be reported.
32007
32008 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
32009 @samp{changelist}.
32010
32011 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
32012
32013 @table @samp
32014 @item name
32015 The name of the varobj.
32016
32017 @item value
32018 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
32019 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
32020
32021 @item in_scope
32022 @anchor{-var-update}
32023 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
32024
32025 @table @code
32026 @item "true"
32027 The variable object's current value is valid.
32028
32029 @item "false"
32030 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
32031 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
32032 scope.
32033
32034 @item "invalid"
32035 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
32036 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
32037 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
32038 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
32039 objects.
32040 @end table
32041
32042 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
32043 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
32044
32045 @item type_changed
32046 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
32047 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
32048 be @samp{false}.
32049
32050 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
32051 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
32052 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
32053 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
32054 unset.
32055
32056 @item new_type
32057 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
32058 hold the new type.
32059
32060 @item new_num_children
32061 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
32062 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
32063
32064 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
32065 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
32066 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
32067 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
32068 children which may be available.
32069
32070 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
32071 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
32072 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
32073 only happen at the end of the update range).
32074
32075 @item displayhint
32076 The display hint, if any.
32077
32078 @item has_more
32079 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
32080 available outside the varobj's update range.
32081
32082 @item dynamic
32083 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
32084 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
32085 then this attribute will not be present.
32086
32087 @item new_children
32088 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
32089 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
32090 be listed in this attribute.
32091 @end table
32092
32093 @subsubheading Example
32094
32095 @smallexample
32096 (gdb)
32097 -var-assign var1 3
32098 ^done,value="3"
32099 (gdb)
32100 -var-update --all-values var1
32101 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
32102 type_changed="false"@}]
32103 (gdb)
32104 @end smallexample
32105
32106 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
32107 @findex -var-set-frozen
32108 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
32109
32110 @subsubheading Synopsis
32111
32112 @smallexample
32113 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
32114 @end smallexample
32115
32116 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
32117 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
32118 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
32119 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
32120 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
32121 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
32122 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
32123 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
32124 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
32125 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
32126 @code{-var-update} does.
32127
32128 @subsubheading Example
32129
32130 @smallexample
32131 (gdb)
32132 -var-set-frozen V 1
32133 ^done
32134 (gdb)
32135 @end smallexample
32136
32137 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
32138 @findex -var-set-update-range
32139 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
32140
32141 @subsubheading Synopsis
32142
32143 @smallexample
32144 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
32145 @end smallexample
32146
32147 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
32148 @code{-var-update}.
32149
32150 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
32151 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
32152 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
32153 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
32154
32155 @subsubheading Example
32156
32157 @smallexample
32158 (gdb)
32159 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
32160 ^done
32161 @end smallexample
32162
32163 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
32164 @findex -var-set-visualizer
32165 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
32166
32167 @subsubheading Synopsis
32168
32169 @smallexample
32170 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
32171 @end smallexample
32172
32173 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
32174
32175 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
32176 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
32177
32178 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
32179 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
32180 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
32181 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
32182 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
32183 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
32184 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
32185
32186 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
32187 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
32188 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
32189 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
32190
32191 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
32192 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Support Commands})
32193 can be used to check this.
32194
32195 @subsubheading Example
32196
32197 Resetting the visualizer:
32198
32199 @smallexample
32200 (gdb)
32201 -var-set-visualizer V None
32202 ^done
32203 @end smallexample
32204
32205 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
32206
32207 @smallexample
32208 (gdb)
32209 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
32210 ^done
32211 @end smallexample
32212
32213 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
32214 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
32215
32216 @smallexample
32217 (gdb)
32218 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
32219 ^done
32220 @end smallexample
32221
32222 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32223 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
32224 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
32225
32226 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
32227 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
32228 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
32229 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
32230
32231 For details about what an addressable memory unit is,
32232 @pxref{addressable memory unit}.
32233
32234 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
32235 @c @subheading -data-assign
32236 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
32237 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
32238 @c set variable
32239 @c @subsubheading Example
32240 @c N.A.
32241
32242 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
32243 @findex -data-disassemble
32244
32245 @subsubheading Synopsis
32246
32247 @smallexample
32248 -data-disassemble
32249 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
32250 | [ -a @var{addr} ]
32251 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
32252 -- @var{mode}
32253 @end smallexample
32254
32255 @noindent
32256 Where:
32257
32258 @table @samp
32259 @item @var{start-addr}
32260 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
32261 @item @var{end-addr}
32262 is the end address
32263 @item @var{addr}
32264 is an address anywhere within (or the name of) the function to
32265 disassemble. If an address is specified, the whole function
32266 surrounding that address will be disassembled. If a name is
32267 specified, the whole function with that name will be disassembled.
32268 @item @var{filename}
32269 is the name of the file to disassemble
32270 @item @var{linenum}
32271 is the line number to disassemble around
32272 @item @var{lines}
32273 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
32274 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
32275 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
32276 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
32277 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
32278 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
32279 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
32280 are displayed.
32281 @item @var{mode}
32282 is one of:
32283 @itemize @bullet
32284 @item 0 disassembly only
32285 @item 1 mixed source and disassembly (deprecated)
32286 @item 2 disassembly with raw opcodes
32287 @item 3 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes (deprecated)
32288 @item 4 mixed source and disassembly
32289 @item 5 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes
32290 @end itemize
32291
32292 Modes 1 and 3 are deprecated. The output is ``source centric''
32293 which hasn't proved useful in practice.
32294 @xref{Machine Code}, for a discussion of the difference between
32295 @code{/m} and @code{/s} output of the @code{disassemble} command.
32296 @end table
32297
32298 @subsubheading Result
32299
32300 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
32301 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
32302 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
32303
32304 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
32305 following fields:
32306
32307 @table @code
32308 @item address
32309 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
32310
32311 @item func-name
32312 The name of the function this instruction is within.
32313
32314 @item offset
32315 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
32316
32317 @item inst
32318 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
32319
32320 @item opcodes
32321 This field is only present for modes 2, 3 and 5. This contains the raw opcode
32322 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
32323
32324 @end table
32325
32326 For modes 1, 3, 4 and 5 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
32327 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
32328
32329 @table @code
32330 @item line
32331 The line number within @samp{file}.
32332
32333 @item file
32334 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
32335 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
32336 used.
32337
32338 @item fullname
32339 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
32340 using the source file search path
32341 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
32342 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
32343
32344 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
32345 present in the debug information.
32346
32347 @item line_asm_insn
32348 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
32349 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
32350 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
32351 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
32352 @samp{opcodes}.
32353
32354 @end table
32355
32356 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
32357 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
32358 adjust its format.
32359
32360 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32361
32362 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
32363
32364 @subsubheading Example
32365
32366 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
32367
32368 @smallexample
32369 (gdb)
32370 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
32371 ^done,
32372 asm_insns=[
32373 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32374 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32375 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32376 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32377 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
32378 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
32379 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
32380 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32381 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
32382 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
32383 (gdb)
32384 @end smallexample
32385
32386 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
32387 @code{main}.
32388
32389 @smallexample
32390 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
32391 ^done,asm_insns=[
32392 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32393 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32394 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32395 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32396 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32397 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32398 [@dots{}]
32399 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
32400 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
32401 (gdb)
32402 @end smallexample
32403
32404 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
32405
32406 @smallexample
32407 (gdb)
32408 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
32409 ^done,asm_insns=[
32410 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32411 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32412 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32413 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32414 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32415 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
32416 (gdb)
32417 @end smallexample
32418
32419 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
32420
32421 @smallexample
32422 (gdb)
32423 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
32424 ^done,asm_insns=[
32425 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
32426 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32427 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32428 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
32429 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
32430 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
32431 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32432 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32433 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
32434 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32435 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32436 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
32437 (gdb)
32438 @end smallexample
32439
32440
32441 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
32442 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
32443
32444 @subsubheading Synopsis
32445
32446 @smallexample
32447 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
32448 @end smallexample
32449
32450 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
32451 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
32452 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
32453
32454 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32455
32456 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
32457 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
32458 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
32459
32460 @subsubheading Example
32461
32462 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
32463 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
32464 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
32465 output.
32466
32467 @smallexample
32468 211-data-evaluate-expression A
32469 211^done,value="1"
32470 (gdb)
32471 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
32472 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
32473 (gdb)
32474 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
32475 411^done,value="4"
32476 (gdb)
32477 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
32478 511^done,value="4"
32479 (gdb)
32480 @end smallexample
32481
32482
32483 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
32484 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
32485
32486 @subsubheading Synopsis
32487
32488 @smallexample
32489 -data-list-changed-registers
32490 @end smallexample
32491
32492 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
32493
32494 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32495
32496 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
32497 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
32498
32499 @subsubheading Example
32500
32501 On a PPC MBX board:
32502
32503 @smallexample
32504 (gdb)
32505 -exec-continue
32506 ^running
32507
32508 (gdb)
32509 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
32510 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
32511 line="5",arch="powerpc"@}
32512 (gdb)
32513 -data-list-changed-registers
32514 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
32515 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
32516 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
32517 (gdb)
32518 @end smallexample
32519
32520
32521 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
32522 @findex -data-list-register-names
32523
32524 @subsubheading Synopsis
32525
32526 @smallexample
32527 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
32528 @end smallexample
32529
32530 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
32531 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
32532 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
32533 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
32534 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
32535 include empty register names.
32536
32537 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32538
32539 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
32540 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
32541 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
32542
32543 @subsubheading Example
32544
32545 For the PPC MBX board:
32546 @smallexample
32547 (gdb)
32548 -data-list-register-names
32549 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
32550 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
32551 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
32552 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
32553 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
32554 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
32555 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
32556 (gdb)
32557 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
32558 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
32559 (gdb)
32560 @end smallexample
32561
32562 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
32563 @findex -data-list-register-values
32564
32565 @subsubheading Synopsis
32566
32567 @smallexample
32568 -data-list-register-values
32569 [ @code{--skip-unavailable} ] @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
32570 @end smallexample
32571
32572 Display the registers' contents. The format according to which the
32573 registers' contents are to be returned is given by @var{fmt}, followed
32574 by an optional list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A
32575 missing list of numbers indicates that the contents of all the
32576 registers must be returned. The @code{--skip-unavailable} option
32577 indicates that only the available registers are to be returned.
32578
32579 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
32580
32581 @table @code
32582 @item x
32583 Hexadecimal
32584 @item o
32585 Octal
32586 @item t
32587 Binary
32588 @item d
32589 Decimal
32590 @item r
32591 Raw
32592 @item N
32593 Natural
32594 @end table
32595
32596 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32597
32598 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
32599 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
32600
32601 @subsubheading Example
32602
32603 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
32604 don't appear in the actual output):
32605
32606 @smallexample
32607 (gdb)
32608 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
32609 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
32610 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
32611 (gdb)
32612 -data-list-register-values x
32613 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
32614 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
32615 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
32616 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
32617 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
32618 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
32619 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
32620 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
32621 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
32622 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
32623 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
32624 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
32625 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
32626 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
32627 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
32628 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
32629 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
32630 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
32631 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
32632 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
32633 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
32634 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
32635 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
32636 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
32637 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
32638 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
32639 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
32640 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
32641 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
32642 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
32643 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
32644 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
32645 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
32646 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
32647 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
32648 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
32649 (gdb)
32650 @end smallexample
32651
32652
32653 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
32654 @findex -data-read-memory
32655
32656 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
32657
32658 @subsubheading Synopsis
32659
32660 @smallexample
32661 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
32662 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
32663 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
32664 @end smallexample
32665
32666 @noindent
32667 where:
32668
32669 @table @samp
32670 @item @var{address}
32671 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32672 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32673 quoted using the C convention.
32674
32675 @item @var{word-format}
32676 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
32677 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
32678 ,Output Formats}).
32679
32680 @item @var{word-size}
32681 The size of each memory word in bytes.
32682
32683 @item @var{nr-rows}
32684 The number of rows in the output table.
32685
32686 @item @var{nr-cols}
32687 The number of columns in the output table.
32688
32689 @item @var{aschar}
32690 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
32691 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
32692 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
32693 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
32694
32695 @item @var{byte-offset}
32696 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
32697 @end table
32698
32699 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
32700 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
32701 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
32702 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
32703 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
32704 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
32705 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
32706 @samp{addr}.
32707
32708 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
32709 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
32710 @samp{prev-page}.
32711
32712 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32713
32714 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
32715 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
32716
32717 @subsubheading Example
32718
32719 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
32720 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
32721 word. Display each word in hex.
32722
32723 @smallexample
32724 (gdb)
32725 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
32726 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
32727 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
32728 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
32729 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
32730 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
32731 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
32732 (gdb)
32733 @end smallexample
32734
32735 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
32736 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
32737
32738 @smallexample
32739 (gdb)
32740 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
32741 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
32742 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
32743 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
32744 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
32745 (gdb)
32746 @end smallexample
32747
32748 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
32749 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
32750 used as the non-printable character.
32751
32752 @smallexample
32753 (gdb)
32754 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
32755 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
32756 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
32757 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
32758 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32759 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32760 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32761 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32762 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
32763 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
32764 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
32765 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
32766 (gdb)
32767 @end smallexample
32768
32769 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
32770 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
32771
32772 @subsubheading Synopsis
32773
32774 @smallexample
32775 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{offset} ]
32776 @var{address} @var{count}
32777 @end smallexample
32778
32779 @noindent
32780 where:
32781
32782 @table @samp
32783 @item @var{address}
32784 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
32785 to be read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32786 quoted using the C convention.
32787
32788 @item @var{count}
32789 The number of addressable memory units to read. This should be an integer
32790 literal.
32791
32792 @item @var{offset}
32793 The offset relative to @var{address} at which to start reading. This
32794 should be an integer literal. This option is provided so that a frontend
32795 is not required to first evaluate address and then perform address
32796 arithmetics itself.
32797
32798 @end table
32799
32800 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
32801 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
32802 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
32803 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
32804 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
32805 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
32806
32807 In general, every single memory unit in the region may be readable or not,
32808 and the only way to read every readable unit is to try a read at
32809 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
32810 attempt to read all accessible memory units at either beginning or the end
32811 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
32812 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
32813 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
32814 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
32815
32816 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
32817 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
32818 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
32819 and has the following fields:
32820
32821 @table @code
32822 @item begin
32823 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32824
32825 @item end
32826 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32827
32828 @item offset
32829 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
32830 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
32831
32832 @item contents
32833 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
32834
32835 @end table
32836
32837
32838
32839 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32840
32841 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
32842
32843 @subsubheading Example
32844
32845 @smallexample
32846 (gdb)
32847 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
32848 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
32849 end="0xbffff15e",
32850 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
32851 (gdb)
32852 @end smallexample
32853
32854
32855 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
32856 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
32857
32858 @subsubheading Synopsis
32859
32860 @smallexample
32861 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
32862 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
32863 @end smallexample
32864
32865 @noindent
32866 where:
32867
32868 @table @samp
32869 @item @var{address}
32870 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
32871 to be written. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should
32872 be quoted using the C convention.
32873
32874 @item @var{contents}
32875 The hex-encoded data to write. It is an error if @var{contents} does
32876 not represent an integral number of addressable memory units.
32877
32878 @item @var{count}
32879 Optional argument indicating the number of addressable memory units to be
32880 written. If @var{count} is greater than @var{contents}' length,
32881 @value{GDBN} will repeatedly write @var{contents} until it fills
32882 @var{count} memory units.
32883
32884 @end table
32885
32886 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32887
32888 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32889
32890 @subsubheading Example
32891
32892 @smallexample
32893 (gdb)
32894 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
32895 ^done
32896 (gdb)
32897 @end smallexample
32898
32899 @smallexample
32900 (gdb)
32901 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
32902 ^done
32903 (gdb)
32904 @end smallexample
32905
32906 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32907 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
32908 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
32909
32910 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
32911 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
32912
32913 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
32914 @findex -trace-find
32915
32916 @subsubheading Synopsis
32917
32918 @smallexample
32919 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
32920 @end smallexample
32921
32922 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
32923 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
32924 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
32925
32926 @table @samp
32927
32928 @item none
32929 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
32930
32931 @item frame-number
32932 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
32933 that index.
32934
32935 @item tracepoint-number
32936 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
32937 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
32938
32939 @item pc
32940 An address is required as parameter. Finds
32941 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
32942 address.
32943
32944 @item pc-inside-range
32945 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
32946 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
32947 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32948
32949 @item pc-outside-range
32950 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
32951 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
32952 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32953
32954 @item line
32955 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
32956 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
32957 the specified location.
32958
32959 @end table
32960
32961 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
32962 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
32963
32964 @table @samp
32965 @item found
32966 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
32967 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
32968
32969 @item traceframe
32970 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
32971 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
32972
32973 @item tracepoint
32974 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
32975 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
32976
32977 @item frame
32978 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
32979 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
32980 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
32981
32982 @end table
32983
32984 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32985
32986 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
32987
32988 @subheading -trace-define-variable
32989 @findex -trace-define-variable
32990
32991 @subsubheading Synopsis
32992
32993 @smallexample
32994 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
32995 @end smallexample
32996
32997 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
32998 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
32999 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
33000 with the @samp{$} character.
33001
33002 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33003
33004 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
33005
33006 @subheading The @code{-trace-frame-collected} Command
33007 @findex -trace-frame-collected
33008
33009 @subsubheading Synopsis
33010
33011 @smallexample
33012 -trace-frame-collected
33013 [--var-print-values @var{var_pval}]
33014 [--comp-print-values @var{comp_pval}]
33015 [--registers-format @var{regformat}]
33016 [--memory-contents]
33017 @end smallexample
33018
33019 This command returns the set of collected objects, register names,
33020 trace state variable names, memory ranges and computed expressions
33021 that have been collected at a particular trace frame. The optional
33022 parameters to the command affect the output format in different ways.
33023 See the output description table below for more details.
33024
33025 The reported names can be used in the normal manner to create
33026 varobjs and inspect the objects themselves. The items returned by
33027 this command are categorized so that it is clear which is a variable,
33028 which is a register, which is a trace state variable, which is a
33029 memory range and which is a computed expression.
33030
33031 For instance, if the actions were
33032 @smallexample
33033 collect myVar, myArray[myIndex], myObj.field, myPtr->field, myCount + 2
33034 collect *(int*)0xaf02bef0@@40
33035 @end smallexample
33036
33037 @noindent
33038 the object collected in its entirety would be @code{myVar}. The
33039 object @code{myArray} would be partially collected, because only the
33040 element at index @code{myIndex} would be collected. The remaining
33041 objects would be computed expressions.
33042
33043 An example output would be:
33044
33045 @smallexample
33046 (gdb)
33047 -trace-frame-collected
33048 ^done,
33049 explicit-variables=[@{name="myVar",value="1"@}],
33050 computed-expressions=[@{name="myArray[myIndex]",value="0"@},
33051 @{name="myObj.field",value="0"@},
33052 @{name="myPtr->field",value="1"@},
33053 @{name="myCount + 2",value="3"@},
33054 @{name="$tvar1 + 1",value="43970027"@}],
33055 registers=[@{number="0",value="0x7fe2c6e79ec8"@},
33056 @{number="1",value="0x0"@},
33057 @{number="2",value="0x4"@},
33058 ...
33059 @{number="125",value="0x0"@}],
33060 tvars=[@{name="$tvar1",current="43970026"@}],
33061 memory=[@{address="0x0000000000602264",length="4"@},
33062 @{address="0x0000000000615bc0",length="4"@}]
33063 (gdb)
33064 @end smallexample
33065
33066 Where:
33067
33068 @table @code
33069 @item explicit-variables
33070 The set of objects that have been collected in their entirety (as
33071 opposed to collecting just a few elements of an array or a few struct
33072 members). For each object, its name and value are printed.
33073 The @code{--var-print-values} option affects how or whether the value
33074 field is output. If @var{var_pval} is 0, then print only the names;
33075 if it is 1, print also their values; and if it is 2, print the name,
33076 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for
33077 arrays, structures and unions.
33078
33079 @item computed-expressions
33080 The set of computed expressions that have been collected at the
33081 current trace frame. The @code{--comp-print-values} option affects
33082 this set like the @code{--var-print-values} option affects the
33083 @code{explicit-variables} set. See above.
33084
33085 @item registers
33086 The registers that have been collected at the current trace frame.
33087 For each register collected, the name and current value are returned.
33088 The value is formatted according to the @code{--registers-format}
33089 option. See the @command{-data-list-register-values} command for a
33090 list of the allowed formats. The default is @samp{x}.
33091
33092 @item tvars
33093 The trace state variables that have been collected at the current
33094 trace frame. For each trace state variable collected, the name and
33095 current value are returned.
33096
33097 @item memory
33098 The set of memory ranges that have been collected at the current trace
33099 frame. Its content is a list of tuples. Each tuple represents a
33100 collected memory range and has the following fields:
33101
33102 @table @code
33103 @item address
33104 The start address of the memory range, as hexadecimal literal.
33105
33106 @item length
33107 The length of the memory range, as decimal literal.
33108
33109 @item contents
33110 The contents of the memory block, in hex. This field is only present
33111 if the @code{--memory-contents} option is specified.
33112
33113 @end table
33114
33115 @end table
33116
33117 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33118
33119 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33120
33121 @subsubheading Example
33122
33123 @subheading -trace-list-variables
33124 @findex -trace-list-variables
33125
33126 @subsubheading Synopsis
33127
33128 @smallexample
33129 -trace-list-variables
33130 @end smallexample
33131
33132 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
33133 table has the following fields:
33134
33135 @table @samp
33136 @item name
33137 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
33138
33139 @item initial
33140 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
33141 field is always present.
33142
33143 @item current
33144 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
33145 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
33146 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
33147 presently running.
33148
33149 @end table
33150
33151 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33152
33153 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
33154
33155 @subsubheading Example
33156
33157 @smallexample
33158 (gdb)
33159 -trace-list-variables
33160 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
33161 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
33162 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
33163 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
33164 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
33165 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
33166 (gdb)
33167 @end smallexample
33168
33169 @subheading -trace-save
33170 @findex -trace-save
33171
33172 @subsubheading Synopsis
33173
33174 @smallexample
33175 -trace-save [ -r ] [ -ctf ] @var{filename}
33176 @end smallexample
33177
33178 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
33179 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
33180 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
33181 to perform the save.
33182
33183 By default, this command will save the trace in the tfile format. You can
33184 supply the optional @samp{-ctf} argument to save it the CTF format. See
33185 @ref{Trace Files} for more information about CTF.
33186
33187 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33188
33189 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
33190
33191
33192 @subheading -trace-start
33193 @findex -trace-start
33194
33195 @subsubheading Synopsis
33196
33197 @smallexample
33198 -trace-start
33199 @end smallexample
33200
33201 Starts a tracing experiment. The result of this command does not
33202 have any fields.
33203
33204 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33205
33206 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
33207
33208 @subheading -trace-status
33209 @findex -trace-status
33210
33211 @subsubheading Synopsis
33212
33213 @smallexample
33214 -trace-status
33215 @end smallexample
33216
33217 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
33218 the following fields:
33219
33220 @table @samp
33221
33222 @item supported
33223 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
33224 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
33225 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
33226 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
33227 started. This field is always present.
33228
33229 @item running
33230 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
33231 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
33232 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33233
33234 @item stop-reason
33235 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
33236 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
33237 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
33238 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
33239 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
33240 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
33241 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
33242 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
33243 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33244
33245 @item stopping-tracepoint
33246 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
33247 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
33248 @samp{passcount}.
33249
33250 @item frames
33251 @itemx frames-created
33252 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
33253 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
33254 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
33255 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
33256
33257 @item buffer-size
33258 @itemx buffer-free
33259 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
33260 remaining space. These fields are optional.
33261
33262 @item circular
33263 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
33264 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
33265 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
33266 and may fill up.
33267
33268 @item disconnected
33269 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
33270 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
33271 that the trace run will stop.
33272
33273 @item trace-file
33274 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
33275 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
33276
33277 @end table
33278
33279 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33280
33281 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
33282
33283 @subheading -trace-stop
33284 @findex -trace-stop
33285
33286 @subsubheading Synopsis
33287
33288 @smallexample
33289 -trace-stop
33290 @end smallexample
33291
33292 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
33293 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
33294 @samp{running} fields are not output.
33295
33296 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33297
33298 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
33299
33300
33301 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33302 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
33303 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
33304
33305
33306 @ignore
33307 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
33308 @findex -symbol-info-address
33309
33310 @subsubheading Synopsis
33311
33312 @smallexample
33313 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
33314 @end smallexample
33315
33316 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
33317
33318 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33319
33320 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
33321
33322 @subsubheading Example
33323 N.A.
33324
33325
33326 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
33327 @findex -symbol-info-file
33328
33329 @subsubheading Synopsis
33330
33331 @smallexample
33332 -symbol-info-file
33333 @end smallexample
33334
33335 Show the file for the symbol.
33336
33337 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33338
33339 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
33340 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
33341
33342 @subsubheading Example
33343 N.A.
33344
33345
33346 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
33347 @findex -symbol-info-function
33348
33349 @subsubheading Synopsis
33350
33351 @smallexample
33352 -symbol-info-function
33353 @end smallexample
33354
33355 Show which function the symbol lives in.
33356
33357 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33358
33359 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
33360
33361 @subsubheading Example
33362 N.A.
33363
33364
33365 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
33366 @findex -symbol-info-line
33367
33368 @subsubheading Synopsis
33369
33370 @smallexample
33371 -symbol-info-line
33372 @end smallexample
33373
33374 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
33375
33376 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33377
33378 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
33379 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
33380
33381 @subsubheading Example
33382 N.A.
33383
33384
33385 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
33386 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
33387
33388 @subsubheading Synopsis
33389
33390 @smallexample
33391 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
33392 @end smallexample
33393
33394 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
33395
33396 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33397
33398 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
33399
33400 @subsubheading Example
33401 N.A.
33402
33403
33404 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
33405 @findex -symbol-list-functions
33406
33407 @subsubheading Synopsis
33408
33409 @smallexample
33410 -symbol-list-functions
33411 @end smallexample
33412
33413 List the functions in the executable.
33414
33415 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33416
33417 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
33418 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33419
33420 @subsubheading Example
33421 N.A.
33422 @end ignore
33423
33424
33425 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
33426 @findex -symbol-list-lines
33427
33428 @subsubheading Synopsis
33429
33430 @smallexample
33431 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
33432 @end smallexample
33433
33434 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
33435 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
33436 ascending PC order.
33437
33438 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33439
33440 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33441
33442 @subsubheading Example
33443 @smallexample
33444 (gdb)
33445 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
33446 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
33447 (gdb)
33448 @end smallexample
33449
33450
33451 @ignore
33452 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
33453 @findex -symbol-list-types
33454
33455 @subsubheading Synopsis
33456
33457 @smallexample
33458 -symbol-list-types
33459 @end smallexample
33460
33461 List all the type names.
33462
33463 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33464
33465 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
33466 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33467
33468 @subsubheading Example
33469 N.A.
33470
33471
33472 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
33473 @findex -symbol-list-variables
33474
33475 @subsubheading Synopsis
33476
33477 @smallexample
33478 -symbol-list-variables
33479 @end smallexample
33480
33481 List all the global and static variable names.
33482
33483 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33484
33485 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33486
33487 @subsubheading Example
33488 N.A.
33489
33490
33491 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
33492 @findex -symbol-locate
33493
33494 @subsubheading Synopsis
33495
33496 @smallexample
33497 -symbol-locate
33498 @end smallexample
33499
33500 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33501
33502 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
33503
33504 @subsubheading Example
33505 N.A.
33506
33507
33508 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
33509 @findex -symbol-type
33510
33511 @subsubheading Synopsis
33512
33513 @smallexample
33514 -symbol-type @var{variable}
33515 @end smallexample
33516
33517 Show type of @var{variable}.
33518
33519 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33520
33521 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
33522 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
33523
33524 @subsubheading Example
33525 N.A.
33526 @end ignore
33527
33528
33529 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33530 @node GDB/MI File Commands
33531 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
33532
33533 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
33534 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
33535
33536 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
33537 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
33538
33539 @subsubheading Synopsis
33540
33541 @smallexample
33542 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
33543 @end smallexample
33544
33545 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
33546 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
33547 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
33548 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
33549 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
33550 notification.
33551
33552 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33553
33554 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
33555
33556 @subsubheading Example
33557
33558 @smallexample
33559 (gdb)
33560 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33561 ^done
33562 (gdb)
33563 @end smallexample
33564
33565
33566 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
33567 @findex -file-exec-file
33568
33569 @subsubheading Synopsis
33570
33571 @smallexample
33572 -file-exec-file @var{file}
33573 @end smallexample
33574
33575 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
33576 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
33577 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
33578 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
33579 notification.
33580
33581 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33582
33583 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
33584
33585 @subsubheading Example
33586
33587 @smallexample
33588 (gdb)
33589 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33590 ^done
33591 (gdb)
33592 @end smallexample
33593
33594
33595 @ignore
33596 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
33597 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
33598
33599 @subsubheading Synopsis
33600
33601 @smallexample
33602 -file-list-exec-sections
33603 @end smallexample
33604
33605 List the sections of the current executable file.
33606
33607 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33608
33609 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
33610 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
33611 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
33612
33613 @subsubheading Example
33614 N.A.
33615 @end ignore
33616
33617
33618 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
33619 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
33620
33621 @subsubheading Synopsis
33622
33623 @smallexample
33624 -file-list-exec-source-file
33625 @end smallexample
33626
33627 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
33628 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
33629 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
33630 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
33631
33632 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33633
33634 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
33635
33636 @subsubheading Example
33637
33638 @smallexample
33639 (gdb)
33640 123-file-list-exec-source-file
33641 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
33642 (gdb)
33643 @end smallexample
33644
33645
33646 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
33647 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
33648
33649 @subsubheading Synopsis
33650
33651 @smallexample
33652 -file-list-exec-source-files
33653 @end smallexample
33654
33655 List the source files for the current executable.
33656
33657 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
33658 name) of a source file.
33659
33660 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33661
33662 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
33663 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
33664
33665 @subsubheading Example
33666 @smallexample
33667 (gdb)
33668 -file-list-exec-source-files
33669 ^done,files=[
33670 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
33671 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
33672 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
33673 (gdb)
33674 @end smallexample
33675
33676 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
33677 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
33678
33679 @subsubheading Synopsis
33680
33681 @smallexample
33682 -file-list-shared-libraries [ @var{regexp} ]
33683 @end smallexample
33684
33685 List the shared libraries in the program.
33686 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those libraries whose
33687 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
33688
33689 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33690
33691 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}. The fields
33692 have a similar meaning to the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
33693 The @code{ranges} field specifies the multiple segments belonging to this
33694 library. Each range has the following fields:
33695
33696 @table @samp
33697 @item from
33698 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the segment.
33699 @item to
33700 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the segment.
33701 @end table
33702
33703 @subsubheading Example
33704 @smallexample
33705 (gdb)
33706 -file-list-exec-source-files
33707 ^done,shared-libraries=[
33708 @{id="/lib/libfoo.so",target-name="/lib/libfoo.so",host-name="/lib/libfoo.so",symbols-loaded="1",thread-group="i1",ranges=[@{from="0x72815989",to="0x728162c0"@}]@},
33709 @{id="/lib/libbar.so",target-name="/lib/libbar.so",host-name="/lib/libbar.so",symbols-loaded="1",thread-group="i1",ranges=[@{from="0x76ee48c0",to="0x76ee9160"@}]@}]
33710 (gdb)
33711 @end smallexample
33712
33713
33714 @ignore
33715 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
33716 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
33717
33718 @subsubheading Synopsis
33719
33720 @smallexample
33721 -file-list-symbol-files
33722 @end smallexample
33723
33724 List symbol files.
33725
33726 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33727
33728 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
33729
33730 @subsubheading Example
33731 N.A.
33732 @end ignore
33733
33734
33735 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
33736 @findex -file-symbol-file
33737
33738 @subsubheading Synopsis
33739
33740 @smallexample
33741 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
33742 @end smallexample
33743
33744 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
33745 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
33746 produced, except for a completion notification.
33747
33748 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33749
33750 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
33751
33752 @subsubheading Example
33753
33754 @smallexample
33755 (gdb)
33756 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33757 ^done
33758 (gdb)
33759 @end smallexample
33760
33761 @ignore
33762 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33763 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
33764 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
33765
33766 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
33767
33768 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
33769
33770 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
33771
33772 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
33773
33774 @c @subheading -overlay-map
33775
33776 @c @subheading -overlay-off
33777
33778 @c @subheading -overlay-on
33779
33780 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
33781
33782 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33783 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
33784 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
33785
33786 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
33787
33788 @c @subheading -signal-handle
33789
33790 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
33791
33792 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
33793 @end ignore
33794
33795
33796 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33797 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
33798 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
33799
33800
33801 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
33802 @findex -target-attach
33803
33804 @subsubheading Synopsis
33805
33806 @smallexample
33807 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
33808 @end smallexample
33809
33810 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
33811 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
33812 group, the id previously returned by
33813 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
33814
33815 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33816
33817 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
33818
33819 @subsubheading Example
33820 @smallexample
33821 (gdb)
33822 -target-attach 34
33823 =thread-created,id="1"
33824 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
33825 ^done
33826 (gdb)
33827 @end smallexample
33828
33829 @ignore
33830 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
33831 @findex -target-compare-sections
33832
33833 @subsubheading Synopsis
33834
33835 @smallexample
33836 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
33837 @end smallexample
33838
33839 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
33840 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
33841
33842 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33843
33844 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
33845
33846 @subsubheading Example
33847 N.A.
33848 @end ignore
33849
33850
33851 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
33852 @findex -target-detach
33853
33854 @subsubheading Synopsis
33855
33856 @smallexample
33857 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
33858 @end smallexample
33859
33860 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
33861 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
33862 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
33863
33864 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33865
33866 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
33867
33868 @subsubheading Example
33869
33870 @smallexample
33871 (gdb)
33872 -target-detach
33873 ^done
33874 (gdb)
33875 @end smallexample
33876
33877
33878 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
33879 @findex -target-disconnect
33880
33881 @subsubheading Synopsis
33882
33883 @smallexample
33884 -target-disconnect
33885 @end smallexample
33886
33887 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
33888 generally not resumed.
33889
33890 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33891
33892 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
33893
33894 @subsubheading Example
33895
33896 @smallexample
33897 (gdb)
33898 -target-disconnect
33899 ^done
33900 (gdb)
33901 @end smallexample
33902
33903
33904 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
33905 @findex -target-download
33906
33907 @subsubheading Synopsis
33908
33909 @smallexample
33910 -target-download
33911 @end smallexample
33912
33913 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
33914 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
33915
33916 @table @samp
33917 @item section
33918 The name of the section.
33919 @item section-sent
33920 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
33921 @item section-size
33922 The size of the section.
33923 @item total-sent
33924 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
33925 @item total-size
33926 The size of the overall executable to download.
33927 @end table
33928
33929 @noindent
33930 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
33931 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
33932
33933 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
33934 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
33935
33936 @table @samp
33937 @item section
33938 The name of the section.
33939 @item section-size
33940 The size of the section.
33941 @item total-size
33942 The size of the overall executable to download.
33943 @end table
33944
33945 @noindent
33946 At the end, a summary is printed.
33947
33948 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33949
33950 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
33951
33952 @subsubheading Example
33953
33954 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
33955 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
33956
33957 @smallexample
33958 (gdb)
33959 -target-download
33960 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
33961 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
33962 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
33963 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
33964 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
33965 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
33966 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
33967 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
33968 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
33969 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
33970 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
33971 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
33972 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
33973 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
33974 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
33975 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
33976 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
33977 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
33978 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
33979 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
33980 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
33981 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
33982 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
33983 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
33984 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
33985 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
33986 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
33987 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33988 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33989 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
33990 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
33991 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
33992 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
33993 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
33994 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
33995 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
33996 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
33997 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
33998 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
33999 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
34000 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
34001 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
34002 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
34003 write-rate="429"
34004 (gdb)
34005 @end smallexample
34006
34007
34008 @ignore
34009 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
34010 @findex -target-exec-status
34011
34012 @subsubheading Synopsis
34013
34014 @smallexample
34015 -target-exec-status
34016 @end smallexample
34017
34018 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
34019 not, for instance).
34020
34021 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34022
34023 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
34024
34025 @subsubheading Example
34026 N.A.
34027
34028
34029 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
34030 @findex -target-list-available-targets
34031
34032 @subsubheading Synopsis
34033
34034 @smallexample
34035 -target-list-available-targets
34036 @end smallexample
34037
34038 List the possible targets to connect to.
34039
34040 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34041
34042 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
34043
34044 @subsubheading Example
34045 N.A.
34046
34047
34048 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
34049 @findex -target-list-current-targets
34050
34051 @subsubheading Synopsis
34052
34053 @smallexample
34054 -target-list-current-targets
34055 @end smallexample
34056
34057 Describe the current target.
34058
34059 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34060
34061 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
34062 other things).
34063
34064 @subsubheading Example
34065 N.A.
34066
34067
34068 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
34069 @findex -target-list-parameters
34070
34071 @subsubheading Synopsis
34072
34073 @smallexample
34074 -target-list-parameters
34075 @end smallexample
34076
34077 @c ????
34078 @end ignore
34079
34080 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34081
34082 No equivalent.
34083
34084 @subsubheading Example
34085 N.A.
34086
34087 @subheading The @code{-target-flash-erase} Command
34088 @findex -target-flash-erase
34089
34090 @subsubheading Synopsis
34091
34092 @smallexample
34093 -target-flash-erase
34094 @end smallexample
34095
34096 Erases all known flash memory regions on the target.
34097
34098 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{flash-erase}.
34099
34100 The output is a list of flash regions that have been erased, with starting
34101 addresses and memory region sizes.
34102
34103 @smallexample
34104 (gdb)
34105 -target-flash-erase
34106 ^done,erased-regions=@{address="0x0",size="0x40000"@}
34107 (gdb)
34108 @end smallexample
34109
34110 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
34111 @findex -target-select
34112
34113 @subsubheading Synopsis
34114
34115 @smallexample
34116 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
34117 @end smallexample
34118
34119 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
34120
34121 @table @samp
34122 @item @var{type}
34123 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
34124 @item @var{parameters}
34125 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
34126 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
34127 @end table
34128
34129 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
34130 which the target program is, in the following form:
34131
34132 @smallexample
34133 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
34134 args=[@var{arg list}]
34135 @end smallexample
34136
34137 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34138
34139 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
34140
34141 @subsubheading Example
34142
34143 @smallexample
34144 (gdb)
34145 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
34146 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
34147 (gdb)
34148 @end smallexample
34149
34150 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34151 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
34152 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
34153
34154
34155 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
34156 @findex -target-file-put
34157
34158 @subsubheading Synopsis
34159
34160 @smallexample
34161 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
34162 @end smallexample
34163
34164 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
34165 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
34166
34167 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34168
34169 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
34170
34171 @subsubheading Example
34172
34173 @smallexample
34174 (gdb)
34175 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
34176 ^done
34177 (gdb)
34178 @end smallexample
34179
34180
34181 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
34182 @findex -target-file-get
34183
34184 @subsubheading Synopsis
34185
34186 @smallexample
34187 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
34188 @end smallexample
34189
34190 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
34191 on the host system.
34192
34193 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34194
34195 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
34196
34197 @subsubheading Example
34198
34199 @smallexample
34200 (gdb)
34201 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
34202 ^done
34203 (gdb)
34204 @end smallexample
34205
34206
34207 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
34208 @findex -target-file-delete
34209
34210 @subsubheading Synopsis
34211
34212 @smallexample
34213 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
34214 @end smallexample
34215
34216 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
34217
34218 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34219
34220 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
34221
34222 @subsubheading Example
34223
34224 @smallexample
34225 (gdb)
34226 -target-file-delete remotefile
34227 ^done
34228 (gdb)
34229 @end smallexample
34230
34231
34232 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34233 @node GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands
34234 @section Ada Exceptions @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
34235
34236 @subheading The @code{-info-ada-exceptions} Command
34237 @findex -info-ada-exceptions
34238
34239 @subsubheading Synopsis
34240
34241 @smallexample
34242 -info-ada-exceptions [ @var{regexp}]
34243 @end smallexample
34244
34245 List all Ada exceptions defined within the program being debugged.
34246 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those exceptions whose
34247 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
34248
34249 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34250
34251 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info exceptions}.
34252
34253 @subsubheading Result
34254
34255 The result is a table of Ada exceptions. The following columns are
34256 defined for each exception:
34257
34258 @table @samp
34259 @item name
34260 The name of the exception.
34261
34262 @item address
34263 The address of the exception.
34264
34265 @end table
34266
34267 @subsubheading Example
34268
34269 @smallexample
34270 -info-ada-exceptions aint
34271 ^done,ada-exceptions=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="2",
34272 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
34273 @{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="address",colhdr="Address"@}],
34274 body=[@{name="constraint_error",address="0x0000000000613da0"@},
34275 @{name="const.aint_global_e",address="0x0000000000613b00"@}]@}
34276 @end smallexample
34277
34278 @subheading Catching Ada Exceptions
34279
34280 The commands describing how to ask @value{GDBN} to stop when a program
34281 raises an exception are described at @ref{Ada Exception GDB/MI
34282 Catchpoint Commands}.
34283
34284
34285 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34286 @node GDB/MI Support Commands
34287 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Support Commands
34288
34289 Since new commands and features get regularly added to @sc{gdb/mi},
34290 some commands are available to help front-ends query the debugger
34291 about support for these capabilities. Similarly, it is also possible
34292 to query @value{GDBN} about target support of certain features.
34293
34294 @subheading The @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} Command
34295 @cindex @code{-info-gdb-mi-command}
34296 @findex -info-gdb-mi-command
34297
34298 @subsubheading Synopsis
34299
34300 @smallexample
34301 -info-gdb-mi-command @var{cmd_name}
34302 @end smallexample
34303
34304 Query support for the @sc{gdb/mi} command named @var{cmd_name}.
34305
34306 Note that the dash (@code{-}) starting all @sc{gdb/mi} commands
34307 is technically not part of the command name (@pxref{GDB/MI Input
34308 Syntax}), and thus should be omitted in @var{cmd_name}. However,
34309 for ease of use, this command also accepts the form with the leading
34310 dash.
34311
34312 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34313
34314 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
34315
34316 @subsubheading Result
34317
34318 The result is a tuple. There is currently only one field:
34319
34320 @table @samp
34321 @item exists
34322 This field is equal to @code{"true"} if the @sc{gdb/mi} command exists,
34323 @code{"false"} otherwise.
34324
34325 @end table
34326
34327 @subsubheading Example
34328
34329 Here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command does not exist:
34330
34331 @smallexample
34332 -info-gdb-mi-command unsupported-command
34333 ^done,command=@{exists="false"@}
34334 @end smallexample
34335
34336 @noindent
34337 And here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command is known
34338 to the debugger:
34339
34340 @smallexample
34341 -info-gdb-mi-command symbol-list-lines
34342 ^done,command=@{exists="true"@}
34343 @end smallexample
34344
34345 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
34346 @findex -list-features
34347 @cindex supported @sc{gdb/mi} features, list
34348
34349 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
34350 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
34351 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
34352 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
34353 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
34354 startup.
34355
34356 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
34357 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
34358 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
34359 is given below.
34360
34361 Example output:
34362
34363 @smallexample
34364 (gdb) -list-features
34365 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
34366 @end smallexample
34367
34368 The current list of features is:
34369
34370 @ftable @samp
34371 @item frozen-varobjs
34372 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
34373 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
34374 of @code{-varobj-create}.
34375 @item pending-breakpoints
34376 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
34377 command.
34378 @item python
34379 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
34380 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
34381 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
34382 @item thread-info
34383 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
34384 @item data-read-memory-bytes
34385 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
34386 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
34387 @item breakpoint-notifications
34388 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
34389 CLI will be announced via async records.
34390 @item ada-task-info
34391 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
34392 @item language-option
34393 Indicates that all @sc{gdb/mi} commands accept the @option{--language}
34394 option (@pxref{Context management}).
34395 @item info-gdb-mi-command
34396 Indicates support for the @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} command.
34397 @item undefined-command-error-code
34398 Indicates support for the "undefined-command" error code in error result
34399 records, produced when trying to execute an undefined @sc{gdb/mi} command
34400 (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}).
34401 @item exec-run-start-option
34402 Indicates that the @code{-exec-run} command supports the @option{--start}
34403 option (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}).
34404 @item data-disassemble-a-option
34405 Indicates that the @code{-data-disassemble} command supports the @option{-a}
34406 option (@pxref{GDB/MI Data Manipulation}).
34407 @end ftable
34408
34409 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
34410 @findex -list-target-features
34411
34412 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
34413 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
34414 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
34415 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
34416 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
34417 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
34418 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
34419 Example output:
34420
34421 @smallexample
34422 (gdb) -list-target-features
34423 ^done,result=["async"]
34424 @end smallexample
34425
34426 The current list of features is:
34427
34428 @table @samp
34429 @item async
34430 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
34431 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
34432 while the target is running.
34433
34434 @item reverse
34435 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
34436 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34437
34438 @end table
34439
34440 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34441 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
34442 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
34443
34444 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
34445
34446 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
34447 @findex -gdb-exit
34448
34449 @subsubheading Synopsis
34450
34451 @smallexample
34452 -gdb-exit
34453 @end smallexample
34454
34455 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
34456
34457 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34458
34459 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
34460
34461 @subsubheading Example
34462
34463 @smallexample
34464 (gdb)
34465 -gdb-exit
34466 ^exit
34467 @end smallexample
34468
34469
34470 @ignore
34471 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
34472 @findex -exec-abort
34473
34474 @subsubheading Synopsis
34475
34476 @smallexample
34477 -exec-abort
34478 @end smallexample
34479
34480 Kill the inferior running program.
34481
34482 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34483
34484 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
34485
34486 @subsubheading Example
34487 N.A.
34488 @end ignore
34489
34490
34491 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
34492 @findex -gdb-set
34493
34494 @subsubheading Synopsis
34495
34496 @smallexample
34497 -gdb-set
34498 @end smallexample
34499
34500 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
34501 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
34502
34503 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34504
34505 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
34506
34507 @subsubheading Example
34508
34509 @smallexample
34510 (gdb)
34511 -gdb-set $foo=3
34512 ^done
34513 (gdb)
34514 @end smallexample
34515
34516
34517 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
34518 @findex -gdb-show
34519
34520 @subsubheading Synopsis
34521
34522 @smallexample
34523 -gdb-show
34524 @end smallexample
34525
34526 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
34527
34528 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34529
34530 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
34531
34532 @subsubheading Example
34533
34534 @smallexample
34535 (gdb)
34536 -gdb-show annotate
34537 ^done,value="0"
34538 (gdb)
34539 @end smallexample
34540
34541 @c @subheading -gdb-source
34542
34543
34544 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
34545 @findex -gdb-version
34546
34547 @subsubheading Synopsis
34548
34549 @smallexample
34550 -gdb-version
34551 @end smallexample
34552
34553 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
34554
34555 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34556
34557 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
34558 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
34559
34560 @subsubheading Example
34561
34562 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
34563 @c box in TeX.
34564 @smallexample
34565 (gdb)
34566 -gdb-version
34567 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
34568 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
34569 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
34570 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
34571 ~ certain conditions.
34572 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
34573 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
34574 ~ details.
34575 ~This GDB was configured as
34576 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
34577 ^done
34578 (gdb)
34579 @end smallexample
34580
34581 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
34582 @findex -list-thread-groups
34583
34584 @subheading Synopsis
34585
34586 @smallexample
34587 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
34588 @end smallexample
34589
34590 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
34591 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
34592 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
34593 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
34594 top-level thread groups.
34595
34596 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
34597 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
34598 available on the target.
34599
34600 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
34601 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
34602 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
34603 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
34604 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
34605 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
34606 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
34607 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
34608
34609 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
34610 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
34611 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
34612 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
34613 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
34614 @samp{threads} field.
34615
34616 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
34617 the following caveats:
34618
34619 @itemize @bullet
34620 @item
34621 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
34622 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
34623 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
34624
34625 @item
34626 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
34627 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
34628 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
34629 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
34630 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
34631 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
34632
34633 @end itemize
34634
34635 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
34636 have the following fields:
34637
34638 @table @code
34639 @item id
34640 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
34641 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
34642 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
34643
34644 @item type
34645 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
34646 valid type.
34647
34648 @item pid
34649 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
34650 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
34651
34652 @item exit-code
34653 The exit code of this group's last exited thread, formatted in octal.
34654 This field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process} and
34655 only if the process is not running.
34656
34657 @item num_children
34658 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
34659 absent for an available thread group.
34660
34661 @item threads
34662 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
34663 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
34664 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
34665
34666 @item cores
34667 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
34668 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
34669 such information is not available.
34670
34671 @item executable
34672 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
34673 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
34674 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
34675
34676 @end table
34677
34678 @subheading Example
34679
34680 @smallexample
34681 @value{GDBP}
34682 -list-thread-groups
34683 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
34684 -list-thread-groups 17
34685 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
34686 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
34687 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
34688 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
34689 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158",arch="i386:x86_64"@},state="running"@}]]
34690 -list-thread-groups --available
34691 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
34692 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
34693 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
34694 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
34695 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
34696 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
34697 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
34698 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
34699 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
34700 @end smallexample
34701
34702 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
34703 @findex -info-os
34704
34705 @subsubheading Synopsis
34706
34707 @smallexample
34708 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
34709 @end smallexample
34710
34711 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
34712 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
34713 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
34714 of data of that type.
34715
34716 The types of information available depend on the target operating
34717 system.
34718
34719 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34720
34721 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
34722
34723 @subsubheading Example
34724
34725 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
34726 like this:
34727
34728 @smallexample
34729 @value{GDBP}
34730 -info-os
34731 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="10",nr_cols="3",
34732 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
34733 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
34734 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
34735 body=[item=@{col0="cpus",col1="Listing of all cpus/cores on the system",
34736 col2="CPUs"@},
34737 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
34738 col2="File descriptors"@},
34739 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
34740 col2="Kernel modules"@},
34741 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
34742 col2="Message queues"@},
34743 item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
34744 col2="Processes"@},
34745 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
34746 col2="Process groups"@},
34747 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
34748 col2="Semaphores"@},
34749 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
34750 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
34751 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
34752 col2="Sockets"@},
34753 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
34754 col2="Threads"@}]
34755 @value{GDBP}
34756 -info-os processes
34757 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
34758 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
34759 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
34760 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
34761 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
34762 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
34763 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
34764 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
34765 ...
34766 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
34767 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
34768 (gdb)
34769 @end smallexample
34770
34771 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
34772 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
34773 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
34774 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
34775 @code{info os} omits it.)
34776
34777 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
34778 @findex -add-inferior
34779
34780 @subheading Synopsis
34781
34782 @smallexample
34783 -add-inferior
34784 @end smallexample
34785
34786 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
34787 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
34788 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
34789 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
34790 field, @samp{inferior}, whose value is the identifier of the
34791 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
34792
34793 @subheading Example
34794
34795 @smallexample
34796 @value{GDBP}
34797 -add-inferior
34798 ^done,inferior="i3"
34799 @end smallexample
34800
34801 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
34802 @findex -interpreter-exec
34803
34804 @subheading Synopsis
34805
34806 @smallexample
34807 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
34808 @end smallexample
34809 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
34810
34811 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
34812
34813 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34814
34815 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
34816
34817 @subheading Example
34818
34819 @smallexample
34820 (gdb)
34821 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
34822 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
34823 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
34824 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
34825 ^done
34826 (gdb)
34827 @end smallexample
34828
34829 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
34830 @findex -inferior-tty-set
34831
34832 @subheading Synopsis
34833
34834 @smallexample
34835 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34836 @end smallexample
34837
34838 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
34839
34840 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34841
34842 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
34843
34844 @subheading Example
34845
34846 @smallexample
34847 (gdb)
34848 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34849 ^done
34850 (gdb)
34851 @end smallexample
34852
34853 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
34854 @findex -inferior-tty-show
34855
34856 @subheading Synopsis
34857
34858 @smallexample
34859 -inferior-tty-show
34860 @end smallexample
34861
34862 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
34863
34864 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34865
34866 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
34867
34868 @subheading Example
34869
34870 @smallexample
34871 (gdb)
34872 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34873 ^done
34874 (gdb)
34875 -inferior-tty-show
34876 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
34877 (gdb)
34878 @end smallexample
34879
34880 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
34881 @findex -enable-timings
34882
34883 @subheading Synopsis
34884
34885 @smallexample
34886 -enable-timings [yes | no]
34887 @end smallexample
34888
34889 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
34890 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
34891 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
34892 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
34893
34894 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34895
34896 No equivalent.
34897
34898 @subheading Example
34899
34900 @smallexample
34901 (gdb)
34902 -enable-timings
34903 ^done
34904 (gdb)
34905 -break-insert main
34906 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
34907 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
34908 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
34909 times="0"@},
34910 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
34911 (gdb)
34912 -enable-timings no
34913 ^done
34914 (gdb)
34915 -exec-run
34916 ^running
34917 (gdb)
34918 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
34919 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
34920 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
34921 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
34922 (gdb)
34923 @end smallexample
34924
34925 @subheading The @code{-complete} Command
34926 @findex -complete
34927
34928 @subheading Synopsis
34929
34930 @smallexample
34931 -complete @var{command}
34932 @end smallexample
34933
34934 Show a list of completions for partially typed CLI @var{command}.
34935
34936 This command is intended for @sc{gdb/mi} frontends that cannot use two separate
34937 CLI and MI channels --- for example: because of lack of PTYs like on Windows or
34938 because @value{GDBN} is used remotely via a SSH connection.
34939
34940 @subheading Result
34941
34942 The result consists of two or three fields:
34943
34944 @table @samp
34945 @item completion
34946 This field contains the completed @var{command}. If @var{command}
34947 has no known completions, this field is omitted.
34948
34949 @item matches
34950 This field contains a (possibly empty) array of matches. It is always present.
34951
34952 @item max_completions_reached
34953 This field contains @code{1} if number of known completions is above
34954 @code{max-completions} limit (@pxref{Completion}), otherwise it contains
34955 @code{0}. It is always present.
34956
34957 @end table
34958
34959 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34960
34961 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{complete}.
34962
34963 @subheading Example
34964
34965 @smallexample
34966 (gdb)
34967 -complete br
34968 ^done,completion="break",
34969 matches=["break","break-range"],
34970 max_completions_reached="0"
34971 (gdb)
34972 -complete "b ma"
34973 ^done,completion="b ma",
34974 matches=["b madvise","b main"],max_completions_reached="0"
34975 (gdb)
34976 -complete "b push_b"
34977 ^done,completion="b push_back(",
34978 matches=[
34979 "b A::push_back(void*)",
34980 "b std::string::push_back(char)",
34981 "b std::vector<int, std::allocator<int> >::push_back(int&&)"],
34982 max_completions_reached="0"
34983 (gdb)
34984 -complete "nonexist"
34985 ^done,matches=[],max_completions_reached="0"
34986 (gdb)
34987
34988 @end smallexample
34989
34990 @node Annotations
34991 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
34992
34993 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
34994 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
34995 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
34996 relatively high level.
34997
34998 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
34999 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
35000
35001 @ignore
35002 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
35003 @end ignore
35004
35005 @menu
35006 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
35007 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
35008 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
35009 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
35010 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
35011 * Annotations for Running::
35012 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
35013 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
35014 @end menu
35015
35016 @node Annotations Overview
35017 @section What is an Annotation?
35018 @cindex annotations
35019
35020 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
35021 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
35022 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
35023 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
35024 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
35025 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
35026 cannot contain newline characters.
35027
35028 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
35029 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
35030 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
35031 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
35032 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
35033 means those three characters as output.
35034
35035 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
35036 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
35037 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
35038 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
35039 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
35040 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
35041 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
35042 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
35043 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
35044
35045 @table @code
35046 @kindex set annotate
35047 @item set annotate @var{level}
35048 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
35049 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
35050
35051 @item show annotate
35052 @kindex show annotate
35053 Show the current annotation level.
35054 @end table
35055
35056 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
35057
35058 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
35059
35060 @smallexample
35061 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
35062 GNU gdb 6.0
35063 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
35064 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
35065 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
35066 under certain conditions.
35067 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
35068 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
35069 for details.
35070 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
35071
35072 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
35073 (@value{GDBP})
35074 ^Z^Zprompt
35075 @kbd{quit}
35076
35077 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
35078 $
35079 @end smallexample
35080
35081 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
35082 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
35083 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
35084 output from @value{GDBN}.
35085
35086 @node Server Prefix
35087 @section The Server Prefix
35088 @cindex server prefix
35089
35090 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
35091 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
35092 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
35093 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
35094 a transparent manner.
35095
35096 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
35097 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
35098 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
35099 @code{print} command.
35100
35101 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
35102 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
35103
35104 @node Prompting
35105 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
35106
35107 @cindex annotations for prompts
35108 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
35109 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
35110 over, etc.
35111
35112 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
35113 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
35114 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
35115 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
35116 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
35117 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
35118 features the following annotations:
35119
35120 @smallexample
35121 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
35122 ^Z^Zprompt
35123 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
35124 @end smallexample
35125
35126 The input types are
35127
35128 @table @code
35129 @findex pre-prompt annotation
35130 @findex prompt annotation
35131 @findex post-prompt annotation
35132 @item prompt
35133 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
35134
35135 @findex pre-commands annotation
35136 @findex commands annotation
35137 @findex post-commands annotation
35138 @item commands
35139 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
35140 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
35141
35142 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
35143 @findex overload-choice annotation
35144 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
35145 @item overload-choice
35146 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
35147
35148 @findex pre-query annotation
35149 @findex query annotation
35150 @findex post-query annotation
35151 @item query
35152 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
35153
35154 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
35155 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
35156 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
35157 @item prompt-for-continue
35158 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
35159 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
35160 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
35161 presence of annotations.
35162 @end table
35163
35164 @node Errors
35165 @section Errors
35166 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
35167
35168 @findex quit annotation
35169 @smallexample
35170 ^Z^Zquit
35171 @end smallexample
35172
35173 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
35174
35175 @findex error annotation
35176 @smallexample
35177 ^Z^Zerror
35178 @end smallexample
35179
35180 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
35181
35182 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
35183 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
35184 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
35185 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
35186 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
35187 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
35188 to the top level.
35189
35190 @findex error-begin annotation
35191 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
35192
35193 @smallexample
35194 ^Z^Zerror-begin
35195 @end smallexample
35196
35197 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
35198 message.
35199
35200 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
35201 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
35202 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
35203
35204 @node Invalidation
35205 @section Invalidation Notices
35206
35207 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
35208 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
35209 changed.
35210
35211 @table @code
35212 @findex frames-invalid annotation
35213 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
35214
35215 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
35216 have changed.
35217
35218 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
35219 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
35220
35221 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
35222 deleted a breakpoint.
35223 @end table
35224
35225 @node Annotations for Running
35226 @section Running the Program
35227 @cindex annotations for running programs
35228
35229 @findex starting annotation
35230 @findex stopping annotation
35231 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
35232 @code{step} or @code{continue},
35233
35234 @smallexample
35235 ^Z^Zstarting
35236 @end smallexample
35237
35238 is output. When the program stops,
35239
35240 @smallexample
35241 ^Z^Zstopped
35242 @end smallexample
35243
35244 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
35245 annotations describe how the program stopped.
35246
35247 @table @code
35248 @findex exited annotation
35249 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
35250 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
35251 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
35252
35253 @findex signalled annotation
35254 @findex signal-name annotation
35255 @findex signal-name-end annotation
35256 @findex signal-string annotation
35257 @findex signal-string-end annotation
35258 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
35259 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
35260 annotation continues:
35261
35262 @smallexample
35263 @var{intro-text}
35264 ^Z^Zsignal-name
35265 @var{name}
35266 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
35267 @var{middle-text}
35268 ^Z^Zsignal-string
35269 @var{string}
35270 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
35271 @var{end-text}
35272 @end smallexample
35273
35274 @noindent
35275 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
35276 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
35277 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}. The arguments
35278 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
35279 user's benefit and have no particular format.
35280
35281 @findex signal annotation
35282 @item ^Z^Zsignal
35283 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
35284 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
35285 terminated with it.
35286
35287 @findex breakpoint annotation
35288 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
35289 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
35290
35291 @findex watchpoint annotation
35292 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
35293 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
35294 @end table
35295
35296 @node Source Annotations
35297 @section Displaying Source
35298 @cindex annotations for source display
35299
35300 @findex source annotation
35301 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
35302
35303 @smallexample
35304 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
35305 @end smallexample
35306
35307 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
35308 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
35309 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
35310 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
35311 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
35312 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
35313 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
35314 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
35315 source which is being displayed. The @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
35316 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
35317 depend on the language).
35318
35319 @node JIT Interface
35320 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
35321 @cindex just-in-time compilation
35322 @cindex JIT compilation interface
35323
35324 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
35325 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
35326 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
35327 performance while maintaining platform independence.
35328
35329 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
35330 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
35331 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
35332 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
35333 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
35334 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
35335
35336 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
35337 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
35338 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
35339 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
35340 LLVM JIT.
35341
35342 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
35343 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
35344 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
35345 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
35346 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
35347 out about additional code.
35348
35349 @menu
35350 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
35351 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
35352 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
35353 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
35354 @end menu
35355
35356 @node Declarations
35357 @section JIT Declarations
35358
35359 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
35360 implement the interface:
35361
35362 @smallexample
35363 typedef enum
35364 @{
35365 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
35366 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
35367 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
35368 @} jit_actions_t;
35369
35370 struct jit_code_entry
35371 @{
35372 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
35373 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
35374 const char *symfile_addr;
35375 uint64_t symfile_size;
35376 @};
35377
35378 struct jit_descriptor
35379 @{
35380 uint32_t version;
35381 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
35382 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
35383 uint32_t action_flag;
35384 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
35385 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
35386 @};
35387
35388 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
35389 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
35390
35391 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
35392 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
35393 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
35394 @end smallexample
35395
35396 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
35397 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
35398 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
35399
35400 @node Registering Code
35401 @section Registering Code
35402
35403 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
35404
35405 @itemize @bullet
35406 @item
35407 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
35408 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
35409
35410 @item
35411 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
35412 file.
35413
35414 @item
35415 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
35416
35417 @item
35418 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
35419
35420 @item
35421 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
35422 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35423 @end itemize
35424
35425 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
35426 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
35427 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
35428 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
35429
35430 @node Unregistering Code
35431 @section Unregistering Code
35432
35433 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
35434
35435 @itemize @bullet
35436 @item
35437 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
35438
35439 @item
35440 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
35441
35442 @item
35443 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
35444 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35445 @end itemize
35446
35447 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
35448 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
35449
35450 @node Custom Debug Info
35451 @section Custom Debug Info
35452 @cindex custom JIT debug info
35453 @cindex JIT debug info reader
35454
35455 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
35456 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
35457 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
35458 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
35459 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
35460 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
35461 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
35462 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
35463 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
35464
35465 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
35466 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
35467 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
35468 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
35469 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
35470 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
35471 compiler.
35472
35473 @menu
35474 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
35475 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
35476 @end menu
35477
35478 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35479 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35480 @kindex jit-reader-load
35481 @kindex jit-reader-unload
35482
35483 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
35484 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
35485
35486 @table @code
35487 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
35488 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}, which is a shared
35489 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
35490 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
35491 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
35492 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
35493 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
35494
35495 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
35496 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
35497 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
35498 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
35499 @code{jit-reader-load}.
35500
35501 @item jit-reader-unload
35502 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
35503
35504 @end table
35505
35506 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
35507 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
35508 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
35509
35510 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
35511 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
35512
35513 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
35514 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
35515 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
35516 the system include directory.
35517
35518 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
35519 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
35520 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
35521
35522 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
35523 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
35524
35525 @findex gdb_init_reader
35526 @smallexample
35527 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
35528 @end smallexample
35529
35530 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
35531
35532 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
35533 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
35534 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
35535 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
35536 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
35537 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
35538
35539 @smallexample
35540 struct gdb_reader_funcs
35541 @{
35542 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
35543 int reader_version;
35544
35545 /* For use by the reader. */
35546 void *priv_data;
35547
35548 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
35549 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
35550 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
35551 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
35552 @};
35553 @end smallexample
35554
35555 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
35556 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
35557
35558 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
35559 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
35560 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
35561 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
35562 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
35563 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
35564 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
35565 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
35566 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
35567 target's address space.
35568
35569 @node In-Process Agent
35570 @chapter In-Process Agent
35571 @cindex debugging agent
35572 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
35573 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
35574 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
35575 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
35576 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
35577 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
35578 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
35579 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
35580 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
35581 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
35582 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
35583 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
35584 behavior without interrupting it.
35585
35586 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
35587 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
35588 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
35589 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
35590 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
35591 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
35592 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
35593 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
35594 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
35595
35596 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
35597 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
35598 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
35599 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
35600
35601 @anchor{Control Agent}
35602 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
35603 debugging with the following commands:
35604
35605 @table @code
35606 @kindex set agent on
35607 @item set agent on
35608 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
35609 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
35610 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
35611 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
35612 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
35613 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
35614
35615 @kindex set agent off
35616 @item set agent off
35617 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
35618 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
35619
35620 @kindex show agent
35621 @item show agent
35622 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
35623 the in-process agent.
35624 @end table
35625
35626 @menu
35627 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
35628 @end menu
35629
35630 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
35631 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
35632 @cindex in-process agent protocol
35633
35634 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
35635 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
35636 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
35637 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
35638 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
35639 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
35640 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
35641 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
35642 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
35643
35644 @menu
35645 * IPA Protocol Objects::
35646 * IPA Protocol Commands::
35647 @end menu
35648
35649 @node IPA Protocol Objects
35650 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
35651 @cindex ipa protocol objects
35652
35653 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
35654 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
35655
35656 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
35657 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
35658 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
35659 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
35660
35661 @enumerate
35662 @item
35663 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
35664 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
35665 @item
35666 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
35667 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
35668 the other one.
35669 @end enumerate
35670
35671 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
35672
35673 @enumerate
35674 @item
35675 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
35676 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
35677 @anchor{agent expression object}
35678 @item
35679 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
35680 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
35681 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
35682 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
35683 @item
35684 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
35685 @anchor{tracepoint object}
35686
35687 @end enumerate
35688
35689 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
35690 object:
35691
35692 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
35693 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
35694 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
35695 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
35696 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
35697 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
35698 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35699 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
35700 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
35701 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
35702 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
35703 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
35704 memory address for collecting.
35705 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
35706 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35707 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
35708 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35709 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
35710 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35711 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
35712 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
35713 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
35714 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
35715 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
35716 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
35717 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
35718 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
35719 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
35720 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
35721 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
35722 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
35723 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
35724 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
35725 @ref{agent expression object}
35726 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
35727 @ref{agent expression object}
35728 @item actions @tab variable
35729 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
35730 @end multitable
35731
35732 @node IPA Protocol Commands
35733 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
35734 @cindex ipa protocol commands
35735
35736 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
35737 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
35738
35739 @table @samp
35740
35741 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
35742 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
35743 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
35744 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
35745 in IPA finally.
35746
35747 Replies:
35748 @table @samp
35749 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
35750 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
35751 The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
35752 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
35753 The @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
35754 The @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
35755 @item E @var{NN}
35756 for an error
35757
35758 @end table
35759
35760 @item close
35761 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
35762 is about to kill inferiors.
35763
35764 @item qTfSTM
35765 @xref{qTfSTM}.
35766 @item qTsSTM
35767 @xref{qTsSTM}.
35768 @item qTSTMat
35769 @xref{qTSTMat}.
35770 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
35771 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
35772
35773 Replies:
35774 @table @samp
35775 @item E @var{NN}
35776 for an error
35777 @end table
35778 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
35779 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
35780 @end table
35781
35782 @node GDB Bugs
35783 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
35784 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
35785 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
35786
35787 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
35788
35789 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
35790 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
35791 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
35792 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
35793
35794 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
35795 information that enables us to fix the bug.
35796
35797 @menu
35798 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
35799 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
35800 @end menu
35801
35802 @node Bug Criteria
35803 @section Have You Found a Bug?
35804 @cindex bug criteria
35805
35806 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
35807
35808 @itemize @bullet
35809 @cindex fatal signal
35810 @cindex debugger crash
35811 @cindex crash of debugger
35812 @item
35813 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
35814 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
35815
35816 @cindex error on valid input
35817 @item
35818 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
35819 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
35820 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
35821
35822 @cindex invalid input
35823 @item
35824 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
35825 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
35826 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
35827 for traditional practice''.
35828
35829 @item
35830 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
35831 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
35832 @end itemize
35833
35834 @node Bug Reporting
35835 @section How to Report Bugs
35836 @cindex bug reports
35837 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
35838
35839 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
35840 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
35841 contact that organization first.
35842
35843 You can find contact information for many support companies and
35844 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
35845 distribution.
35846 @c should add a web page ref...
35847
35848 @ifset BUGURL
35849 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
35850 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
35851 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
35852 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
35853 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
35854 be used.
35855
35856 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
35857 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
35858 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
35859 @samp{bug-gdb}.
35860
35861 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
35862 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
35863 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
35864 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
35865 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
35866 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
35867 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
35868 bug reports to the mailing list.
35869 @end ifset
35870 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
35871 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
35872 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
35873 @end ifclear
35874 @end ifset
35875
35876 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
35877 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
35878 fact or leave it out, state it!
35879
35880 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
35881 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
35882 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
35883 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
35884 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
35885 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
35886 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
35887 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
35888 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
35889
35890 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
35891 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
35892 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
35893 self-contained.
35894
35895 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
35896 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
35897 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
35898 bugs properly.
35899
35900 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
35901
35902 @itemize @bullet
35903 @item
35904 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
35905 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
35906 version}.
35907
35908 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
35909 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
35910
35911 @item
35912 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
35913 version number.
35914
35915 @item
35916 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
35917 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
35918 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
35919 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
35920
35921 @item
35922 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
35923 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
35924
35925 @item
35926 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
35927 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
35928 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
35929 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
35930 those compilers.
35931
35932 @item
35933 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
35934 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
35935 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
35936 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
35937
35938 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
35939 and then we might not encounter the bug.
35940
35941 @item
35942 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
35943 reproduce the bug.
35944
35945 @item
35946 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
35947 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
35948
35949 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
35950 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
35951 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
35952 a chance to make a mistake.
35953
35954 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
35955 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
35956 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
35957 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
35958 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
35959 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
35960 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
35961 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
35962
35963 @pindex script
35964 @cindex recording a session script
35965 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
35966 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
35967 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
35968 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
35969
35970 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
35971 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
35972
35973 @item
35974 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
35975 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
35976 it by context, not by line number.
35977
35978 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
35979 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
35980
35981 @end itemize
35982
35983 Here are some things that are not necessary:
35984
35985 @itemize @bullet
35986 @item
35987 A description of the envelope of the bug.
35988
35989 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
35990 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
35991 changes will not affect it.
35992
35993 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
35994 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
35995 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
35996 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
35997
35998 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
35999 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
36000 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
36001 less time, and so on.
36002
36003 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
36004 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
36005
36006 @item
36007 A patch for the bug.
36008
36009 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
36010 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
36011 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
36012 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
36013
36014 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
36015 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
36016 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
36017 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
36018
36019 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
36020 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
36021 help us to understand.
36022
36023 @item
36024 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
36025
36026 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
36027 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
36028 @end itemize
36029
36030 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
36031 @c and consists of the two following files:
36032 @c rluser.texi
36033 @c hsuser.texi
36034 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
36035 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
36036 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
36037 @include rluser.texi
36038 @include hsuser.texi
36039 @end ifclear
36040
36041 @node In Memoriam
36042 @appendix In Memoriam
36043
36044 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
36045 contributors:
36046
36047 @table @code
36048 @item Fred Fish
36049 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
36050 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
36051 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
36052
36053 @item Michael Snyder
36054 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
36055 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
36056 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
36057 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
36058 @end table
36059
36060 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
36061 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
36062
36063 @node Formatting Documentation
36064 @appendix Formatting Documentation
36065
36066 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
36067 @cindex reference card
36068 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
36069 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
36070 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
36071 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
36072 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
36073 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
36074
36075 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
36076 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
36077
36078 @smallexample
36079 make refcard.dvi
36080 @end smallexample
36081
36082 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
36083 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
36084 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
36085 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
36086 your @sc{dvi} output program.
36087
36088 @cindex documentation
36089
36090 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
36091 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
36092 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
36093 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
36094 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
36095 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
36096
36097 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
36098 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
36099 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
36100 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
36101 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
36102 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
36103 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
36104 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
36105
36106 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
36107 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
36108 @code{makeinfo}.
36109
36110 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
36111 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
36112 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
36113
36114 @smallexample
36115 cd gdb
36116 make gdb.info
36117 @end smallexample
36118
36119 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
36120 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
36121 Texinfo definitions file.
36122
36123 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
36124 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
36125 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
36126 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
36127 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
36128 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
36129 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
36130
36131 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
36132 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
36133 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
36134 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
36135 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
36136 directory.
36137
36138 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
36139 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
36140 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
36141 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
36142
36143 @smallexample
36144 make gdb.dvi
36145 @end smallexample
36146
36147 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
36148
36149 @node Installing GDB
36150 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
36151 @cindex installation
36152
36153 @menu
36154 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
36155 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
36156 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
36157 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
36158 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
36159 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
36160 @end menu
36161
36162 @node Requirements
36163 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
36164 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
36165
36166 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
36167 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
36168
36169 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
36170 @table @asis
36171 @item C@t{++}11 compiler
36172 @value{GDBN} is written in C@t{++}11. It should be buildable with any
36173 recent C@t{++}11 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
36174
36175 @item GNU make
36176 @value{GDBN}'s build system relies on features only found in the GNU
36177 make program. Other variants of @code{make} will not work.
36178 @end table
36179
36180 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
36181 @table @asis
36182 @item Expat
36183 @anchor{Expat}
36184 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
36185 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
36186 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
36187 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
36188 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
36189 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
36190
36191 Expat is used for:
36192
36193 @itemize @bullet
36194 @item
36195 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
36196 @item
36197 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
36198 @item
36199 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
36200 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
36201 @item
36202 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
36203 @item
36204 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
36205 @item
36206 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format},
36207 @pxref{Branch Trace Configuration Format})
36208 @end itemize
36209
36210 @item Guile
36211 @value{GDBN} can be scripted using GNU Guile. @xref{Guile}. By
36212 default, @value{GDBN} will be compiled if the Guile libraries are
36213 installed and are found by @file{configure}. You can use the
36214 @code{--with-guile} option to request Guile, and pass either the Guile
36215 version number or the file name of the relevant @code{pkg-config}
36216 program to choose a particular version of Guile.
36217
36218 @item iconv
36219 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
36220 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
36221 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
36222 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
36223
36224 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
36225 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to
36226 find it. This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies
36227 the directory that contains the @code{iconv} program. This program is
36228 run in order to make a list of the available character sets.
36229
36230 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If
36231 Libiconv is installed in a standard place, @value{GDBN} will
36232 automatically use it if it is needed. If you have previously
36233 installed Libiconv in a non-standard place, you can use the
36234 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to @file{configure}.
36235
36236 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
36237 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
36238 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
36239 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
36240 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
36241 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
36242 Libiconv, unpack it inside the top-level directory of the @value{GDBN}
36243 source tree, and then rename the directory holding the Libiconv source
36244 code to @samp{libiconv}.
36245
36246 @item lzma
36247 @value{GDBN} can support debugging sections that are compressed with
36248 the LZMA library. @xref{MiniDebugInfo}. If this library is not
36249 included with your operating system, you can find it in the xz package
36250 at @url{http://tukaani.org/xz/}. If the LZMA library is available in
36251 the usual place, then the @file{configure} script will use it
36252 automatically. If it is installed in an unusual path, you can use the
36253 @option{--with-lzma-prefix} option to specify its location.
36254
36255 @item MPFR
36256 @anchor{MPFR}
36257 @value{GDBN} can use the GNU MPFR multiple-precision floating-point
36258 library. This library may be included with your operating system
36259 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
36260 @url{http://www.mpfr.org}. The @file{configure} script will search
36261 for this library in several standard locations; if it is installed
36262 in an unusual path, you can use the @option{--with-libmpfr-prefix}
36263 option to specify its location.
36264
36265 GNU MPFR is used to emulate target floating-point arithmetic during
36266 expression evaluation when the target uses different floating-point
36267 formats than the host. If GNU MPFR it is not available, @value{GDBN}
36268 will fall back to using host floating-point arithmetic.
36269
36270 @item Python
36271 @value{GDBN} can be scripted using Python language. @xref{Python}.
36272 By default, @value{GDBN} will be compiled if the Python libraries are
36273 installed and are found by @file{configure}. You can use the
36274 @code{--with-python} option to request Python, and pass either the
36275 file name of the relevant @code{python} executable, or the name of the
36276 directory in which Python is installed, to choose a particular
36277 installation of Python.
36278
36279 @item zlib
36280 @cindex compressed debug sections
36281 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
36282 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
36283 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
36284 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
36285 information in such binaries.
36286
36287 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
36288 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
36289 @url{http://zlib.net}.
36290 @end table
36291
36292 @node Running Configure
36293 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
36294 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
36295 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
36296 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
36297 build the @code{gdb} program.
36298 @iftex
36299 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
36300 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
36301 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
36302 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
36303 @end iftex
36304
36305 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
36306 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
36307 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
36308
36309 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
36310 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
36311
36312 @table @code
36313 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
36314 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
36315
36316 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
36317 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
36318
36319 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
36320 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
36321
36322 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
36323 @sc{gnu} include files
36324
36325 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
36326 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
36327
36328 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
36329 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
36330
36331 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
36332 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
36333 @end table
36334
36335 There may be other subdirectories as well.
36336
36337 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
36338 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
36339 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
36340
36341 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
36342 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
36343 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
36344 argument.
36345
36346 For example:
36347
36348 @smallexample
36349 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36350 ./configure
36351 make
36352 @end smallexample
36353
36354 Running @samp{configure} and then running @code{make} builds the
36355 included supporting libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured
36356 source files, and the binaries, are left in the corresponding source
36357 directories.
36358
36359 @need 750
36360 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
36361 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
36362 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
36363
36364 @smallexample
36365 sh configure
36366 @end smallexample
36367
36368 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
36369 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
36370 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
36371 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
36372 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
36373 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
36374 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
36375 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
36376 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36377
36378 You can install @code{@value{GDBN}} anywhere. The best way to do this
36379 is to pass the @code{--prefix} option to @code{configure}, and then
36380 install it with @code{make install}.
36381
36382 @node Separate Objdir
36383 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
36384
36385 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
36386 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
36387 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
36388 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
36389 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
36390 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
36391 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
36392 program specified there.
36393
36394 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
36395 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
36396 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
36397 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
36398 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
36399 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
36400
36401 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
36402 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
36403
36404 @smallexample
36405 @group
36406 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36407 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
36408 cd ../gdb-sun4
36409 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure
36410 make
36411 @end group
36412 @end smallexample
36413
36414 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
36415 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
36416 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
36417 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
36418 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
36419 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
36420
36421 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
36422 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
36423 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
36424 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
36425 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36426
36427 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
36428 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
36429 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
36430 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
36431 You specify a cross-debugging target by
36432 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
36433
36434 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
36435 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
36436 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
36437
36438 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
36439 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
36440 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
36441 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
36442 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
36443
36444 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
36445 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
36446 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
36447 with each other.
36448
36449 @node Config Names
36450 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
36451
36452 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
36453 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
36454 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
36455 of information in the following pattern:
36456
36457 @smallexample
36458 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
36459 @end smallexample
36460
36461 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
36462 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
36463 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
36464
36465 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
36466 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
36467 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
36468 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
36469 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
36470 abbreviations---for example:
36471
36472 @smallexample
36473 % sh config.sub i386-linux
36474 i386-pc-linux-gnu
36475 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
36476 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
36477 % sh config.sub hp9k700
36478 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
36479 % sh config.sub sun4
36480 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
36481 % sh config.sub sun3
36482 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
36483 % sh config.sub i986v
36484 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
36485 @end smallexample
36486
36487 @noindent
36488 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
36489 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
36490
36491 @node Configure Options
36492 @section @file{configure} Options
36493
36494 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
36495 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure}
36496 also has several other options not listed here. @inforef{Running
36497 configure scripts,,autoconf.info}, for a full
36498 explanation of @file{configure}.
36499
36500 @smallexample
36501 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
36502 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
36503 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
36504 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
36505 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
36506 @end smallexample
36507
36508 @noindent
36509 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
36510 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
36511 @samp{--}.
36512
36513 @table @code
36514 @item --help
36515 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
36516
36517 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
36518 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
36519 @file{@var{dir}}.
36520
36521 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
36522 Configure the source to install programs under directory
36523 @file{@var{dir}}.
36524
36525 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
36526 @need 2000
36527 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
36528 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
36529 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
36530 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
36531 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
36532 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
36533 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
36534 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
36535 @var{dirname}.
36536
36537 @item --target=@var{target}
36538 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
36539 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
36540 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
36541
36542 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available
36543 targets. Also see the @code{--enable-targets} option, below.
36544 @end table
36545
36546 There are many other options that are specific to @value{GDBN}. This
36547 lists just the most common ones; there are some very specialized
36548 options not described here.
36549
36550 @table @code
36551 @item --enable-targets=@r{[}@var{target}@r{]}@dots{}
36552 @itemx --enable-targets=all
36553 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the
36554 specified list of targets. The special value @samp{all} configures
36555 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs running on any target it supports.
36556
36557 @item --with-gdb-datadir=@var{path}
36558 Set the @value{GDBN}-specific data directory. @value{GDBN} will look
36559 here for certain supporting files or scripts. This defaults to the
36560 @file{gdb} subdirectory of @samp{datadi} (which can be set using
36561 @code{--datadir}).
36562
36563 @item --with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}
36564 Sets up the default source path substitution rule so that directory
36565 names recorded in debug information will be automatically adjusted for
36566 any directory under @var{dir}. @var{dir} should be a subdirectory of
36567 @value{GDBN}'s configured prefix, the one mentioned in the
36568 @code{--prefix} or @code{--exec-prefix} options to configure. This
36569 option is useful if GDB is supposed to be moved to a different place
36570 after it is built.
36571
36572 @item --enable-64-bit-bfd
36573 Enable 64-bit support in BFD on 32-bit hosts.
36574
36575 @item --disable-gdbmi
36576 Build @value{GDBN} without the GDB/MI machine interface
36577 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
36578
36579 @item --enable-tui
36580 Build @value{GDBN} with the text-mode full-screen user interface
36581 (TUI). Requires a curses library (ncurses and cursesX are also
36582 supported).
36583
36584 @item --with-curses
36585 Use the curses library instead of the termcap library, for text-mode
36586 terminal operations.
36587
36588 @item --with-libunwind-ia64
36589 Use the libunwind library for unwinding function call stack on ia64
36590 target platforms. See http://www.nongnu.org/libunwind/index.html for
36591 details.
36592
36593 @item --with-system-readline
36594 Use the readline library installed on the host, rather than the
36595 library supplied as part of @value{GDBN}.
36596
36597 @item --with-system-zlib
36598 Use the zlib library installed on the host, rather than the library
36599 supplied as part of @value{GDBN}.
36600
36601 @item --with-expat
36602 Build @value{GDBN} with Expat, a library for XML parsing. (Done by
36603 default if libexpat is installed and found at configure time.) This
36604 library is used to read XML files supplied with @value{GDBN}. If it
36605 is unavailable, some features, such as remote protocol memory maps,
36606 target descriptions, and shared library lists, that are based on XML
36607 files, will not be available in @value{GDBN}. If your host does not
36608 have libexpat installed, you can get the latest version from
36609 `http://expat.sourceforge.net'.
36610
36611 @item --with-libiconv-prefix@r{[}=@var{dir}@r{]}
36612
36613 Build @value{GDBN} with GNU libiconv, a character set encoding
36614 conversion library. This is not done by default, as on GNU systems
36615 the @code{iconv} that is built in to the C library is sufficient. If
36616 your host does not have a working @code{iconv}, you can get the latest
36617 version of GNU iconv from `https://www.gnu.org/software/libiconv/'.
36618
36619 @value{GDBN}'s build system also supports building GNU libiconv as
36620 part of the overall build. @xref{Requirements}.
36621
36622 @item --with-lzma
36623 Build @value{GDBN} with LZMA, a compression library. (Done by default
36624 if liblzma is installed and found at configure time.) LZMA is used by
36625 @value{GDBN}'s "mini debuginfo" feature, which is only useful on
36626 platforms using the ELF object file format. If your host does not
36627 have liblzma installed, you can get the latest version from
36628 `https://tukaani.org/xz/'.
36629
36630 @item --with-mpfr
36631 Build @value{GDBN} with GNU MPFR, a library for multiple-precision
36632 floating-point computation with correct rounding. (Done by default if
36633 GNU MPFR is installed and found at configure time.) This library is
36634 used to emulate target floating-point arithmetic during expression
36635 evaluation when the target uses different floating-point formats than
36636 the host. If GNU MPFR is not available, @value{GDBN} will fall back
36637 to using host floating-point arithmetic. If your host does not have
36638 GNU MPFR installed, you can get the latest version from
36639 `http://www.mpfr.org'.
36640
36641 @item --with-python@r{[}=@var{python}@r{]}
36642 Build @value{GDBN} with Python scripting support. (Done by default if
36643 libpython is present and found at configure time.) Python makes
36644 @value{GDBN} scripting much more powerful than the restricted CLI
36645 scripting language. If your host does not have Python installed, you
36646 can find it on `http://www.python.org/download/'. The oldest version
36647 of Python supported by GDB is 2.6. The optional argument @var{python}
36648 is used to find the Python headers and libraries. It can be either
36649 the name of a Python executable, or the name of the directory in which
36650 Python is installed.
36651
36652 @item --with-guile[=GUILE]'
36653 Build @value{GDBN} with GNU Guile scripting support. (Done by default
36654 if libguile is present and found at configure time.) If your host
36655 does not have Guile installed, you can find it at
36656 `https://www.gnu.org/software/guile/'. The optional argument GUILE
36657 can be a version number, which will cause @code{configure} to try to
36658 use that version of Guile; or the file name of a @code{pkg-config}
36659 executable, which will be queried to find the information needed to
36660 compile and link against Guile.
36661
36662 @item --without-included-regex
36663 Don't use the regex library included with @value{GDBN} (as part of the
36664 libiberty library). This is the default on hosts with version 2 of
36665 the GNU C library.
36666
36667 @item --with-sysroot=@var{dir}
36668 Use @var{dir} as the default system root directory for libraries whose
36669 file names begin with @file{/lib}' or @file{/usr/lib'}. (The value of
36670 @var{dir} can be modified at run time by using the @command{set
36671 sysroot} command.) If @var{dir} is under the @value{GDBN} configured
36672 prefix (set with @code{--prefix} or @code{--exec-prefix options}, the
36673 default system root will be automatically adjusted if and when
36674 @value{GDBN} is moved to a different location.
36675
36676 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
36677 Configure @value{GDBN} to automatically load a system-wide init file.
36678 @var{file} should be an absolute file name. If @var{file} is in a
36679 directory under the configured prefix, and @value{GDBN} is moved to
36680 another location after being built, the location of the system-wide
36681 init file will be adjusted accordingly.
36682
36683 @item --enable-build-warnings
36684 When building the @value{GDBN} sources, ask the compiler to warn about
36685 any code which looks even vaguely suspicious. It passes many
36686 different warning flags, depending on the exact version of the
36687 compiler you are using.
36688
36689 @item --enable-werror
36690 Treat compiler warnings as werrors. It adds the @code{-Werror} flag
36691 to the compiler, which will fail the compilation if the compiler
36692 outputs any warning messages.
36693
36694 @item --enable-ubsan
36695 Enable the GCC undefined behavior sanitizer. This is disabled by
36696 default, but passing @code{--enable-ubsan=yes} or
36697 @code{--enable-ubsan=auto} to @code{configure} will enable it. The
36698 undefined behavior sanitizer checks for C@t{++} undefined behavior.
36699 It has a performance cost, so if you are looking at @value{GDBN}'s
36700 performance, you should disable it. The undefined behavior sanitizer
36701 was first introduced in GCC 4.9.
36702 @end table
36703
36704 @node System-wide configuration
36705 @section System-wide configuration and settings
36706 @cindex system-wide init file
36707
36708 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
36709 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
36710 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
36711
36712 Here is the corresponding configure option:
36713
36714 @table @code
36715 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
36716 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
36717 @var{file}.
36718 @end table
36719
36720 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
36721 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
36722
36723 @itemize @bullet
36724 @item
36725 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
36726 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
36727 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
36728 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
36729 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
36730 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
36731
36732 @item
36733 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
36734 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
36735 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
36736 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
36737 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
36738 @end itemize
36739
36740 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
36741 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
36742 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
36743 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
36744 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
36745 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
36746 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
36747 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
36748 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
36749 reread.
36750
36751 @menu
36752 * System-wide Configuration Scripts:: Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
36753 @end menu
36754
36755 @node System-wide Configuration Scripts
36756 @subsection Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
36757 @cindex system-wide configuration scripts
36758
36759 The @file{system-gdbinit} directory, located inside the data-directory
36760 (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure time) contains
36761 a number of scripts which can be used as system-wide init files. To
36762 automatically source those scripts at startup, @value{GDBN} should be
36763 configured with @option{--with-system-gdbinit}. Otherwise, any user
36764 should be able to source them by hand as needed.
36765
36766 The following scripts are currently available:
36767 @itemize @bullet
36768
36769 @item @file{elinos.py}
36770 @pindex elinos.py
36771 @cindex ELinOS system-wide configuration script
36772 This script is useful when debugging a program on an ELinOS target.
36773 It takes advantage of the environment variables defined in a standard
36774 ELinOS environment in order to determine the location of the system
36775 shared libraries, and then sets the @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
36776 and @samp{solib-search-path} variables appropriately.
36777
36778 @item @file{wrs-linux.py}
36779 @pindex wrs-linux.py
36780 @cindex Wind River Linux system-wide configuration script
36781 This script is useful when debugging a program on a target running
36782 Wind River Linux. It expects the @env{ENV_PREFIX} to be set to
36783 the host-side sysroot used by the target system.
36784
36785 @end itemize
36786
36787 @node Maintenance Commands
36788 @appendix Maintenance Commands
36789 @cindex maintenance commands
36790 @cindex internal commands
36791
36792 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
36793 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
36794 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
36795 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
36796 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
36797
36798 @table @code
36799 @kindex maint agent
36800 @kindex maint agent-eval
36801 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
36802 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
36803 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
36804 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
36805 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
36806 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
36807 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
36808 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
36809 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
36810 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
36811 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
36812 addition and return the sum.
36813 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
36814 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
36815
36816 @kindex maint agent-printf
36817 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
36818 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
36819 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
36820 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
36821 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
36822
36823 @kindex maint info breakpoints
36824 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
36825 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
36826 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
36827 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
36828 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
36829 is shown:
36830
36831 @table @code
36832 @item breakpoint
36833 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
36834
36835 @item watchpoint
36836 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
36837
36838 @item longjmp
36839 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
36840 @code{longjmp} calls.
36841
36842 @item longjmp resume
36843 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
36844
36845 @item until
36846 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
36847
36848 @item finish
36849 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
36850
36851 @item shlib events
36852 Shared library events.
36853
36854 @end table
36855
36856 @kindex maint info btrace
36857 @item maint info btrace
36858 Pint information about raw branch tracing data.
36859
36860 @kindex maint btrace packet-history
36861 @item maint btrace packet-history
36862 Print the raw branch trace packets that are used to compute the
36863 execution history for the @samp{record btrace} command. Both the
36864 information and the format in which it is printed depend on the btrace
36865 recording format.
36866
36867 @table @code
36868 @item bts
36869 For the BTS recording format, print a list of blocks of sequential
36870 code. For each block, the following information is printed:
36871
36872 @table @asis
36873 @item Block number
36874 Newer blocks have higher numbers. The oldest block has number zero.
36875 @item Lowest @samp{PC}
36876 @item Highest @samp{PC}
36877 @end table
36878
36879 @item pt
36880 For the Intel Processor Trace recording format, print a list of
36881 Intel Processor Trace packets. For each packet, the following
36882 information is printed:
36883
36884 @table @asis
36885 @item Packet number
36886 Newer packets have higher numbers. The oldest packet has number zero.
36887 @item Trace offset
36888 The packet's offset in the trace stream.
36889 @item Packet opcode and payload
36890 @end table
36891 @end table
36892
36893 @kindex maint btrace clear-packet-history
36894 @item maint btrace clear-packet-history
36895 Discards the cached packet history printed by the @samp{maint btrace
36896 packet-history} command. The history will be computed again when
36897 needed.
36898
36899 @kindex maint btrace clear
36900 @item maint btrace clear
36901 Discard the branch trace data. The data will be fetched anew and the
36902 branch trace will be recomputed when needed.
36903
36904 This implicitly truncates the branch trace to a single branch trace
36905 buffer. When updating branch trace incrementally, the branch trace
36906 available to @value{GDBN} may be bigger than a single branch trace
36907 buffer.
36908
36909 @kindex maint set btrace pt skip-pad
36910 @item maint set btrace pt skip-pad
36911 @kindex maint show btrace pt skip-pad
36912 @item maint show btrace pt skip-pad
36913 Control whether @value{GDBN} will skip PAD packets when computing the
36914 packet history.
36915
36916 @kindex set displaced-stepping
36917 @kindex show displaced-stepping
36918 @cindex displaced stepping support
36919 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
36920 @item set displaced-stepping
36921 @itemx show displaced-stepping
36922 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
36923 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
36924 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
36925 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
36926 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
36927
36928 @table @code
36929 @item set displaced-stepping on
36930 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
36931 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
36932
36933 @item set displaced-stepping off
36934 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
36935 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
36936
36937 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
36938 @item set displaced-stepping auto
36939 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
36940 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
36941 architecture supports displaced stepping.
36942 @end table
36943
36944 @kindex maint check-psymtabs
36945 @item maint check-psymtabs
36946 Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
36947 Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
36948
36949 @kindex maint check-symtabs
36950 @item maint check-symtabs
36951 Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
36952
36953 @kindex maint expand-symtabs
36954 @item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
36955 Expand symbol tables.
36956 If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
36957 names matching @var{regexp}.
36958
36959 @kindex maint set catch-demangler-crashes
36960 @kindex maint show catch-demangler-crashes
36961 @cindex demangler crashes
36962 @item maint set catch-demangler-crashes [on|off]
36963 @itemx maint show catch-demangler-crashes
36964 Control whether @value{GDBN} should attempt to catch crashes in the
36965 symbol name demangler. The default is to attempt to catch crashes.
36966 If enabled, the first time a crash is caught, a core file is created,
36967 the offending symbol is displayed and the user is presented with the
36968 option to terminate the current session.
36969
36970 @kindex maint cplus first_component
36971 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
36972 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
36973
36974 @kindex maint cplus namespace
36975 @item maint cplus namespace
36976 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
36977
36978 @kindex maint deprecate
36979 @kindex maint undeprecate
36980 @cindex deprecated commands
36981 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
36982 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
36983 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
36984 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
36985 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
36986 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
36987 the replacement as part of the warning.
36988
36989 @kindex maint dump-me
36990 @item maint dump-me
36991 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
36992 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
36993 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
36994 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
36995
36996 @kindex maint internal-error
36997 @kindex maint internal-warning
36998 @kindex maint demangler-warning
36999 @cindex demangler crashes
37000 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
37001 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
37002 @itemx maint demangler-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
37003
37004 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error},
37005 @code{internal_warning} or @code{demangler_warning} and hence behave
37006 as though an internal problem has been detected. In addition to
37007 reporting the internal problem, these functions give the user the
37008 opportunity to either quit @value{GDBN} or (for @code{internal_error}
37009 and @code{internal_warning}) create a core file of the current
37010 @value{GDBN} session.
37011
37012 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
37013 used as the text of the error or warning message.
37014
37015 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
37016
37017 @smallexample
37018 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
37019 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
37020 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
37021 debugging may prove unreliable.
37022 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
37023 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
37024 (@value{GDBP})
37025 @end smallexample
37026
37027 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
37028 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
37029 @cindex demangler crashes
37030
37031 @kindex maint set internal-error
37032 @kindex maint show internal-error
37033 @kindex maint set internal-warning
37034 @kindex maint show internal-warning
37035 @kindex maint set demangler-warning
37036 @kindex maint show demangler-warning
37037 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
37038 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
37039 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
37040 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
37041 @itemx maint set demangler-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
37042 @itemx maint show demangler-warning @var{action}
37043 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
37044 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
37045 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
37046 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
37047 described in the table below.
37048
37049 @table @samp
37050 @item quit
37051 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
37052 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
37053
37054 @item corefile
37055 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
37056 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do. Note
37057 that there is no @code{corefile} option for @code{demangler-warning}:
37058 demangler warnings always create a core file and this cannot be
37059 disabled.
37060 @end table
37061
37062 @kindex maint packet
37063 @item maint packet @var{text}
37064 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
37065 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
37066 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
37067 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
37068 checksum.
37069
37070 @kindex maint print architecture
37071 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37072 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
37073 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
37074
37075 @kindex maint print c-tdesc @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37076 @item maint print c-tdesc
37077 Print the target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
37078 a C source file. By default, the target description is for the current
37079 target, but if the optional argument @var{file} is provided, that file
37080 is used to produce the description. The @var{file} should be an XML
37081 document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description Format}.
37082 The created source file is built into @value{GDBN} when @value{GDBN} is
37083 built again. This command is used by developers after they add or
37084 modify XML target descriptions.
37085
37086 @kindex maint check xml-descriptions
37087 @item maint check xml-descriptions @var{dir}
37088 Check that the target descriptions dynamically created by @value{GDBN}
37089 equal the descriptions created from XML files found in @var{dir}.
37090
37091 @anchor{maint check libthread-db}
37092 @kindex maint check libthread-db
37093 @item maint check libthread-db
37094 Run integrity checks on the current inferior's thread debugging
37095 library. This exercises all @code{libthread_db} functionality used by
37096 @value{GDBN} on GNU/Linux systems, and by extension also exercises the
37097 @code{proc_service} functions provided by @value{GDBN} that
37098 @code{libthread_db} uses. Note that parts of the test may be skipped
37099 on some platforms when debugging core files.
37100
37101 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
37102 @item maint print dummy-frames
37103 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
37104
37105 @smallexample
37106 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
37107 @dots{}
37108 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
37109 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
37110 58 return (a + b);
37111 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
37112 @dots{}
37113 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
37114 0xa8206d8: id=@{stack=0xbfffe734,code=0xbfffe73f,!special@}, ptid=process 9353
37115 (@value{GDBP})
37116 @end smallexample
37117
37118 Takes an optional file parameter.
37119
37120 @kindex maint print registers
37121 @kindex maint print raw-registers
37122 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
37123 @kindex maint print register-groups
37124 @kindex maint print remote-registers
37125 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37126 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37127 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37128 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37129 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37130 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
37131
37132 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
37133 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
37134 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
37135 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
37136 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
37137 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
37138 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
37139 and offsets in the `G' packets.
37140
37141 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
37142 write the information.
37143
37144 @kindex maint print reggroups
37145 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37146 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
37147 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
37148 information.
37149
37150 The register groups info looks like this:
37151
37152 @smallexample
37153 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
37154 Group Type
37155 general user
37156 float user
37157 all user
37158 vector user
37159 system user
37160 save internal
37161 restore internal
37162 @end smallexample
37163
37164 @kindex flushregs
37165 @item flushregs
37166 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
37167
37168 @kindex maint print objfiles
37169 @cindex info for known object files
37170 @item maint print objfiles @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
37171 Print a dump of all known object files.
37172 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print object files whose names
37173 match @var{regexp}. For each object file, this command prints its name,
37174 address in memory, and all of its psymtabs and symtabs.
37175
37176 @kindex maint print user-registers
37177 @cindex user registers
37178 @item maint print user-registers
37179 List all currently available @dfn{user registers}. User registers
37180 typically provide alternate names for actual hardware registers. They
37181 include the four ``standard'' registers @code{$fp}, @code{$pc},
37182 @code{$sp}, and @code{$ps}. @xref{standard registers}. User
37183 registers can be used in expressions in the same way as the canonical
37184 register names, but only the latter are listed by the @code{info
37185 registers} and @code{maint print registers} commands.
37186
37187 @kindex maint print section-scripts
37188 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
37189 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
37190 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
37191 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
37192 matching @var{regexp}.
37193 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
37194 and the full path if known.
37195 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
37196
37197 @kindex maint print statistics
37198 @cindex bcache statistics
37199 @item maint print statistics
37200 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
37201 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
37202 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
37203 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
37204 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
37205 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
37206 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
37207 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
37208 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
37209 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
37210 lengths.
37211
37212 @kindex maint print target-stack
37213 @cindex target stack description
37214 @item maint print target-stack
37215 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
37216 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
37217 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
37218 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
37219 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
37220 address.
37221
37222 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
37223 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
37224
37225 @kindex maint print type
37226 @cindex type chain of a data type
37227 @item maint print type @var{expr}
37228 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
37229 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
37230 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
37231 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
37232 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
37233
37234 @kindex maint selftest
37235 @cindex self tests
37236 @item maint selftest @r{[}@var{filter}@r{]}
37237 Run any self tests that were compiled in to @value{GDBN}. This will
37238 print a message showing how many tests were run, and how many failed.
37239 If a @var{filter} is passed, only the tests with @var{filter} in their
37240 name will by ran.
37241
37242 @kindex maint info selftests
37243 @cindex self tests
37244 @item maint info selftests
37245 List the selftests compiled in to @value{GDBN}.
37246
37247 @kindex maint set dwarf always-disassemble
37248 @kindex maint show dwarf always-disassemble
37249 @item maint set dwarf always-disassemble
37250 @item maint show dwarf always-disassemble
37251 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
37252 information.
37253
37254 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
37255 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
37256 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
37257 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
37258 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
37259 always see the disassembly form.
37260
37261 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
37262
37263 @smallexample
37264 (gdb) info addr argc
37265 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
37266 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
37267 @end smallexample
37268
37269 For more information on these expressions, see
37270 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
37271
37272 @kindex maint set dwarf max-cache-age
37273 @kindex maint show dwarf max-cache-age
37274 @item maint set dwarf max-cache-age
37275 @itemx maint show dwarf max-cache-age
37276 Control the DWARF compilation unit cache.
37277
37278 @cindex DWARF compilation units cache
37279 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
37280 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF
37281 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
37282 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
37283 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
37284 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
37285 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
37286 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
37287
37288 @kindex maint set dwarf unwinders
37289 @kindex maint show dwarf unwinders
37290 @item maint set dwarf unwinders
37291 @itemx maint show dwarf unwinders
37292 Control use of the DWARF frame unwinders.
37293
37294 @cindex DWARF frame unwinders
37295 Many targets that support DWARF debugging use @value{GDBN}'s DWARF
37296 frame unwinders to build the backtrace. Many of these targets will
37297 also have a second mechanism for building the backtrace for use in
37298 cases where DWARF information is not available, this second mechanism
37299 is often an analysis of a function's prologue.
37300
37301 In order to extend testing coverage of the second level stack
37302 unwinding mechanisms it is helpful to be able to disable the DWARF
37303 stack unwinders, this can be done with this switch.
37304
37305 In normal use of @value{GDBN} disabling the DWARF unwinders is not
37306 advisable, there are cases that are better handled through DWARF than
37307 prologue analysis, and the debug experience is likely to be better
37308 with the DWARF frame unwinders enabled.
37309
37310 If DWARF frame unwinders are not supported for a particular target
37311 architecture, then enabling this flag does not cause them to be used.
37312 @kindex maint set profile
37313 @kindex maint show profile
37314 @cindex profiling GDB
37315 @item maint set profile
37316 @itemx maint show profile
37317 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
37318
37319 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
37320 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
37321 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
37322 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
37323 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
37324 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
37325 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
37326
37327 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
37328 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
37329
37330 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
37331 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
37332 @cindex hardware debug registers
37333 @item maint set show-debug-regs
37334 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
37335 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
37336 registers. Use @code{on} to enable, @code{off} to disable. If
37337 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
37338 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
37339 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
37340
37341 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
37342 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
37343 @item maint set show-all-tib
37344 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
37345 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
37346 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
37347 command.
37348
37349 @kindex maint set target-async
37350 @kindex maint show target-async
37351 @item maint set target-async
37352 @itemx maint show target-async
37353 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets operate in synchronous or
37354 asynchronous mode (@pxref{Background Execution}). Normally the
37355 default is asynchronous, if it is available; but this can be changed
37356 to more easily debug problems occurring only in synchronous mode.
37357
37358 @kindex maint set target-non-stop @var{mode} [on|off|auto]
37359 @kindex maint show target-non-stop
37360 @item maint set target-non-stop
37361 @itemx maint show target-non-stop
37362
37363 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets always operate in non-stop
37364 mode even if @code{set non-stop} is @code{off} (@pxref{Non-Stop
37365 Mode}). The default is @code{auto}, meaning non-stop mode is enabled
37366 if supported by the target.
37367
37368 @table @code
37369 @item maint set target-non-stop auto
37370 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} controls the target in
37371 non-stop mode if the target supports it.
37372
37373 @item maint set target-non-stop on
37374 @value{GDBN} controls the target in non-stop mode even if the target
37375 does not indicate support.
37376
37377 @item maint set target-non-stop off
37378 @value{GDBN} does not control the target in non-stop mode even if the
37379 target supports it.
37380 @end table
37381
37382 @kindex maint set per-command
37383 @kindex maint show per-command
37384 @item maint set per-command
37385 @itemx maint show per-command
37386 @cindex resources used by commands
37387
37388 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
37389 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
37390
37391 @table @code
37392 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
37393 @itemx maint show per-command space
37394 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
37395 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
37396 took, following the command's own output.
37397 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
37398 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
37399
37400 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
37401 @itemx maint show per-command time
37402 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
37403 for each command.
37404 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
37405 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
37406 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
37407 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
37408 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
37409 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
37410 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
37411 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
37412 spent by the program been debugged.
37413 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
37414 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
37415
37416 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
37417 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
37418 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
37419 for each command.
37420 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
37421
37422 @enumerate a
37423 @item
37424 number of symbol tables
37425 @item
37426 number of primary symbol tables
37427 @item
37428 number of blocks in the blockvector
37429 @end enumerate
37430 @end table
37431
37432 @kindex maint set check-libthread-db
37433 @kindex maint show check-libthread-db
37434 @item maint set check-libthread-db [on|off]
37435 @itemx maint show check-libthread-db
37436 Control whether @value{GDBN} should run integrity checks on inferior
37437 specific thread debugging libraries as they are loaded. The default
37438 is not to perform such checks. If any check fails @value{GDBN} will
37439 unload the library and continue searching for a suitable candidate as
37440 described in @ref{set libthread-db-search-path}. For more information
37441 about the tests, see @ref{maint check libthread-db}.
37442
37443 @kindex maint space
37444 @cindex memory used by commands
37445 @item maint space @var{value}
37446 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
37447 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
37448
37449 @kindex maint time
37450 @cindex time of command execution
37451 @item maint time @var{value}
37452 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
37453 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
37454
37455 @kindex maint translate-address
37456 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
37457 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
37458 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
37459 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
37460 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
37461 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
37462 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
37463
37464 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
37465 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
37466 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
37467
37468 @kindex maint test-options
37469 @item maint test-options require-delimiter
37470 @itemx maint test-options unknown-is-error
37471 @itemx maint test-options unknown-is-operand
37472 These commands are used by the testsuite to validate the command
37473 options framework. The @code{require-delimiter} variant requires a
37474 double-dash delimiter to indicate end of options. The
37475 @code{unknown-is-error} and @code{unknown-is-operand} do not. The
37476 @code{unknown-is-error} variant throws an error on unknown option,
37477 while @code{unknown-is-operand} treats unknown options as the start of
37478 the command's operands. When run, the commands output the result of
37479 the processed options. When completed, the commands store the
37480 internal result of completion in a variable exposed by the @code{maint
37481 show test-options-completion-result} command.
37482
37483 @kindex maint show test-options-completion-result
37484 @item maint show test-options-completion-result
37485 Shows the result of completing the @code{maint test-options}
37486 subcommands. This is used by the testsuite to validate completion
37487 support in the command options framework.
37488
37489 @kindex maint test-settings
37490 @item maint test-settings set @var{kind}
37491 @itemx maint test-settings show @var{kind}
37492 These are representative commands for each @var{kind} of setting type
37493 @value{GDBN} supports. They are used by the testsuite for exercising
37494 the settings infrastructure.
37495 @end table
37496
37497 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
37498 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
37499
37500 @table @code
37501 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
37502 @kindex set watchdog
37503 @cindex watchdog timer
37504 @cindex timeout for commands
37505 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
37506 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
37507 reports and error and the command is aborted.
37508
37509 @item show watchdog
37510 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
37511 @end table
37512
37513 @node Remote Protocol
37514 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
37515
37516 @menu
37517 * Overview::
37518 * Packets::
37519 * Stop Reply Packets::
37520 * General Query Packets::
37521 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
37522 * Tracepoint Packets::
37523 * Host I/O Packets::
37524 * Interrupts::
37525 * Notification Packets::
37526 * Remote Non-Stop::
37527 * Packet Acknowledgment::
37528 * Examples::
37529 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
37530 * Library List Format::
37531 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
37532 * Memory Map Format::
37533 * Thread List Format::
37534 * Traceframe Info Format::
37535 * Branch Trace Format::
37536 * Branch Trace Configuration Format::
37537 @end menu
37538
37539 @node Overview
37540 @section Overview
37541
37542 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
37543 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
37544 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
37545 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
37546
37547 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
37548 transmitted and received data, respectively.
37549
37550 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
37551 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
37552 @cindex remote serial protocol
37553 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
37554 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
37555 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
37556 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
37557 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
37558
37559 @smallexample
37560 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
37561 @end smallexample
37562 @noindent
37563
37564 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
37565 @noindent
37566 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
37567 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
37568 eight bit unsigned checksum).
37569
37570 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
37571 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
37572
37573 @smallexample
37574 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
37575 @end smallexample
37576
37577 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
37578 @noindent
37579 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
37580 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
37581 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
37582
37583 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
37584 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
37585 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
37586 retransmission):
37587
37588 @smallexample
37589 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
37590 <- @code{+}
37591 @end smallexample
37592 @noindent
37593
37594 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
37595 once a connection is established.
37596 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
37597
37598 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
37599 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
37600 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
37601 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
37602 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
37603 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
37604 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
37605
37606 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
37607 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
37608 exceptions).
37609
37610 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
37611 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
37612 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
37613 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
37614
37615 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
37616 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
37617 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
37618
37619 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
37620 @anchor{Binary Data}
37621 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
37622 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
37623 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
37624 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
37625 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
37626 binary data.
37627
37628 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
37629 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
37630 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
37631 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
37632 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
37633 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
37634 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
37635 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
37636 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
37637 (described next).
37638
37639 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
37640 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
37641 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
37642 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
37643 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
37644 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
37645 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
37646 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
37647 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
37648 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
37649 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
37650 3}} more times.
37651
37652 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
37653 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
37654 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
37655 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
37656 @samp{0*"00}.
37657
37658 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
37659 error number. That number is not well defined.
37660
37661 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
37662 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
37663 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
37664 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
37665 on that response.
37666
37667 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
37668 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
37669 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
37670 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
37671 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
37672 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
37673
37674 @node Packets
37675 @section Packets
37676
37677 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
37678 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
37679 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
37680 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
37681
37682 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
37683 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
37684 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
37685 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
37686 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
37687 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
37688 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
37689 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
37690 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
37691 @var{baz}.
37692
37693 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
37694 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
37695 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
37696 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
37697 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
37698 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
37699 pick any thread.
37700
37701 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
37702 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
37703 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
37704 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
37705 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
37706 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
37707 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
37708 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
37709 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
37710 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
37711 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
37712 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
37713 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
37714
37715 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
37716 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
37717 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
37718 more information.
37719
37720 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
37721 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
37722
37723 Here are the packet descriptions.
37724
37725 @table @samp
37726
37727 @item !
37728 @cindex @samp{!} packet
37729 @anchor{extended mode}
37730 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
37731 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
37732 debugged.
37733
37734 Reply:
37735 @table @samp
37736 @item OK
37737 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
37738 @end table
37739
37740 @item ?
37741 @cindex @samp{?} packet
37742 @anchor{? packet}
37743 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
37744 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
37745 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
37746
37747 Reply:
37748 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37749
37750 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
37751 @cindex @samp{A} packet
37752 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
37753 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
37754 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
37755
37756 Reply:
37757 @table @samp
37758 @item OK
37759 The arguments were set.
37760 @item E @var{NN}
37761 An error occurred.
37762 @end table
37763
37764 @item b @var{baud}
37765 @cindex @samp{b} packet
37766 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
37767 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
37768
37769 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
37770 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
37771 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
37772
37773 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
37774 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
37775 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
37776 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
37777 of view, nothing actually happened.}
37778
37779 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
37780 @cindex @samp{B} packet
37781 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
37782 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
37783
37784 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
37785 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
37786
37787 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
37788 @anchor{bc}
37789 @item bc
37790 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
37791 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
37792
37793 Reply:
37794 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37795
37796 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
37797 @anchor{bs}
37798 @item bs
37799 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
37800 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
37801
37802 Reply:
37803 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37804
37805 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
37806 @cindex @samp{c} packet
37807 Continue at @var{addr}, which is the address to resume. If @var{addr}
37808 is omitted, resume at current address.
37809
37810 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37811 packet}.
37812
37813 Reply:
37814 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37815
37816 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
37817 @cindex @samp{C} packet
37818 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
37819 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
37820
37821 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37822 packet}.
37823
37824 Reply:
37825 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37826
37827 @item d
37828 @cindex @samp{d} packet
37829 Toggle debug flag.
37830
37831 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
37832 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
37833
37834 @item D
37835 @itemx D;@var{pid}
37836 @cindex @samp{D} packet
37837 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
37838 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
37839 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
37840
37841 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
37842 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
37843 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
37844 big-endian hex string.
37845
37846 Reply:
37847 @table @samp
37848 @item OK
37849 for success
37850 @item E @var{NN}
37851 for an error
37852 @end table
37853
37854 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
37855 @cindex @samp{F} packet
37856 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
37857 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
37858 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
37859
37860 @item g
37861 @anchor{read registers packet}
37862 @cindex @samp{g} packet
37863 Read general registers.
37864
37865 Reply:
37866 @table @samp
37867 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37868 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
37869 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
37870 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
37871 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
37872 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}.
37873
37874 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
37875 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
37876 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
37877 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
37878 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
37879 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
37880 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
37881 have been collected, and both have zero value:
37882
37883 @smallexample
37884 -> @code{g}
37885 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
37886 @end smallexample
37887
37888 @item E @var{NN}
37889 for an error.
37890 @end table
37891
37892 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
37893 @cindex @samp{G} packet
37894 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
37895 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
37896
37897 Reply:
37898 @table @samp
37899 @item OK
37900 for success
37901 @item E @var{NN}
37902 for an error
37903 @end table
37904
37905 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
37906 @cindex @samp{H} packet
37907 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
37908 @samp{G}, et.al.). Depending on the operation to be performed, @var{op}
37909 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
37910 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
37911 option), and @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
37912 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
37913 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37914
37915 Reply:
37916 @table @samp
37917 @item OK
37918 for success
37919 @item E @var{NN}
37920 for an error
37921 @end table
37922
37923 @c FIXME: JTC:
37924 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
37925 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
37926 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
37927 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
37928 @c described. For example:
37929 @c
37930 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
37931 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
37932 @c otherwise returns current registers.
37933 @c
37934 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
37935 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
37936 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
37937
37938 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
37939 @anchor{cycle step packet}
37940 @cindex @samp{i} packet
37941 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
37942 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
37943 step starting at that address.
37944
37945 @item I
37946 @cindex @samp{I} packet
37947 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
37948 step packet}.
37949
37950 @item k
37951 @cindex @samp{k} packet
37952 Kill request.
37953
37954 The exact effect of this packet is not specified.
37955
37956 For a bare-metal target, it may power cycle or reset the target
37957 system. For that reason, the @samp{k} packet has no reply.
37958
37959 For a single-process target, it may kill that process if possible.
37960
37961 A multiple-process target may choose to kill just one process, or all
37962 that are under @value{GDBN}'s control. For more precise control, use
37963 the vKill packet (@pxref{vKill packet}).
37964
37965 If the target system immediately closes the connection in response to
37966 @samp{k}, @value{GDBN} does not consider the lack of packet
37967 acknowledgment to be an error, and assumes the kill was successful.
37968
37969 If connected using @kbd{target extended-remote}, and the target does
37970 not close the connection in response to a kill request, @value{GDBN}
37971 probes the target state as if a new connection was opened
37972 (@pxref{? packet}).
37973
37974 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
37975 @cindex @samp{m} packet
37976 Read @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
37977 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to
37978 any particular boundary.
37979
37980 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
37981 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
37982 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
37983 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
37984 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
37985 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
37986 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
37987 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
37988
37989 Reply:
37990 @table @samp
37991 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37992 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
37993 The reply may contain fewer addressable memory units than requested if the
37994 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
37995 @item E @var{NN}
37996 @var{NN} is errno
37997 @end table
37998
37999 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
38000 @cindex @samp{M} packet
38001 Write @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
38002 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). The data is given by @var{XX@dots{}}; each
38003 byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
38004
38005 Reply:
38006 @table @samp
38007 @item OK
38008 for success
38009 @item E @var{NN}
38010 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
38011 written).
38012 @end table
38013
38014 @item p @var{n}
38015 @cindex @samp{p} packet
38016 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
38017 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
38018 register value is encoded.
38019
38020 Reply:
38021 @table @samp
38022 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
38023 the register's value
38024 @item E @var{NN}
38025 for an error
38026 @item @w{}
38027 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
38028 @end table
38029
38030 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
38031 @anchor{write register packet}
38032 @cindex @samp{P} packet
38033 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
38034 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
38035 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
38036
38037 Reply:
38038 @table @samp
38039 @item OK
38040 for success
38041 @item E @var{NN}
38042 for an error
38043 @end table
38044
38045 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
38046 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
38047 @cindex @samp{q} packet
38048 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
38049 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
38050 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
38051
38052 @item r
38053 @cindex @samp{r} packet
38054 Reset the entire system.
38055
38056 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
38057
38058 @item R @var{XX}
38059 @cindex @samp{R} packet
38060 Restart the program being debugged. The @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
38061 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
38062
38063 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
38064
38065 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
38066 @cindex @samp{s} packet
38067 Single step, resuming at @var{addr}. If
38068 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
38069
38070 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
38071 packet}.
38072
38073 Reply:
38074 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38075
38076 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
38077 @anchor{step with signal packet}
38078 @cindex @samp{S} packet
38079 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
38080 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
38081
38082 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
38083 packet}.
38084
38085 Reply:
38086 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38087
38088 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
38089 @cindex @samp{t} packet
38090 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
38091 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}, both of which are are 4 byte long.
38092 There must be at least 3 digits in @var{addr}.
38093
38094 @item T @var{thread-id}
38095 @cindex @samp{T} packet
38096 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
38097
38098 Reply:
38099 @table @samp
38100 @item OK
38101 thread is still alive
38102 @item E @var{NN}
38103 thread is dead
38104 @end table
38105
38106 @item v
38107 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
38108 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
38109
38110 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
38111 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
38112 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
38113 The process ID is a
38114 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
38115 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
38116 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
38117
38118 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
38119 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
38120 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
38121 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
38122 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
38123 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
38124 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
38125 @c stopping or restarting threads.
38126
38127 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
38128
38129 Reply:
38130 @table @samp
38131 @item E @var{nn}
38132 for an error
38133 @item @r{Any stop packet}
38134 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
38135 @item OK
38136 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
38137 @end table
38138
38139 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
38140 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
38141 @anchor{vCont packet}
38142 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
38143
38144 For each inferior thread, the leftmost action with a matching
38145 @var{thread-id} is applied. Threads that don't match any action
38146 remain in their current state. Thread IDs are specified using the
38147 syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}. If multiprocess
38148 extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}) are supported, actions
38149 can be specified to match all threads in a process by using the
38150 @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the @var{thread-id}. An action with no
38151 @var{thread-id} matches all threads. Specifying no actions is an
38152 error.
38153
38154 Currently supported actions are:
38155
38156 @table @samp
38157 @item c
38158 Continue.
38159 @item C @var{sig}
38160 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
38161 @item s
38162 Step.
38163 @item S @var{sig}
38164 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
38165 @item t
38166 Stop.
38167 @item r @var{start},@var{end}
38168 Step once, and then keep stepping as long as the thread stops at
38169 addresses between @var{start} (inclusive) and @var{end} (exclusive).
38170 The remote stub reports a stop reply when either the thread goes out
38171 of the range or is stopped due to an unrelated reason, such as hitting
38172 a breakpoint. @xref{range stepping}.
38173
38174 If the range is empty (@var{start} == @var{end}), then the action
38175 becomes equivalent to the @samp{s} action. In other words,
38176 single-step once, and report the stop (even if the stepped instruction
38177 jumps to @var{start}).
38178
38179 (A stop reply may be sent at any point even if the PC is still within
38180 the stepping range; for example, it is valid to implement this packet
38181 in a degenerate way as a single instruction step operation.)
38182
38183 @end table
38184
38185 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
38186 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
38187 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
38188
38189 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
38190 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
38191 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
38192 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
38193 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
38194 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
38195 as an implementation detail.
38196
38197 The server must ignore @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, @samp{S}, and
38198 @samp{r} actions for threads that are already running. Conversely,
38199 the server must ignore @samp{t} actions for threads that are already
38200 stopped.
38201
38202 @emph{Note:} In non-stop mode, a thread is considered running until
38203 @value{GDBN} acknowleges an asynchronous stop notification for it with
38204 the @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}).
38205
38206 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
38207 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}).
38208
38209 Reply:
38210 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38211
38212 @item vCont?
38213 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
38214 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
38215
38216 Reply:
38217 @table @samp
38218 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
38219 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
38220 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
38221 @item @w{}
38222 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
38223 @end table
38224
38225 @anchor{vCtrlC packet}
38226 @item vCtrlC
38227 @cindex @samp{vCtrlC} packet
38228 Interrupt remote target as if a control-C was pressed on the remote
38229 terminal. This is the equivalent to reacting to the @code{^C}
38230 (@samp{\003}, the control-C character) character in all-stop mode
38231 while the target is running, except this works in non-stop mode.
38232 @xref{interrupting remote targets}, for more info on the all-stop
38233 variant.
38234
38235 Reply:
38236 @table @samp
38237 @item E @var{nn}
38238 for an error
38239 @item OK
38240 for success
38241 @end table
38242
38243 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
38244 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
38245 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
38246 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
38247
38248 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
38249 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
38250 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
38251 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
38252 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
38253 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
38254 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
38255 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
38256 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
38257 packet is received.
38258
38259 Reply:
38260 @table @samp
38261 @item OK
38262 for success
38263 @item E @var{NN}
38264 for an error
38265 @end table
38266
38267 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
38268 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
38269 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
38270 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
38271 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
38272 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
38273 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
38274 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
38275 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
38276 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
38277 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
38278 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
38279
38280
38281 Reply:
38282 @table @samp
38283 @item OK
38284 for success
38285 @item E.memtype
38286 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
38287 @item E @var{NN}
38288 for an error
38289 @end table
38290
38291 @item vFlashDone
38292 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
38293 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
38294 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
38295 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
38296 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
38297 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
38298 request is completed.
38299
38300 @item vKill;@var{pid}
38301 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
38302 @anchor{vKill packet}
38303 Kill the process with the specified process ID @var{pid}, which is a
38304 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
38305 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
38306 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
38307
38308 Reply:
38309 @table @samp
38310 @item E @var{nn}
38311 for an error
38312 @item OK
38313 for success
38314 @end table
38315
38316 @item vMustReplyEmpty
38317 @cindex @samp{vMustReplyEmpty} packet
38318 The correct reply to an unknown @samp{v} packet is to return the empty
38319 string, however, some older versions of @command{gdbserver} would
38320 incorrectly return @samp{OK} for unknown @samp{v} packets.
38321
38322 The @samp{vMustReplyEmpty} is used as a feature test to check how
38323 @command{gdbserver} handles unknown packets, it is important that this
38324 packet be handled in the same way as other unknown @samp{v} packets.
38325 If this packet is handled differently to other unknown @samp{v}
38326 packets then it is possile that @value{GDBN} may run into problems in
38327 other areas, specifically around use of @samp{vFile:setfs:}.
38328
38329 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
38330 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
38331 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
38332 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
38333 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
38334 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
38335 state.
38336
38337 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
38338
38339 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
38340
38341 Reply:
38342 @table @samp
38343 @item E @var{nn}
38344 for an error
38345 @item @r{Any stop packet}
38346 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
38347 @end table
38348
38349 @item vStopped
38350 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
38351 @xref{Notification Packets}.
38352
38353 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
38354 @anchor{X packet}
38355 @cindex @samp{X} packet
38356 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
38357 Memory is specified by its address @var{addr} and number of addressable memory
38358 units @var{length} (@pxref{addressable memory unit});
38359 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
38360
38361 Reply:
38362 @table @samp
38363 @item OK
38364 for success
38365 @item E @var{NN}
38366 for an error
38367 @end table
38368
38369 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
38370 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
38371 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
38372 @cindex @samp{z} packet
38373 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
38374 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
38375 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
38376
38377 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
38378 separately.
38379
38380 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
38381 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
38382 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
38383 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
38384 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
38385 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
38386
38387 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38388 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
38389 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
38390 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
38391 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a software breakpoint at address
38392 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
38393
38394 A software breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
38395 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
38396 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of the
38397 breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm} and
38398 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
38399 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind}
38400 (@pxref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}); if no
38401 architecture-specific value is being used, it should be @samp{0}.
38402 @var{kind} is hex-encoded. @var{cond_list} is an optional list of
38403 conditional expressions in bytecode form that should be evaluated on
38404 the target's side. These are the conditions that should be taken into
38405 consideration when deciding if the breakpoint trigger should be
38406 reported back to @value{GDBN}.
38407
38408 See also the @samp{swbreak} stop reason (@pxref{swbreak stop reason})
38409 for how to best report a software breakpoint event to @value{GDBN}.
38410
38411 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
38412 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
38413
38414 @table @samp
38415
38416 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
38417 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
38418 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
38419
38420 @end table
38421
38422 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
38423 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
38424 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
38425 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
38426 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
38427 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
38428 separators. Each expression has the following form:
38429
38430 @table @samp
38431
38432 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
38433 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
38434 actual commands expression in bytecode form.
38435
38436 @end table
38437
38438 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
38439 code that contains software breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
38440 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
38441 target, is not defined.}
38442
38443 Reply:
38444 @table @samp
38445 @item OK
38446 success
38447 @item @w{}
38448 not supported
38449 @item E @var{NN}
38450 for an error
38451 @end table
38452
38453 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38454 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
38455 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
38456 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
38457 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
38458 address @var{addr}.
38459
38460 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
38461 dependent on being able to modify the target's memory. The
38462 @var{kind}, @var{cond_list}, and @var{cmd_list} arguments have the
38463 same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
38464
38465 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
38466 movement.}
38467
38468 Reply:
38469 @table @samp
38470 @item OK
38471 success
38472 @item @w{}
38473 not supported
38474 @item E @var{NN}
38475 for an error
38476 @end table
38477
38478 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38479 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38480 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
38481 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
38482 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
38483 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
38484
38485 Reply:
38486 @table @samp
38487 @item OK
38488 success
38489 @item @w{}
38490 not supported
38491 @item E @var{NN}
38492 for an error
38493 @end table
38494
38495 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38496 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38497 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
38498 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
38499 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
38500 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
38501
38502 Reply:
38503 @table @samp
38504 @item OK
38505 success
38506 @item @w{}
38507 not supported
38508 @item E @var{NN}
38509 for an error
38510 @end table
38511
38512 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38513 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38514 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
38515 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
38516 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
38517 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
38518
38519 Reply:
38520 @table @samp
38521 @item OK
38522 success
38523 @item @w{}
38524 not supported
38525 @item E @var{NN}
38526 for an error
38527 @end table
38528
38529 @end table
38530
38531 @node Stop Reply Packets
38532 @section Stop Reply Packets
38533 @cindex stop reply packets
38534
38535 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
38536 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
38537 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
38538 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
38539 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
38540 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
38541 @value{GDBN} source code.
38542
38543 In non-stop mode, the server will simply reply @samp{OK} to commands
38544 such as @samp{vCont}; any stop will be the subject of a future
38545 notification. @xref{Remote Non-Stop}.
38546
38547 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
38548 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
38549 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
38550 components.
38551
38552 @table @samp
38553
38554 @item S @var{AA}
38555 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
38556 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
38557 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
38558
38559 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
38560 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
38561 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
38562 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
38563 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
38564 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
38565 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
38566 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
38567
38568 @itemize @bullet
38569 @item
38570 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
38571 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. The data @var{r} is a
38572 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
38573 two-digit hex number.
38574
38575 @item
38576 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
38577 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
38578
38579 @item
38580 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
38581 the core on which the stop event was detected.
38582
38583 @item
38584 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
38585 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
38586 reasons are listed below. The @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
38587 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
38588
38589 @item
38590 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
38591 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
38592 future.
38593 @end itemize
38594
38595 The currently defined stop reasons are:
38596
38597 @table @samp
38598 @item watch
38599 @itemx rwatch
38600 @itemx awatch
38601 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
38602 hex.
38603
38604 @item syscall_entry
38605 @itemx syscall_return
38606 The packet indicates a syscall entry or return, and @var{r} is the
38607 syscall number, in hex.
38608
38609 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
38610 @item library
38611 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
38612 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
38613 list of loaded libraries. The @var{r} part is ignored.
38614
38615 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
38616 @item replaylog
38617 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
38618 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
38619 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
38620 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
38621 for more information.
38622
38623 @item swbreak
38624 @anchor{swbreak stop reason}
38625 The packet indicates a software breakpoint instruction was executed,
38626 irrespective of whether it was @value{GDBN} that planted the
38627 breakpoint or the breakpoint is hardcoded in the program. The @var{r}
38628 part must be left empty.
38629
38630 On some architectures, such as x86, at the architecture level, when a
38631 breakpoint instruction executes the program counter points at the
38632 breakpoint address plus an offset. On such targets, the stub is
38633 responsible for adjusting the PC to point back at the breakpoint
38634 address.
38635
38636 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
38637 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
38638 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
38639 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
38640 indicating support.
38641
38642 This packet is required for correct non-stop mode operation.
38643
38644 @item hwbreak
38645 The packet indicates the target stopped for a hardware breakpoint.
38646 The @var{r} part must be left empty.
38647
38648 The same remarks about @samp{qSupported} and non-stop mode above
38649 apply.
38650
38651 @cindex fork events, remote reply
38652 @item fork
38653 The packet indicates that @code{fork} was called, and @var{r}
38654 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
38655 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
38656 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
38657 fork events.
38658
38659 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
38660 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
38661 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
38662 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
38663 indicating support.
38664
38665 @cindex vfork events, remote reply
38666 @item vfork
38667 The packet indicates that @code{vfork} was called, and @var{r}
38668 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
38669 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
38670 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
38671 vfork events.
38672
38673 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
38674 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
38675 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
38676 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
38677 indicating support.
38678
38679 @cindex vforkdone events, remote reply
38680 @item vforkdone
38681 The packet indicates that a child process created by a vfork
38682 has either called @code{exec} or terminated, so that the
38683 address spaces of the parent and child process are no longer
38684 shared. The @var{r} part is ignored. This packet is only
38685 applicable to targets that support vforkdone events.
38686
38687 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
38688 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
38689 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
38690 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
38691 indicating support.
38692
38693 @cindex exec events, remote reply
38694 @item exec
38695 The packet indicates that @code{execve} was called, and @var{r}
38696 is the absolute pathname of the file that was executed, in hex.
38697 This packet is only applicable to targets that support exec events.
38698
38699 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
38700 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
38701 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
38702 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
38703 indicating support.
38704
38705 @cindex thread create event, remote reply
38706 @anchor{thread create event}
38707 @item create
38708 The packet indicates that the thread was just created. The new thread
38709 is stopped until @value{GDBN} sets it running with a resumption packet
38710 (@pxref{vCont packet}). This packet should not be sent by default;
38711 @value{GDBN} requests it with the @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See
38712 also the @samp{w} (@pxref{thread exit event}) remote reply below. The
38713 @var{r} part is ignored.
38714
38715 @end table
38716
38717 @item W @var{AA}
38718 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
38719 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
38720 applicable to certain targets.
38721
38722 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
38723 exited process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
38724 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
38725 extensions}. Both @var{AA} and @var{pid} are formatted as big-endian
38726 hex strings.
38727
38728 @item X @var{AA}
38729 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
38730 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
38731
38732 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
38733 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
38734 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
38735 extensions}. Both @var{AA} and @var{pid} are formatted as big-endian
38736 hex strings.
38737
38738 @anchor{thread exit event}
38739 @cindex thread exit event, remote reply
38740 @item w @var{AA} ; @var{tid}
38741
38742 The thread exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This response
38743 should not be sent by default; @value{GDBN} requests it with the
38744 @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See also @ref{thread create event} above.
38745 @var{AA} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
38746
38747 @item N
38748 There are no resumed threads left in the target. In other words, even
38749 though the process is alive, the last resumed thread has exited. For
38750 example, say the target process has two threads: thread 1 and thread
38751 2. The client leaves thread 1 stopped, and resumes thread 2, which
38752 subsequently exits. At this point, even though the process is still
38753 alive, and thus no @samp{W} stop reply is sent, no thread is actually
38754 executing either. The @samp{N} stop reply thus informs the client
38755 that it can stop waiting for stop replies. This packet should not be
38756 sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions did not support it.
38757 @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an appropriate
38758 @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The remote stub must
38759 also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature indicating
38760 support.
38761
38762 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
38763 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
38764 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
38765 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
38766 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
38767
38768 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
38769 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
38770 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
38771 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
38772 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
38773 system calls.
38774
38775 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
38776 this very system call.
38777
38778 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
38779 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
38780 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
38781 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
38782 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
38783 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
38784
38785 @end table
38786
38787 @node General Query Packets
38788 @section General Query Packets
38789 @cindex remote query requests
38790
38791 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
38792 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
38793 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
38794 sending information to and from the stub.
38795
38796 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
38797 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
38798 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
38799 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
38800 conventions:
38801
38802 @itemize @bullet
38803 @item
38804 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
38805 @item
38806 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
38807 letter.
38808 @item
38809 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
38810 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
38811 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
38812 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
38813 @end itemize
38814
38815 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
38816 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
38817 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
38818 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
38819 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
38820 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
38821 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
38822 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
38823 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
38824 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
38825 packet.}.
38826
38827 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
38828 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
38829 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
38830 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
38831 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
38832
38833 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
38834
38835 @table @samp
38836
38837 @item QAgent:1
38838 @itemx QAgent:0
38839 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
38840 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
38841
38842 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
38843 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
38844 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
38845 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
38846 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
38847 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
38848 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
38849 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
38850 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
38851 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
38852 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
38853
38854 @item qC
38855 @cindex current thread, remote request
38856 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
38857 Return the current thread ID.
38858
38859 Reply:
38860 @table @samp
38861 @item QC @var{thread-id}
38862 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
38863 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
38864 @item @r{(anything else)}
38865 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
38866 @end table
38867
38868 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
38869 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
38870 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
38871 @anchor{qCRC packet}
38872 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
38873 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
38874 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
38875 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
38876
38877 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
38878 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
38879 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
38880 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
38881 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
38882 detect trailing zeros.
38883
38884 Reply:
38885 @table @samp
38886 @item E @var{NN}
38887 An error (such as memory fault)
38888 @item C @var{crc32}
38889 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
38890 @end table
38891
38892 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
38893 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
38894 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
38895 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
38896 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
38897 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
38898 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
38899 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
38900 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
38901 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
38902 randomization.
38903
38904 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
38905
38906 Reply:
38907 @table @samp
38908 @item OK
38909 The request succeeded.
38910
38911 @item E @var{nn}
38912 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
38913
38914 @item @w{}
38915 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
38916 by the stub.
38917 @end table
38918
38919 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38920 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38921 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
38922 address space randomization.
38923
38924 @item QStartupWithShell:@var{value}
38925 @cindex startup with shell, remote request
38926 @cindex @samp{QStartupWithShell} packet
38927 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to start the inferior using a
38928 shell program. This is the default behavior on both @value{GDBN} and
38929 @command{gdbserver} (@pxref{set startup-with-shell}). This packet is
38930 used to inform @command{gdbserver} whether it should start the
38931 inferior using a shell or not.
38932
38933 If @var{value} is @samp{0}, @command{gdbserver} will not use a shell
38934 to start the inferior. If @var{value} is @samp{1},
38935 @command{gdbserver} will use a shell to start the inferior. All other
38936 values are considered an error.
38937
38938 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
38939 mode}).
38940
38941 Reply:
38942 @table @samp
38943 @item OK
38944 The request succeeded.
38945
38946 @item E @var{nn}
38947 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
38948 @end table
38949
38950 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38951 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38952 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
38953 actually support starting the inferior using a shell.
38954
38955 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set startup-with-shell}
38956 command; @pxref{set startup-with-shell}.
38957
38958 @item QEnvironmentHexEncoded:@var{hex-value}
38959 @anchor{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
38960 @cindex set environment variable, remote request
38961 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentHexEncoded} packet
38962 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to set environment variables that
38963 will be passed to the inferior during the startup process. This
38964 packet is used to inform @command{gdbserver} of an environment
38965 variable that has been defined by the user on @value{GDBN} (@pxref{set
38966 environment}).
38967
38968 The packet is composed by @var{hex-value}, an hex encoded
38969 representation of the @var{name=value} format representing an
38970 environment variable. The name of the environment variable is
38971 represented by @var{name}, and the value to be assigned to the
38972 environment variable is represented by @var{value}. If the variable
38973 has no value (i.e., the value is @code{null}), then @var{value} will
38974 not be present.
38975
38976 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
38977 mode}).
38978
38979 Reply:
38980 @table @samp
38981 @item OK
38982 The request succeeded.
38983 @end table
38984
38985 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38986 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38987 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
38988 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
38989 inferior.
38990
38991 This packet is related to the @code{set environment} command;
38992 @pxref{set environment}.
38993
38994 @item QEnvironmentUnset:@var{hex-value}
38995 @anchor{QEnvironmentUnset}
38996 @cindex unset environment variable, remote request
38997 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentUnset} packet
38998 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to unset environment variables
38999 before starting the inferior in the remote target. This packet is
39000 used to inform @command{gdbserver} of an environment variable that has
39001 been unset by the user on @value{GDBN} (@pxref{unset environment}).
39002
39003 The packet is composed by @var{hex-value}, an hex encoded
39004 representation of the name of the environment variable to be unset.
39005
39006 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
39007 mode}).
39008
39009 Reply:
39010 @table @samp
39011 @item OK
39012 The request succeeded.
39013 @end table
39014
39015 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39016 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39017 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
39018 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
39019 inferior.
39020
39021 This packet is related to the @code{unset environment} command;
39022 @pxref{unset environment}.
39023
39024 @item QEnvironmentReset
39025 @anchor{QEnvironmentReset}
39026 @cindex reset environment, remote request
39027 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentReset} packet
39028 On UNIX-like targets, this packet is used to reset the state of
39029 environment variables in the remote target before starting the
39030 inferior. In this context, reset means unsetting all environment
39031 variables that were previously set by the user (i.e., were not
39032 initially present in the environment). It is sent to
39033 @command{gdbserver} before the @samp{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
39034 (@pxref{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}) and the @samp{QEnvironmentUnset}
39035 (@pxref{QEnvironmentUnset}) packets.
39036
39037 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
39038 mode}).
39039
39040 Reply:
39041 @table @samp
39042 @item OK
39043 The request succeeded.
39044 @end table
39045
39046 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39047 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39048 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
39049 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
39050 inferior.
39051
39052 @item QSetWorkingDir:@r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
39053 @anchor{QSetWorkingDir packet}
39054 @cindex set working directory, remote request
39055 @cindex @samp{QSetWorkingDir} packet
39056 This packet is used to inform the remote server of the intended
39057 current working directory for programs that are going to be executed.
39058
39059 The packet is composed by @var{directory}, an hex encoded
39060 representation of the directory that the remote inferior will use as
39061 its current working directory. If @var{directory} is an empty string,
39062 the remote server should reset the inferior's current working
39063 directory to its original, empty value.
39064
39065 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
39066 mode}).
39067
39068 Reply:
39069 @table @samp
39070 @item OK
39071 The request succeeded.
39072 @end table
39073
39074 @item qfThreadInfo
39075 @itemx qsThreadInfo
39076 @cindex list active threads, remote request
39077 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
39078 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
39079 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
39080 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
39081 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
39082 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
39083 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
39084 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
39085
39086 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
39087
39088 Reply:
39089 @table @samp
39090 @item m @var{thread-id}
39091 A single thread ID
39092 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
39093 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
39094 @item l
39095 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
39096 @end table
39097
39098 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
39099 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
39100 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
39101 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
39102 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
39103 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
39104 fields.
39105
39106 @emph{Note: @value{GDBN} will send the @code{qfThreadInfo} query during the
39107 initial connection with the remote target, and the very first thread ID
39108 mentioned in the reply will be stopped by @value{GDBN} in a subsequent
39109 message. Therefore, the stub should ensure that the first thread ID in
39110 the @code{qfThreadInfo} reply is suitable for being stopped by @value{GDBN}.}
39111
39112 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
39113 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
39114 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
39115 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
39116 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
39117
39118 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
39119 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
39120
39121 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
39122 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
39123 information associated with the variable.)
39124
39125 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
39126 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
39127 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
39128 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
39129 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
39130 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
39131
39132 Reply:
39133 @table @samp
39134 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
39135 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
39136 local storage requested.
39137
39138 @item E @var{nn}
39139 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39140
39141 @item @w{}
39142 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
39143 @end table
39144
39145 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
39146 @cindex get thread information block address
39147 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
39148 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
39149
39150 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
39151
39152 Reply:
39153 @table @samp
39154 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
39155 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
39156 thread information block.
39157
39158 @item E @var{nn}
39159 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
39160 address could not be retrieved.
39161
39162 @item @w{}
39163 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
39164 @end table
39165
39166 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
39167 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
39168 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
39169 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
39170 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
39171 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
39172 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
39173
39174 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
39175
39176 Reply:
39177 @table @samp
39178 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
39179 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
39180 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
39181 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
39182 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
39183 is a sequence of thread IDs, @var{threadid} (eight hex
39184 digits), from the target. See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
39185 @end table
39186
39187 @item qOffsets
39188 @cindex section offsets, remote request
39189 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
39190 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
39191 image.
39192
39193 Reply:
39194 @table @samp
39195 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
39196 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
39197 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
39198 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
39199 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
39200 segments by the supplied offsets.
39201
39202 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
39203 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
39204 to the @code{Bss} section.}
39205
39206 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
39207 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
39208 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
39209 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
39210 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
39211 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
39212 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
39213 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
39214 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
39215 @end table
39216
39217 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
39218 @cindex thread information, remote request
39219 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
39220 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
39221 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
39222 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
39223
39224 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
39225 (see below).
39226
39227 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
39228
39229 @item QNonStop:1
39230 @itemx QNonStop:0
39231 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
39232 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
39233 @anchor{QNonStop}
39234 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
39235 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
39236
39237 Reply:
39238 @table @samp
39239 @item OK
39240 The request succeeded.
39241
39242 @item E @var{nn}
39243 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39244
39245 @item @w{}
39246 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
39247 the stub.
39248 @end table
39249
39250 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39251 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39252 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
39253 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
39254
39255 @item QCatchSyscalls:1 @r{[};@var{sysno}@r{]}@dots{}
39256 @itemx QCatchSyscalls:0
39257 @cindex catch syscalls from inferior, remote request
39258 @cindex @samp{QCatchSyscalls} packet
39259 @anchor{QCatchSyscalls}
39260 Enable (@samp{QCatchSyscalls:1}) or disable (@samp{QCatchSyscalls:0})
39261 catching syscalls from the inferior process.
39262
39263 For @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1}, each listed syscall @var{sysno} (encoded
39264 in hex) should be reported to @value{GDBN}. If no syscall @var{sysno}
39265 is listed, every system call should be reported.
39266
39267 Note that if a syscall not in the list is reported, @value{GDBN} will
39268 still filter the event according to its own list from all corresponding
39269 @code{catch syscall} commands. However, it is more efficient to only
39270 report the requested syscalls.
39271
39272 Multiple @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1} packets do not combine; any earlier
39273 @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1} list is completely replaced by the new list.
39274
39275 If the inferior process execs, the state of @samp{QCatchSyscalls} is
39276 kept for the new process too. On targets where exec may affect syscall
39277 numbers, for example with exec between 32 and 64-bit processes, the
39278 client should send a new packet with the new syscall list.
39279
39280 Reply:
39281 @table @samp
39282 @item OK
39283 The request succeeded.
39284
39285 @item E @var{nn}
39286 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
39287
39288 @item @w{}
39289 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QCatchSyscalls} is not supported by
39290 the stub.
39291 @end table
39292
39293 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote catch-syscalls}
39294 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote catch-syscalls}).
39295 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39296 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39297
39298 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
39299 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
39300 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
39301 @anchor{QPassSignals}
39302 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
39303 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
39304 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
39305 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
39306 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
39307 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
39308 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
39309 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
39310 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
39311
39312 Reply:
39313 @table @samp
39314 @item OK
39315 The request succeeded.
39316
39317 @item E @var{nn}
39318 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39319
39320 @item @w{}
39321 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
39322 the stub.
39323 @end table
39324
39325 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
39326 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
39327 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39328 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39329
39330 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
39331 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
39332 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
39333 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
39334 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
39335 Others should be silently discarded.
39336
39337 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
39338 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
39339 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
39340 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
39341 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
39342 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
39343 signals.
39344
39345 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
39346 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
39347
39348 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
39349 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
39350 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
39351 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
39352 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
39353
39354 Reply:
39355 @table @samp
39356 @item OK
39357 The request succeeded.
39358
39359 @item E @var{nn}
39360 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39361
39362 @item @w{}
39363 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
39364 by the stub.
39365 @end table
39366
39367 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
39368 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
39369 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39370 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39371
39372 @anchor{QThreadEvents}
39373 @item QThreadEvents:1
39374 @itemx QThreadEvents:0
39375 @cindex thread create/exit events, remote request
39376 @cindex @samp{QThreadEvents} packet
39377
39378 Enable (@samp{QThreadEvents:1}) or disable (@samp{QThreadEvents:0})
39379 reporting of thread create and exit events. @xref{thread create
39380 event}, for the reply specifications. For example, this is used in
39381 non-stop mode when @value{GDBN} stops a set of threads and
39382 synchronously waits for the their corresponding stop replies. Without
39383 exit events, if one of the threads exits, @value{GDBN} would hang
39384 forever not knowing that it should no longer expect a stop for that
39385 same thread. @value{GDBN} does not enable this feature unless the
39386 stub reports that it supports it by including @samp{QThreadEvents+} in
39387 its @samp{qSupported} reply.
39388
39389 Reply:
39390 @table @samp
39391 @item OK
39392 The request succeeded.
39393
39394 @item E @var{nn}
39395 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39396
39397 @item @w{}
39398 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QThreadEvents} is not supported by
39399 the stub.
39400 @end table
39401
39402 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote thread-events}
39403 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote thread-events}).
39404
39405 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
39406 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
39407 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
39408 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
39409 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
39410 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
39411 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
39412 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
39413 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
39414
39415 Reply:
39416 @table @samp
39417 @item OK
39418 A command response with no output.
39419 @item @var{OUTPUT}
39420 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
39421 @item E @var{NN}
39422 Indicate a badly formed request.
39423 @item @w{}
39424 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
39425 @end table
39426
39427 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
39428 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
39429 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
39430 packets.)
39431
39432 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
39433 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
39434 @ifnotinfo
39435 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
39436 @end ifnotinfo
39437 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
39438 @anchor{qSearch memory}
39439 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
39440 Both @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex;
39441 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, also hex encoded.
39442
39443 Reply:
39444 @table @samp
39445 @item 0
39446 The pattern was not found.
39447 @item 1,address
39448 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
39449 @item E @var{NN}
39450 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
39451 @item @w{}
39452 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
39453 @end table
39454
39455 @item QStartNoAckMode
39456 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
39457 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
39458 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
39459 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
39460
39461 Reply:
39462 @table @samp
39463 @item OK
39464 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
39465 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
39466 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
39467 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
39468 @item @w{}
39469 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
39470 @end table
39471
39472 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
39473 @cindex supported packets, remote query
39474 @cindex features of the remote protocol
39475 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
39476 @anchor{qSupported}
39477 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
39478 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
39479 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
39480 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
39481 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
39482 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
39483 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
39484 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
39485 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
39486 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
39487 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
39488 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
39489 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
39490 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
39491
39492 Reply:
39493 @table @samp
39494 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
39495 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
39496 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
39497 possible forms).
39498 @item @w{}
39499 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
39500 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
39501 @end table
39502
39503 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
39504 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
39505 are:
39506
39507 @table @samp
39508 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
39509 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
39510 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
39511 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
39512 @item @var{name}+
39513 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
39514 need an associated value.
39515 @item @var{name}-
39516 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
39517 @item @var{name}?
39518 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
39519 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
39520 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
39521 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
39522 @end table
39523
39524 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
39525 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
39526 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
39527 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
39528 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
39529
39530 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
39531 are defined:
39532
39533 @table @samp
39534 @item multiprocess
39535 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
39536 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
39537 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
39538 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
39539 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
39540
39541 @item xmlRegisters
39542 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
39543 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
39544 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
39545 description.
39546
39547 @item qRelocInsn
39548 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
39549 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
39550 instruction reply packet}).
39551
39552 @item swbreak
39553 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the swbreak stop
39554 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
39555
39556 @item hwbreak
39557 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the hwbreak stop
39558 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
39559
39560 @item fork-events
39561 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports fork event
39562 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
39563 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
39564 including @samp{fork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
39565
39566 @item vfork-events
39567 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports vfork event
39568 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
39569 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
39570 including @samp{vfork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
39571
39572 @item exec-events
39573 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports exec event
39574 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
39575 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
39576 including @samp{exec-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
39577
39578 @item vContSupported
39579 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} wants to know the
39580 supported actions in the reply to @samp{vCont?} packet.
39581 @end table
39582
39583 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
39584 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
39585 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
39586 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
39587 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
39588 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
39589 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
39590 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
39591 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
39592 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
39593 all the features it supports.
39594
39595 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
39596 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
39597
39598 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
39599 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
39600 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
39601 form response.
39602
39603 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
39604 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
39605 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
39606 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
39607
39608 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
39609 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
39610 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
39611 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
39612 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
39613
39614 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
39615
39616 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
39617 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
39618 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
39619 @item Feature Name
39620 @tab Value Required
39621 @tab Default
39622 @tab Probe Allowed
39623
39624 @item @samp{PacketSize}
39625 @tab Yes
39626 @tab @samp{-}
39627 @tab No
39628
39629 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
39630 @tab No
39631 @tab @samp{-}
39632 @tab Yes
39633
39634 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
39635 @tab No
39636 @tab @samp{-}
39637 @tab Yes
39638
39639 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
39640 @tab No
39641 @tab @samp{-}
39642 @tab Yes
39643
39644 @item @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read}
39645 @tab No
39646 @tab @samp{-}
39647 @tab Yes
39648
39649 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
39650 @tab No
39651 @tab @samp{-}
39652 @tab Yes
39653
39654 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
39655 @tab No
39656 @tab @samp{-}
39657 @tab Yes
39658
39659 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read}
39660 @tab No
39661 @tab @samp{-}
39662 @tab Yes
39663
39664 @item @samp{augmented-libraries-svr4-read}
39665 @tab No
39666 @tab @samp{-}
39667 @tab No
39668
39669 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
39670 @tab No
39671 @tab @samp{-}
39672 @tab Yes
39673
39674 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
39675 @tab No
39676 @tab @samp{-}
39677 @tab Yes
39678
39679 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
39680 @tab No
39681 @tab @samp{-}
39682 @tab Yes
39683
39684 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
39685 @tab No
39686 @tab @samp{-}
39687 @tab Yes
39688
39689 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
39690 @tab No
39691 @tab @samp{-}
39692 @tab Yes
39693
39694 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
39695 @tab No
39696 @tab @samp{-}
39697 @tab Yes
39698
39699 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
39700 @tab No
39701 @tab @samp{-}
39702 @tab Yes
39703
39704 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
39705 @tab No
39706 @tab @samp{-}
39707 @tab Yes
39708
39709 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
39710 @tab No
39711 @tab @samp{-}
39712 @tab Yes
39713
39714 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
39715 @tab No
39716 @tab @samp{-}
39717 @tab Yes
39718
39719 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
39720 @tab Yes
39721 @tab @samp{-}
39722 @tab Yes
39723
39724 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
39725 @tab Yes
39726 @tab @samp{-}
39727 @tab Yes
39728
39729 @item @samp{Qbtrace:pt}
39730 @tab Yes
39731 @tab @samp{-}
39732 @tab Yes
39733
39734 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size}
39735 @tab Yes
39736 @tab @samp{-}
39737 @tab Yes
39738
39739 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size}
39740 @tab Yes
39741 @tab @samp{-}
39742 @tab Yes
39743
39744 @item @samp{QNonStop}
39745 @tab No
39746 @tab @samp{-}
39747 @tab Yes
39748
39749 @item @samp{QCatchSyscalls}
39750 @tab No
39751 @tab @samp{-}
39752 @tab Yes
39753
39754 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
39755 @tab No
39756 @tab @samp{-}
39757 @tab Yes
39758
39759 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
39760 @tab No
39761 @tab @samp{-}
39762 @tab Yes
39763
39764 @item @samp{multiprocess}
39765 @tab No
39766 @tab @samp{-}
39767 @tab No
39768
39769 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
39770 @tab No
39771 @tab @samp{-}
39772 @tab No
39773
39774 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
39775 @tab No
39776 @tab @samp{-}
39777 @tab No
39778
39779 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
39780 @tab No
39781 @tab @samp{-}
39782 @tab No
39783
39784 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
39785 @tab No
39786 @tab @samp{-}
39787 @tab No
39788
39789 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
39790 @tab No
39791 @tab @samp{-}
39792 @tab No
39793
39794 @item @samp{QAgent}
39795 @tab No
39796 @tab @samp{-}
39797 @tab No
39798
39799 @item @samp{QAllow}
39800 @tab No
39801 @tab @samp{-}
39802 @tab No
39803
39804 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
39805 @tab No
39806 @tab @samp{-}
39807 @tab No
39808
39809 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
39810 @tab No
39811 @tab @samp{-}
39812 @tab No
39813
39814 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
39815 @tab No
39816 @tab @samp{-}
39817 @tab No
39818
39819 @item @samp{tracenz}
39820 @tab No
39821 @tab @samp{-}
39822 @tab No
39823
39824 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
39825 @tab No
39826 @tab @samp{-}
39827 @tab No
39828
39829 @item @samp{swbreak}
39830 @tab No
39831 @tab @samp{-}
39832 @tab No
39833
39834 @item @samp{hwbreak}
39835 @tab No
39836 @tab @samp{-}
39837 @tab No
39838
39839 @item @samp{fork-events}
39840 @tab No
39841 @tab @samp{-}
39842 @tab No
39843
39844 @item @samp{vfork-events}
39845 @tab No
39846 @tab @samp{-}
39847 @tab No
39848
39849 @item @samp{exec-events}
39850 @tab No
39851 @tab @samp{-}
39852 @tab No
39853
39854 @item @samp{QThreadEvents}
39855 @tab No
39856 @tab @samp{-}
39857 @tab No
39858
39859 @item @samp{no-resumed}
39860 @tab No
39861 @tab @samp{-}
39862 @tab No
39863
39864 @end multitable
39865
39866 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
39867
39868 @table @samp
39869 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
39870 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
39871 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
39872 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
39873 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
39874 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
39875 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
39876 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
39877 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
39878 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
39879
39880 @item qXfer:auxv:read
39881 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
39882 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
39883
39884 @item qXfer:btrace:read
39885 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
39886 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
39887
39888 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read
39889 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
39890 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}).
39891
39892 @item qXfer:exec-file:read
39893 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read} packet
39894 (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}).
39895
39896 @item qXfer:features:read
39897 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
39898 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
39899
39900 @item qXfer:libraries:read
39901 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
39902 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
39903
39904 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
39905 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
39906 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
39907
39908 @item augmented-libraries-svr4-read
39909 The remote stub understands the augmented form of the
39910 @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
39911 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
39912
39913 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
39914 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
39915 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
39916
39917 @item qXfer:sdata:read
39918 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
39919 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
39920
39921 @item qXfer:spu:read
39922 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
39923 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
39924
39925 @item qXfer:spu:write
39926 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
39927 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
39928
39929 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
39930 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
39931 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
39932
39933 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
39934 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
39935 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
39936
39937 @item qXfer:threads:read
39938 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
39939 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
39940
39941 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
39942 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
39943 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
39944
39945 @item qXfer:uib:read
39946 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
39947 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
39948
39949 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
39950 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
39951 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
39952
39953 @item QNonStop
39954 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
39955 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
39956
39957 @item QCatchSyscalls
39958 The remote stub understands the @samp{QCatchSyscalls} packet
39959 (@pxref{QCatchSyscalls}).
39960
39961 @item QPassSignals
39962 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
39963 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
39964
39965 @item QStartNoAckMode
39966 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
39967 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
39968
39969 @item multiprocess
39970 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
39971 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
39972 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
39973 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
39974 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
39975 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
39976 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
39977 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
39978 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
39979 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
39980 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
39981
39982 @item qXfer:osdata:read
39983 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
39984 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
39985
39986 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
39987 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
39988 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
39989 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
39990
39991 @item ConditionalTracepoints
39992 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
39993 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
39994
39995 @item ReverseContinue
39996 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
39997 (@pxref{bc}).
39998
39999 @item ReverseStep
40000 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
40001 (@pxref{bs}).
40002
40003 @item TracepointSource
40004 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
40005 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
40006
40007 @item QAgent
40008 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
40009
40010 @item QAllow
40011 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
40012
40013 @item QDisableRandomization
40014 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
40015
40016 @item StaticTracepoint
40017 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
40018 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
40019
40020 @item InstallInTrace
40021 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
40022 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
40023
40024 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
40025 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
40026 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
40027 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
40028
40029 @item QTBuffer:size
40030 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
40031 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
40032
40033 @item tracenz
40034 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
40035 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
40036 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
40037
40038 @item BreakpointCommands
40039 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
40040 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
40041 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
40042
40043 @item Qbtrace:off
40044 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
40045
40046 @item Qbtrace:bts
40047 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
40048
40049 @item Qbtrace:pt
40050 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:pt} packet.
40051
40052 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size
40053 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size} packet.
40054
40055 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size
40056 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size} packet.
40057
40058 @item swbreak
40059 The remote stub reports the @samp{swbreak} stop reason for memory
40060 breakpoints.
40061
40062 @item hwbreak
40063 The remote stub reports the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason for hardware
40064 breakpoints.
40065
40066 @item fork-events
40067 The remote stub reports the @samp{fork} stop reason for fork events.
40068
40069 @item vfork-events
40070 The remote stub reports the @samp{vfork} stop reason for vfork events
40071 and vforkdone events.
40072
40073 @item exec-events
40074 The remote stub reports the @samp{exec} stop reason for exec events.
40075
40076 @item vContSupported
40077 The remote stub reports the supported actions in the reply to
40078 @samp{vCont?} packet.
40079
40080 @item QThreadEvents
40081 The remote stub understands the @samp{QThreadEvents} packet.
40082
40083 @item no-resumed
40084 The remote stub reports the @samp{N} stop reply.
40085
40086 @end table
40087
40088 @item qSymbol::
40089 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
40090 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
40091 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
40092 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
40093
40094 Reply:
40095 @table @samp
40096 @item OK
40097 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
40098 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
40099 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
40100 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
40101 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
40102 below.
40103 @end table
40104
40105 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
40106 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
40107
40108 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
40109 target has previously requested.
40110
40111 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
40112 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
40113 will be empty.
40114
40115 Reply:
40116 @table @samp
40117 @item OK
40118 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
40119 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
40120 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
40121 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
40122 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
40123 @end table
40124
40125 @item qTBuffer
40126 @itemx QTBuffer
40127 @itemx QTDisconnected
40128 @itemx QTDP
40129 @itemx QTDPsrc
40130 @itemx QTDV
40131 @itemx qTfP
40132 @itemx qTfV
40133 @itemx QTFrame
40134 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
40135
40136 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
40137
40138 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
40139 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
40140 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
40141 Obtain from the target OS a printable string description of thread
40142 attributes for the thread @var{thread-id}; see @ref{thread-id syntax},
40143 for the forms of @var{thread-id}. This
40144 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
40145 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
40146 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
40147 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
40148 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
40149
40150 Reply:
40151 @table @samp
40152 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
40153 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
40154 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
40155 the thread's attributes.
40156 @end table
40157
40158 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
40159 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
40160 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
40161 packets.)
40162
40163 @item QTNotes
40164 @itemx qTP
40165 @itemx QTSave
40166 @itemx qTsP
40167 @itemx qTsV
40168 @itemx QTStart
40169 @itemx QTStop
40170 @itemx QTEnable
40171 @itemx QTDisable
40172 @itemx QTinit
40173 @itemx QTro
40174 @itemx qTStatus
40175 @itemx qTV
40176 @itemx qTfSTM
40177 @itemx qTsSTM
40178 @itemx qTSTMat
40179 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
40180
40181 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40182 @cindex read special object, remote request
40183 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
40184 @anchor{qXfer read}
40185 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
40186 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
40187 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
40188 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
40189 additional details about what data to access.
40190
40191 Reply:
40192 @table @samp
40193 @item m @var{data}
40194 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
40195 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
40196 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
40197 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
40198 It is possible for @var{data} to have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
40199 request.
40200
40201 @item l @var{data}
40202 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
40203 There is no more data to be read. It is possible for @var{data} to
40204 have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the request.
40205
40206 @item l
40207 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
40208 There is no more data to be read.
40209
40210 @item E00
40211 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
40212
40213 @item E @var{nn}
40214 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
40215 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
40216
40217 @item @w{}
40218 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
40219 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
40220 @end table
40221
40222 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All the
40223 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
40224 formats, listed above.
40225
40226 @table @samp
40227 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40228 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
40229 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
40230 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
40231
40232 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40233 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40234
40235 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40236 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
40237
40238 Return a description of the current branch trace.
40239 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
40240 packet may have one of the following values:
40241
40242 @table @code
40243 @item all
40244 Returns all available branch trace.
40245
40246 @item new
40247 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
40248 the last read request.
40249
40250 @item delta
40251 Returns the new branch trace since the last read request. Adds a new
40252 block to the end of the trace that begins at zero and ends at the source
40253 location of the first branch in the trace buffer. This extra block is
40254 used to stitch traces together.
40255
40256 If the trace buffer overflowed, returns an error indicating the overflow.
40257 @end table
40258
40259 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
40260 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40261
40262 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40263 @anchor{qXfer btrace-conf read}
40264
40265 Return a description of the current branch trace configuration.
40266 @xref{Branch Trace Configuration Format}.
40267
40268 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
40269 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40270
40271 @item qXfer:exec-file:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40272 @anchor{qXfer executable filename read}
40273 Return the full absolute name of the file that was executed to create
40274 a process running on the remote system. The annex specifies the
40275 numeric process ID of the process to query, encoded as a hexadecimal
40276 number. If the annex part is empty the remote stub should return the
40277 filename corresponding to the currently executing process.
40278
40279 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40280 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40281
40282 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40283 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
40284 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
40285 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
40286 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
40287
40288 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40289 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40290
40291 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40292 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
40293 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
40294 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
40295 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
40296
40297 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
40298 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
40299 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
40300
40301 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40302 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40303
40304 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40305 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
40306 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
40307 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
40308 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty unless the remote
40309 stub indicated it supports the augmented form of this packet
40310 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
40311 (@pxref{qXfer read}, @ref{qSupported}).
40312
40313 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
40314 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
40315
40316 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40317 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40318
40319 If the remote stub indicates it supports the augmented form of this
40320 packet then the annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet may
40321 contain a semicolon-separated list of @samp{@var{name}=@var{value}}
40322 arguments. The currently supported arguments are:
40323
40324 @table @code
40325 @item start=@var{address}
40326 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
40327 link_map} to start reading the library list from. If unset or zero
40328 then the first @samp{struct link_map} in the library list will be
40329 chosen as the starting point.
40330
40331 @item prev=@var{address}
40332 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
40333 link_map} immediately preceding the @samp{struct link_map}
40334 specified by the @samp{start} argument. If unset or zero then
40335 the remote stub will expect that no @samp{struct link_map}
40336 exists prior to the starting point.
40337
40338 @end table
40339
40340 Arguments that are not understood by the remote stub will be silently
40341 ignored.
40342
40343 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40344 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
40345 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
40346 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
40347 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
40348
40349 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40350 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40351
40352 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40353 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
40354
40355 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
40356 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
40357 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
40358 Action Lists}.
40359
40360 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40361 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
40362 (@pxref{qSupported}).
40363
40364 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40365 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
40366 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
40367 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
40368 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
40369
40370 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40371 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
40372 (@pxref{qSupported}).
40373
40374 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40375 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
40376 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
40377 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
40378 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
40379 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
40380 in that context to be accessed.
40381
40382 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40383 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
40384 (@pxref{qSupported}).
40385
40386 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40387 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
40388 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
40389 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
40390 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
40391
40392 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40393 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40394
40395 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40396 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
40397
40398 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
40399 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
40400 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
40401
40402 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40403 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40404
40405 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40406 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
40407
40408 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
40409 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
40410
40411 This packet is not probed by default.
40412
40413 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40414 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
40415 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
40416 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
40417 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
40418
40419 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40420 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40421
40422 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40423 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
40424 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
40425 @xref{Operating System Information}.
40426
40427 @end table
40428
40429 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
40430 @cindex write data into object, remote request
40431 @anchor{qXfer write}
40432 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
40433 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
40434 into the data. The binary-encoded data (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be
40435 written is given by @var{data}@dots{}. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
40436 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
40437 to access.
40438
40439 Reply:
40440 @table @samp
40441 @item @var{nn}
40442 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
40443 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
40444
40445 @item E00
40446 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
40447
40448 @item E @var{nn}
40449 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
40450 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
40451
40452 @item @w{}
40453 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
40454 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
40455 @end table
40456
40457 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All the
40458 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
40459 formats, listed above.
40460
40461 @table @samp
40462 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
40463 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
40464 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
40465 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
40466 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
40467
40468 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40469 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
40470 (@pxref{qSupported}).
40471
40472 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
40473 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
40474 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
40475 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
40476 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
40477 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
40478 in that context to be accessed.
40479
40480 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40481 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40482 @end table
40483
40484 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
40485 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
40486 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
40487 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
40488 must respond with an empty packet.
40489
40490 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
40491 @cindex query attached, remote request
40492 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
40493 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
40494 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
40495 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
40496 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
40497 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
40498 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
40499
40500 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
40501 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
40502 the @code{quit} command.
40503
40504 Reply:
40505 @table @samp
40506 @item 1
40507 The remote server attached to an existing process.
40508 @item 0
40509 The remote server created a new process.
40510 @item E @var{NN}
40511 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
40512 @end table
40513
40514 @item Qbtrace:bts
40515 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Branch Trace Store.
40516
40517 Reply:
40518 @table @samp
40519 @item OK
40520 Branch tracing has been enabled.
40521 @item E.errtext
40522 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
40523 @end table
40524
40525 @item Qbtrace:pt
40526 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Intel Processor Trace.
40527
40528 Reply:
40529 @table @samp
40530 @item OK
40531 Branch tracing has been enabled.
40532 @item E.errtext
40533 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
40534 @end table
40535
40536 @item Qbtrace:off
40537 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
40538
40539 Reply:
40540 @table @samp
40541 @item OK
40542 Branch tracing has been disabled.
40543 @item E.errtext
40544 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
40545 @end table
40546
40547 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size=@var{value}
40548 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
40549 btrace recording method in bts format.
40550
40551 Reply:
40552 @table @samp
40553 @item OK
40554 The ring buffer size has been set.
40555 @item E.errtext
40556 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
40557 @end table
40558
40559 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size=@var{value}
40560 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
40561 btrace recording method in pt format.
40562
40563 Reply:
40564 @table @samp
40565 @item OK
40566 The ring buffer size has been set.
40567 @item E.errtext
40568 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
40569 @end table
40570
40571 @end table
40572
40573 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
40574 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
40575
40576 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
40577 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
40578 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
40579
40580 @menu
40581 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
40582 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
40583 @end menu
40584
40585 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
40586 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
40587
40588 @menu
40589 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
40590 @end menu
40591
40592 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
40593 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
40594 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
40595
40596 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
40597
40598 @table @r
40599
40600 @item 2
40601 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
40602
40603 @item 3
40604 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
40605
40606 @item 4
40607 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
40608
40609 @end table
40610
40611 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
40612 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
40613
40614 @menu
40615 * MIPS Register packet Format::
40616 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
40617 @end menu
40618
40619 @node MIPS Register packet Format
40620 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
40621 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
40622
40623 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
40624 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
40625 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
40626 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
40627 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
40628 most-significant -- least-significant.
40629
40630 @table @r
40631
40632 @item MIPS32
40633 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
40634 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
40635 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
40636
40637 @item MIPS64
40638 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
40639 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
40640 as @code{MIPS32}.
40641
40642 @end table
40643
40644 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
40645 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
40646 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
40647
40648 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
40649
40650 @table @r
40651
40652 @item 2
40653 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
40654
40655 @item 3
40656 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
40657
40658 @item 4
40659 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
40660
40661 @item 5
40662 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
40663
40664 @end table
40665
40666 @node Tracepoint Packets
40667 @section Tracepoint Packets
40668 @cindex tracepoint packets
40669 @cindex packets, tracepoint
40670
40671 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
40672 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
40673
40674 @table @samp
40675
40676 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
40677 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
40678 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
40679 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
40680 the tracepoint is disabled. The @var{step} gives the tracepoint's step
40681 count, and @var{pass} gives its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
40682 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
40683 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
40684 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
40685 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
40686 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
40687 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
40688 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
40689 actions.
40690
40691 Replies:
40692 @table @samp
40693 @item OK
40694 The packet was understood and carried out.
40695 @item qRelocInsn
40696 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
40697 @item @w{}
40698 The packet was not recognized.
40699 @end table
40700
40701 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
40702 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. The @var{n} and
40703 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
40704 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
40705 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
40706 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
40707 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
40708
40709 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
40710 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
40711 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
40712 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
40713 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
40714 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
40715 tracepoint actions.
40716
40717 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
40718 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
40719 following forms:
40720
40721 @table @samp
40722
40723 @item R @var{mask}
40724 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask},
40725 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
40726 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
40727 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
40728 not fit in a 32-bit word.
40729
40730 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
40731 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
40732 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
40733 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
40734 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
40735 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
40736 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
40737
40738 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
40739 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
40740 it directs. The agent expression @var{expr} is as described in
40741 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
40742 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
40743 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
40744 packet).
40745
40746 @end table
40747
40748 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
40749 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
40750 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
40751 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
40752 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
40753 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
40754 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
40755 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
40756
40757 Replies:
40758 @table @samp
40759 @item OK
40760 The packet was understood and carried out.
40761 @item qRelocInsn
40762 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
40763 @item @w{}
40764 The packet was not recognized.
40765 @end table
40766
40767 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
40768 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
40769 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
40770 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
40771 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. The @var{type}
40772 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
40773 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
40774 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
40775
40776 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
40777 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
40778 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
40779 fit in a single packet.
40780 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
40781 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
40782
40783 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
40784 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
40785 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
40786 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
40787
40788 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
40789 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
40790 query packets.
40791
40792 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
40793 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
40794 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
40795 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
40796 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
40797 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
40798 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
40799 be found.
40800
40801 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}:@var{builtin}:@var{name}
40802 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
40803 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
40804 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
40805 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
40806 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
40807 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
40808 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
40809 mentioned in expressions. The value @var{builtin} should be 1 (one)
40810 if the trace state variable is builtin and 0 (zero) if it is not builtin.
40811 @value{GDBN} only sets @var{builtin} to 1 if a previous @samp{qTfV} or
40812 @samp{qTsV} packet had it set. The contents of @var{name} is the
40813 hex-encoded name (without the leading @samp{$}) of the trace state
40814 variable.
40815
40816 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
40817 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
40818 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
40819 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
40820 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
40821
40822 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
40823 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
40824 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
40825 one of the following forms:
40826
40827 @table @samp
40828 @item F @var{f}
40829 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
40830 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
40831 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
40832
40833 @item T @var{t}
40834 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
40835 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
40836
40837 @end table
40838
40839 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
40840 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
40841 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
40842 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
40843
40844 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
40845 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
40846 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
40847 is a hexadecimal number.
40848
40849 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
40850 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
40851 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
40852 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
40853 numbers.
40854
40855 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
40856 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
40857 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
40858
40859 @item qTMinFTPILen
40860 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
40861 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
40862 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
40863 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
40864 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
40865 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
40866 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
40867 arrange for that.
40868
40869 Replies:
40870
40871 @table @samp
40872 @item 0
40873 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
40874 @item @var{length}
40875 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length}
40876 is a hexadecimal number greater or equal to 1. A reply
40877 of 1 means that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction
40878 regardless of size.
40879 @item E
40880 An error has occurred.
40881 @item @w{}
40882 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
40883 @end table
40884
40885 @item QTStart
40886 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
40887 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
40888 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
40889 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
40890 instruction reply packet}).
40891
40892 @item QTStop
40893 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
40894 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
40895
40896 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
40897 @anchor{QTEnable}
40898 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
40899 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
40900 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
40901 of data from it will resume.
40902
40903 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
40904 @anchor{QTDisable}
40905 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
40906 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
40907 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
40908 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
40909
40910 @item QTinit
40911 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
40912 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
40913
40914 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
40915 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
40916 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
40917 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
40918 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
40919
40920 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
40921 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
40922 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
40923 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
40924
40925 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
40926 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
40927 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
40928 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
40929 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
40930 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
40931
40932 @item qTStatus
40933 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
40934 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
40935
40936 The reply has the form:
40937
40938 @table @samp
40939
40940 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
40941 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
40942 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
40943 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
40944
40945 @end table
40946
40947 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
40948 explanations as one of the optional fields:
40949
40950 @table @samp
40951
40952 @item tnotrun:0
40953 No trace has been run yet.
40954
40955 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
40956 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
40957 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
40958 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
40959 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
40960
40961 @item tfull:0
40962 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
40963
40964 @item tdisconnected:0
40965 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
40966
40967 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
40968 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
40969
40970 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
40971 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
40972 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
40973 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression); it
40974 is hex encoded.
40975
40976 @item tunknown:0
40977 The trace stopped for some other reason.
40978
40979 @end table
40980
40981 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
40982 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
40983 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
40984 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
40985 trace.
40986
40987 @table @samp
40988
40989 @item tframes:@var{n}
40990 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
40991
40992 @item tcreated:@var{n}
40993 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
40994 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
40995
40996 @item tsize:@var{n}
40997 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
40998
40999 @item tfree:@var{n}
41000 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
41001
41002 @item circular:@var{n}
41003 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
41004 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
41005 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
41006 and may fill up.
41007
41008 @item disconn:@var{n}
41009 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
41010 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
41011 that the trace run will stop.
41012
41013 @end table
41014
41015 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
41016 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
41017 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
41018 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
41019 address @var{addr}.
41020
41021 Replies:
41022 @table @samp
41023 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
41024 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
41025 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
41026 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
41027 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
41028
41029 @end table
41030
41031 @item qTV:@var{var}
41032 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
41033 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
41034 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
41035
41036 Replies:
41037 @table @samp
41038 @item V@var{value}
41039 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
41040 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
41041 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
41042 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
41043 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
41044 program is running.
41045
41046 @item U
41047 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
41048 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
41049 was not collected.
41050 @end table
41051
41052 @item qTfP
41053 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
41054 @itemx qTsP
41055 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
41056 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
41057 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
41058 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
41059 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
41060 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
41061
41062 @item qTfV
41063 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
41064 @itemx qTsV
41065 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
41066 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
41067 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
41068 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
41069 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
41070 trace state variables.
41071
41072 @item qTfSTM
41073 @itemx qTsSTM
41074 @anchor{qTfSTM}
41075 @anchor{qTsSTM}
41076 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
41077 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
41078 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
41079 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
41080 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
41081 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
41082
41083 Reply:
41084 @table @samp
41085 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
41086 A single marker
41087 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
41088 a comma-separated list of markers
41089 @item l
41090 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
41091 @item E @var{nn}
41092 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
41093 @item @w{}
41094 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
41095 stub.
41096 @end table
41097
41098 The @var{address} is encoded in hex;
41099 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
41100
41101 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
41102 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
41103 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
41104 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
41105 @dfn{last}).
41106
41107 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
41108 @anchor{qTSTMat}
41109 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
41110 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
41111 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
41112 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
41113 tracepoint markers.
41114
41115 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
41116 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
41117 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
41118 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. The @var{filename} is encoded
41119 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
41120 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
41121
41122 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
41123 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
41124 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
41125 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
41126 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
41127 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
41128 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
41129 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
41130 available.
41131
41132 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
41133 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
41134 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
41135
41136 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
41137 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
41138 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
41139 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
41140 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
41141 use whatever size it prefers.
41142
41143 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
41144 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
41145 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
41146 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
41147 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
41148
41149 @end table
41150
41151 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
41152 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
41153 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
41154 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
41155 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
41156 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
41157 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
41158 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
41159 it had executed in the original location.
41160
41161 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
41162 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
41163 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
41164 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
41165 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
41166 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
41167 format of the request is:
41168
41169 @table @samp
41170 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
41171
41172 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
41173 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
41174 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
41175 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
41176 memory starting at @var{to}.
41177 @end table
41178
41179 Replies:
41180 @table @samp
41181 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
41182 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. The @var{adjusted_size} is
41183 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
41184 @item E @var{NN}
41185 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
41186 relocating the instruction.
41187 @end table
41188
41189 @node Host I/O Packets
41190 @section Host I/O Packets
41191 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
41192 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
41193
41194 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
41195 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
41196 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
41197 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
41198 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
41199 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
41200 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
41201 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
41202 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
41203 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
41204
41205 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
41206 its arguments. They have this format:
41207
41208 @table @samp
41209
41210 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
41211 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
41212 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
41213 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
41214 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
41215 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
41216 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
41217 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
41218 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
41219
41220 @end table
41221
41222 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
41223
41224 @table @samp
41225
41226 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
41227 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
41228 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
41229 @var{errno} will be included in the result specifying a
41230 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
41231 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
41232 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
41233 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
41234 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
41235 @var{attachment}.
41236
41237 @item @w{}
41238 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
41239
41240 @end table
41241
41242 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
41243
41244 @table @samp
41245 @item vFile:open: @var{filename}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
41246 Open a file at @var{filename} and return a file descriptor for it, or
41247 return -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string,
41248 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
41249 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
41250 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
41251 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
41252
41253 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
41254 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
41255 -1 if an error occurs.
41256
41257 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
41258 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
41259 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
41260 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
41261 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
41262 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
41263 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
41264 @var{count} was zero.
41265
41266 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
41267 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
41268 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
41269 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
41270 some characters were escaped.
41271
41272 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
41273 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
41274 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
41275 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
41276 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
41277 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
41278 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
41279 error occurred.
41280
41281 @item vFile:fstat: @var{fd}
41282 Get information about the open file corresponding to @var{fd}.
41283 On success the information is returned as a binary attachment
41284 and the return value is the size of this attachment in bytes.
41285 If an error occurs the return value is -1. The format of the
41286 returned binary attachment is as described in @ref{struct stat}.
41287
41288 @item vFile:unlink: @var{filename}
41289 Delete the file at @var{filename} on the target. Return 0,
41290 or -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string.
41291
41292 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
41293 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
41294 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
41295
41296 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
41297 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
41298 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
41299 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
41300 some characters were escaped.
41301
41302 @item vFile:setfs: @var{pid}
41303 Select the filesystem on which @code{vFile} operations with
41304 @var{filename} arguments will operate. This is required for
41305 @value{GDBN} to be able to access files on remote targets where
41306 the remote stub does not share a common filesystem with the
41307 inferior(s).
41308
41309 If @var{pid} is nonzero, select the filesystem as seen by process
41310 @var{pid}. If @var{pid} is zero, select the filesystem as seen by
41311 the remote stub. Return 0 on success, or -1 if an error occurs.
41312 If @code{vFile:setfs:} indicates success, the selected filesystem
41313 remains selected until the next successful @code{vFile:setfs:}
41314 operation.
41315
41316 @end table
41317
41318 @node Interrupts
41319 @section Interrupts
41320 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
41321 @anchor{interrupting remote targets}
41322
41323 In all-stop mode, when a program on the remote target is running,
41324 @value{GDBN} may attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C},
41325 @code{BREAK} or a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}, control of which
41326 is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
41327
41328 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
41329 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
41330 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
41331 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
41332 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
41333
41334 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
41335 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
41336 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
41337 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
41338 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
41339 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
41340 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
41341 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
41342
41343 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
41344 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
41345 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
41346
41347 In non-stop mode, because packet resumptions are asynchronous
41348 (@pxref{vCont packet}), @value{GDBN} is always free to send a remote
41349 command to the remote stub, even when the target is running. For that
41350 reason, @value{GDBN} instead sends a regular packet (@pxref{vCtrlC
41351 packet}) with the usual packet framing instead of the single byte
41352 @code{0x03}.
41353
41354 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
41355 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
41356 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
41357 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
41358 currently-executing threads and processes.
41359 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
41360 running program, it should send one of the stop
41361 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
41362 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
41363 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
41364 Interrupts received while the
41365 program is stopped are queued and the program will be interrupted when
41366 it is resumed next time.
41367
41368 @node Notification Packets
41369 @section Notification Packets
41370 @cindex notification packets
41371 @cindex packets, notification
41372
41373 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
41374 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
41375 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
41376 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
41377 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
41378 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
41379 is not a problem.
41380
41381 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
41382 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
41383 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
41384 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
41385 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
41386 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
41387 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
41388
41389 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
41390 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
41391
41392 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
41393 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
41394 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
41395 not they understand it.
41396
41397 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
41398 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
41399 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
41400 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
41401 recipients.
41402
41403 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
41404 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
41405 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
41406 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
41407 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
41408
41409 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
41410 @table @samp
41411 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
41412 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
41413 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
41414 carrying the specific information about the notification, and
41415 @var{name} specifying the name of the notification.
41416 @item @var{ack}
41417 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
41418 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
41419 @end table
41420
41421 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
41422 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
41423
41424 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
41425 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
41426 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
41427 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
41428 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
41429 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
41430 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
41431 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
41432 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
41433 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
41434
41435 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
41436 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
41437 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
41438 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
41439 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
41440 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
41441
41442 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
41443 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
41444 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
41445 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
41446 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
41447
41448 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
41449 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
41450 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
41451 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
41452 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
41453 normally.
41454
41455 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
41456 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
41457 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
41458 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
41459 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
41460 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
41461 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
41462 the process shall be repeated.
41463
41464 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
41465 following example:
41466 @smallexample
41467 <- @code{%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
41468 @code{...}
41469 -> @code{vStopped}
41470 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
41471 -> @code{vStopped}
41472 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
41473 -> @code{vStopped}
41474 <- @code{OK}
41475 @end smallexample
41476
41477 The following notifications are defined:
41478 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
41479
41480 @item Notification
41481 @tab Ack
41482 @tab Event
41483 @tab Description
41484
41485 @item Stop
41486 @tab vStopped
41487 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
41488 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
41489 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
41490 @value{GDBN}.
41491 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
41492
41493 @end multitable
41494
41495 @node Remote Non-Stop
41496 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
41497
41498 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
41499 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
41500 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
41501 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
41502
41503 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
41504 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
41505 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
41506 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
41507 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
41508 probe the target state after a mode change.
41509
41510 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
41511 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
41512 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
41513 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
41514 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
41515 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
41516 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
41517 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
41518 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
41519 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
41520 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
41521
41522 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
41523 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
41524 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
41525 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
41526 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
41527 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
41528 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
41529 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
41530 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
41531 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
41532 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
41533 @samp{OK}.
41534
41535 If the stub supports non-stop mode, it should also support the
41536 @samp{swbreak} stop reason if software breakpoints are supported, and
41537 the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason if hardware breakpoints are supported
41538 (@pxref{swbreak stop reason}). This is because given the asynchronous
41539 nature of non-stop mode, between the time a thread hits a breakpoint
41540 and the time the event is finally processed by @value{GDBN}, the
41541 breakpoint may have already been removed from the target. Due to
41542 this, @value{GDBN} needs to be able to tell whether a trap stop was
41543 caused by a delayed breakpoint event, which should be ignored, as
41544 opposed to a random trap signal, which should be reported to the user.
41545 Note the @samp{swbreak} feature implies that the target is responsible
41546 for adjusting the PC when a software breakpoint triggers, if
41547 necessary, such as on the x86 architecture.
41548
41549 @node Packet Acknowledgment
41550 @section Packet Acknowledgment
41551
41552 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
41553 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
41554 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
41555 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
41556 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
41557 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
41558 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
41559
41560 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
41561 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
41562 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
41563 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
41564 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
41565
41566 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
41567 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
41568 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
41569 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
41570
41571 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
41572 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
41573 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
41574 @pxref{qSupported}.
41575 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
41576 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
41577 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
41578 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
41579 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
41580 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
41581 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
41582
41583 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
41584 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
41585 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
41586 connection.
41587 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
41588 new connection is established,
41589 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
41590 for the current connection, once disabled.
41591
41592 @node Examples
41593 @section Examples
41594
41595 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
41596 does not get any direct output:
41597
41598 @smallexample
41599 -> @code{R00}
41600 <- @code{+}
41601 @emph{target restarts}
41602 -> @code{?}
41603 <- @code{+}
41604 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
41605 -> @code{+}
41606 @end smallexample
41607
41608 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
41609
41610 @smallexample
41611 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
41612 <- @code{+}
41613 -> @code{s}
41614 <- @code{+}
41615 @emph{time passes}
41616 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
41617 -> @code{+}
41618 -> @code{g}
41619 <- @code{+}
41620 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
41621 -> @code{+}
41622 @end smallexample
41623
41624 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
41625 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
41626 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
41627
41628 @menu
41629 * File-I/O Overview::
41630 * Protocol Basics::
41631 * The F Request Packet::
41632 * The F Reply Packet::
41633 * The Ctrl-C Message::
41634 * Console I/O::
41635 * List of Supported Calls::
41636 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
41637 * Constants::
41638 * File-I/O Examples::
41639 @end menu
41640
41641 @node File-I/O Overview
41642 @subsection File-I/O Overview
41643 @cindex file-i/o overview
41644
41645 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
41646 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
41647 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
41648 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
41649 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
41650 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
41651
41652 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
41653 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
41654 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
41655 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
41656 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
41657
41658 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
41659 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
41660 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
41661 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
41662 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
41663 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
41664 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
41665
41666 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
41667 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
41668 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
41669 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
41670 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
41671
41672 @smallexample
41673 (@value{GDBP}) continue
41674 <- target requests 'system call X'
41675 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
41676 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
41677 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
41678 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
41679 @end smallexample
41680
41681 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
41682 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
41683 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
41684 system are not supported by this protocol.
41685
41686 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
41687
41688 @node Protocol Basics
41689 @subsection Protocol Basics
41690 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
41691
41692 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
41693 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
41694 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
41695 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
41696 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
41697 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
41698 to call the appropriate host system call:
41699
41700 @itemize @bullet
41701 @item
41702 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
41703
41704 @item
41705 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
41706 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
41707 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
41708 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
41709
41710 @end itemize
41711
41712 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
41713
41714 @itemize @bullet
41715 @item
41716 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
41717 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
41718 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
41719 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
41720 packet.
41721
41722 @item
41723 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
41724 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
41725
41726 @item
41727 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
41728
41729 @item
41730 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
41731
41732 @item
41733 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
41734 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
41735 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
41736 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
41737 packet.
41738
41739 @end itemize
41740
41741 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
41742 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
41743
41744 @itemize @bullet
41745 @item
41746 Return value.
41747
41748 @item
41749 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
41750
41751 @item
41752 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
41753
41754 @end itemize
41755
41756 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
41757 the latest continue or step action.
41758
41759 @node The F Request Packet
41760 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
41761 @cindex file-i/o request packet
41762 @cindex @code{F} request packet
41763
41764 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
41765
41766 @table @samp
41767 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
41768
41769 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
41770 This is just the name of the function.
41771
41772 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
41773 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
41774 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
41775 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
41776 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
41777 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
41778 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
41779
41780 @end table
41781
41782
41783
41784 @node The F Reply Packet
41785 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
41786 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
41787 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
41788
41789 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
41790
41791 @table @samp
41792
41793 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
41794
41795 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
41796
41797 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
41798 representation.
41799 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
41800
41801 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
41802 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
41803 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
41804
41805 @smallexample
41806 F0,0,C
41807 @end smallexample
41808
41809 @noindent
41810 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
41811
41812 @smallexample
41813 F-1,4,C
41814 @end smallexample
41815
41816 @noindent
41817 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
41818
41819 @end table
41820
41821
41822 @node The Ctrl-C Message
41823 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
41824 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
41825
41826 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
41827 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
41828 the target should behave as if it had
41829 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
41830 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
41831 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
41832 packet.
41833
41834 It's important for the target to know in which
41835 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
41836
41837 @itemize @bullet
41838 @item
41839 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
41840
41841 @item
41842 The system call on the host has been finished.
41843
41844 @end itemize
41845
41846 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
41847 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
41848 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
41849 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
41850 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
41851 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
41852
41853 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
41854 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
41855 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
41856 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
41857 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
41858 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
41859 or the full action has been completed.
41860
41861 @node Console I/O
41862 @subsection Console I/O
41863 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
41864
41865 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
41866 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
41867 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
41868 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
41869 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
41870 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
41871 conditions is met:
41872
41873 @itemize @bullet
41874 @item
41875 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
41876 @code{read}
41877 system call is treated as finished.
41878
41879 @item
41880 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
41881 newline.
41882
41883 @item
41884 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
41885 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
41886
41887 @end itemize
41888
41889 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
41890 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
41891 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
41892 is stopped at the user's request.
41893
41894
41895 @node List of Supported Calls
41896 @subsection List of Supported Calls
41897 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
41898
41899 @menu
41900 * open::
41901 * close::
41902 * read::
41903 * write::
41904 * lseek::
41905 * rename::
41906 * unlink::
41907 * stat/fstat::
41908 * gettimeofday::
41909 * isatty::
41910 * system::
41911 @end menu
41912
41913 @node open
41914 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
41915 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
41916
41917 @table @asis
41918 @item Synopsis:
41919 @smallexample
41920 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
41921 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
41922 @end smallexample
41923
41924 @item Request:
41925 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
41926
41927 @noindent
41928 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
41929
41930 @table @code
41931 @item O_CREAT
41932 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
41933 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
41934 are concerned.
41935
41936 @item O_EXCL
41937 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
41938 an error and open() fails.
41939
41940 @item O_TRUNC
41941 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
41942 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
41943 truncated to zero length.
41944
41945 @item O_APPEND
41946 The file is opened in append mode.
41947
41948 @item O_RDONLY
41949 The file is opened for reading only.
41950
41951 @item O_WRONLY
41952 The file is opened for writing only.
41953
41954 @item O_RDWR
41955 The file is opened for reading and writing.
41956 @end table
41957
41958 @noindent
41959 Other bits are silently ignored.
41960
41961
41962 @noindent
41963 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
41964
41965 @table @code
41966 @item S_IRUSR
41967 User has read permission.
41968
41969 @item S_IWUSR
41970 User has write permission.
41971
41972 @item S_IRGRP
41973 Group has read permission.
41974
41975 @item S_IWGRP
41976 Group has write permission.
41977
41978 @item S_IROTH
41979 Others have read permission.
41980
41981 @item S_IWOTH
41982 Others have write permission.
41983 @end table
41984
41985 @noindent
41986 Other bits are silently ignored.
41987
41988
41989 @item Return value:
41990 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
41991 occurred.
41992
41993 @item Errors:
41994
41995 @table @code
41996 @item EEXIST
41997 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
41998
41999 @item EISDIR
42000 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
42001
42002 @item EACCES
42003 The requested access is not allowed.
42004
42005 @item ENAMETOOLONG
42006 @var{pathname} was too long.
42007
42008 @item ENOENT
42009 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
42010
42011 @item ENODEV
42012 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
42013
42014 @item EROFS
42015 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
42016 write access was requested.
42017
42018 @item EFAULT
42019 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
42020
42021 @item ENOSPC
42022 No space on device to create the file.
42023
42024 @item EMFILE
42025 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
42026
42027 @item ENFILE
42028 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
42029 has been reached.
42030
42031 @item EINTR
42032 The call was interrupted by the user.
42033 @end table
42034
42035 @end table
42036
42037 @node close
42038 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
42039 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
42040
42041 @table @asis
42042 @item Synopsis:
42043 @smallexample
42044 int close(int fd);
42045 @end smallexample
42046
42047 @item Request:
42048 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
42049
42050 @item Return value:
42051 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
42052
42053 @item Errors:
42054
42055 @table @code
42056 @item EBADF
42057 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
42058
42059 @item EINTR
42060 The call was interrupted by the user.
42061 @end table
42062
42063 @end table
42064
42065 @node read
42066 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
42067 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
42068
42069 @table @asis
42070 @item Synopsis:
42071 @smallexample
42072 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
42073 @end smallexample
42074
42075 @item Request:
42076 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
42077
42078 @item Return value:
42079 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
42080 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
42081 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
42082
42083 @item Errors:
42084
42085 @table @code
42086 @item EBADF
42087 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
42088 reading.
42089
42090 @item EFAULT
42091 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
42092
42093 @item EINTR
42094 The call was interrupted by the user.
42095 @end table
42096
42097 @end table
42098
42099 @node write
42100 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
42101 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
42102
42103 @table @asis
42104 @item Synopsis:
42105 @smallexample
42106 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
42107 @end smallexample
42108
42109 @item Request:
42110 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
42111
42112 @item Return value:
42113 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
42114 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
42115 is returned.
42116
42117 @item Errors:
42118
42119 @table @code
42120 @item EBADF
42121 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
42122 writing.
42123
42124 @item EFAULT
42125 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
42126
42127 @item EFBIG
42128 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
42129 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
42130
42131 @item ENOSPC
42132 No space on device to write the data.
42133
42134 @item EINTR
42135 The call was interrupted by the user.
42136 @end table
42137
42138 @end table
42139
42140 @node lseek
42141 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
42142 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
42143
42144 @table @asis
42145 @item Synopsis:
42146 @smallexample
42147 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
42148 @end smallexample
42149
42150 @item Request:
42151 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
42152
42153 @var{flag} is one of:
42154
42155 @table @code
42156 @item SEEK_SET
42157 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
42158
42159 @item SEEK_CUR
42160 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
42161 bytes.
42162
42163 @item SEEK_END
42164 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
42165 bytes.
42166 @end table
42167
42168 @item Return value:
42169 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
42170 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
42171 value of -1 is returned.
42172
42173 @item Errors:
42174
42175 @table @code
42176 @item EBADF
42177 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
42178
42179 @item ESPIPE
42180 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
42181
42182 @item EINVAL
42183 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
42184
42185 @item EINTR
42186 The call was interrupted by the user.
42187 @end table
42188
42189 @end table
42190
42191 @node rename
42192 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
42193 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
42194
42195 @table @asis
42196 @item Synopsis:
42197 @smallexample
42198 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
42199 @end smallexample
42200
42201 @item Request:
42202 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
42203
42204 @item Return value:
42205 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
42206
42207 @item Errors:
42208
42209 @table @code
42210 @item EISDIR
42211 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
42212 directory.
42213
42214 @item EEXIST
42215 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
42216
42217 @item EBUSY
42218 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
42219 process.
42220
42221 @item EINVAL
42222 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
42223 of itself.
42224
42225 @item ENOTDIR
42226 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
42227 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
42228 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
42229
42230 @item EFAULT
42231 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
42232
42233 @item EACCES
42234 No access to the file or the path of the file.
42235
42236 @item ENAMETOOLONG
42237
42238 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
42239
42240 @item ENOENT
42241 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
42242
42243 @item EROFS
42244 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
42245
42246 @item ENOSPC
42247 The device containing the file has no room for the new
42248 directory entry.
42249
42250 @item EINTR
42251 The call was interrupted by the user.
42252 @end table
42253
42254 @end table
42255
42256 @node unlink
42257 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
42258 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
42259
42260 @table @asis
42261 @item Synopsis:
42262 @smallexample
42263 int unlink(const char *pathname);
42264 @end smallexample
42265
42266 @item Request:
42267 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
42268
42269 @item Return value:
42270 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
42271
42272 @item Errors:
42273
42274 @table @code
42275 @item EACCES
42276 No access to the file or the path of the file.
42277
42278 @item EPERM
42279 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
42280
42281 @item EBUSY
42282 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
42283 being used by another process.
42284
42285 @item EFAULT
42286 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
42287
42288 @item ENAMETOOLONG
42289 @var{pathname} was too long.
42290
42291 @item ENOENT
42292 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
42293
42294 @item ENOTDIR
42295 A component of the path is not a directory.
42296
42297 @item EROFS
42298 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
42299
42300 @item EINTR
42301 The call was interrupted by the user.
42302 @end table
42303
42304 @end table
42305
42306 @node stat/fstat
42307 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
42308 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
42309 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
42310
42311 @table @asis
42312 @item Synopsis:
42313 @smallexample
42314 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
42315 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
42316 @end smallexample
42317
42318 @item Request:
42319 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
42320 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
42321
42322 @item Return value:
42323 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
42324
42325 @item Errors:
42326
42327 @table @code
42328 @item EBADF
42329 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
42330
42331 @item ENOENT
42332 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
42333 path is an empty string.
42334
42335 @item ENOTDIR
42336 A component of the path is not a directory.
42337
42338 @item EFAULT
42339 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
42340
42341 @item EACCES
42342 No access to the file or the path of the file.
42343
42344 @item ENAMETOOLONG
42345 @var{pathname} was too long.
42346
42347 @item EINTR
42348 The call was interrupted by the user.
42349 @end table
42350
42351 @end table
42352
42353 @node gettimeofday
42354 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
42355 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
42356
42357 @table @asis
42358 @item Synopsis:
42359 @smallexample
42360 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
42361 @end smallexample
42362
42363 @item Request:
42364 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
42365
42366 @item Return value:
42367 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
42368
42369 @item Errors:
42370
42371 @table @code
42372 @item EINVAL
42373 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
42374
42375 @item EFAULT
42376 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
42377 @end table
42378
42379 @end table
42380
42381 @node isatty
42382 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
42383 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
42384
42385 @table @asis
42386 @item Synopsis:
42387 @smallexample
42388 int isatty(int fd);
42389 @end smallexample
42390
42391 @item Request:
42392 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
42393
42394 @item Return value:
42395 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
42396
42397 @item Errors:
42398
42399 @table @code
42400 @item EINTR
42401 The call was interrupted by the user.
42402 @end table
42403
42404 @end table
42405
42406 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
42407 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
42408 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
42409 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
42410 needed.
42411
42412
42413 @node system
42414 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
42415 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
42416
42417 @table @asis
42418 @item Synopsis:
42419 @smallexample
42420 int system(const char *command);
42421 @end smallexample
42422
42423 @item Request:
42424 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
42425
42426 @item Return value:
42427 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
42428 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
42429 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
42430 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
42431 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
42432 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
42433 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
42434
42435 @item Errors:
42436
42437 @table @code
42438 @item EINTR
42439 The call was interrupted by the user.
42440 @end table
42441
42442 @end table
42443
42444 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
42445 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
42446 the host is simplified before it's returned
42447 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
42448 is discarded, and the return value consists
42449 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
42450
42451 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
42452 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
42453 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
42454
42455 @table @code
42456 @item set remote system-call-allowed
42457 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
42458 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
42459 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
42460
42461 @item show remote system-call-allowed
42462 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
42463 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
42464 protocol.
42465 @end table
42466
42467 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
42468 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
42469 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
42470
42471 @menu
42472 * Integral Datatypes::
42473 * Pointer Values::
42474 * Memory Transfer::
42475 * struct stat::
42476 * struct timeval::
42477 @end menu
42478
42479 @node Integral Datatypes
42480 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
42481 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
42482
42483 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
42484 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
42485 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
42486
42487 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
42488 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
42489
42490 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
42491
42492 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
42493 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
42494
42495 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
42496
42497 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
42498 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
42499 byte order.
42500
42501 @node Pointer Values
42502 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
42503 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
42504
42505 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
42506 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
42507 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
42508 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
42509
42510 @smallexample
42511 @code{1aaf/12}
42512 @end smallexample
42513
42514 @noindent
42515 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
42516 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
42517 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
42518 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
42519
42520 @smallexample
42521 @code{123456/d}
42522 @end smallexample
42523
42524 @node Memory Transfer
42525 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
42526 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
42527
42528 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
42529 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
42530 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
42531 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
42532 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
42533 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
42534 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
42535
42536
42537 @node struct stat
42538 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
42539 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
42540
42541 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
42542 is defined as follows:
42543
42544 @smallexample
42545 struct stat @{
42546 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
42547 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
42548 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
42549 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
42550 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
42551 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
42552 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
42553 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
42554 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
42555 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
42556 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
42557 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
42558 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
42559 @};
42560 @end smallexample
42561
42562 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
42563 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
42564 structure is of size 64 bytes.
42565
42566 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
42567 range of values.
42568
42569 @table @code
42570
42571 @item st_dev
42572 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
42573
42574 @item st_ino
42575 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
42576
42577 @item st_mode
42578 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
42579 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
42580
42581 @item st_uid
42582 @itemx st_gid
42583 @itemx st_rdev
42584 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
42585
42586 @item st_atime
42587 @itemx st_mtime
42588 @itemx st_ctime
42589 These values have a host and file system dependent
42590 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
42591 support exact timing values.
42592 @end table
42593
42594 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
42595 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
42596 continuing.
42597
42598 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
42599 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
42600 get truncated on the target.
42601
42602 @node struct timeval
42603 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
42604 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
42605
42606 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
42607 is defined as follows:
42608
42609 @smallexample
42610 struct timeval @{
42611 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
42612 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
42613 @};
42614 @end smallexample
42615
42616 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
42617 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
42618 structure is of size 8 bytes.
42619
42620 @node Constants
42621 @subsection Constants
42622 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
42623
42624 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
42625 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
42626 values before and after the call as needed.
42627
42628 @menu
42629 * Open Flags::
42630 * mode_t Values::
42631 * Errno Values::
42632 * Lseek Flags::
42633 * Limits::
42634 @end menu
42635
42636 @node Open Flags
42637 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
42638 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
42639
42640 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
42641
42642 @smallexample
42643 O_RDONLY 0x0
42644 O_WRONLY 0x1
42645 O_RDWR 0x2
42646 O_APPEND 0x8
42647 O_CREAT 0x200
42648 O_TRUNC 0x400
42649 O_EXCL 0x800
42650 @end smallexample
42651
42652 @node mode_t Values
42653 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
42654 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
42655
42656 All values are given in octal representation.
42657
42658 @smallexample
42659 S_IFREG 0100000
42660 S_IFDIR 040000
42661 S_IRUSR 0400
42662 S_IWUSR 0200
42663 S_IXUSR 0100
42664 S_IRGRP 040
42665 S_IWGRP 020
42666 S_IXGRP 010
42667 S_IROTH 04
42668 S_IWOTH 02
42669 S_IXOTH 01
42670 @end smallexample
42671
42672 @node Errno Values
42673 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
42674 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
42675
42676 All values are given in decimal representation.
42677
42678 @smallexample
42679 EPERM 1
42680 ENOENT 2
42681 EINTR 4
42682 EBADF 9
42683 EACCES 13
42684 EFAULT 14
42685 EBUSY 16
42686 EEXIST 17
42687 ENODEV 19
42688 ENOTDIR 20
42689 EISDIR 21
42690 EINVAL 22
42691 ENFILE 23
42692 EMFILE 24
42693 EFBIG 27
42694 ENOSPC 28
42695 ESPIPE 29
42696 EROFS 30
42697 ENAMETOOLONG 91
42698 EUNKNOWN 9999
42699 @end smallexample
42700
42701 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
42702 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
42703
42704 @node Lseek Flags
42705 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
42706 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
42707
42708 @smallexample
42709 SEEK_SET 0
42710 SEEK_CUR 1
42711 SEEK_END 2
42712 @end smallexample
42713
42714 @node Limits
42715 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
42716 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
42717
42718 All values are given in decimal representation.
42719
42720 @smallexample
42721 INT_MIN -2147483648
42722 INT_MAX 2147483647
42723 UINT_MAX 4294967295
42724 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
42725 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
42726 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
42727 @end smallexample
42728
42729 @node File-I/O Examples
42730 @subsection File-I/O Examples
42731 @cindex file-i/o examples
42732
42733 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
42734 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
42735
42736 @smallexample
42737 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
42738 @emph{request memory read from target}
42739 -> @code{m1234,6}
42740 <- XXXXXX
42741 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
42742 -> @code{F6}
42743 @end smallexample
42744
42745 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
42746 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
42747
42748 @smallexample
42749 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
42750 @emph{request memory write to target}
42751 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
42752 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
42753 -> @code{F6}
42754 @end smallexample
42755
42756 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
42757 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
42758
42759 @smallexample
42760 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
42761 -> @code{F-1,9}
42762 @end smallexample
42763
42764 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
42765 host is called:
42766
42767 @smallexample
42768 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
42769 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
42770 <- @code{T02}
42771 @end smallexample
42772
42773 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
42774 host is called:
42775
42776 @smallexample
42777 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
42778 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
42779 <- @code{T02}
42780 @end smallexample
42781
42782 @node Library List Format
42783 @section Library List Format
42784 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
42785
42786 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
42787 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
42788 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
42789 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
42790 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
42791 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
42792 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
42793 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
42794 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
42795 are loaded.
42796
42797 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
42798 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
42799 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
42800 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
42801
42802 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
42803 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
42804 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
42805 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
42806 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
42807 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
42808
42809 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
42810 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
42811
42812 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
42813 offset, looks like this:
42814
42815 @smallexample
42816 <library-list>
42817 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
42818 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
42819 </library>
42820 </library-list>
42821 @end smallexample
42822
42823 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
42824 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
42825
42826 @smallexample
42827 <library-list>
42828 <library name="sharedlib.o">
42829 <section address="0x10000000"/>
42830 <section address="0x20000000"/>
42831 <section address="0x30000000"/>
42832 </library>
42833 </library-list>
42834 @end smallexample
42835
42836 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
42837
42838 @smallexample
42839 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
42840 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
42841 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
42842 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
42843 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
42844 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
42845 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
42846 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
42847 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
42848 @end smallexample
42849
42850 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
42851 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
42852 section for each library.
42853
42854 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
42855 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
42856 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
42857
42858 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
42859 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
42860 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
42861 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
42862
42863 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
42864 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
42865 target, the following parameters are reported:
42866
42867 @itemize @minus
42868 @item
42869 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
42870 @code{struct link_map}.
42871 @item
42872 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
42873 (Thread Local Storage) access.
42874 @item
42875 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
42876 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
42877 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
42878 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
42879 @item
42880 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
42881 @end itemize
42882
42883 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
42884 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
42885 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
42886
42887 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
42888 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
42889
42890 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
42891 looks like this:
42892
42893 @smallexample
42894 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
42895 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
42896 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
42897 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
42898 l_ld="0x152350"/>
42899 </library-list-svr>
42900 @end smallexample
42901
42902 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
42903
42904 @smallexample
42905 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
42906 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
42907 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
42908 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
42909 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
42910 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
42911 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
42912 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
42913 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
42914 @end smallexample
42915
42916 @node Memory Map Format
42917 @section Memory Map Format
42918 @cindex memory map format
42919
42920 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
42921 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
42922 memory map.
42923
42924 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
42925 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
42926 lists memory regions.
42927
42928 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
42929 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
42930
42931 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
42932
42933 @smallexample
42934 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42935 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
42936 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
42937 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
42938 <memory-map>
42939 region...
42940 </memory-map>
42941 @end smallexample
42942
42943 Each region can be either:
42944
42945 @itemize
42946
42947 @item
42948 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
42949 bytes from there:
42950
42951 @smallexample
42952 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
42953 @end smallexample
42954
42955
42956 @item
42957 A region of read-only memory:
42958
42959 @smallexample
42960 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
42961 @end smallexample
42962
42963
42964 @item
42965 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
42966 bytes in length:
42967
42968 @smallexample
42969 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
42970 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
42971 </memory>
42972 @end smallexample
42973
42974 @end itemize
42975
42976 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
42977 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
42978 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
42979
42980 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
42981
42982 @smallexample
42983 <!-- ................................................... -->
42984 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
42985 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
42986 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
42987 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
42988 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
42989 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory)*>
42990 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
42991 <!ELEMENT memory (property)*>
42992 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
42993 and its type, or device. -->
42994 <!ATTLIST memory type (ram|rom|flash) #REQUIRED
42995 start CDATA #REQUIRED
42996 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
42997 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
42998 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
42999 <!ATTLIST property name (blocksize) #REQUIRED>
43000 @end smallexample
43001
43002 @node Thread List Format
43003 @section Thread List Format
43004 @cindex thread list format
43005
43006 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
43007 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
43008 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
43009 the following structure:
43010
43011 @smallexample
43012 <?xml version="1.0"?>
43013 <threads>
43014 <thread id="id" core="0" name="name">
43015 ... description ...
43016 </thread>
43017 </threads>
43018 @end smallexample
43019
43020 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
43021 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
43022 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
43023 the thread was last executing on. The @samp{name} attribute, if
43024 present, specifies the human-readable name of the thread. The content
43025 of the of @samp{thread} element is interpreted as human-readable
43026 auxiliary information. The @samp{handle} attribute, if present,
43027 is a hex encoded representation of the thread handle.
43028
43029
43030 @node Traceframe Info Format
43031 @section Traceframe Info Format
43032 @cindex traceframe info format
43033
43034 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
43035 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
43036 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
43037 collected in a traceframe.
43038
43039 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
43040 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
43041
43042 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43043 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
43044
43045 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
43046
43047 @smallexample
43048 <?xml version="1.0"?>
43049 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
43050 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
43051 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
43052 <traceframe-info>
43053 block...
43054 </traceframe-info>
43055 @end smallexample
43056
43057 Each traceframe block can be either:
43058
43059 @itemize
43060
43061 @item
43062 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
43063 @var{length} bytes from there:
43064
43065 @smallexample
43066 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
43067 @end smallexample
43068
43069 @item
43070 A block indicating trace state variable numbered @var{number} has been
43071 collected:
43072
43073 @smallexample
43074 <tvar id="@var{number}"/>
43075 @end smallexample
43076
43077 @end itemize
43078
43079 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
43080
43081 @smallexample
43082 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory | tvar)* >
43083 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
43084
43085 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
43086 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
43087 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
43088 <!ELEMENT tvar>
43089 <!ATTLIST tvar id CDATA #REQUIRED>
43090 @end smallexample
43091
43092 @node Branch Trace Format
43093 @section Branch Trace Format
43094 @cindex branch trace format
43095
43096 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
43097 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
43098 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
43099 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
43100
43101 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
43102 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
43103
43104 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43105 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
43106
43107 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
43108
43109 @smallexample
43110 <?xml version="1.0"?>
43111 <!DOCTYPE btrace
43112 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
43113 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
43114 <btrace>
43115 block...
43116 </btrace>
43117 @end smallexample
43118
43119 @itemize
43120
43121 @item
43122 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
43123 and ending at @var{end}:
43124
43125 @smallexample
43126 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
43127 @end smallexample
43128
43129 @end itemize
43130
43131 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
43132
43133 @smallexample
43134 <!ELEMENT btrace (block* | pt) >
43135 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
43136
43137 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
43138 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
43139 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
43140
43141 <!ELEMENT pt (pt-config?, raw?)>
43142
43143 <!ELEMENT pt-config (cpu?)>
43144
43145 <!ELEMENT cpu EMPTY>
43146 <!ATTLIST cpu vendor CDATA #REQUIRED
43147 family CDATA #REQUIRED
43148 model CDATA #REQUIRED
43149 stepping CDATA #REQUIRED>
43150
43151 <!ELEMENT raw (#PCDATA)>
43152 @end smallexample
43153
43154 @node Branch Trace Configuration Format
43155 @section Branch Trace Configuration Format
43156 @cindex branch trace configuration format
43157
43158 For each inferior thread, @value{GDBN} can obtain the branch trace
43159 configuration using the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
43160 (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}) packet.
43161
43162 The configuration describes the branch trace format and configuration
43163 settings for that format. The following information is described:
43164
43165 @table @code
43166 @item bts
43167 This thread uses the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) format.
43168 @table @code
43169 @item size
43170 The size of the @acronym{BTS} ring buffer in bytes.
43171 @end table
43172 @item pt
43173 This thread uses the @dfn{Intel Processor Trace} (@acronym{Intel
43174 PT}) format.
43175 @table @code
43176 @item size
43177 The size of the @acronym{Intel PT} ring buffer in bytes.
43178 @end table
43179 @end table
43180
43181 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43182 branch trace configuration discovery. @xref{Expat}.
43183
43184 The formal DTD for the branch trace configuration format is given below:
43185
43186 @smallexample
43187 <!ELEMENT btrace-conf (bts?, pt?)>
43188 <!ATTLIST btrace-conf version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
43189
43190 <!ELEMENT bts EMPTY>
43191 <!ATTLIST bts size CDATA #IMPLIED>
43192
43193 <!ELEMENT pt EMPTY>
43194 <!ATTLIST pt size CDATA #IMPLIED>
43195 @end smallexample
43196
43197 @include agentexpr.texi
43198
43199 @node Target Descriptions
43200 @appendix Target Descriptions
43201 @cindex target descriptions
43202
43203 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
43204 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
43205 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
43206 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
43207 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
43208 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
43209 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
43210
43211 @itemize @bullet
43212 @item
43213 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
43214 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
43215 @item
43216 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
43217 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
43218 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
43219 @item
43220 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
43221 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
43222 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
43223 @end itemize
43224
43225 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
43226 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
43227 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
43228 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
43229 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
43230
43231 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43232 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
43233
43234 @menu
43235 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
43236 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
43237 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
43238 descriptions.
43239 * Enum Target Types:: How to define enum target types.
43240 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
43241 @end menu
43242
43243 @node Retrieving Descriptions
43244 @section Retrieving Descriptions
43245
43246 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
43247 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
43248 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
43249 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
43250 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
43251 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
43252 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
43253 Format}.
43254
43255 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
43256 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
43257 specify a file are:
43258
43259 @table @code
43260 @cindex set tdesc filename
43261 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
43262 Read the target description from @var{path}.
43263
43264 @cindex unset tdesc filename
43265 @item unset tdesc filename
43266 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
43267 will use the description supplied by the current target.
43268
43269 @cindex show tdesc filename
43270 @item show tdesc filename
43271 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
43272 @end table
43273
43274
43275 @node Target Description Format
43276 @section Target Description Format
43277 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
43278
43279 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
43280 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
43281 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
43282 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
43283 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
43284 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
43285 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
43286
43287 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
43288 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
43289 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
43290 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
43291 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
43292
43293 Here is a simple target description:
43294
43295 @smallexample
43296 <target version="1.0">
43297 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
43298 </target>
43299 @end smallexample
43300
43301 @noindent
43302 This minimal description only says that the target uses
43303 the x86-64 architecture.
43304
43305 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
43306 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
43307 are explained further below.
43308
43309 @smallexample
43310 <?xml version="1.0"?>
43311 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
43312 <target version="1.0">
43313 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
43314 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
43315 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
43316 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
43317 </target>
43318 @end smallexample
43319
43320 @noindent
43321 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
43322 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
43323 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
43324 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
43325 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
43326 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
43327 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
43328 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
43329 the version mismatch.
43330
43331 @subsection Inclusion
43332 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
43333 @cindex XInclude
43334 @ifnotinfo
43335 @cindex <xi:include>
43336 @end ifnotinfo
43337
43338 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
43339 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
43340 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
43341 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
43342 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
43343
43344 @smallexample
43345 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
43346 @end smallexample
43347
43348 @noindent
43349 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
43350 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
43351 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
43352 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
43353 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
43354 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
43355 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
43356 original description.
43357
43358 @subsection Architecture
43359 @cindex <architecture>
43360
43361 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
43362
43363 @smallexample
43364 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
43365 @end smallexample
43366
43367 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
43368 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
43369
43370 @subsection OS ABI
43371 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
43372
43373 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
43374 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
43375
43376 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
43377
43378 @smallexample
43379 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
43380 @end smallexample
43381
43382 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
43383 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
43384
43385 @subsection Compatible Architecture
43386 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
43387
43388 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
43389 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
43390
43391 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
43392
43393 @smallexample
43394 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
43395 @end smallexample
43396
43397 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
43398 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
43399
43400 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
43401 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
43402 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
43403 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
43404 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
43405 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
43406 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
43407
43408 @smallexample
43409 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
43410 <compatible>spu</compatible>
43411 @end smallexample
43412
43413 @subsection Features
43414 @cindex <feature>
43415
43416 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
43417 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
43418 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
43419 has this form:
43420
43421 @smallexample
43422 <feature name="@var{name}">
43423 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
43424 @var{reg}@dots{}
43425 </feature>
43426 @end smallexample
43427
43428 @noindent
43429 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
43430 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
43431 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
43432 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
43433
43434 @subsection Types
43435
43436 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
43437 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
43438 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
43439 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
43440 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite
43441 and enum types.
43442
43443 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
43444 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
43445 Types must be defined before they are used.
43446
43447 @cindex <vector>
43448 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
43449 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
43450 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
43451 @var{count}:
43452
43453 @smallexample
43454 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
43455 @end smallexample
43456
43457 @cindex <union>
43458 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
43459 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
43460 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
43461 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
43462
43463 @smallexample
43464 <union id="@var{id}">
43465 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
43466 @dots{}
43467 </union>
43468 @end smallexample
43469
43470 @cindex <struct>
43471 @cindex <flags>
43472 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
43473 it with either a structure type or a flags type.
43474 A flags type may only contain bitfields.
43475 A structure type may either contain only bitfields or contain no bitfields.
43476 If the value contains only bitfields, its total size in bytes must be
43477 specified.
43478
43479 Non-bitfield values have a @var{name} and @var{type}.
43480
43481 @smallexample
43482 <struct id="@var{id}">
43483 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
43484 @dots{}
43485 </struct>
43486 @end smallexample
43487
43488 Both @var{name} and @var{type} values are required.
43489 No implicit padding is added.
43490
43491 Bitfield values have a @var{name}, @var{start}, @var{end} and @var{type}.
43492
43493 @smallexample
43494 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
43495 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}" type="@var{type}"/>
43496 @dots{}
43497 </struct>
43498 @end smallexample
43499
43500 @smallexample
43501 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
43502 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}" type="@var{type}"/>
43503 @dots{}
43504 </flags>
43505 @end smallexample
43506
43507 The @var{name} value is required.
43508 Bitfield values may be named with the empty string, @samp{""},
43509 in which case the field is ``filler'' and its value is not printed.
43510 Not all bits need to be specified, so ``filler'' fields are optional.
43511
43512 The @var{start} and @var{end} values are required, and @var{type}
43513 is optional.
43514 The field's @var{start} must be less than or equal to its @var{end},
43515 and zero represents the least significant bit.
43516
43517 The default value of @var{type} is @code{bool} for single bit fields,
43518 and an unsigned integer otherwise.
43519
43520 Which to choose? Structures or flags?
43521
43522 Registers defined with @samp{flags} have these advantages over
43523 defining them with @samp{struct}:
43524
43525 @itemize @bullet
43526 @item
43527 Arithmetic may be performed on them as if they were integers.
43528 @item
43529 They are printed in a more readable fashion.
43530 @end itemize
43531
43532 Registers defined with @samp{struct} have one advantage over
43533 defining them with @samp{flags}:
43534
43535 @itemize @bullet
43536 @item
43537 One can fetch individual fields like in @samp{C}.
43538
43539 @smallexample
43540 (gdb) print $my_struct_reg.field3
43541 $1 = 42
43542 @end smallexample
43543
43544 @end itemize
43545
43546 @subsection Registers
43547 @cindex <reg>
43548
43549 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
43550
43551 @smallexample
43552 <reg name="@var{name}"
43553 bitsize="@var{size}"
43554 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
43555 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
43556 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
43557 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
43558 @end smallexample
43559
43560 @noindent
43561 The components are as follows:
43562
43563 @table @var
43564
43565 @item name
43566 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
43567
43568 @item bitsize
43569 The register's size, in bits.
43570
43571 @item regnum
43572 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
43573 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
43574 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
43575 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
43576 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
43577 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
43578 in order of increasing register number.
43579
43580 @item save-restore
43581 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
43582 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
43583 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
43584 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
43585 ABI.
43586
43587 @item type
43588 The type of the register. It may be a predefined type, a type
43589 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
43590 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
43591 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
43592 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
43593 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
43594
43595 @item group
43596 The register group to which this register belongs. It can be one of the
43597 standard register groups @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{vector} or an
43598 arbitrary string. Group names should be limited to alphanumeric characters.
43599 If a group name is made up of multiple words the words may be separated by
43600 hyphens; e.g.@: @code{special-group} or @code{ultra-special-group}. If no
43601 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register in
43602 @code{info registers}.
43603
43604 @end table
43605
43606 @node Predefined Target Types
43607 @section Predefined Target Types
43608 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
43609
43610 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
43611 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
43612 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
43613 types. The currently supported types are:
43614
43615 @table @code
43616
43617 @item bool
43618 Boolean type, occupying a single bit.
43619
43620 @item int8
43621 @itemx int16
43622 @itemx int24
43623 @itemx int32
43624 @itemx int64
43625 @itemx int128
43626 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
43627
43628 @item uint8
43629 @itemx uint16
43630 @itemx uint24
43631 @itemx uint32
43632 @itemx uint64
43633 @itemx uint128
43634 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
43635
43636 @item code_ptr
43637 @itemx data_ptr
43638 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
43639 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
43640 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
43641 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
43642 may be marked as data pointers.
43643
43644 @item ieee_single
43645 Single precision IEEE floating point.
43646
43647 @item ieee_double
43648 Double precision IEEE floating point.
43649
43650 @item arm_fpa_ext
43651 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
43652
43653 @item i387_ext
43654 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
43655
43656 @item i386_eflags
43657 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
43658
43659 @item i386_mxcsr
43660 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
43661
43662 @end table
43663
43664 @node Enum Target Types
43665 @section Enum Target Types
43666 @cindex target descriptions, enum types
43667
43668 Enum target types are useful in @samp{struct} and @samp{flags}
43669 register descriptions. @xref{Target Description Format}.
43670
43671 Enum types have a name, size and a list of name/value pairs.
43672
43673 @smallexample
43674 <enum id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
43675 <evalue name="@var{name}" value="@var{value}"/>
43676 @dots{}
43677 </enum>
43678 @end smallexample
43679
43680 Enums must be defined before they are used.
43681
43682 @smallexample
43683 <enum id="levels_type" size="4">
43684 <evalue name="low" value="0"/>
43685 <evalue name="high" value="1"/>
43686 </enum>
43687 <flags id="flags_type" size="4">
43688 <field name="X" start="0"/>
43689 <field name="LEVEL" start="1" end="1" type="levels_type"/>
43690 </flags>
43691 <reg name="flags" bitsize="32" type="flags_type"/>
43692 @end smallexample
43693
43694 Given that description, a value of 3 for the @samp{flags} register
43695 would be printed as:
43696
43697 @smallexample
43698 (gdb) info register flags
43699 flags 0x3 [ X LEVEL=high ]
43700 @end smallexample
43701
43702 @node Standard Target Features
43703 @section Standard Target Features
43704 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
43705
43706 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
43707 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
43708 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
43709 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
43710 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
43711 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
43712 can recognize them.
43713
43714 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
43715 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
43716 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
43717 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
43718 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
43719 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
43720 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
43721 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
43722
43723 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
43724 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
43725 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
43726
43727 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
43728 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
43729 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
43730 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
43731
43732 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
43733 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
43734 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
43735
43736 @menu
43737 * AArch64 Features::
43738 * ARC Features::
43739 * ARM Features::
43740 * i386 Features::
43741 * MicroBlaze Features::
43742 * MIPS Features::
43743 * M68K Features::
43744 * NDS32 Features::
43745 * Nios II Features::
43746 * OpenRISC 1000 Features::
43747 * PowerPC Features::
43748 * RISC-V Features::
43749 * S/390 and System z Features::
43750 * Sparc Features::
43751 * TIC6x Features::
43752 @end menu
43753
43754
43755 @node AArch64 Features
43756 @subsection AArch64 Features
43757 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
43758
43759 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
43760 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
43761 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
43762
43763 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
43764 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
43765 and @samp{fpcr}.
43766
43767 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.sve} feature is optional. If present,
43768 it should contain registers @samp{z0} through @samp{z31}, @samp{p0}
43769 through @samp{p15}, @samp{ffr} and @samp{vg}.
43770
43771 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.pauth} feature is optional. If present,
43772 it should contain registers @samp{pauth_dmask} and @samp{pauth_cmask}.
43773
43774 @node ARC Features
43775 @subsection ARC Features
43776 @cindex target descriptions, ARC Features
43777
43778 ARC processors are highly configurable, so even core registers and their number
43779 are not completely predetermined. In addition flags and PC registers which are
43780 important to @value{GDBN} are not ``core'' registers in ARC. It is required
43781 that one of the core registers features is present.
43782 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.aux-minimal} feature is mandatory.
43783
43784 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.v2} feature is required for ARC EM and ARC HS
43785 targets with a normal register file. It should contain registers @samp{r0}
43786 through @samp{r25}, @samp{gp}, @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink},
43787 @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}. This feature may contain register @samp{ilink}
43788 and any of extension core registers @samp{r32} through @samp{r59/acch}.
43789 @samp{ilink} and extension core registers are not available to read/write, when
43790 debugging GNU/Linux applications, thus @samp{ilink} is made optional.
43791
43792 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core-reduced.v2} feature is required for ARC EM and
43793 ARC HS targets with a reduced register file. It should contain registers
43794 @samp{r0} through @samp{r3}, @samp{r10} through @samp{r15}, @samp{gp},
43795 @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink}, @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}.
43796 This feature may contain register @samp{ilink} and any of extension core
43797 registers @samp{r32} through @samp{r59/acch}.
43798
43799 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.arcompact} feature is required for ARCompact
43800 targets with a normal register file. It should contain registers @samp{r0}
43801 through @samp{r25}, @samp{gp}, @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink},
43802 @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}. This feature may contain registers
43803 @samp{ilink1}, @samp{ilink2} and any of extension core registers @samp{r32}
43804 through @samp{r59/acch}. @samp{ilink1} and @samp{ilink2} and extension core
43805 registers are not available when debugging GNU/Linux applications. The only
43806 difference with @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.v2} feature is in the names of
43807 @samp{ilink1} and @samp{ilink2} registers and that @samp{r30} is mandatory in
43808 ARC v2, but @samp{ilink2} is optional on ARCompact.
43809
43810 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.aux-minimal} feature is required for all ARC
43811 targets. It should contain registers @samp{pc} and @samp{status32}.
43812
43813 @node ARM Features
43814 @subsection ARM Features
43815 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
43816
43817 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
43818 ARM targets.
43819 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
43820 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
43821
43822 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
43823 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
43824 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
43825 and @samp{xpsr}.
43826
43827 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
43828 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
43829
43830 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
43831 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
43832 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
43833 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
43834
43835 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
43836 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
43837 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
43838 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
43839 halves of the double-precision registers.
43840
43841 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
43842 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
43843 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
43844 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
43845 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
43846 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
43847
43848 @node i386 Features
43849 @subsection i386 Features
43850 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
43851
43852 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
43853 targets. It should describe the following registers:
43854
43855 @itemize @minus
43856 @item
43857 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
43858 @item
43859 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
43860 @item
43861 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
43862 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
43863 @item
43864 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
43865 @item
43866 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
43867 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
43868 @end itemize
43869
43870 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
43871
43872 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
43873 describe registers:
43874
43875 @itemize @minus
43876 @item
43877 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
43878 @item
43879 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
43880 @item
43881 @samp{mxcsr}
43882 @end itemize
43883
43884 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
43885 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
43886 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
43887
43888 @itemize @minus
43889 @item
43890 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
43891 @item
43892 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
43893 @end itemize
43894
43895 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.mpx} is an optional feature representing Intel
43896 Memory Protection Extension (MPX). It should describe the following registers:
43897
43898 @itemize @minus
43899 @item
43900 @samp{bnd0raw} through @samp{bnd3raw} for i386 and amd64.
43901 @item
43902 @samp{bndcfgu} and @samp{bndstatus} for i386 and amd64.
43903 @end itemize
43904
43905 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
43906 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
43907
43908 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.segments} feature is optional. It should
43909 describe two system registers: @samp{fs_base} and @samp{gs_base}.
43910
43911 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx512} feature is optional and requires the
43912 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature. It should
43913 describe additional @sc{xmm} registers:
43914
43915 @itemize @minus
43916 @item
43917 @samp{xmm16h} through @samp{xmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
43918 @end itemize
43919
43920 It should describe the upper 128 bits of additional @sc{ymm} registers:
43921
43922 @itemize @minus
43923 @item
43924 @samp{ymm16h} through @samp{ymm31h}, only valid for amd64.
43925 @end itemize
43926
43927 It should
43928 describe the upper 256 bits of @sc{zmm} registers:
43929
43930 @itemize @minus
43931 @item
43932 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm7h} for i386.
43933 @item
43934 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm15h} for amd64.
43935 @end itemize
43936
43937 It should
43938 describe the additional @sc{zmm} registers:
43939
43940 @itemize @minus
43941 @item
43942 @samp{zmm16h} through @samp{zmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
43943 @end itemize
43944
43945 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.pkeys} feature is optional. It should
43946 describe a single register, @samp{pkru}. It is a 32-bit register
43947 valid for i386 and amd64.
43948
43949 @node MicroBlaze Features
43950 @subsection MicroBlaze Features
43951 @cindex target descriptions, MicroBlaze features
43952
43953 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.core} feature is required for MicroBlaze
43954 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
43955 @samp{rpc}, @samp{rmsr}, @samp{rear}, @samp{resr}, @samp{rfsr}, @samp{rbtr},
43956 @samp{rpvr}, @samp{rpvr1} through @samp{rpvr11}, @samp{redr}, @samp{rpid},
43957 @samp{rzpr}, @samp{rtlbx}, @samp{rtlbsx}, @samp{rtlblo}, and @samp{rtlbhi}.
43958
43959 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.stack-protect} feature is optional.
43960 If present, it should contain registers @samp{rshr} and @samp{rslr}
43961
43962 @node MIPS Features
43963 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
43964 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
43965
43966 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
43967 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
43968 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
43969 on the target.
43970
43971 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
43972 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
43973 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
43974
43975 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
43976 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
43977 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
43978 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
43979
43980 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
43981 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
43982 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
43983 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
43984
43985 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
43986 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
43987 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
43988
43989 @node M68K Features
43990 @subsection M68K Features
43991 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
43992
43993 @table @code
43994 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
43995 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
43996 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
43997 One of those features must be always present.
43998 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
43999 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
44000 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
44001 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
44002
44003 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
44004 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
44005 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
44006 @samp{fpiaddr}.
44007 @end table
44008
44009 @node NDS32 Features
44010 @subsection NDS32 Features
44011 @cindex target descriptions, NDS32 features
44012
44013 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nds32.core} feature is required for NDS32
44014 targets. It should contain at least registers @samp{r0} through
44015 @samp{r10}, @samp{r15}, @samp{fp}, @samp{gp}, @samp{lp}, @samp{sp},
44016 and @samp{pc}.
44017
44018 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nds32.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
44019 it should contain 64-bit double-precision floating-point registers
44020 @samp{fd0} through @emph{fdN}, which should be @samp{fd3}, @samp{fd7},
44021 @samp{fd15}, or @samp{fd31} based on the FPU configuration implemented.
44022
44023 @emph{Note:} The first sixteen 64-bit double-precision floating-point
44024 registers are overlapped with the thirty-two 32-bit single-precision
44025 floating-point registers. The 32-bit single-precision registers, if
44026 not being listed explicitly, will be synthesized from halves of the
44027 overlapping 64-bit double-precision registers. Listing 32-bit
44028 single-precision registers explicitly is deprecated, and the
44029 support to it could be totally removed some day.
44030
44031 @node Nios II Features
44032 @subsection Nios II Features
44033 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
44034
44035 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
44036 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
44037 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
44038 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
44039 @samp{mpuacc}).
44040
44041 @node OpenRISC 1000 Features
44042 @subsection Openrisc 1000 Features
44043 @cindex target descriptions, OpenRISC 1000 features
44044
44045 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.or1k.group0} feature is required for OpenRISC 1000
44046 targets. It should contain the 32 general purpose registers (@samp{r0}
44047 through @samp{r31}), @samp{ppc}, @samp{npc} and @samp{sr}.
44048
44049 @node PowerPC Features
44050 @subsection PowerPC Features
44051 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
44052
44053 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
44054 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
44055 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
44056 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
44057
44058 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
44059 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
44060
44061 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
44062 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr}, and
44063 @samp{vrsave}. @value{GDBN} will define pseudo-registers @samp{v0}
44064 through @samp{v31} as aliases for the corresponding @samp{vrX}
44065 registers.
44066
44067 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
44068 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN} will
44069 combine these registers with the floating point registers (@samp{f0}
44070 through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0} through
44071 @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0} through
44072 @samp{vs63}, the set of vector-scalar registers for POWER7.
44073 Therefore, this feature requires both @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} and
44074 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec}.
44075
44076 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
44077 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
44078 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
44079 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
44080 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
44081 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
44082 user.
44083
44084 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.ppr} feature is optional. It should
44085 contain the 64-bit register @samp{ppr}.
44086
44087 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.dscr} feature is optional. It should
44088 contain the 64-bit register @samp{dscr}.
44089
44090 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.tar} feature is optional. It should
44091 contain the 64-bit register @samp{tar}.
44092
44093 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.ebb} feature is optional. It should
44094 contain registers @samp{bescr}, @samp{ebbhr} and @samp{ebbrr}, all
44095 64-bit wide.
44096
44097 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.linux.pmu} feature is optional. It should
44098 contain registers @samp{mmcr0}, @samp{mmcr2}, @samp{siar}, @samp{sdar}
44099 and @samp{sier}, all 64-bit wide. This is the subset of the isa 2.07
44100 server PMU registers provided by @sc{gnu}/Linux.
44101
44102 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.spr} feature is optional. It should
44103 contain registers @samp{tfhar}, @samp{texasr} and @samp{tfiar}, all
44104 64-bit wide.
44105
44106 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.core} feature is optional. It should
44107 contain the checkpointed general-purpose registers @samp{cr0} through
44108 @samp{cr31}, as well as the checkpointed registers @samp{clr} and
44109 @samp{cctr}. These registers may all be either 32-bit or 64-bit
44110 depending on the target. It should also contain the checkpointed
44111 registers @samp{ccr} and @samp{cxer}, which should both be 32-bit
44112 wide.
44113
44114 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.fpu} feature is optional. It should
44115 contain the checkpointed 64-bit floating-point registers @samp{cf0}
44116 through @samp{cf31}, as well as the checkpointed 64-bit register
44117 @samp{cfpscr}.
44118
44119 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.altivec} feature is optional. It
44120 should contain the checkpointed altivec registers @samp{cvr0} through
44121 @samp{cvr31}, all 128-bit wide. It should also contain the
44122 checkpointed registers @samp{cvscr} and @samp{cvrsave}, both 32-bit
44123 wide.
44124
44125 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.vsx} feature is optional. It should
44126 contain registers @samp{cvs0h} through @samp{cvs31h}. @value{GDBN}
44127 will combine these registers with the checkpointed floating point
44128 registers (@samp{cf0} through @samp{cf31}) and the checkpointed
44129 altivec registers (@samp{cvr0} through @samp{cvr31}) to present the
44130 128-bit wide checkpointed vector-scalar registers @samp{cvs0} through
44131 @samp{cvs63}. Therefore, this feature requires both
44132 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.altivec} and
44133 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.fpu}.
44134
44135 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.ppr} feature is optional. It should
44136 contain the 64-bit checkpointed register @samp{cppr}.
44137
44138 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.dscr} feature is optional. It should
44139 contain the 64-bit checkpointed register @samp{cdscr}.
44140
44141 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.tar} feature is optional. It should
44142 contain the 64-bit checkpointed register @samp{ctar}.
44143
44144
44145 @node RISC-V Features
44146 @subsection RISC-V Features
44147 @cindex target descriptions, RISC-V Features
44148
44149 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.riscv.cpu} feature is required for RISC-V
44150 targets. It should contain the registers @samp{x0} through
44151 @samp{x31}, and @samp{pc}. Either the architectural names (@samp{x0},
44152 @samp{x1}, etc) can be used, or the ABI names (@samp{zero}, @samp{ra},
44153 etc).
44154
44155 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.riscv.fpu} feature is optional. If present, it
44156 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fflags},
44157 @samp{frm}, and @samp{fcsr}. As with the cpu feature, either the
44158 architectural register names, or the ABI names can be used.
44159
44160 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.riscv.virtual} feature is optional. If present,
44161 it should contain registers that are not backed by real registers on
44162 the target, but are instead virtual, where the register value is
44163 derived from other target state. In many ways these are like
44164 @value{GDBN}s pseudo-registers, except implemented by the target.
44165 Currently the only register expected in this set is the one byte
44166 @samp{priv} register that contains the target's privilege level in the
44167 least significant two bits.
44168
44169 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.riscv.csr} feature is optional. If present, it
44170 should contain all of the target's standard CSRs. Standard CSRs are
44171 those defined in the RISC-V specification documents. There is some
44172 overlap between this feature and the fpu feature; the @samp{fflags},
44173 @samp{frm}, and @samp{fcsr} registers could be in either feature. The
44174 expectation is that these registers will be in the fpu feature if the
44175 target has floating point hardware, but can be moved into the csr
44176 feature if the target has the floating point control registers, but no
44177 other floating point hardware.
44178
44179 @node S/390 and System z Features
44180 @subsection S/390 and System z Features
44181 @cindex target descriptions, S/390 features
44182 @cindex target descriptions, System z features
44183
44184 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.core} feature is required for S/390 and
44185 System z targets. It should contain the PSW and the 16 general
44186 registers. In particular, System z targets should provide the 64-bit
44187 registers @samp{pswm}, @samp{pswa}, and @samp{r0} through @samp{r15}.
44188 S/390 targets should provide the 32-bit versions of these registers.
44189 A System z target that runs in 31-bit addressing mode should provide
44190 32-bit versions of @samp{pswm} and @samp{pswa}, as well as the general
44191 register's upper halves @samp{r0h} through @samp{r15h}, and their
44192 lower halves @samp{r0l} through @samp{r15l}.
44193
44194 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.fpr} feature is required. It should
44195 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f15}, and
44196 @samp{fpc}.
44197
44198 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.acr} feature is required. It should
44199 contain the 32-bit registers @samp{acr0} through @samp{acr15}.
44200
44201 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.linux} feature is optional. It should
44202 contain the register @samp{orig_r2}, which is 64-bit wide on System z
44203 targets and 32-bit otherwise. In addition, the feature may contain
44204 the @samp{last_break} register, whose width depends on the addressing
44205 mode, as well as the @samp{system_call} register, which is always
44206 32-bit wide.
44207
44208 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.tdb} feature is optional. It should
44209 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{tdb0}, @samp{tac}, @samp{tct},
44210 @samp{atia}, and @samp{tr0} through @samp{tr15}.
44211
44212 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.vx} feature is optional. It should contain
44213 64-bit wide registers @samp{v0l} through @samp{v15l}, which will be
44214 combined by @value{GDBN} with the floating point registers @samp{f0}
44215 through @samp{f15} to present the 128-bit wide vector registers
44216 @samp{v0} through @samp{v15}. In addition, this feature should
44217 contain the 128-bit wide vector registers @samp{v16} through
44218 @samp{v31}.
44219
44220 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.gs} feature is optional. It should contain
44221 the 64-bit wide guarded-storage-control registers @samp{gsd},
44222 @samp{gssm}, and @samp{gsepla}.
44223
44224 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.gsbc} feature is optional. It should contain
44225 the 64-bit wide guarded-storage broadcast control registers
44226 @samp{bc_gsd}, @samp{bc_gssm}, and @samp{bc_gsepla}.
44227
44228 @node Sparc Features
44229 @subsection Sparc Features
44230 @cindex target descriptions, sparc32 features
44231 @cindex target descriptions, sparc64 features
44232 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.cpu} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
44233 targets. It should describe the following registers:
44234
44235 @itemize @minus
44236 @item
44237 @samp{g0} through @samp{g7}
44238 @item
44239 @samp{o0} through @samp{o7}
44240 @item
44241 @samp{l0} through @samp{l7}
44242 @item
44243 @samp{i0} through @samp{i7}
44244 @end itemize
44245
44246 They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
44247
44248 Also the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.fpu} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
44249 targets. It should describe the following registers:
44250
44251 @itemize @minus
44252 @item
44253 @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}
44254 @item
44255 @samp{f32} through @samp{f62} for sparc64
44256 @end itemize
44257
44258 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.cp0} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
44259 targets. It should describe the following registers:
44260
44261 @itemize @minus
44262 @item
44263 @samp{y}, @samp{psr}, @samp{wim}, @samp{tbr}, @samp{pc}, @samp{npc},
44264 @samp{fsr}, and @samp{csr} for sparc32
44265 @item
44266 @samp{pc}, @samp{npc}, @samp{state}, @samp{fsr}, @samp{fprs}, and @samp{y}
44267 for sparc64
44268 @end itemize
44269
44270 @node TIC6x Features
44271 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
44272 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
44273 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
44274 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
44275 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
44276 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
44277
44278 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
44279 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
44280 through @samp{B31}.
44281
44282 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
44283 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
44284
44285 @node Operating System Information
44286 @appendix Operating System Information
44287 @cindex operating system information
44288
44289 @menu
44290 * Process list::
44291 @end menu
44292
44293 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
44294 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
44295 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
44296 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
44297 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
44298 on a different aspect of target.
44299
44300 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
44301 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
44302 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
44303 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
44304
44305 @node Process list
44306 @appendixsection Process list
44307 @cindex operating system information, process list
44308
44309 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
44310 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
44311 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
44312 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
44313
44314 An example document is:
44315
44316 @smallexample
44317 <?xml version="1.0"?>
44318 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
44319 <osdata type="processes">
44320 <item>
44321 <column name="pid">1</column>
44322 <column name="user">root</column>
44323 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
44324 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
44325 </item>
44326 </osdata>
44327 @end smallexample
44328
44329 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
44330 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
44331 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
44332 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
44333 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
44334 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
44335 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
44336
44337 @node Trace File Format
44338 @appendix Trace File Format
44339 @cindex trace file format
44340
44341 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
44342 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
44343
44344 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
44345 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
44346 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
44347 in the future.
44348
44349 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
44350 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
44351 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
44352 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
44353 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
44354 of this section.
44355
44356 @table @code
44357 @item R @var{size}
44358 Specifies the size of a register block in bytes. This is equal to the
44359 size of a @code{g} packet payload in the remote protocol. @var{size}
44360 is an ascii decimal number. There should be only one such line in
44361 a single trace file.
44362
44363 @item status @var{status}
44364 Trace status. @var{status} has the same format as a @code{qTStatus}
44365 remote packet reply. There should be only one such line in a single trace
44366 file.
44367
44368 @item tp @var{payload}
44369 Tracepoint definition. The @var{payload} has the same format as
44370 @code{qTfP}/@code{qTsP} remote packet reply payload. A single tracepoint
44371 may take multiple lines of definition, corresponding to the multiple
44372 reply packets.
44373
44374 @item tsv @var{payload}
44375 Trace state variable definition. The @var{payload} has the same format as
44376 @code{qTfV}/@code{qTsV} remote packet reply payload. A single variable
44377 may take multiple lines of definition, corresponding to the multiple
44378 reply packets.
44379
44380 @item tdesc @var{payload}
44381 Target description in XML format. The @var{payload} is a single line of
44382 the XML file. All such lines should be concatenated together to get
44383 the original XML file. This file is in the same format as @code{qXfer}
44384 @code{features} payload, and corresponds to the main @code{target.xml}
44385 file. Includes are not allowed.
44386
44387 @end table
44388
44389 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
44390 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
44391 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
44392 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
44393 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
44394 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
44395 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
44396 endianness.
44397
44398 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
44399
44400 @table @code
44401 @item R @var{bytes}
44402 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
44403 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
44404 actual bytes, in target order, not a hexadecimal encoding.
44405
44406 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
44407 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
44408 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
44409 @var{length} bytes.
44410
44411 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
44412 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
44413 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
44414
44415 @end table
44416
44417 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
44418 of blocks.
44419
44420 @node Index Section Format
44421 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
44422 @cindex .gdb_index section format
44423 @cindex index section format
44424
44425 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
44426 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
44427 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
44428 description.
44429
44430 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
44431 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
44432 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
44433 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
44434 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
44435 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
44436
44437 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
44438
44439 @enumerate
44440 @item
44441 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
44442 unless otherwise noted:
44443
44444 @enumerate
44445 @item
44446 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
44447 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
44448 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
44449 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
44450 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
44451 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
44452 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
44453
44454 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
44455 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
44456 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
44457 currently not flagged as deprecated.
44458
44459 @item
44460 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
44461
44462 @item
44463 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
44464 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
44465 to the next offset.
44466
44467 @item
44468 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
44469
44470 @item
44471 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
44472
44473 @item
44474 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
44475 @end enumerate
44476
44477 @item
44478 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
44479 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
44480 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
44481 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
44482 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
44483 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
44484 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
44485 CU indices.
44486
44487 @item
44488 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
44489 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
44490 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
44491 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
44492
44493 @item
44494 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
44495 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
44496
44497 @enumerate
44498 @item
44499 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
44500
44501 @item
44502 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
44503 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
44504
44505 @item
44506 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
44507 @end enumerate
44508
44509 @item
44510 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
44511 the hash table is always a power of 2.
44512
44513 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
44514 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
44515 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
44516 constant pool.
44517
44518 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
44519 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
44520 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
44521
44522 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
44523 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
44524 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
44525 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
44526 index version:
44527
44528 @table @asis
44529 @item Version 4
44530 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
44531
44532 @item Versions 5 to 7
44533 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
44534 @end table
44535
44536 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
44537
44538 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
44539 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
44540 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
44541 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
44542 collision.
44543
44544 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
44545 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
44546 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
44547 the code.
44548
44549 @item
44550 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
44551 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
44552 strings.
44553
44554 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
44555 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
44556 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
44557 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
44558 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
44559 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
44560
44561 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
44562 @end enumerate
44563
44564 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
44565 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
44566 CU index+attributes value for each use.
44567
44568 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
44569 (bit 0 = LSB):
44570
44571 @table @asis
44572
44573 @item Bits 0-23
44574 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
44575 @item Bits 24-27
44576 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
44577 @item Bits 28-30
44578 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
44579
44580 @table @asis
44581 @item 0
44582 This value is reserved and should not be used.
44583 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
44584 with previous versions of the index.
44585 @item 1
44586 The symbol is a type.
44587 @item 2
44588 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
44589 @item 3
44590 The symbol is a function.
44591 @item 4
44592 Any other kind of symbol.
44593 @item 5,6,7
44594 These values are reserved.
44595 @end table
44596
44597 @item Bit 31
44598 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
44599
44600 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
44601 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
44602 @value{GDBN} sources.
44603
44604 @end table
44605
44606 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
44607 global/static attributes in the index.
44608
44609 @smallexample
44610 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
44611 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
44612 switch (die->tag)
44613 @{
44614 case DW_TAG_typedef:
44615 case DW_TAG_base_type:
44616 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
44617 kind = TYPE;
44618 is_static = 1;
44619 break;
44620 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
44621 kind = VARIABLE;
44622 is_static = language != CPLUS;
44623 break;
44624 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
44625 kind = FUNCTION;
44626 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
44627 break;
44628 case DW_TAG_constant:
44629 kind = VARIABLE;
44630 is_static = ! is_external;
44631 break;
44632 case DW_TAG_variable:
44633 kind = VARIABLE;
44634 is_static = ! is_external;
44635 break;
44636 case DW_TAG_namespace:
44637 kind = TYPE;
44638 is_static = 0;
44639 break;
44640 case DW_TAG_class_type:
44641 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
44642 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
44643 case DW_TAG_union_type:
44644 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
44645 kind = TYPE;
44646 is_static = language != CPLUS;
44647 break;
44648 default:
44649 assert (0);
44650 @}
44651 @end smallexample
44652
44653 @node Man Pages
44654 @appendix Manual pages
44655 @cindex Man pages
44656
44657 @menu
44658 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
44659 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
44660 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
44661 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
44662 * gdb-add-index man:: Add index files to speed up GDB
44663 @end menu
44664
44665 @node gdb man
44666 @heading gdb man
44667
44668 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
44669
44670 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
44671 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
44672 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
44673 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
44674 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
44675 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
44676 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
44677 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
44678 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
44679 @c man end
44680
44681 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
44682 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
44683 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
44684 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
44685
44686 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
44687 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
44688
44689 @itemize @bullet
44690 @item
44691 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
44692
44693 @item
44694 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
44695
44696 @item
44697 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
44698
44699 @item
44700 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
44701 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
44702 @end itemize
44703
44704 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
44705 Modula-2.
44706
44707 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
44708 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
44709 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
44710 by using the command @code{help}.
44711
44712 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
44713 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
44714 executable program as the argument:
44715
44716 @smallexample
44717 gdb program
44718 @end smallexample
44719
44720 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
44721
44722 @smallexample
44723 gdb program core
44724 @end smallexample
44725
44726 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
44727 to debug a running process:
44728
44729 @smallexample
44730 gdb program 1234
44731 gdb -p 1234
44732 @end smallexample
44733
44734 @noindent
44735 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
44736 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
44737 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
44738
44739 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
44740
44741 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
44742 @table @env
44743 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{function}
44744 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
44745
44746 @item run [@var{arglist}]
44747 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
44748
44749 @item bt
44750 Backtrace: display the program stack.
44751
44752 @item print @var{expr}
44753 Display the value of an expression.
44754
44755 @item c
44756 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
44757
44758 @item next
44759 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
44760 function calls in the line.
44761
44762 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
44763 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
44764
44765 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
44766 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
44767
44768 @item step
44769 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
44770 function calls in the line.
44771
44772 @item help [@var{name}]
44773 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
44774 about using @value{GDBN}.
44775
44776 @item quit
44777 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
44778 @end table
44779
44780 @ifset man
44781 For full details on @value{GDBN},
44782 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
44783 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
44784 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
44785 @end ifset
44786 @c man end
44787
44788 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
44789 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
44790 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
44791 encountered with no
44792 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
44793 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
44794 Many options have
44795 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
44796 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
44797 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
44798 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
44799 more usual convention.)
44800
44801 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
44802 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
44803 option is used.
44804
44805 @table @env
44806 @item -help
44807 @itemx -h
44808 List all options, with brief explanations.
44809
44810 @item -symbols=@var{file}
44811 @itemx -s @var{file}
44812 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
44813
44814 @item -write
44815 Enable writing into executable and core files.
44816
44817 @item -exec=@var{file}
44818 @itemx -e @var{file}
44819 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
44820 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
44821 dump.
44822
44823 @item -se=@var{file}
44824 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
44825 file.
44826
44827 @item -core=@var{file}
44828 @itemx -c @var{file}
44829 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
44830
44831 @item -command=@var{file}
44832 @itemx -x @var{file}
44833 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
44834
44835 @item -ex @var{command}
44836 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
44837
44838 @item -directory=@var{directory}
44839 @itemx -d @var{directory}
44840 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
44841
44842 @item -nh
44843 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
44844
44845 @item -nx
44846 @itemx -n
44847 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
44848
44849 @item -quiet
44850 @itemx -q
44851 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
44852 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
44853
44854 @item -batch
44855 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
44856 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
44857 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
44858 commands in the command files.
44859
44860 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
44861 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
44862 more useful, the message
44863
44864 @smallexample
44865 Program exited normally.
44866 @end smallexample
44867
44868 @noindent
44869 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
44870 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
44871
44872 @item -cd=@var{directory}
44873 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
44874 instead of the current directory.
44875
44876 @item -fullname
44877 @itemx -f
44878 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
44879 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
44880 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
44881 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
44882 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
44883 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
44884 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
44885 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
44886
44887 @item -b @var{bps}
44888 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
44889 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
44890
44891 @item -tty=@var{device}
44892 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
44893 @end table
44894 @c man end
44895
44896 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
44897 @ifset man
44898 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
44899 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
44900 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
44901
44902 @smallexample
44903 info gdb
44904 @end smallexample
44905
44906 @noindent
44907 should give you access to the complete manual.
44908
44909 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
44910 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
44911 @end ifset
44912 @c man end
44913
44914 @node gdbserver man
44915 @heading gdbserver man
44916
44917 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
44918 @format
44919 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
44920 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
44921
44922 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
44923
44924 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
44925 @c man end
44926 @end format
44927
44928 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
44929 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
44930 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
44931
44932 @ifclear man
44933 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
44934 @end ifclear
44935 @ifset man
44936 Usage (server (target) side):
44937 @end ifset
44938
44939 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
44940 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
44941 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
44942 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
44943
44944 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
44945 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
44946 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
44947
44948 @smallexample
44949 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
44950 @end smallexample
44951
44952 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
44953
44954 @smallexample
44955 @ifset man
44956 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
44957 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
44958 @end ifset
44959 @ifclear man
44960 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
44961 @end ifclear
44962 @end smallexample
44963
44964 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
44965 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
44966 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
44967
44968 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
44969
44970 @smallexample
44971 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
44972 @end smallexample
44973
44974 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
44975 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
44976 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
44977 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
44978 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
44979 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
44980 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
44981 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
44982 print an error message and exit.
44983
44984 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
44985 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
44986
44987 @smallexample
44988 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
44989 @end smallexample
44990
44991 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
44992 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
44993
44994 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
44995 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
44996 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
44997 the program you want to debug.
44998
44999 @smallexample
45000 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
45001 @end smallexample
45002
45003 @ifclear man
45004 @subheading Usage (host side)
45005 @end ifclear
45006 @ifset man
45007 Usage (host side):
45008 @end ifset
45009
45010 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
45011 @value{GDBN} needs to examine its symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
45012 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
45013 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
45014 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
45015 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
45016 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
45017 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
45018 descriptor. For example:
45019
45020 @smallexample
45021 @ifset man
45022 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
45023 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
45024 @end ifset
45025 @ifclear man
45026 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
45027 @end ifclear
45028 @end smallexample
45029
45030 @noindent
45031 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
45032
45033 @smallexample
45034 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
45035 @end smallexample
45036
45037 @noindent
45038 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
45039 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
45040 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
45041 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
45042 `Connection refused'.
45043
45044 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
45045 described in
45046 @ifset man
45047 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
45048 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
45049 @end ifset
45050 @ifclear man
45051 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
45052 @end ifclear
45053 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
45054
45055 @smallexample
45056 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
45057 @end smallexample
45058
45059 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
45060 case.
45061 @c man end
45062
45063 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
45064 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
45065
45066 @itemize @bullet
45067
45068 @item
45069 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
45070
45071 @smallexample
45072 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
45073 @end smallexample
45074
45075 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
45076 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
45077 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
45078 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
45079 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
45080 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
45081 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
45082
45083 @item
45084 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
45085 program:
45086
45087 @smallexample
45088 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
45089 @end smallexample
45090
45091 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
45092 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
45093 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
45094 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
45095
45096 @item
45097 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
45098
45099 @smallexample
45100 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
45101 @end smallexample
45102
45103 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
45104 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
45105 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
45106 debug several processes in the same session.
45107 @end itemize
45108
45109 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
45110
45111 @table @env
45112
45113 @item --help
45114 List all options, with brief explanations.
45115
45116 @item --version
45117 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
45118
45119 @item --attach
45120 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
45121
45122 @smallexample
45123 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
45124 @end smallexample
45125
45126 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
45127 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
45128
45129 @item --multi
45130 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
45131 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
45132 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
45133 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
45134
45135 @smallexample
45136 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
45137 @end smallexample
45138
45139 @item --debug
45140 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
45141 process.
45142 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
45143 the developers.
45144
45145 @item --remote-debug
45146 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
45147 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
45148 the developers.
45149
45150 @item --debug-file=@var{filename}
45151 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to send any debug output to the given @var{filename}.
45152 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
45153 the developers.
45154
45155 @item --debug-format=option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
45156 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to include extra information in each line
45157 of debugging output.
45158 @xref{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}.
45159
45160 @item --wrapper
45161 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
45162 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
45163 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
45164 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
45165
45166 @item --once
45167 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
45168 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
45169 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
45170 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
45171
45172 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
45173
45174 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
45175 @c QDisableRandomization.
45176
45177 @end table
45178 @c man end
45179
45180 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
45181 @ifset man
45182 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
45183 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
45184 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
45185
45186 @smallexample
45187 info gdb
45188 @end smallexample
45189
45190 should give you access to the complete manual.
45191
45192 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
45193 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
45194 @end ifset
45195 @c man end
45196
45197 @node gcore man
45198 @heading gcore
45199
45200 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
45201
45202 @format
45203 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
45204 gcore [-a] [-o @var{prefix}] @var{pid1} [@var{pid2}...@var{pidN}]
45205 @c man end
45206 @end format
45207
45208 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
45209 Generate core dumps of one or more running programs with process IDs
45210 @var{pid1}, @var{pid2}, etc. A core file produced by @command{gcore}
45211 is equivalent to one produced by the kernel when the process crashes
45212 (and when @kbd{ulimit -c} was used to set up an appropriate core dump
45213 limit). However, unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} finishes
45214 its job the program remains running without any change.
45215 @c man end
45216
45217 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
45218 @table @env
45219 @item -a
45220 Dump all memory mappings. The actual effect of this option depends on
45221 the Operating System. On @sc{gnu}/Linux, it will disable
45222 @code{use-coredump-filter} (@pxref{set use-coredump-filter}) and
45223 enable @code{dump-excluded-mappings} (@pxref{set
45224 dump-excluded-mappings}).
45225
45226 @item -o @var{prefix}
45227 The optional argument @var{prefix} specifies the prefix to be used
45228 when composing the file names of the core dumps. The file name is
45229 composed as @file{@var{prefix}.@var{pid}}, where @var{pid} is the
45230 process ID of the running program being analyzed by @command{gcore}.
45231 If not specified, @var{prefix} defaults to @var{gcore}.
45232 @end table
45233 @c man end
45234
45235 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
45236 @ifset man
45237 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
45238 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
45239 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
45240
45241 @smallexample
45242 info gdb
45243 @end smallexample
45244
45245 @noindent
45246 should give you access to the complete manual.
45247
45248 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
45249 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
45250 @end ifset
45251 @c man end
45252
45253 @node gdbinit man
45254 @heading gdbinit
45255
45256 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
45257
45258 @format
45259 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
45260 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
45261 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
45262 @end ifset
45263
45264 ~/.gdbinit
45265
45266 ./.gdbinit
45267 @c man end
45268 @end format
45269
45270 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
45271 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
45272 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
45273 described in
45274 @ifset man
45275 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
45276 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
45277 @end ifset
45278 @ifclear man
45279 @ref{Sequences}.
45280 @end ifclear
45281
45282 Please read more in
45283 @ifset man
45284 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
45285 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
45286 @end ifset
45287 @ifclear man
45288 @ref{Startup}.
45289 @end ifclear
45290
45291 @table @env
45292 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
45293 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
45294 @end ifset
45295 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
45296 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
45297 @end ifclear
45298 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
45299 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
45300 See more in
45301 @ifset man
45302 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
45303 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
45304 @end ifset
45305 @ifclear man
45306 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
45307 @end ifclear
45308
45309 @item ~/.gdbinit
45310 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
45311 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
45312
45313 @item ./.gdbinit
45314 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
45315 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
45316 See more in
45317 @ifset man
45318 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
45319 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
45320 @end ifset
45321 @ifclear man
45322 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
45323 @end ifclear
45324 @end table
45325 @c man end
45326
45327 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
45328 @ifset man
45329 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
45330
45331 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
45332 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
45333 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
45334
45335 @smallexample
45336 info gdb
45337 @end smallexample
45338
45339 should give you access to the complete manual.
45340
45341 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
45342 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
45343 @end ifset
45344 @c man end
45345
45346 @node gdb-add-index man
45347 @heading gdb-add-index
45348 @pindex gdb-add-index
45349 @anchor{gdb-add-index}
45350
45351 @c man title gdb-add-index Add index files to speed up GDB
45352
45353 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb-add-index
45354 gdb-add-index @var{filename}
45355 @c man end
45356
45357 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb-add-index
45358 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
45359 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
45360 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly--at the cost of a delay early on.
45361 For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so @value{GDBN}
45362 provides a way to build an index, which speeds up startup.
45363
45364 To determine whether a file contains such an index, use the command
45365 @kbd{readelf -S filename}: the index is stored in a section named
45366 @code{.gdb_index}. The index file can only be produced on systems
45367 which use ELF binaries and DWARF debug information (i.e., sections
45368 named @code{.debug_*}).
45369
45370 @command{gdb-add-index} uses @value{GDBN} and @command{objdump} found
45371 in the @env{PATH} environment variable. If you want to use different
45372 versions of these programs, you can specify them through the
45373 @env{GDB} and @env{OBJDUMP} environment variables.
45374
45375 See more in
45376 @ifset man
45377 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Index Files}
45378 -- shell command @kbd{info -f gdb -n "Index Files"}.
45379 @end ifset
45380 @ifclear man
45381 @ref{Index Files}.
45382 @end ifclear
45383 @c man end
45384
45385 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb-add-index
45386 @ifset man
45387 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
45388 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
45389 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
45390
45391 @smallexample
45392 info gdb
45393 @end smallexample
45394
45395 should give you access to the complete manual.
45396
45397 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
45398 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
45399 @end ifset
45400 @c man end
45401
45402 @include gpl.texi
45403
45404 @node GNU Free Documentation License
45405 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
45406 @include fdl.texi
45407
45408 @node Concept Index
45409 @unnumbered Concept Index
45410
45411 @printindex cp
45412
45413 @node Command and Variable Index
45414 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
45415
45416 @printindex fn
45417
45418 @tex
45419 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
45420 % meantime:
45421 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
45422 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
45423 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
45424 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
45425 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
45426 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
45427 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
45428 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
45429 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
45430 \page\colophon
45431 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
45432 @end tex
45433
45434 @bye
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