Fix typo in vFile:pwrite documentation
[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 or use option
878 @code{-p}, if you want to debug a running process:
879
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
882 @value{GDBP} -p 1234
883 @end smallexample
884
885 @noindent
886 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234}. With option @option{-p} you
887 can omit the @var{program} filename.
888
889 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
890 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
891 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
892 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
893 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
894
895 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
896 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
897 option processing.
898 @smallexample
899 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
900 @end smallexample
901 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
902 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
903
904 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
905 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{--silent}
906 (or @code{-q}/@code{--quiet}):
907
908 @smallexample
909 @value{GDBP} --silent
910 @end smallexample
911
912 @noindent
913 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
914 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
915
916 @noindent
917 Type
918
919 @smallexample
920 @value{GDBP} -help
921 @end smallexample
922
923 @noindent
924 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
925 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
926
927 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
928 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
929 @samp{-x} option is used.
930
931
932 @menu
933 * File Options:: Choosing files
934 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
935 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
936 @end menu
937
938 @node File Options
939 @subsection Choosing Files
940
941 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
942 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
943 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
944 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
945 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
946 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
947 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
948 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
949 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
950 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
951 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
952 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
953 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
954
955 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
956 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
957 argument and ignore it.
958
959 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
960 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
961 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
962 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
963 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
964
965 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
966 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
967 @c it.
968
969 @table @code
970 @item -symbols @var{file}
971 @itemx -s @var{file}
972 @cindex @code{--symbols}
973 @cindex @code{-s}
974 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
975
976 @item -exec @var{file}
977 @itemx -e @var{file}
978 @cindex @code{--exec}
979 @cindex @code{-e}
980 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
981 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
982
983 @item -se @var{file}
984 @cindex @code{--se}
985 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
986 file.
987
988 @item -core @var{file}
989 @itemx -c @var{file}
990 @cindex @code{--core}
991 @cindex @code{-c}
992 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
993
994 @item -pid @var{number}
995 @itemx -p @var{number}
996 @cindex @code{--pid}
997 @cindex @code{-p}
998 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
999
1000 @item -command @var{file}
1001 @itemx -x @var{file}
1002 @cindex @code{--command}
1003 @cindex @code{-x}
1004 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
1005 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
1006 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
1007
1008 @item -eval-command @var{command}
1009 @itemx -ex @var{command}
1010 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
1011 @cindex @code{-ex}
1012 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
1013
1014 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
1015 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
1016
1017 @smallexample
1018 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1019 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1020 @end smallexample
1021
1022 @item -init-command @var{file}
1023 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1024 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1025 @cindex @code{-ix}
1026 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1027 after loading gdbinit files).
1028 @xref{Startup}.
1029
1030 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1031 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1032 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1033 @cindex @code{-iex}
1034 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1035 after loading gdbinit files).
1036 @xref{Startup}.
1037
1038 @item -directory @var{directory}
1039 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1040 @cindex @code{--directory}
1041 @cindex @code{-d}
1042 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1043
1044 @item -r
1045 @itemx -readnow
1046 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1047 @cindex @code{-r}
1048 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1049 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1050 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1051
1052 @item --readnever
1053 @anchor{--readnever}
1054 @cindex @code{--readnever}, command-line option
1055 Do not read each symbol file's symbolic debug information. This makes
1056 startup faster but at the expense of not being able to perform
1057 symbolic debugging. DWARF unwind information is also not read,
1058 meaning backtraces may become incomplete or inaccurate. One use of
1059 this is when a user simply wants to do the following sequence: attach,
1060 dump core, detach. Loading the debugging information in this case is
1061 an unnecessary cause of delay.
1062 @end table
1063
1064 @node Mode Options
1065 @subsection Choosing Modes
1066
1067 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1068 batch mode or quiet mode.
1069
1070 @table @code
1071 @anchor{-nx}
1072 @item -nx
1073 @itemx -n
1074 @cindex @code{--nx}
1075 @cindex @code{-n}
1076 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1077 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1078
1079 @table @code
1080 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1081 This is the system-wide init file.
1082 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1083 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1084 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1085 have been processed.
1086 @item @file{system.gdbinit.d}
1087 This is the system-wide init directory.
1088 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit-dir}
1089 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1090 Files in this directory are loaded in alphabetical order immediately after
1091 system.gdbinit (if enabled) when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line
1092 options have been processed. Files need to have a recognized scripting
1093 language extension (@file{.py}/@file{.scm}) or be named with a @file{.gdb}
1094 extension to be interpreted as regular @value{GDBN} commands. @value{GDBN}
1095 will not recurse into any subdirectories of this directory.
1096 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1097 This is the init file in your home directory.
1098 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1099 command options have been processed.
1100 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1101 This is the init file in the current directory.
1102 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1103 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1104 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1105 @end table
1106
1107 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1108 For documentation on how to write command files,
1109 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1110
1111 @anchor{-nh}
1112 @item -nh
1113 @cindex @code{--nh}
1114 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1115 in your home directory.
1116 @xref{Startup}.
1117
1118 @item -quiet
1119 @itemx -silent
1120 @itemx -q
1121 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1122 @cindex @code{--silent}
1123 @cindex @code{-q}
1124 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1125 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1126
1127 @item -batch
1128 @cindex @code{--batch}
1129 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1130 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1131 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1132 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1133 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1134 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1135 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1136
1137 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1138 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1139 make this more useful, the message
1140
1141 @smallexample
1142 Program exited normally.
1143 @end smallexample
1144
1145 @noindent
1146 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1147 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1148 mode.
1149
1150 @item -batch-silent
1151 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1152 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1153 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1154 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1155 for an interactive session.
1156
1157 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1158 messages, for example.
1159
1160 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1161 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1162
1163 @item -return-child-result
1164 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1165 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1166 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1167
1168 @itemize @bullet
1169 @item
1170 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1171 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1172 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1173 @item
1174 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1175 @item
1176 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1177 the exit code will be -1.
1178 @end itemize
1179
1180 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1181 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1182 interface.
1183
1184 @item -nowindows
1185 @itemx -nw
1186 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1187 @cindex @code{-nw}
1188 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1189 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1190 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1191
1192 @item -windows
1193 @itemx -w
1194 @cindex @code{--windows}
1195 @cindex @code{-w}
1196 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1197 used if possible.
1198
1199 @item -cd @var{directory}
1200 @cindex @code{--cd}
1201 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1202 instead of the current directory.
1203
1204 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1205 @itemx -D @var{directory}
1206 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1207 @cindex @code{-D}
1208 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1209 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1210 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1211
1212 @item -fullname
1213 @itemx -f
1214 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1215 @cindex @code{-f}
1216 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1217 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1218 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1219 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1220 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1221 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1222 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1223 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1224 frame.
1225
1226 @item -annotate @var{level}
1227 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1228 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1229 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1230 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1231 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1232 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1233 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1234 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1235 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1236
1237 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1238 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1239
1240 @item --args
1241 @cindex @code{--args}
1242 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1243 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1244 This option stops option processing.
1245
1246 @item -baud @var{bps}
1247 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1248 @cindex @code{--baud}
1249 @cindex @code{-b}
1250 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1251 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1252
1253 @item -l @var{timeout}
1254 @cindex @code{-l}
1255 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1256 for remote debugging.
1257
1258 @item -tty @var{device}
1259 @itemx -t @var{device}
1260 @cindex @code{--tty}
1261 @cindex @code{-t}
1262 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1263 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1264
1265 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1266 @item -tui
1267 @cindex @code{--tui}
1268 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1269 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1270 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1271 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1272 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1273 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1274
1275 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1276 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1277 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1278 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1279 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1280 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1281
1282 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi3}) causes
1283 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} version 3 (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1284 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 9.1. @sc{gdb/mi}
1285 version 2 (@code{mi2}), included in @value{GDBN} 6.0 and version 1 (@code{mi1}),
1286 included in @value{GDBN} 5.3, are also available. Earlier @sc{gdb/mi}
1287 interfaces are no longer supported.
1288
1289 @item -write
1290 @cindex @code{--write}
1291 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1292 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1293 (@pxref{Patching}).
1294
1295 @item -statistics
1296 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1297 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1298 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1299
1300 @item -version
1301 @cindex @code{--version}
1302 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1303 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1304
1305 @item -configuration
1306 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1307 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1308 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1309 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1310
1311 @end table
1312
1313 @node Startup
1314 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1315 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1316
1317 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1318
1319 @enumerate
1320 @item
1321 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1322 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1323
1324 @item
1325 @cindex init file
1326 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1327 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1328 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and the files in the system-wide
1329 gdbinit directory (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit-dir} was used) and executes
1330 all the commands in those files. The files need to be named with a @file{.gdb}
1331 extension to be interpreted as @value{GDBN} commands, or they can be written
1332 in a supported scripting language with an appropriate file extension.
1333
1334 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1335 @item
1336 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1337 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1338 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1339 that file.
1340
1341 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1342 @item
1343 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1344 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1345 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1346 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1347 gets loaded.
1348
1349 @item
1350 Processes command line options and operands.
1351
1352 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1353 @item
1354 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1355 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1356 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1357 This is only done if the current directory is
1358 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1359 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1360 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1361 @value{GDBN}.
1362
1363 @item
1364 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1365 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1366 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1367 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1368
1369 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1370 you must do something like the following:
1371
1372 @smallexample
1373 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1374 @end smallexample
1375
1376 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1377 off too late.
1378
1379 @item
1380 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1381 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1382 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1383
1384 @item
1385 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1386 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1387 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1388 @end enumerate
1389
1390 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1391 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1392 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1393 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1394 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1395 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1396
1397 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1398 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1399
1400 @cindex init file name
1401 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1402 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1403 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1404 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1405 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1406 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1407 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1408 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1409
1410
1411 @node Quitting GDB
1412 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1413 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1414 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1415
1416 @table @code
1417 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1418 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1419 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1420 @itemx q
1421 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1422 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1423 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1424 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1425 error code.
1426 @end table
1427
1428 @cindex interrupt
1429 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1430 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1431 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1432 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1433 until a time when it is safe.
1434
1435 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1436 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1437 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1438
1439 @node Shell Commands
1440 @section Shell Commands
1441
1442 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1443 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1444 just use the @code{shell} command.
1445
1446 @table @code
1447 @kindex shell
1448 @kindex !
1449 @cindex shell escape
1450 @item shell @var{command-string}
1451 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1452 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1453 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1454 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1455 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1456 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1457 @end table
1458
1459 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1460 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1461 @value{GDBN}:
1462
1463 @table @code
1464 @kindex make
1465 @cindex calling make
1466 @item make @var{make-args}
1467 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1468 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1469 @end table
1470
1471 @table @code
1472 @kindex pipe
1473 @kindex |
1474 @cindex send the output of a gdb command to a shell command
1475 @anchor{pipe}
1476 @item pipe [@var{command}] | @var{shell_command}
1477 @itemx | [@var{command}] | @var{shell_command}
1478 @itemx pipe -d @var{delim} @var{command} @var{delim} @var{shell_command}
1479 @itemx | -d @var{delim} @var{command} @var{delim} @var{shell_command}
1480 Executes @var{command} and sends its output to @var{shell_command}.
1481 Note that no space is needed around @code{|}.
1482 If no @var{command} is provided, the last command executed is repeated.
1483
1484 In case the @var{command} contains a @code{|}, the option @code{-d @var{delim}}
1485 can be used to specify an alternate delimiter string @var{delim} that separates
1486 the @var{command} from the @var{shell_command}.
1487
1488 Example:
1489 @smallexample
1490 @group
1491 (gdb) p var
1492 $1 = @{
1493 black = 144,
1494 red = 233,
1495 green = 377,
1496 blue = 610,
1497 white = 987
1498 @}
1499 @end group
1500 @group
1501 (gdb) pipe p var|wc
1502 7 19 80
1503 (gdb) |p var|wc -l
1504 7
1505 @end group
1506 @group
1507 (gdb) p /x var
1508 $4 = @{
1509 black = 0x90,
1510 red = 0xe9,
1511 green = 0x179,
1512 blue = 0x262,
1513 white = 0x3db
1514 @}
1515 (gdb) ||grep red
1516 red => 0xe9,
1517 @end group
1518 @group
1519 (gdb) | -d ! echo this contains a | char\n ! sed -e 's/|/PIPE/'
1520 this contains a PIPE char
1521 (gdb) | -d xxx echo this contains a | char!\n xxx sed -e 's/|/PIPE/'
1522 this contains a PIPE char!
1523 (gdb)
1524 @end group
1525 @end smallexample
1526 @end table
1527
1528 The convenience variables @code{$_shell_exitcode} and @code{$_shell_exitsignal}
1529 can be used to examine the exit status of the last shell command launched
1530 by @code{shell}, @code{make}, @code{pipe} and @code{|}.
1531 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}.
1532
1533 @node Logging Output
1534 @section Logging Output
1535 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1536 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1537
1538 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1539 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1540
1541 @table @code
1542 @kindex set logging
1543 @item set logging on
1544 Enable logging.
1545 @item set logging off
1546 Disable logging.
1547 @cindex logging file name
1548 @item set logging file @var{file}
1549 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1550 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1551 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1552 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1553 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1554 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1555 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1556 @item set logging debugredirect [on|off]
1557 By default, @value{GDBN} debug output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1558 Set @code{debugredirect} if you want debug output to go only to the log file.
1559 @kindex show logging
1560 @item show logging
1561 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1562 @end table
1563
1564 You can also redirect the output of a @value{GDBN} command to a
1565 shell command. @xref{pipe}.
1566 @node Commands
1567 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1568
1569 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1570 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1571 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1572 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1573 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1574
1575 @menu
1576 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1577 * Command Settings:: How to change default behavior of commands
1578 * Completion:: Command completion
1579 * Command Options:: Command options
1580 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1581 @end menu
1582
1583 @node Command Syntax
1584 @section Command Syntax
1585
1586 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1587 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1588 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1589 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1590 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1591 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1592
1593 @cindex abbreviation
1594 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1595 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1596 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1597 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1598 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1599 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1600 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1601
1602 @cindex repeating commands
1603 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1604 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1605 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1606 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1607 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1608 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1609 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1610
1611 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1612 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1613 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1614
1615 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1616 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1617 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1618 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1619 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1620
1621 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1622 @cindex comment
1623 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1624 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1625 Files,,Command Files}).
1626
1627 @cindex repeating command sequences
1628 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1629 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1630 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1631 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1632 for editing.
1633
1634
1635 @node Command Settings
1636 @section Command Settings
1637 @cindex default behavior of commands, changing
1638 @cindex default settings, changing
1639
1640 Many commands change their behavior according to command-specific
1641 variables or settings. These settings can be changed with the
1642 @code{set} subcommands. For example, the @code{print} command
1643 (@pxref{Data, ,Examining Data}) prints arrays differently depending on
1644 settings changeable with the commands @code{set print elements
1645 NUMBER-OF-ELEMENTS} and @code{set print array-indexes}, among others.
1646
1647 You can change these settings to your preference in the gdbinit files
1648 loaded at @value{GDBN} startup. @xref{Startup}.
1649
1650 The settings can also be changed interactively during the debugging
1651 session. For example, to change the limit of array elements to print,
1652 you can do the following:
1653 @smallexample
1654 (@value{GDBN}) set print elements 10
1655 (@value{GDBN}) print some_array
1656 $1 = @{0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90...@}
1657 @end smallexample
1658
1659 The above @code{set print elements 10} command changes the number of
1660 elements to print from the default of 200 to 10. If you only intend
1661 this limit of 10 to be used for printing @code{some_array}, then you
1662 must restore the limit back to 200, with @code{set print elements
1663 200}.
1664
1665 Some commands allow overriding settings with command options. For
1666 example, the @code{print} command supports a number of options that
1667 allow overriding relevant global print settings as set by @code{set
1668 print} subcommands. @xref{print options}. The example above could be
1669 rewritten as:
1670 @smallexample
1671 (@value{GDBN}) print -elements 10 -- some_array
1672 $1 = @{0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90...@}
1673 @end smallexample
1674
1675 Alternatively, you can use the @code{with} command to change a setting
1676 temporarily, for the duration of a command invocation.
1677
1678 @table @code
1679 @kindex with command
1680 @kindex w @r{(@code{with})}
1681 @cindex settings
1682 @cindex temporarily change settings
1683 @item with @var{setting} [@var{value}] [-- @var{command}]
1684 @itemx w @var{setting} [@var{value}] [-- @var{command}]
1685 Temporarily set @var{setting} to @var{value} for the duration of
1686 @var{command}.
1687
1688 @var{setting} is any setting you can change with the @code{set}
1689 subcommands. @var{value} is the value to assign to @code{setting}
1690 while running @code{command}.
1691
1692 If no @var{command} is provided, the last command executed is
1693 repeated.
1694
1695 If a @var{command} is provided, it must be preceded by a double dash
1696 (@code{--}) separator. This is required because some settings accept
1697 free-form arguments, such as expressions or filenames.
1698
1699 For example, the command
1700 @smallexample
1701 (@value{GDBN}) with print array on -- print some_array
1702 @end smallexample
1703 @noindent
1704 is equivalent to the following 3 commands:
1705 @smallexample
1706 (@value{GDBN}) set print array on
1707 (@value{GDBN}) print some_array
1708 (@value{GDBN}) set print array off
1709 @end smallexample
1710
1711 The @code{with} command is particularly useful when you want to
1712 override a setting while running user-defined commands, or commands
1713 defined in Python or Guile. @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
1714
1715 @smallexample
1716 (@value{GDBN}) with print pretty on -- my_complex_command
1717 @end smallexample
1718
1719 To change several settings for the same command, you can nest
1720 @code{with} commands. For example, @code{with language ada -- with
1721 print elements 10} temporarily changes the language to Ada and sets a
1722 limit of 10 elements to print for arrays and strings.
1723
1724 @end table
1725
1726 @node Completion
1727 @section Command Completion
1728
1729 @cindex completion
1730 @cindex word completion
1731 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1732 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1733 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1734 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, command options, and the names of symbols
1735 in your program.
1736
1737 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1738 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1739 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1740 enter it). For example, if you type
1741
1742 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1743 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1744 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1745 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1746 @smallexample
1747 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1748 @end smallexample
1749
1750 @noindent
1751 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1752 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1753
1754 @smallexample
1755 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1756 @end smallexample
1757
1758 @noindent
1759 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1760 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1761 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1762 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1763 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1764 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1765
1766 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1767 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1768 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1769 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1770 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1771 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1772 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1773 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1774 example:
1775
1776 @smallexample
1777 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1778 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1779 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1780 make_abs_section make_function_type
1781 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1782 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1783 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1784 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1785 @end smallexample
1786
1787 @noindent
1788 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1789 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1790 command.
1791
1792 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1793 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1794 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1795 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1796 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1797
1798 If the number of possible completions is large, @value{GDBN} will
1799 print as much of the list as it has collected, as well as a message
1800 indicating that the list may be truncated.
1801
1802 @smallexample
1803 (@value{GDBP}) b m@key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1804 main
1805 <... the rest of the possible completions ...>
1806 *** List may be truncated, max-completions reached. ***
1807 (@value{GDBP}) b m
1808 @end smallexample
1809
1810 @noindent
1811 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands:
1812
1813 @table @code
1814 @kindex set max-completions
1815 @item set max-completions @var{limit}
1816 @itemx set max-completions unlimited
1817 Set the maximum number of completion candidates. @value{GDBN} will
1818 stop looking for more completions once it collects this many candidates.
1819 This is useful when completing on things like function names as collecting
1820 all the possible candidates can be time consuming.
1821 The default value is 200. A value of zero disables tab-completion.
1822 Note that setting either no limit or a very large limit can make
1823 completion slow.
1824 @kindex show max-completions
1825 @item show max-completions
1826 Show the maximum number of candidates that @value{GDBN} will collect and show
1827 during completion.
1828 @end table
1829
1830 @cindex quotes in commands
1831 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1832 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1833 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1834 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1835 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1836 @value{GDBN} commands.
1837
1838 A likely situation where you might need this is in typing an
1839 expression that involves a C@t{++} symbol name with template
1840 parameters. This is because when completing expressions, GDB treats
1841 the @samp{<} character as word delimiter, assuming that it's the
1842 less-than comparison operator (@pxref{C Operators, , C and C@t{++}
1843 Operators}).
1844
1845 For example, when you want to call a C@t{++} template function
1846 interactively using the @code{print} or @code{call} commands, you may
1847 need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name} that
1848 was specialized for @code{int}, @code{name<int>()}, or the version
1849 that was specialized for @code{float}, @code{name<float>()}. To use
1850 the word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1851 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1852 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1853 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1854
1855 @smallexample
1856 (@value{GDBP}) p 'func< @kbd{M-?}
1857 func<int>() func<float>()
1858 (@value{GDBP}) p 'func<
1859 @end smallexample
1860
1861 When setting breakpoints however (@pxref{Specify Location}), you don't
1862 usually need to type a quote before the function name, because
1863 @value{GDBN} understands that you want to set a breakpoint on a
1864 function:
1865
1866 @smallexample
1867 (@value{GDBP}) b func< @kbd{M-?}
1868 func<int>() func<float>()
1869 (@value{GDBP}) b func<
1870 @end smallexample
1871
1872 This is true even in the case of typing the name of C@t{++} overloaded
1873 functions (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished by
1874 argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1875 don't need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1876 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1877 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}.
1878
1879 @smallexample
1880 (@value{GDBP}) b bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1881 bubble(int) bubble(double)
1882 (@value{GDBP}) b bubble(dou @kbd{M-?}
1883 bubble(double)
1884 @end smallexample
1885
1886 See @ref{quoting names} for a description of other scenarios that
1887 require quoting.
1888
1889 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1890 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1891 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1892 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1893
1894 @cindex completion of structure field names
1895 @cindex structure field name completion
1896 @cindex completion of union field names
1897 @cindex union field name completion
1898 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1899 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1900 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1901 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1902 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1903 left-hand-side:
1904
1905 @smallexample
1906 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1907 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1908 to_data to_isatty to_write
1909 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1910 to_flush to_read
1911 @end smallexample
1912
1913 @noindent
1914 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1915 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1916 follows:
1917
1918 @smallexample
1919 struct ui_file
1920 @{
1921 int *magic;
1922 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1923 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1924 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1925 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1926 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1927 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1928 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1929 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1930 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1931 void *to_data;
1932 @}
1933 @end smallexample
1934
1935 @node Command Options
1936 @section Command options
1937
1938 @cindex command options
1939 Some commands accept options starting with a leading dash. For
1940 example, @code{print -pretty}. Similarly to command names, you can
1941 abbreviate a @value{GDBN} option to the first few letters of the
1942 option name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous, and you can also use
1943 the @key{TAB} key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word
1944 in an option (or to show you the alternatives available, if there is
1945 more than one possibility).
1946
1947 @cindex command options, raw input
1948 Some commands take raw input as argument. For example, the print
1949 command processes arbitrary expressions in any of the languages
1950 supported by @value{GDBN}. With such commands, because raw input may
1951 start with a leading dash that would be confused with an option or any
1952 of its abbreviations, e.g.@: @code{print -r} (short for @code{print
1953 -raw} or printing negative @code{r}?), if you specify any command
1954 option, then you must use a double-dash (@code{--}) delimiter to
1955 indicate the end of options.
1956
1957 @cindex command options, boolean
1958
1959 Some options are described as accepting an argument which can be
1960 either @code{on} or @code{off}. These are known as @dfn{boolean
1961 options}. Similarly to boolean settings commands---@code{on} and
1962 @code{off} are the typical values, but any of @code{1}, @code{yes} and
1963 @code{enable} can also be used as ``true'' value, and any of @code{0},
1964 @code{no} and @code{disable} can also be used as ``false'' value. You
1965 can also omit a ``true'' value, as it is implied by default.
1966
1967 For example, these are equivalent:
1968
1969 @smallexample
1970 (@value{GDBP}) print -object on -pretty off -element unlimited -- *myptr
1971 (@value{GDBP}) p -o -p 0 -e u -- *myptr
1972 @end smallexample
1973
1974 You can discover the set of options some command accepts by completing
1975 on @code{-} after the command name. For example:
1976
1977 @smallexample
1978 (@value{GDBP}) print -@key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1979 -address -max-depth -repeats -vtbl
1980 -array -null-stop -static-members
1981 -array-indexes -object -symbol
1982 -elements -pretty -union
1983 @end smallexample
1984
1985 Completion will in some cases guide you with a suggestion of what kind
1986 of argument an option expects. For example:
1987
1988 @smallexample
1989 (@value{GDBP}) print -elements @key{TAB}@key{TAB}
1990 NUMBER unlimited
1991 @end smallexample
1992
1993 Here, the option expects a number (e.g., @code{100}), not literal
1994 @code{NUMBER}. Such metasyntactical arguments are always presented in
1995 uppercase.
1996
1997 (For more on using the @code{print} command, see @ref{Data, ,Examining
1998 Data}.)
1999
2000 @node Help
2001 @section Getting Help
2002 @cindex online documentation
2003 @kindex help
2004
2005 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
2006 using the command @code{help}.
2007
2008 @table @code
2009 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
2010 @item help
2011 @itemx h
2012 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
2013 display a short list of named classes of commands:
2014
2015 @smallexample
2016 (@value{GDBP}) help
2017 List of classes of commands:
2018
2019 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
2020 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
2021 data -- Examining data
2022 files -- Specifying and examining files
2023 internals -- Maintenance commands
2024 obscure -- Obscure features
2025 running -- Running the program
2026 stack -- Examining the stack
2027 status -- Status inquiries
2028 support -- Support facilities
2029 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
2030 stopping the program
2031 user-defined -- User-defined commands
2032
2033 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
2034 commands in that class.
2035 Type "help" followed by command name for full
2036 documentation.
2037 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
2038 (@value{GDBP})
2039 @end smallexample
2040 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
2041
2042 @item help @var{class}
2043 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
2044 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
2045 help display for the class @code{status}:
2046
2047 @smallexample
2048 (@value{GDBP}) help status
2049 Status inquiries.
2050
2051 List of commands:
2052
2053 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
2054 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
2055 info -- Generic command for showing things
2056 about the program being debugged
2057 show -- Generic command for showing things
2058 about the debugger
2059
2060 Type "help" followed by command name for full
2061 documentation.
2062 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
2063 (@value{GDBP})
2064 @end smallexample
2065
2066 @item help @var{command}
2067 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
2068 short paragraph on how to use that command.
2069
2070 @kindex apropos
2071 @item apropos [-v] @var{regexp}
2072 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
2073 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
2074 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. The optional flag @samp{-v},
2075 which stands for @samp{verbose}, indicates to output the full documentation
2076 of the matching commands and highlight the parts of the documentation
2077 matching @var{regexp}. For example:
2078
2079 @smallexample
2080 apropos alias
2081 @end smallexample
2082
2083 @noindent
2084 results in:
2085
2086 @smallexample
2087 @group
2088 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
2089 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
2090 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
2091 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
2092 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
2093 @end group
2094 @end smallexample
2095
2096 @noindent
2097 while
2098
2099 @smallexample
2100 apropos -v cut.*thread apply
2101 @end smallexample
2102
2103 @noindent
2104 results in the below output, where @samp{cut for 'thread apply}
2105 is highlighted if styling is enabled.
2106
2107 @smallexample
2108 @group
2109 taas -- Apply a command to all threads (ignoring errors
2110 and empty output).
2111 Usage: taas COMMAND
2112 shortcut for 'thread apply all -s COMMAND'
2113
2114 tfaas -- Apply a command to all frames of all threads
2115 (ignoring errors and empty output).
2116 Usage: tfaas COMMAND
2117 shortcut for 'thread apply all -s frame apply all -s COMMAND'
2118 @end group
2119 @end smallexample
2120
2121 @kindex complete
2122 @item complete @var{args}
2123 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
2124 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
2125 command you want completed. For example:
2126
2127 @smallexample
2128 complete i
2129 @end smallexample
2130
2131 @noindent results in:
2132
2133 @smallexample
2134 @group
2135 if
2136 ignore
2137 info
2138 inspect
2139 @end group
2140 @end smallexample
2141
2142 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
2143 @end table
2144
2145 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
2146 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
2147 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
2148 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
2149 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
2150 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
2151 Index}.
2152
2153 @c @group
2154 @table @code
2155 @kindex info
2156 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
2157 @item info
2158 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
2159 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
2160 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
2161 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
2162 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
2163 @w{@code{help info}}.
2164
2165 @kindex set
2166 @item set
2167 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
2168 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
2169 @code{set prompt $}.
2170
2171 @kindex show
2172 @item show
2173 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
2174 @value{GDBN} itself.
2175 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
2176 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
2177 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
2178 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
2179
2180 @kindex info set
2181 To display all the settable parameters and their current
2182 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
2183 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
2184 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
2185 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
2186 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
2187 @end table
2188 @c @end group
2189
2190 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
2191 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
2192
2193 @table @code
2194 @kindex show version
2195 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
2196 @item show version
2197 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
2198 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
2199 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
2200 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
2201 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
2202 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
2203 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
2204 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
2205 @value{GDBN}.
2206
2207 @kindex show copying
2208 @kindex info copying
2209 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
2210 @item show copying
2211 @itemx info copying
2212 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
2213
2214 @kindex show warranty
2215 @kindex info warranty
2216 @item show warranty
2217 @itemx info warranty
2218 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
2219 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
2220
2221 @kindex show configuration
2222 @item show configuration
2223 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
2224 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
2225 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
2226 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
2227 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
2228 your report.
2229
2230 @end table
2231
2232 @node Running
2233 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
2234
2235 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
2236 debugging information when you compile it.
2237
2238 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
2239 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
2240 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
2241 kill a child process.
2242
2243 @menu
2244 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
2245 * Starting:: Starting your program
2246 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
2247 * Environment:: Your program's environment
2248
2249 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
2250 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
2251 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
2252 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
2253
2254 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
2255 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
2256 * Forks:: Debugging forks
2257 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
2258 @end menu
2259
2260 @node Compilation
2261 @section Compiling for Debugging
2262
2263 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
2264 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
2265 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
2266 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
2267 and addresses in the executable code.
2268
2269 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
2270 the compiler.
2271
2272 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
2273 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
2274 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
2275 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
2276 executables containing debugging information.
2277
2278 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
2279 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
2280 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
2281 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
2282 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
2283
2284 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
2285 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
2286 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
2287
2288 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
2289 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
2290 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
2291 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
2292 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
2293 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
2294
2295 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
2296 gcc, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
2297 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
2298
2299 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
2300 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
2301 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
2302 format in @value{GDBN}.
2303
2304 @need 2000
2305 @node Starting
2306 @section Starting your Program
2307 @cindex starting
2308 @cindex running
2309
2310 @table @code
2311 @kindex run
2312 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
2313 @item run
2314 @itemx r
2315 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
2316 You must first specify the program name with an argument to
2317 @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
2318 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
2319 command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
2320
2321 @end table
2322
2323 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
2324 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
2325 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
2326 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
2327 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
2328 message like this one:
2329
2330 @smallexample
2331 The "remote" target does not support "run".
2332 Try "help target" or "continue".
2333 @end smallexample
2334
2335 @noindent
2336 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
2337 first (@pxref{load}).
2338
2339 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2340 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2341 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2342 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2343 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2344 divided into four categories:
2345
2346 @table @asis
2347 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2348 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2349 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2350 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2351 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2352 the arguments.
2353 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2354 @code{SHELL} environment variable. If you do not define @code{SHELL},
2355 @value{GDBN} uses the default shell (@file{/bin/sh}). You can disable
2356 use of any shell with the @code{set startup-with-shell} command (see
2357 below for details).
2358
2359 @item The @emph{environment.}
2360 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2361 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2362 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2363 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2364
2365 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2366 You can set your program's working directory with the command
2367 @kbd{set cwd}. If you do not set any working directory with this
2368 command, your program will inherit @value{GDBN}'s working directory if
2369 native debugging, or the remote server's working directory if remote
2370 debugging. @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working
2371 Directory}.
2372
2373 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2374 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2375 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2376 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2377 set a different device for your program.
2378 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2379
2380 @cindex pipes
2381 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2382 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2383 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2384 wrong program.
2385 @end table
2386
2387 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2388 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2389 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2390 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2391 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2392
2393 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2394 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2395 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2396 your current breakpoints.
2397
2398 @table @code
2399 @kindex start
2400 @item start
2401 @cindex run to main procedure
2402 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2403 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2404 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2405 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2406 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2407 procedure, depending on the language used.
2408
2409 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2410 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2411 the @samp{run} command.
2412
2413 @cindex elaboration phase
2414 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2415 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2416 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2417 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2418 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2419 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2420 will remain to halt execution.
2421
2422 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2423 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2424 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2425 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2426 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2427
2428 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2429 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution
2430 of your program too late, as the program would have already completed
2431 the elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, either insert
2432 breakpoints in your elaboration code before running your program or
2433 use the @code{starti} command.
2434
2435 @kindex starti
2436 @item starti
2437 @cindex run to first instruction
2438 The @samp{starti} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2439 breakpoint at the first instruction of a program's execution and then
2440 invoking the @samp{run} command. For programs containing an
2441 elaboration phase, the @code{starti} command will stop execution at
2442 the start of the elaboration phase.
2443
2444 @anchor{set exec-wrapper}
2445 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2446 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2447 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2448 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2449 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2450 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2451 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2452 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2453 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2454 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2455 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2456
2457 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2458 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2459 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2460 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2461
2462 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2463 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2464 environment:
2465
2466 @smallexample
2467 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2468 (@value{GDBP}) run
2469 @end smallexample
2470
2471 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2472 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2473
2474 @kindex set startup-with-shell
2475 @anchor{set startup-with-shell}
2476 @item set startup-with-shell
2477 @itemx set startup-with-shell on
2478 @itemx set startup-with-shell off
2479 @itemx show startup-with-shell
2480 On Unix systems, by default, if a shell is available on your target,
2481 @value{GDBN}) uses it to start your program. Arguments of the
2482 @code{run} command are passed to the shell, which does variable
2483 substitution, expands wildcard characters and performs redirection of
2484 I/O. In some circumstances, it may be useful to disable such use of a
2485 shell, for example, when debugging the shell itself or diagnosing
2486 startup failures such as:
2487
2488 @smallexample
2489 (@value{GDBP}) run
2490 Starting program: ./a.out
2491 During startup program terminated with signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
2492 @end smallexample
2493
2494 @noindent
2495 which indicates the shell or the wrapper specified with
2496 @samp{exec-wrapper} crashed, not your program. Most often, this is
2497 caused by something odd in your shell's non-interactive mode
2498 initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell,
2499 $@file{.zshenv} for the Z shell, or the file specified in the
2500 @samp{BASH_ENV} environment variable for BASH.
2501
2502 @anchor{set auto-connect-native-target}
2503 @kindex set auto-connect-native-target
2504 @item set auto-connect-native-target
2505 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target on
2506 @itemx set auto-connect-native-target off
2507 @itemx show auto-connect-native-target
2508
2509 By default, if not connected to any target yet (e.g., with
2510 @code{target remote}), the @code{run} command starts your program as a
2511 native process under @value{GDBN}, on your local machine. If you're
2512 sure you don't want to debug programs on your local machine, you can
2513 tell @value{GDBN} to not connect to the native target automatically
2514 with the @code{set auto-connect-native-target off} command.
2515
2516 If @code{on}, which is the default, and if @value{GDBN} is not
2517 connected to a target already, the @code{run} command automaticaly
2518 connects to the native target, if one is available.
2519
2520 If @code{off}, and if @value{GDBN} is not connected to a target
2521 already, the @code{run} command fails with an error:
2522
2523 @smallexample
2524 (@value{GDBP}) run
2525 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2526 @end smallexample
2527
2528 If @value{GDBN} is already connected to a target, @value{GDBN} always
2529 uses it with the @code{run} command.
2530
2531 In any case, you can explicitly connect to the native target with the
2532 @code{target native} command. For example,
2533
2534 @smallexample
2535 (@value{GDBP}) set auto-connect-native-target off
2536 (@value{GDBP}) run
2537 Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2538 (@value{GDBP}) target native
2539 (@value{GDBP}) run
2540 Starting program: ./a.out
2541 [Inferior 1 (process 10421) exited normally]
2542 @end smallexample
2543
2544 In case you connected explicitly to the @code{native} target,
2545 @value{GDBN} remains connected even if all inferiors exit, ready for
2546 the next @code{run} command. Use the @code{disconnect} command to
2547 disconnect.
2548
2549 Examples of other commands that likewise respect the
2550 @code{auto-connect-native-target} setting: @code{attach}, @code{info
2551 proc}, @code{info os}.
2552
2553 @kindex set disable-randomization
2554 @item set disable-randomization
2555 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2556 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2557 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2558 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2559 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2560
2561 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2562 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2563
2564 @smallexample
2565 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2566 @end smallexample
2567
2568 @item set disable-randomization off
2569 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2570 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2571 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2572 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2573 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2574 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2575
2576 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2577 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2578 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2579 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2580 a code at its expected addresses.
2581
2582 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2583 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2584 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2585 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2586 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2587 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2588 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2589 a randomly chosen address.
2590
2591 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2592 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2593 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2594 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2595 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2596
2597 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2598 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2599
2600 @item show disable-randomization
2601 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2602 the virtual address space of the started program.
2603
2604 @end table
2605
2606 @node Arguments
2607 @section Your Program's Arguments
2608
2609 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2610 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2611 @code{run} command.
2612 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2613 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2614 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2615 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2616 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2617
2618 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2619 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2620 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2621 the program, not by the shell.
2622
2623 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2624 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2625
2626 @table @code
2627 @kindex set args
2628 @item set args
2629 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2630 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2631 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2632 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2633 it again without arguments.
2634
2635 @kindex show args
2636 @item show args
2637 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2638 @end table
2639
2640 @node Environment
2641 @section Your Program's Environment
2642
2643 @cindex environment (of your program)
2644 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2645 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2646 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2647 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2648 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2649 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2650 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2651
2652 @table @code
2653 @kindex path
2654 @item path @var{directory}
2655 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2656 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2657 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2658 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2659 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2660 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2661 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2662
2663 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2664 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2665 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2666 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2667 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2668 @var{directory} to the search path.
2669 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2670 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2671
2672 @kindex show paths
2673 @item show paths
2674 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2675 environment variable).
2676
2677 @kindex show environment
2678 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2679 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2680 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2681 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2682 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2683
2684 @kindex set environment
2685 @anchor{set environment}
2686 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2687 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2688 changes for your program (and the shell @value{GDBN} uses to launch
2689 it), not for @value{GDBN} itself. The @var{value} may be any string; the
2690 values of environment variables are just strings, and any
2691 interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2692 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2693 null value.
2694 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2695 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2696
2697 For example, this command:
2698
2699 @smallexample
2700 set env USER = foo
2701 @end smallexample
2702
2703 @noindent
2704 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2705 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2706 are not actually required.)
2707
2708 Note that on Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program via a shell,
2709 which also inherits the environment set with @code{set environment}.
2710 If necessary, you can avoid that by using the @samp{env} program as a
2711 wrapper instead of using @code{set environment}. @xref{set
2712 exec-wrapper}, for an example doing just that.
2713
2714 Environment variables that are set by the user are also transmitted to
2715 @command{gdbserver} to be used when starting the remote inferior.
2716 @pxref{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}.
2717
2718 @kindex unset environment
2719 @anchor{unset environment}
2720 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2721 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2722 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2723 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2724 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2725
2726 Environment variables that are unset by the user are also unset on
2727 @command{gdbserver} when starting the remote inferior.
2728 @pxref{QEnvironmentUnset}.
2729 @end table
2730
2731 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2732 the shell indicated by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it
2733 exists (or @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable
2734 names a shell that runs an initialization file when started
2735 non-interactively---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, $@file{.zshenv}
2736 for the Z shell, or the file specified in the @samp{BASH_ENV}
2737 environment variable for BASH---any variables you set in that file
2738 affect your program. You may wish to move setting of environment
2739 variables to files that are only run when you sign on, such as
2740 @file{.login} or @file{.profile}.
2741
2742 @node Working Directory
2743 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2744
2745 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2746 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, the inferior will be
2747 initialized with the current working directory specified by the
2748 @kbd{set cwd} command. If no directory has been specified by this
2749 command, then the inferior will inherit @value{GDBN}'s current working
2750 directory as its working directory if native debugging, or it will
2751 inherit the remote server's current working directory if remote
2752 debugging.
2753
2754 @table @code
2755 @kindex set cwd
2756 @cindex change inferior's working directory
2757 @anchor{set cwd command}
2758 @item set cwd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2759 Set the inferior's working directory to @var{directory}, which will be
2760 @code{glob}-expanded in order to resolve tildes (@file{~}). If no
2761 argument has been specified, the command clears the setting and resets
2762 it to an empty state. This setting has no effect on @value{GDBN}'s
2763 working directory, and it only takes effect the next time you start
2764 the inferior. The @file{~} in @var{directory} is a short for the
2765 @dfn{home directory}, usually pointed to by the @env{HOME} environment
2766 variable. On MS-Windows, if @env{HOME} is not defined, @value{GDBN}
2767 uses the concatenation of @env{HOMEDRIVE} and @env{HOMEPATH} as
2768 fallback.
2769
2770 You can also change @value{GDBN}'s current working directory by using
2771 the @code{cd} command.
2772 @xref{cd command}.
2773
2774 @kindex show cwd
2775 @cindex show inferior's working directory
2776 @item show cwd
2777 Show the inferior's working directory. If no directory has been
2778 specified by @kbd{set cwd}, then the default inferior's working
2779 directory is the same as @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
2780
2781 @kindex cd
2782 @cindex change @value{GDBN}'s working directory
2783 @anchor{cd command}
2784 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2785 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2786 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2787
2788 The @value{GDBN} working directory serves as a default for the
2789 commands that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on.
2790 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
2791 @xref{set cwd command}.
2792
2793 @kindex pwd
2794 @item pwd
2795 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2796 @end table
2797
2798 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2799 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2800 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} supports
2801 the @code{info proc} command (@pxref{Process Information}), you can
2802 use the @code{info proc} command to find out the
2803 current working directory of the debuggee.
2804
2805 @node Input/Output
2806 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2807
2808 @cindex redirection
2809 @cindex i/o
2810 @cindex terminal
2811 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2812 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2813 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2814 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2815 running your program.
2816
2817 @table @code
2818 @kindex info terminal
2819 @item info terminal
2820 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2821 program is using.
2822 @end table
2823
2824 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2825 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2826
2827 @smallexample
2828 run > outfile
2829 @end smallexample
2830
2831 @noindent
2832 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2833
2834 @kindex tty
2835 @cindex controlling terminal
2836 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2837 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2838 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2839 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2840 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2841
2842 @smallexample
2843 tty /dev/ttyb
2844 @end smallexample
2845
2846 @noindent
2847 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2848 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2849 that as their controlling terminal.
2850
2851 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2852 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2853 terminal.
2854
2855 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2856 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2857 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2858 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2859
2860 @cindex inferior tty
2861 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2862 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2863 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2864 program.
2865
2866 @table @code
2867 @item set inferior-tty [ @var{tty} ]
2868 @kindex set inferior-tty
2869 Set the tty for the program being debugged to @var{tty}. Omitting @var{tty}
2870 restores the default behavior, which is to use the same terminal as
2871 @value{GDBN}.
2872
2873 @item show inferior-tty
2874 @kindex show inferior-tty
2875 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2876 @end table
2877
2878 @node Attach
2879 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2880 @kindex attach
2881 @cindex attach
2882
2883 @table @code
2884 @item attach @var{process-id}
2885 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2886 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2887 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2888 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2889 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2890
2891 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2892 executing the command.
2893 @end table
2894
2895 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2896 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2897 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2898 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2899
2900 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2901 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2902 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2903 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2904 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2905 Specify Files}.
2906
2907 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2908 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2909 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2910 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2911 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2912 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2913 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2914
2915 @table @code
2916 @kindex detach
2917 @item detach
2918 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2919 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2920 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2921 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2922 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2923 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2924 executing the command.
2925 @end table
2926
2927 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2928 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2929 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2930 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2931 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2932 Messages}).
2933
2934 @node Kill Process
2935 @section Killing the Child Process
2936
2937 @table @code
2938 @kindex kill
2939 @item kill
2940 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2941 @end table
2942
2943 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2944 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2945 is running.
2946
2947 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2948 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2949 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2950 outside the debugger.
2951
2952 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2953 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2954 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2955 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2956 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2957 breakpoint settings).
2958
2959 @node Inferiors and Programs
2960 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2961
2962 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2963 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2964 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2965 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2966 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2967 from multiple executables.
2968
2969 @cindex inferior
2970 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2971 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2972 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2973 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2974 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2975 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2976 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2977 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2978 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2979 threads running in it.
2980
2981 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2982 inferiors}}:
2983
2984 @table @code
2985 @kindex info inferiors [ @var{id}@dots{} ]
2986 @item info inferiors
2987 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2988 By default all inferiors are printed, but the argument @var{id}@dots{}
2989 -- a space separated list of inferior numbers -- can be used to limit
2990 the display to just the requested inferiors.
2991
2992 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2993
2994 @enumerate
2995 @item
2996 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2997
2998 @item
2999 the target system's inferior identifier
3000
3001 @item
3002 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
3003
3004 @end enumerate
3005
3006 @noindent
3007 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
3008 indicates the current inferior.
3009
3010 For example,
3011 @end table
3012 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
3013
3014 @smallexample
3015 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3016 Num Description Executable
3017 2 process 2307 hello
3018 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
3019 @end smallexample
3020
3021 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
3022
3023 @table @code
3024 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
3025 @item inferior @var{infno}
3026 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
3027 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
3028 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
3029 @end table
3030
3031 @vindex $_inferior@r{, convenience variable}
3032 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_inferior} contains the
3033 number of the current inferior. You may find this useful in writing
3034 breakpoint conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth.
3035 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
3036 information on convenience variables.
3037
3038 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
3039 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
3040 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
3041 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
3042 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
3043 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
3044
3045 @table @code
3046 @kindex add-inferior
3047 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
3048 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
3049 executable; @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
3050 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
3051 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
3052 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
3053
3054 @kindex clone-inferior
3055 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
3056 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
3057 @var{infno}; @var{n} defaults to 1, and @var{infno} defaults to the
3058 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
3059 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
3060
3061 @smallexample
3062 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3063 Num Description Executable
3064 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
3065 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
3066 Added inferior 2.
3067 1 inferiors added.
3068 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3069 Num Description Executable
3070 2 <null> helloworld
3071 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
3072 @end smallexample
3073
3074 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
3075
3076 @kindex remove-inferiors
3077 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
3078 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
3079 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
3080 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
3081
3082 @end table
3083
3084 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
3085 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
3086 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
3087 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
3088
3089 @table @code
3090 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
3091 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
3092 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
3093 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
3094 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
3095 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
3096
3097 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
3098 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
3099 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
3100 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
3101 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
3102 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
3103 @end table
3104
3105 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
3106 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
3107 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
3108 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
3109
3110
3111 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
3112 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
3113
3114 @table @code
3115 @kindex set print inferior-events
3116 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
3117 @item set print inferior-events
3118 @itemx set print inferior-events on
3119 @itemx set print inferior-events off
3120 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
3121 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
3122 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
3123 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
3124
3125 @kindex show print inferior-events
3126 @item show print inferior-events
3127 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
3128 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
3129 @end table
3130
3131 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
3132 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
3133 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
3134
3135
3136 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
3137 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
3138 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
3139 info program-spaces}} command.
3140
3141 @table @code
3142 @kindex maint info program-spaces
3143 @item maint info program-spaces
3144 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
3145 @value{GDBN}.
3146
3147 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
3148
3149 @enumerate
3150 @item
3151 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
3152
3153 @item
3154 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
3155 the @code{file} command.
3156
3157 @end enumerate
3158
3159 @noindent
3160 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
3161 indicates the current program space.
3162
3163 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
3164 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
3165 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
3166
3167 @smallexample
3168 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
3169 Id Executable
3170 * 1 hello
3171 2 goodbye
3172 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
3173 @end smallexample
3174
3175 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
3176 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
3177 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
3178 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
3179 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
3180
3181 @smallexample
3182 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
3183 Id Executable
3184 * 1 vfork-test
3185 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
3186 @end smallexample
3187
3188 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
3189 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
3190 @end table
3191
3192 @node Threads
3193 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
3194
3195 @cindex threads of execution
3196 @cindex multiple threads
3197 @cindex switching threads
3198 In some operating systems, such as GNU/Linux and Solaris, a single program
3199 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
3200 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
3201 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
3202 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
3203 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
3204 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
3205
3206 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
3207 programs:
3208
3209 @itemize @bullet
3210 @item automatic notification of new threads
3211 @item @samp{thread @var{thread-id}}, a command to switch among threads
3212 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
3213 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{thread-id-list} | all] @var{args}},
3214 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
3215 @item thread-specific breakpoints
3216 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
3217 messages on thread start and exit.
3218 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
3219 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
3220 isn't compatible with the program.
3221 @end itemize
3222
3223 @cindex focus of debugging
3224 @cindex current thread
3225 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
3226 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
3227 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
3228 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
3229 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
3230
3231 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
3232 @cindex thread identifier (system)
3233 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
3234 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
3235 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
3236 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
3237 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
3238 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}, where @var{systag} is a thread identifier
3239 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
3240 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
3241
3242 @smallexample
3243 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
3244 @end smallexample
3245
3246 @noindent
3247 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on other systems,
3248 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
3249 further qualifier.
3250
3251 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
3252 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
3253 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
3254 @c program?
3255 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
3256 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
3257 @c threads ab initio?
3258
3259 @anchor{thread numbers}
3260 @cindex thread number, per inferior
3261 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
3262 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread number
3263 ---always a single integer---with each thread of an inferior. This
3264 number is unique between all threads of an inferior, but not unique
3265 between threads of different inferiors.
3266
3267 @cindex qualified thread ID
3268 You can refer to a given thread in an inferior using the qualified
3269 @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} syntax, also known as
3270 @dfn{qualified thread ID}, with @var{inferior-num} being the inferior
3271 number and @var{thread-num} being the thread number of the given
3272 inferior. For example, thread @code{2.3} refers to thread number 3 of
3273 inferior 2. If you omit @var{inferior-num} (e.g., @code{thread 3}),
3274 then @value{GDBN} infers you're referring to a thread of the current
3275 inferior.
3276
3277 Until you create a second inferior, @value{GDBN} does not show the
3278 @var{inferior-num} part of thread IDs, even though you can always use
3279 the full @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} form to refer to threads
3280 of inferior 1, the initial inferior.
3281
3282 @anchor{thread ID lists}
3283 @cindex thread ID lists
3284 Some commands accept a space-separated @dfn{thread ID list} as
3285 argument. A list element can be:
3286
3287 @enumerate
3288 @item
3289 A thread ID as shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads}
3290 display, with or without an inferior qualifier. E.g., @samp{2.1} or
3291 @samp{1}.
3292
3293 @item
3294 A range of thread numbers, again with or without an inferior
3295 qualifier, as in @var{inf}.@var{thr1}-@var{thr2} or
3296 @var{thr1}-@var{thr2}. E.g., @samp{1.2-4} or @samp{2-4}.
3297
3298 @item
3299 All threads of an inferior, specified with a star wildcard, with or
3300 without an inferior qualifier, as in @var{inf}.@code{*} (e.g.,
3301 @samp{1.*}) or @code{*}. The former refers to all threads of the
3302 given inferior, and the latter form without an inferior qualifier
3303 refers to all threads of the current inferior.
3304
3305 @end enumerate
3306
3307 For example, if the current inferior is 1, and inferior 7 has one
3308 thread with ID 7.1, the thread list @samp{1 2-3 4.5 6.7-9 7.*}
3309 includes threads 1 to 3 of inferior 1, thread 5 of inferior 4, threads
3310 7 to 9 of inferior 6 and all threads of inferior 7. That is, in
3311 expanded qualified form, the same as @samp{1.1 1.2 1.3 4.5 6.7 6.8 6.9
3312 7.1}.
3313
3314
3315 @anchor{global thread numbers}
3316 @cindex global thread number
3317 @cindex global thread identifier (GDB)
3318 In addition to a @emph{per-inferior} number, each thread is also
3319 assigned a unique @emph{global} number, also known as @dfn{global
3320 thread ID}, a single integer. Unlike the thread number component of
3321 the thread ID, no two threads have the same global ID, even when
3322 you're debugging multiple inferiors.
3323
3324 From @value{GDBN}'s perspective, a process always has at least one
3325 thread. In other words, @value{GDBN} assigns a thread number to the
3326 program's ``main thread'' even if the program is not multi-threaded.
3327
3328 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
3329 @vindex $_gthread@r{, convenience variable}
3330 The debugger convenience variables @samp{$_thread} and
3331 @samp{$_gthread} contain, respectively, the per-inferior thread number
3332 and the global thread number of the current thread. You may find this
3333 useful in writing breakpoint conditional expressions, command scripts,
3334 and so forth. @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for
3335 general information on convenience variables.
3336
3337 If @value{GDBN} detects the program is multi-threaded, it augments the
3338 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint with the ID and name of
3339 the thread that hit the breakpoint.
3340
3341 @smallexample
3342 Thread 2 "client" hit Breakpoint 1, send_message () at client.c:68
3343 @end smallexample
3344
3345 Likewise when the program receives a signal:
3346
3347 @smallexample
3348 Thread 1 "main" received signal SIGINT, Interrupt.
3349 @end smallexample
3350
3351 @table @code
3352 @kindex info threads
3353 @item info threads @r{[}@var{thread-id-list}@r{]}
3354
3355 Display information about one or more threads. With no arguments
3356 displays information about all threads. You can specify the list of
3357 threads that you want to display using the thread ID list syntax
3358 (@pxref{thread ID lists}).
3359
3360 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
3361
3362 @enumerate
3363 @item
3364 the per-inferior thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
3365
3366 @item
3367 the global thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}, if the @samp{-gid}
3368 option was specified
3369
3370 @item
3371 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
3372
3373 @item
3374 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
3375 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
3376 program itself.
3377
3378 @item
3379 the current stack frame summary for that thread
3380 @end enumerate
3381
3382 @noindent
3383 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
3384 indicates the current thread.
3385
3386 For example,
3387 @end table
3388 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
3389
3390 @smallexample
3391 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
3392 Id Target Id Frame
3393 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3394 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3395 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3396 at threadtest.c:68
3397 @end smallexample
3398
3399 If you're debugging multiple inferiors, @value{GDBN} displays thread
3400 IDs using the qualified @var{inferior-num}.@var{thread-num} format.
3401 Otherwise, only @var{thread-num} is shown.
3402
3403 If you specify the @samp{-gid} option, @value{GDBN} displays a column
3404 indicating each thread's global thread ID:
3405
3406 @smallexample
3407 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
3408 Id GId Target Id Frame
3409 1.1 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3410 1.2 3 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3411 1.3 4 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
3412 * 2.1 2 process 65 thread 1 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
3413 @end smallexample
3414
3415 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
3416 Solaris-specific command:
3417
3418 @table @code
3419 @item maint info sol-threads
3420 @kindex maint info sol-threads
3421 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
3422 Display info on Solaris user threads.
3423 @end table
3424
3425 @table @code
3426 @kindex thread @var{thread-id}
3427 @item thread @var{thread-id}
3428 Make thread ID @var{thread-id} the current thread. The command
3429 argument @var{thread-id} is the @value{GDBN} thread ID, as shown in
3430 the first field of the @samp{info threads} display, with or without an
3431 inferior qualifier (e.g., @samp{2.1} or @samp{1}).
3432
3433 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the
3434 thread you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
3435
3436 @smallexample
3437 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
3438 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
3439 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
3440 8 printf ("hello\n");
3441 @end smallexample
3442
3443 @noindent
3444 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
3445 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
3446 threads.
3447
3448 @anchor{thread apply all}
3449 @kindex thread apply
3450 @cindex apply command to several threads
3451 @item thread apply [@var{thread-id-list} | all [-ascending]] [@var{flag}]@dots{} @var{command}
3452 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
3453 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the threads that you
3454 want affected using the thread ID list syntax (@pxref{thread ID
3455 lists}), or specify @code{all} to apply to all threads. To apply a
3456 command to all threads in descending order, type @kbd{thread apply all
3457 @var{command}}. To apply a command to all threads in ascending order,
3458 type @kbd{thread apply all -ascending @var{command}}.
3459
3460 The @var{flag} arguments control what output to produce and how to handle
3461 errors raised when applying @var{command} to a thread. @var{flag}
3462 must start with a @code{-} directly followed by one letter in
3463 @code{qcs}. If several flags are provided, they must be given
3464 individually, such as @code{-c -q}.
3465
3466 By default, @value{GDBN} displays some thread information before the
3467 output produced by @var{command}, and an error raised during the
3468 execution of a @var{command} will abort @code{thread apply}. The
3469 following flags can be used to fine-tune this behavior:
3470
3471 @table @code
3472 @item -c
3473 The flag @code{-c}, which stands for @samp{continue}, causes any
3474 errors in @var{command} to be displayed, and the execution of
3475 @code{thread apply} then continues.
3476 @item -s
3477 The flag @code{-s}, which stands for @samp{silent}, causes any errors
3478 or empty output produced by a @var{command} to be silently ignored.
3479 That is, the execution continues, but the thread information and errors
3480 are not printed.
3481 @item -q
3482 The flag @code{-q} (@samp{quiet}) disables printing the thread
3483 information.
3484 @end table
3485
3486 Flags @code{-c} and @code{-s} cannot be used together.
3487
3488 @kindex taas
3489 @cindex apply command to all threads (ignoring errors and empty output)
3490 @item taas [@var{option}]@dots{} @var{command}
3491 Shortcut for @code{thread apply all -s [@var{option}]@dots{} @var{command}}.
3492 Applies @var{command} on all threads, ignoring errors and empty output.
3493
3494 The @code{taas} command accepts the same options as the @code{thread
3495 apply all} command. @xref{thread apply all}.
3496
3497 @kindex tfaas
3498 @cindex apply a command to all frames of all threads (ignoring errors and empty output)
3499 @item tfaas [@var{option}]@dots{} @var{command}
3500 Shortcut for @code{thread apply all -s -- frame apply all -s [@var{option}]@dots{} @var{command}}.
3501 Applies @var{command} on all frames of all threads, ignoring errors
3502 and empty output. Note that the flag @code{-s} is specified twice:
3503 The first @code{-s} ensures that @code{thread apply} only shows the thread
3504 information of the threads for which @code{frame apply} produces
3505 some output. The second @code{-s} is needed to ensure that @code{frame
3506 apply} shows the frame information of a frame only if the
3507 @var{command} successfully produced some output.
3508
3509 It can for example be used to print a local variable or a function
3510 argument without knowing the thread or frame where this variable or argument
3511 is, using:
3512 @smallexample
3513 (@value{GDBP}) tfaas p some_local_var_i_do_not_remember_where_it_is
3514 @end smallexample
3515
3516 The @code{tfaas} command accepts the same options as the @code{frame
3517 apply} command. @xref{frame apply}.
3518
3519 @kindex thread name
3520 @cindex name a thread
3521 @item thread name [@var{name}]
3522 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
3523 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
3524 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
3525
3526 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
3527 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
3528 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
3529 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
3530 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
3531
3532 @kindex thread find
3533 @cindex search for a thread
3534 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
3535 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
3536 matches the supplied regular expression.
3537
3538 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
3539 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
3540 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
3541 is the LWP id.
3542
3543 @smallexample
3544 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
3545 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
3546 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
3547 Id Target Id Frame
3548 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
3549 @end smallexample
3550
3551 @kindex set print thread-events
3552 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
3553 @item set print thread-events
3554 @itemx set print thread-events on
3555 @itemx set print thread-events off
3556 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
3557 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
3558 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
3559 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
3560 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
3561
3562 @kindex show print thread-events
3563 @item show print thread-events
3564 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
3565 have started and exited.
3566 @end table
3567
3568 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
3569 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
3570 programs with multiple threads.
3571
3572 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
3573 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
3574
3575 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
3576 @table @code
3577 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
3578 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
3579 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
3580 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
3581 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
3582 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
3583 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
3584 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
3585 macro.
3586
3587 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
3588 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
3589 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3590 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
3591 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
3592 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3593
3594 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3595 refers to the default system directories that are
3596 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
3597 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
3598 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3599
3600 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3601 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
3602 was loaded in the inferior process.
3603
3604 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
3605 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
3606 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
3607 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
3608 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
3609 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
3610 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
3611
3612 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
3613 only on some platforms.
3614
3615 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
3616 @item show libthread-db-search-path
3617 Display current libthread_db search path.
3618
3619 @kindex set debug libthread-db
3620 @kindex show debug libthread-db
3621 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
3622 @item set debug libthread-db
3623 @itemx show debug libthread-db
3624 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
3625 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
3626 @end table
3627
3628 @node Forks
3629 @section Debugging Forks
3630
3631 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
3632 @cindex multiple processes
3633 @cindex processes, multiple
3634 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
3635 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
3636 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
3637 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
3638 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
3639 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
3640 will cause it to terminate.
3641
3642 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3643 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3644 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3645 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3646 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3647 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3648 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3649 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3650 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3651 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3652
3653 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs
3654 that create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork}
3655 functions. On @sc{gnu}/Linux platforms, this feature is supported
3656 with kernel version 2.5.46 and later.
3657
3658 The fork debugging commands are supported in native mode and when
3659 connected to @code{gdbserver} in either @code{target remote} mode or
3660 @code{target extended-remote} mode.
3661
3662 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3663 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3664
3665 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3666 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3667
3668 @table @code
3669 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3670 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3671 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3672 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3673 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3674
3675 @table @code
3676 @item parent
3677 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3678 unimpeded. This is the default.
3679
3680 @item child
3681 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3682 unimpeded.
3683
3684 @end table
3685
3686 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3687 @item show follow-fork-mode
3688 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3689 @end table
3690
3691 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3692 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3693 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3694
3695 @table @code
3696 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3697 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3698 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3699 retain debugger control over them both.
3700
3701 @table @code
3702 @item on
3703 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3704 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3705 independently. This is the default.
3706
3707 @item off
3708 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3709 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3710 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3711 is held suspended.
3712
3713 @end table
3714
3715 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3716 @item show detach-on-fork
3717 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3718 @end table
3719
3720 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3721 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3722 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3723 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3724 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3725 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3726
3727 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3728 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3729 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3730 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3731 and Programs}.
3732
3733 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3734 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3735 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3736 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3737 the child process's @code{main}.
3738
3739 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3740 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3741
3742 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3743 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3744 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3745 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3746 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3747 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3748 command.
3749
3750 @table @code
3751 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3752 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3753
3754 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3755 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3756
3757 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3758
3759 @table @code
3760 @item new
3761 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3762 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3763 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3764 original inferior.
3765
3766 For example:
3767
3768 @smallexample
3769 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3770 (gdb) info inferior
3771 Id Description Executable
3772 * 1 <null> prog1
3773 (@value{GDBP}) run
3774 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3775 Program exited normally.
3776 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3777 Id Description Executable
3778 1 <null> prog1
3779 * 2 <null> prog2
3780 @end smallexample
3781
3782 @item same
3783 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3784 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3785 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3786 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3787 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3788
3789 For example:
3790
3791 @smallexample
3792 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3793 Id Description Executable
3794 * 1 <null> prog1
3795 (@value{GDBP}) run
3796 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3797 Program exited normally.
3798 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3799 Id Description Executable
3800 * 1 <null> prog2
3801 @end smallexample
3802
3803 @end table
3804 @end table
3805
3806 @code{follow-exec-mode} is supported in native mode and
3807 @code{target extended-remote} mode.
3808
3809 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3810 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3811 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3812
3813 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3814 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3815
3816 @cindex checkpoint
3817 @cindex restart
3818 @cindex bookmark
3819 @cindex snapshot of a process
3820 @cindex rewind program state
3821
3822 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3823 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3824 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3825 later.
3826
3827 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3828 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3829 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3830 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3831 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3832
3833 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3834 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3835 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3836 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3837 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3838 start again from there.
3839
3840 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3841 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3842
3843 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3844
3845 @table @code
3846 @kindex checkpoint
3847 @item checkpoint
3848 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3849 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3850 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3851
3852 @kindex info checkpoints
3853 @item info checkpoints
3854 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3855 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3856 listed:
3857
3858 @table @code
3859 @item Checkpoint ID
3860 @item Process ID
3861 @item Code Address
3862 @item Source line, or label
3863 @end table
3864
3865 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3866 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3867 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3868 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3869 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3870 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3871 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3872
3873 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3874 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3875 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3876 the debugger.
3877
3878 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3879 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3880 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3881
3882 @end table
3883
3884 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3885 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3886 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3887 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3888 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3889 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3890 previously read data can be read again.
3891
3892 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3893 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3894 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3895 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3896 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3897 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3898
3899 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3900 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3901 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3902 different execution path this time.
3903
3904 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3905 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3906 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3907 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3908 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3909 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3910 potentially pose a problem.
3911
3912 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3913
3914 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3915 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3916 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3917 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3918 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3919 next.
3920
3921 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3922 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3923 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3924 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3925 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3926
3927 @node Stopping
3928 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3929
3930 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3931 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3932 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3933
3934 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3935 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3936 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3937 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3938 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3939 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3940 explicitly request this information at any time.
3941
3942 @table @code
3943 @kindex info program
3944 @item info program
3945 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3946 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3947 @end table
3948
3949 @menu
3950 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3951 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3952 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3953 Skipping over functions and files
3954 * Signals:: Signals
3955 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3956 @end menu
3957
3958 @node Breakpoints
3959 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3960
3961 @cindex breakpoints
3962 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3963 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3964 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3965 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3966 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3967 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3968 program.
3969
3970 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3971 the executable is run.
3972
3973 @cindex watchpoints
3974 @cindex data breakpoints
3975 @cindex memory tracing
3976 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3977 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3978 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3979 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3980 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3981 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3982 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3983 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3984 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3985 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3986 same commands.
3987
3988 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3989 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3990 Automatic Display}.
3991
3992 @cindex catchpoints
3993 @cindex breakpoint on events
3994 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3995 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3996 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3997 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3998 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3999 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
4000 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4001
4002 @cindex breakpoint numbers
4003 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
4004 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4005 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
4006 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
4007 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
4008 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
4009 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
4010 enable it again.
4011
4012 @cindex breakpoint ranges
4013 @cindex breakpoint lists
4014 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
4015 @cindex lists of breakpoints
4016 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a space-separated list of breakpoints
4017 on which to operate. A list element can be either a single breakpoint number,
4018 like @samp{5}, or a range of such numbers, like @samp{5-7}.
4019 When a breakpoint list is given to a command, all breakpoints in that list
4020 are operated on.
4021
4022 @menu
4023 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
4024 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
4025 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
4026 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
4027 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
4028 * Conditions:: Break conditions
4029 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
4030 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
4031 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
4032 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
4033 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4034 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4035 @end menu
4036
4037 @node Set Breaks
4038 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
4039
4040 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
4041 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
4042 @c
4043 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
4044
4045 @kindex break
4046 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
4047 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
4048 @cindex latest breakpoint
4049 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
4050 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
4051 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
4052 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
4053 convenience variables.
4054
4055 @table @code
4056 @item break @var{location}
4057 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
4058 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
4059 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
4060 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
4061 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
4062
4063 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
4064 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
4065 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
4066 that situation.
4067
4068 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
4069 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
4070 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
4071
4072 @item break
4073 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
4074 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
4075 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
4076 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
4077 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
4078 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
4079 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
4080 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
4081 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
4082 inside loops.
4083
4084 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
4085 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
4086 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
4087 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
4088 existed when your program stopped.
4089
4090 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
4091 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
4092 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
4093 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
4094 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
4095 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
4096 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
4097
4098 @kindex tbreak
4099 @item tbreak @var{args}
4100 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args} are the
4101 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
4102 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
4103 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
4104
4105 @kindex hbreak
4106 @cindex hardware breakpoints
4107 @item hbreak @var{args}
4108 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. The @var{args} are the same as for the
4109 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
4110 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
4111 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
4112 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
4113 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
4114 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
4115 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
4116 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
4117 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
4118 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
4119 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
4120 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
4121 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
4122 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
4123 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
4124 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
4125 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
4126
4127 @kindex thbreak
4128 @item thbreak @var{args}
4129 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args}
4130 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
4131 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
4132 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
4133 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
4134 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
4135 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
4136 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
4137
4138 @kindex rbreak
4139 @cindex regular expression
4140 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
4141 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
4142 @item rbreak @var{regex}
4143 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
4144 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
4145 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
4146 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
4147 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
4148 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
4149
4150 In programs using different languages, @value{GDBN} chooses the syntax
4151 to print the list of all breakpoints it sets according to the
4152 @samp{set language} value: using @samp{set language auto}
4153 (see @ref{Automatically, ,Set Language Automatically}) means to use the
4154 language of the breakpoint's function, other values mean to use
4155 the manually specified language (see @ref{Manually, ,Set Language Manually}).
4156
4157 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
4158 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
4159 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
4160 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
4161 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
4162 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
4163
4164 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
4165 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
4166 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
4167 classes.
4168
4169 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
4170 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
4171 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
4172
4173 @smallexample
4174 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
4175 @end smallexample
4176
4177 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
4178 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
4179 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
4180 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
4181 every function in a given file:
4182
4183 @smallexample
4184 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
4185 @end smallexample
4186
4187 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
4188 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
4189
4190 @kindex info breakpoints
4191 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
4192 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4193 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4194 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
4195 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
4196 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
4197 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
4198
4199 @table @emph
4200 @item Breakpoint Numbers
4201 @item Type
4202 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
4203 @item Disposition
4204 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
4205 @item Enabled or Disabled
4206 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
4207 that are not enabled.
4208 @item Address
4209 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
4210 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
4211 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
4212 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
4213 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
4214 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
4215 @item What
4216 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
4217 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
4218 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
4219 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
4220 @end table
4221
4222 @noindent
4223 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
4224 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
4225 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
4226 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
4227 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
4228 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
4229
4230 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
4231 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
4232 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
4233 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
4234
4235 @noindent
4236 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
4237 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
4238 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
4239 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
4240 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
4241
4242 @noindent
4243 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
4244 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
4245 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
4246 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
4247 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
4248 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
4249
4250 @noindent
4251 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
4252 @code{info break} also displays that count.
4253
4254 @end table
4255
4256 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
4257 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
4258 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
4259 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4260
4261 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
4262 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
4263 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
4264 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
4265
4266 @itemize @bullet
4267 @item
4268 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
4269
4270 @item
4271 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
4272 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
4273
4274 @item
4275 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
4276 correspond to any number of instantiations.
4277
4278 @item
4279 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
4280 several places where that function is inlined.
4281 @end itemize
4282
4283 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
4284 the relevant locations.
4285
4286 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
4287 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
4288 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
4289 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
4290 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
4291 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
4292 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
4293
4294 For example:
4295
4296 @smallexample
4297 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
4298 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
4299 stop only if i==1
4300 breakpoint already hit 1 time
4301 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
4302 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
4303 @end smallexample
4304
4305 You cannot delete the individual locations from a breakpoint. However,
4306 each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
4307 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
4308 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. It's also possible to
4309 @code{enable} and @code{disable} a range of @var{location-number}
4310 locations using a @var{breakpoint-number} and two @var{location-number}s,
4311 in increasing order, separated by a hyphen, like
4312 @kbd{@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number1}-@var{location-number2}},
4313 in which case @value{GDBN} acts on all the locations in the range (inclusive).
4314 Disabling or enabling the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects
4315 all of the locations that belong to that breakpoint.
4316
4317 @cindex pending breakpoints
4318 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
4319 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
4320 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
4321 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
4322 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
4323 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
4324 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
4325 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
4326 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
4327 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
4328 is not yet resolved.
4329
4330 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
4331 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
4332 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
4333 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
4334 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
4335 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
4336
4337 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
4338 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
4339 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
4340 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
4341
4342 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
4343 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
4344 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
4345
4346 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
4347 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
4348 address specification to an address:
4349
4350 @kindex set breakpoint pending
4351 @kindex show breakpoint pending
4352 @table @code
4353 @item set breakpoint pending auto
4354 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
4355 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
4356
4357 @item set breakpoint pending on
4358 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
4359 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
4360
4361 @item set breakpoint pending off
4362 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
4363 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
4364 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
4365
4366 @item show breakpoint pending
4367 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
4368 @end table
4369
4370 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
4371 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
4372 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
4373
4374 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
4375 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
4376 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
4377 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
4378 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
4379 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
4380 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
4381 breakpoints.
4382
4383 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands:
4384
4385 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
4386 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
4387 @table @code
4388 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
4389 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
4390 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
4391 breakpoint must be used.
4392
4393 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
4394 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
4395 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
4396 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
4397 @end table
4398
4399 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
4400 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
4401 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
4402 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
4403 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
4404 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
4405 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
4406 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
4407 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
4408
4409 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
4410 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
4411 @table @code
4412 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
4413 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
4414 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
4415 removed from the target when it stops. This is the default mode.
4416
4417 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
4418 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
4419 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
4420 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
4421 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is deleted.
4422 @end table
4423
4424 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
4425 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
4426 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
4427
4428 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
4429 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
4430
4431 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
4432
4433 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
4434 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
4435 @table @code
4436 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
4437 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
4438 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
4439 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
4440 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
4441
4442 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
4443 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
4444 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
4445 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
4446 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
4447 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
4448 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
4449 that is only known to the host. Examples include
4450 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
4451 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
4452 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
4453 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
4454 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
4455
4456 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
4457 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
4458 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
4459 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
4460 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
4461 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
4462 @end table
4463
4464
4465 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
4466 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
4467 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
4468 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
4469 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
4470 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
4471 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
4472 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
4473
4474
4475 @node Set Watchpoints
4476 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
4477
4478 @cindex setting watchpoints
4479 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
4480 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
4481 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
4482 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
4483 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
4484
4485 @itemize @bullet
4486 @item
4487 A reference to the value of a single variable.
4488
4489 @item
4490 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
4491 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
4492 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
4493
4494 @item
4495 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
4496 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
4497 language (@pxref{Languages}).
4498 @end itemize
4499
4500 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
4501 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
4502 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
4503 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
4504 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
4505 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
4506 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
4507 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
4508 the expression changes.
4509
4510 @cindex software watchpoints
4511 @cindex hardware watchpoints
4512 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
4513 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
4514 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
4515 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
4516 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
4517 culprit.)
4518
4519 On some systems, such as most PowerPC or x86-based targets,
4520 @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware watchpoints, which do not
4521 slow down the running of your program.
4522
4523 @table @code
4524 @kindex watch
4525 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4526 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
4527 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
4528 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
4529 to watch the value of a single variable:
4530
4531 @smallexample
4532 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
4533 @end smallexample
4534
4535 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]}}
4536 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
4537 @var{thread-id} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
4538 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
4539 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
4540 with Hardware Watchpoints.
4541
4542 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
4543 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
4544 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
4545 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
4546 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
4547 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
4548 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
4549 error.
4550
4551 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
4552 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
4553 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
4554 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
4555 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
4556 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
4557 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
4558 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
4559 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
4560 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
4561 Examples:
4562
4563 @smallexample
4564 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
4565 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
4566 @end smallexample
4567
4568 @kindex rwatch
4569 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4570 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
4571 by the program.
4572
4573 @kindex awatch
4574 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{thread-id}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4575 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
4576 or written into by the program.
4577
4578 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4579 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
4580 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
4581 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
4582 @end table
4583
4584 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
4585 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
4586 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
4587 a never-changing value:
4588
4589 @smallexample
4590 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
4591 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
4592 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
4593 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
4594 @end smallexample
4595
4596 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
4597 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
4598 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
4599 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
4600 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
4601 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
4602
4603 @cindex use only software watchpoints
4604 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
4605 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
4606 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
4607 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
4608 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
4609 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
4610 mechanism of watching expression values.)
4611
4612 @table @code
4613 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4614 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4615 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
4616
4617 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4618 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4619 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
4620 @end table
4621
4622 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
4623 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
4624 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
4625
4626 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
4627
4628 @smallexample
4629 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
4630 @end smallexample
4631
4632 @noindent
4633 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
4634
4635 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
4636 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
4637 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
4638 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
4639 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
4640 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
4641 will print a message like this:
4642
4643 @smallexample
4644 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
4645 @end smallexample
4646
4647 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4648 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4649 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4650 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4651 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4652 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4653 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4654 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4655
4656 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4657 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4658 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4659 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4660 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4661 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4662
4663 @smallexample
4664 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4665 @end smallexample
4666
4667 @noindent
4668 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4669
4670 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4671 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4672 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4673 expression with separately allocated resources.
4674
4675 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4676 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4677 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4678
4679 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4680 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4681 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4682 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4683 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4684 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4685 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4686 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4687 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4688
4689 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4690 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4691 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4692 watched expression from every thread.
4693
4694 @quotation
4695 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4696 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4697 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4698 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4699 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4700 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4701 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4702 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4703 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4704 @end quotation
4705
4706 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4707
4708 @node Set Catchpoints
4709 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4710 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4711 @cindex exception handlers
4712 @cindex event handling
4713
4714 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4715 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4716 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4717
4718 @table @code
4719 @kindex catch
4720 @item catch @var{event}
4721 Stop when @var{event} occurs. The @var{event} can be any of the following:
4722
4723 @table @code
4724 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4725 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4726 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4727 @kindex catch throw
4728 @kindex catch rethrow
4729 @kindex catch catch
4730 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4731 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4732
4733 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4734 regular expression will be caught.
4735
4736 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4737 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4738 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4739 exception being thrown.
4740
4741 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4742 @value{GDBN}:
4743
4744 @itemize @bullet
4745 @item
4746 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4747 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4748 supported.
4749
4750 @item
4751 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4752 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4753 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4754 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4755 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4756 built.
4757
4758 @item
4759 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4760 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4761
4762 @item
4763 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4764 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4765 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4766 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4767
4768 @item
4769 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4770 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4771 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4772 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4773 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4774 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4775 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4776 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4777 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4778
4779 @item
4780 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4781
4782 @item
4783 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4784 @end itemize
4785
4786 @item exception @r{[}@var{name}@r{]}
4787 @kindex catch exception
4788 @cindex Ada exception catching
4789 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4790 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4791 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4792 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4793 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4794
4795 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4796 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4797 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4798 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4799 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4800 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4801 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4802 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4803
4804 @vindex $_ada_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4805 The convenience variable @code{$_ada_exception} holds the address of
4806 the exception being thrown. This can be useful when setting a
4807 condition for such a catchpoint.
4808
4809 @item exception unhandled
4810 @kindex catch exception unhandled
4811 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program. The
4812 convenience variable @code{$_ada_exception} is set as for @code{catch
4813 exception}.
4814
4815 @item handlers @r{[}@var{name}@r{]}
4816 @kindex catch handlers
4817 @cindex Ada exception handlers catching
4818 @cindex catch Ada exceptions when handled
4819 An Ada exception being handled. If an exception name is
4820 specified at the end of the command
4821 (eg @kbd{catch handlers Program_Error}), the debugger will stop
4822 only when this specific exception is handled.
4823 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is handled.
4824
4825 When inserting a handlers catchpoint on a user-defined
4826 exception whose name is identical to one of the exceptions
4827 defined by the language, the fully qualified name must be used
4828 as the exception name. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will assume that it
4829 should stop on the pre-defined exception rather than the
4830 user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception called
4831 @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then the
4832 command to use to catch such exceptions handling is
4833 @kbd{catch handlers Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4834
4835 The convenience variable @code{$_ada_exception} is set as for
4836 @code{catch exception}.
4837
4838 @item assert
4839 @kindex catch assert
4840 A failed Ada assertion. Note that the convenience variable
4841 @code{$_ada_exception} is @emph{not} set by this catchpoint.
4842
4843 @item exec
4844 @kindex catch exec
4845 @cindex break on fork/exec
4846 A call to @code{exec}.
4847
4848 @anchor{catch syscall}
4849 @item syscall
4850 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number} @r{|} @r{group:}@var{groupname} @r{|} @r{g:}@var{groupname}@r{]} @dots{}
4851 @kindex catch syscall
4852 @cindex break on a system call.
4853 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4854 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4855 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4856 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4857 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4858 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4859 will be caught.
4860
4861 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4862 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4863 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4864 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4865
4866 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4867 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4868 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4869 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4870
4871 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4872 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4873 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4874 available choices.
4875
4876 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4877 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4878 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4879 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4880 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4881 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4882 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4883 behind the OS upgrades).
4884
4885 You may specify a group of related syscalls to be caught at once using
4886 the @code{group:} syntax (@code{g:} is a shorter equivalent). For
4887 instance, on some platforms @value{GDBN} allows you to catch all
4888 network related syscalls, by passing the argument @code{group:network}
4889 to @code{catch syscall}. Note that not all syscall groups are
4890 available in every system. You can use the command completion
4891 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4892 syscall groups available on your environment.
4893
4894 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4895 arguments to it:
4896
4897 @smallexample
4898 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4899 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4900 (@value{GDBP}) r
4901 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4902
4903 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4904 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4905 (@value{GDBP}) c
4906 Continuing.
4907
4908 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4909 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4910 (@value{GDBP})
4911 @end smallexample
4912
4913 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4914
4915 @smallexample
4916 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4917 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4918 (@value{GDBP}) r
4919 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4920
4921 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4922 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4923 (@value{GDBP}) c
4924 Continuing.
4925
4926 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4927 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4928 (@value{GDBP})
4929 @end smallexample
4930
4931 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4932 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4933 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4934
4935 @smallexample
4936 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4937 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4938 (@value{GDBP}) r
4939 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4940
4941 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4942 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4943 (@value{GDBP}) c
4944 Continuing.
4945
4946 Program exited normally.
4947 (@value{GDBP})
4948 @end smallexample
4949
4950 Here is an example of catching a syscall group:
4951
4952 @smallexample
4953 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall group:process
4954 Catchpoint 1 (syscalls 'exit' [1] 'fork' [2] 'waitpid' [7]
4955 'execve' [11] 'wait4' [114] 'clone' [120] 'vfork' [190]
4956 'exit_group' [252] 'waitid' [284] 'unshare' [310])
4957 (@value{GDBP}) r
4958 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4959
4960 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall fork), 0x00007ffff7df4e27 in open64 ()
4961 from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
4962
4963 (@value{GDBP}) c
4964 Continuing.
4965 @end smallexample
4966
4967 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4968 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4969 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4970 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4971
4972 @smallexample
4973 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4974 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4975 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4976 (@value{GDBP})
4977 @end smallexample
4978
4979 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4980 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4981 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4982 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4983 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4984 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4985
4986 @smallexample
4987 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4988 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4989 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4990 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4991 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4992 (@value{GDBP})
4993 @end smallexample
4994
4995 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4996
4997 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4998 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4999
5000 @smallexample
5001 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
5002 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
5003 @end smallexample
5004
5005 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
5006
5007 @item fork
5008 @kindex catch fork
5009 A call to @code{fork}.
5010
5011 @item vfork
5012 @kindex catch vfork
5013 A call to @code{vfork}.
5014
5015 @item load @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
5016 @itemx unload @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
5017 @kindex catch load
5018 @kindex catch unload
5019 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
5020 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
5021 matches one of the affected libraries.
5022
5023 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5024 @kindex catch signal
5025 The delivery of a signal.
5026
5027 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
5028 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
5029 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
5030
5031 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
5032 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
5033 signal names.
5034
5035 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
5036 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
5037 will be caught.
5038
5039 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
5040 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
5041 catchpoint.
5042
5043 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
5044 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
5045 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
5046 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
5047 commands.
5048
5049 @end table
5050
5051 @item tcatch @var{event}
5052 @kindex tcatch
5053 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
5054 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
5055
5056 @end table
5057
5058 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
5059
5060
5061 @node Delete Breaks
5062 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
5063
5064 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
5065 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
5066 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
5067 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
5068 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
5069 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
5070
5071 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
5072 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
5073 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
5074 their breakpoint numbers.
5075
5076 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
5077 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
5078 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
5079
5080 @table @code
5081 @kindex clear
5082 @item clear
5083 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
5084 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
5085 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
5086 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
5087
5088 @item clear @var{location}
5089 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
5090 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
5091 most useful ones are listed below:
5092
5093 @table @code
5094 @item clear @var{function}
5095 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
5096 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
5097
5098 @item clear @var{linenum}
5099 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
5100 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
5101 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
5102 @end table
5103
5104 @cindex delete breakpoints
5105 @kindex delete
5106 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
5107 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
5108 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
5109 list specified as argument. If no argument is specified, delete all
5110 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
5111 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
5112 @end table
5113
5114 @node Disabling
5115 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
5116
5117 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
5118 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
5119 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
5120 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
5121 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
5122
5123 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
5124 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
5125 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
5126 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
5127 do not know which numbers to use.
5128
5129 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
5130 affects all of its locations.
5131
5132 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
5133 different states of enablement:
5134
5135 @itemize @bullet
5136 @item
5137 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
5138 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
5139 @item
5140 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
5141 @item
5142 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
5143 disabled.
5144 @item
5145 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
5146 N times, then becomes disabled.
5147 @item
5148 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
5149 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
5150 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
5151 @end itemize
5152
5153 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
5154 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
5155
5156 @table @code
5157 @kindex disable
5158 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
5159 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
5160 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
5161 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
5162 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
5163 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
5164 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
5165
5166 @kindex enable
5167 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
5168 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
5169 become effective once again in stopping your program.
5170
5171 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{list}@dots{}
5172 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
5173 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
5174
5175 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{list}@dots{}
5176 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
5177 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
5178 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
5179 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
5180 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
5181 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
5182
5183 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{list}@dots{}
5184 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
5185 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
5186 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
5187 @end table
5188
5189 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
5190 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
5191 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
5192 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
5193 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
5194 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
5195 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
5196 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
5197 Stepping}.)
5198
5199 @node Conditions
5200 @subsection Break Conditions
5201 @cindex conditional breakpoints
5202 @cindex breakpoint conditions
5203
5204 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
5205 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
5206 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
5207 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
5208 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
5209 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
5210 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
5211 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
5212
5213 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
5214 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
5215 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
5216 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
5217 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
5218
5219 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
5220 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
5221 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
5222 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
5223 one.
5224
5225 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
5226 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
5227 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
5228 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
5229 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
5230 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
5231 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
5232 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
5233 conditions for the
5234 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
5235 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
5236
5237 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
5238 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
5239 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
5240 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
5241 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
5242 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
5243
5244 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
5245 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
5246 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
5247 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
5248 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
5249
5250 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
5251 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
5252 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
5253 with the @code{condition} command.
5254
5255 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
5256 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
5257 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
5258 catchpoint.
5259
5260 @table @code
5261 @kindex condition
5262 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
5263 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
5264 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
5265 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
5266 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
5267 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
5268 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
5269 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
5270 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
5271 prints an error message:
5272
5273 @smallexample
5274 No symbol "foo" in current context.
5275 @end smallexample
5276
5277 @noindent
5278 @value{GDBN} does
5279 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
5280 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
5281 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
5282
5283 @item condition @var{bnum}
5284 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
5285 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
5286 @end table
5287
5288 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
5289 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
5290 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
5291 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
5292 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
5293 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
5294 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
5295 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
5296 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
5297 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
5298 your program reaches it.
5299
5300 @table @code
5301 @kindex ignore
5302 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
5303 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
5304 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
5305 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
5306 takes no action.
5307
5308 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
5309 a count of zero.
5310
5311 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
5312 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
5313 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
5314 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
5315
5316 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
5317 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
5318 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
5319
5320 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
5321 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
5322 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
5323 Variables}.
5324 @end table
5325
5326 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
5327
5328
5329 @node Break Commands
5330 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
5331
5332 @cindex breakpoint commands
5333 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
5334 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
5335 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
5336 enable other breakpoints.
5337
5338 @table @code
5339 @kindex commands
5340 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
5341 @item commands @r{[}@var{list}@dots{}@r{]}
5342 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
5343 @itemx end
5344 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
5345 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
5346 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
5347
5348 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
5349 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
5350
5351 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
5352 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
5353 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
5354 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
5355 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
5356 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
5357 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
5358 Expressions}).
5359 @end table
5360
5361 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
5362 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
5363
5364 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
5365 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
5366 that resumes execution.
5367
5368 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
5369 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
5370 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
5371 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
5372 ambiguities about which list to execute.
5373
5374 @kindex silent
5375 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
5376 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
5377 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
5378 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
5379 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
5380 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
5381
5382 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
5383 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
5384 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
5385
5386 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
5387 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
5388
5389 @smallexample
5390 break foo if x>0
5391 commands
5392 silent
5393 printf "x is %d\n",x
5394 cont
5395 end
5396 @end smallexample
5397
5398 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
5399 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
5400 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
5401 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
5402 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
5403 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
5404 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
5405
5406 @smallexample
5407 break 403
5408 commands
5409 silent
5410 set x = y + 4
5411 cont
5412 end
5413 @end smallexample
5414
5415 @node Dynamic Printf
5416 @subsection Dynamic Printf
5417
5418 @cindex dynamic printf
5419 @cindex dprintf
5420 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
5421 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
5422 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
5423 having to recompile it.
5424
5425 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
5426 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
5427 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
5428 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
5429 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
5430 redirects to files and so forth.
5431
5432 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
5433 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
5434 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
5435 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
5436 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
5437 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
5438 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
5439
5440 @table @code
5441 @kindex dprintf
5442 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
5443 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
5444 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
5445 To print several values, separate them with commas.
5446
5447 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
5448 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
5449 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
5450 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
5451 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
5452 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
5453
5454 @table @code
5455 @item gdb
5456 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
5457 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
5458
5459 @item call
5460 @kindex dprintf-style call
5461 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
5462 @code{printf}).
5463
5464 @item agent
5465 @kindex dprintf-style agent
5466 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
5467 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
5468 support running commands on the target.
5469 @end table
5470
5471 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
5472 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
5473 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
5474 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
5475 command.
5476
5477 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
5478 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
5479 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
5480 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
5481 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
5482 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
5483
5484 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
5485 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
5486 you could do the following:
5487
5488 @example
5489 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
5490 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
5491 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
5492 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
5493 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
5494 (gdb) info break
5495 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
5496 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
5497 continue
5498 (gdb)
5499 @end example
5500
5501 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
5502 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
5503 the variable settings.
5504
5505 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
5506 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
5507 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
5508 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
5509 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
5510 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
5511
5512 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
5513 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
5514 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
5515
5516 @end table
5517
5518 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
5519 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
5520 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
5521 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
5522 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
5523 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
5524
5525 @node Save Breakpoints
5526 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
5527
5528 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
5529 breakpoints}} command.
5530
5531 @table @code
5532 @kindex save breakpoints
5533 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
5534 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
5535 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
5536 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
5537 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
5538 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
5539 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
5540 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
5541 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
5542 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
5543 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
5544 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
5545 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
5546 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
5547 that can no longer be recreated.
5548 @end table
5549
5550 @node Static Probe Points
5551 @subsection Static Probe Points
5552
5553 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
5554 @cindex static probe point, DTrace
5555 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
5556 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
5557 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations.
5558
5559 Currently, the following types of probes are supported on
5560 ELF-compatible systems:
5561
5562 @itemize @bullet
5563
5564 @item @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
5565 @acronym{SDT} probes@footnote{See
5566 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
5567 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT}
5568 probes in your applications.}. @code{SystemTap} probes are usable
5569 from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages@footnote{See
5570 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
5571 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.}.
5572
5573 @item @code{DTrace} (@uref{http://oss.oracle.com/projects/DTrace})
5574 @acronym{USDT} probes. @code{DTrace} probes are usable from C and
5575 C@t{++} languages.
5576 @end itemize
5577
5578 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
5579 Some @code{SystemTap} probes have an associated semaphore variable;
5580 for instance, this happens automatically if you defined your probe
5581 using a DTrace-style @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore,
5582 @value{GDBN} will automatically enable it when you specify a
5583 breakpoint using the @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a
5584 breakpoint at a probe's location by some other method (e.g.,
5585 @code{break file:line}), then @value{GDBN} will not automatically set
5586 the semaphore. @code{DTrace} probes do not support semaphores.
5587
5588 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
5589 probes}, with optional arguments:
5590
5591 @table @code
5592 @kindex info probes
5593 @item info probes @r{[}@var{type}@r{]} @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5594 If given, @var{type} is either @code{stap} for listing
5595 @code{SystemTap} probes or @code{dtrace} for listing @code{DTrace}
5596 probes. If omitted all probes are listed regardless of their types.
5597
5598 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
5599 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
5600 probes from all providers are listed.
5601
5602 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
5603 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
5604 considered when deciding whether to display them.
5605
5606 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5607 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5608 given, all object files are considered.
5609
5610 @item info probes all
5611 List the available static probes, from all types.
5612 @end table
5613
5614 @cindex enabling and disabling probes
5615 Some probe points can be enabled and/or disabled. The effect of
5616 enabling or disabling a probe depends on the type of probe being
5617 handled. Some @code{DTrace} probes can be enabled or
5618 disabled, but @code{SystemTap} probes cannot be disabled.
5619
5620 You can enable (or disable) one or more probes using the following
5621 commands, with optional arguments:
5622
5623 @table @code
5624 @kindex enable probes
5625 @item enable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5626 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against
5627 provider names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted,
5628 all probes from all providers are enabled.
5629
5630 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe
5631 names when selecting which probes to enable. If omitted, probe names
5632 are not considered when deciding whether to enable them.
5633
5634 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
5635 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
5636 given, all object files are considered.
5637
5638 @kindex disable probes
5639 @item disable probes @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
5640 See the @code{enable probes} command above for a description of the
5641 optional arguments accepted by this command.
5642 @end table
5643
5644 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
5645 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
5646 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
5647 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
5648 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
5649 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. In @code{SystemTap}
5650 probes each probe argument is an integer of the appropriate size;
5651 types are not preserved. In @code{DTrace} probes types are preserved
5652 provided that they are recognized as such by @value{GDBN}; otherwise
5653 the value of the probe argument will be a long integer. The
5654 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
5655 at the current probe point.
5656
5657 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
5658 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
5659 an error message.
5660
5661
5662 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
5663 @node Error in Breakpoints
5664 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
5665
5666 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
5667 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
5668
5669 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
5670 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
5671 @smallexample
5672 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
5673 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
5674 @end smallexample
5675
5676 @noindent
5677 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
5678 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
5679 watchpoints it needs to insert.
5680
5681 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
5682 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
5683
5684 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
5685 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
5686 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
5687
5688 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
5689 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
5690 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
5691 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
5692
5693 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
5694 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
5695 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
5696 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
5697 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
5698 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
5699 first in the bundle.
5700
5701 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
5702 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
5703 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
5704 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
5705 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
5706 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
5707 is hit.
5708
5709 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
5710 that's been subject to address adjustment:
5711
5712 @smallexample
5713 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
5714 @end smallexample
5715
5716 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
5717 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
5718 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
5719 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
5720 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
5721 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
5722 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
5723 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
5724
5725 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
5726 adjusted breakpoints:
5727
5728 @smallexample
5729 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
5730 to 0x00010410.
5731 @end smallexample
5732
5733 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
5734 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
5735 frequently than expected.
5736
5737 @node Continuing and Stepping
5738 @section Continuing and Stepping
5739
5740 @cindex stepping
5741 @cindex continuing
5742 @cindex resuming execution
5743 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
5744 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
5745 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
5746 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
5747 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
5748 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
5749 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
5750 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution (@pxref{Signals, ,Signals}),
5751 or you may step into the signal's handler (@pxref{stepping and signal
5752 handlers}).)
5753
5754 @table @code
5755 @kindex continue
5756 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
5757 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
5758 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5759 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5760 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5761 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
5762 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
5763 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
5764 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
5765 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
5766
5767 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
5768 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5769 @code{continue} is ignored.
5770
5771 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5772 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5773 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5774 @code{continue}.
5775 @end table
5776
5777 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5778 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5779 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5780 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5781
5782 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5783 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5784 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5785 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5786 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5787 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5788
5789 @table @code
5790 @kindex step
5791 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5792 @item step
5793 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5794 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5795 abbreviated @code{s}.
5796
5797 @quotation
5798 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5799 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5800 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5801 @c distinction here.
5802 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5803 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5804 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5805 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5806 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5807 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5808 below.
5809 @end quotation
5810
5811 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5812 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5813 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5814 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5815 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5816 called within the line.
5817
5818 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5819 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5820 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5821 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5822 was any debugging information about the routine.
5823
5824 @item step @var{count}
5825 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5826 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5827 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5828
5829 @kindex next
5830 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5831 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5832 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5833 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5834 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5835 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5836 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5837 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5838
5839 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5840
5841
5842 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5843 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5844 @c
5845 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5846 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5847 @c function are executed without stopping.
5848
5849 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5850 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5851 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5852
5853 @kindex set step-mode
5854 @item set step-mode
5855 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5856 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5857 @itemx set step-mode on
5858 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5859 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5860 information rather than stepping over it.
5861
5862 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5863 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5864 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5865
5866 @item set step-mode off
5867 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5868 debug information. This is the default.
5869
5870 @item show step-mode
5871 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5872 source line debug information.
5873
5874 @kindex finish
5875 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5876 @item finish
5877 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5878 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5879 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5880
5881 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5882 ,Returning from a Function}).
5883
5884 @kindex set print finish
5885 @kindex show print finish
5886 @item set print finish @r{[}on|off@r{]}
5887 @itemx show print finish
5888 By default the @code{finish} command will show the value that is
5889 returned by the function. This can be disabled using @code{set print
5890 finish off}. When disabled, the value is still entered into the value
5891 history (@pxref{Value History}), but not displayed.
5892
5893 @kindex until
5894 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5895 @cindex run until specified location
5896 @item until
5897 @itemx u
5898 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5899 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5900 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5901 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5902 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5903 than the address of the jump.
5904
5905 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5906 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5907 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5908 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5909 through the next iteration.
5910
5911 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5912 stack frame.
5913
5914 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5915 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5916 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5917 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5918 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5919
5920 @smallexample
5921 (@value{GDBP}) f
5922 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5923 206 expand_input();
5924 (@value{GDBP}) until
5925 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5926 @end smallexample
5927
5928 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5929 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5930 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5931 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5932 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5933 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5934 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5935
5936 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5937 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5938 argument.
5939
5940 @item until @var{location}
5941 @itemx u @var{location}
5942 Continue running your program until either the specified @var{location} is
5943 reached, or the current stack frame returns. The location is any of
5944 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5945 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5946 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5947 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5948 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5949 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5950 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5951 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5952 invocations have returned.
5953
5954 @smallexample
5955 94 int factorial (int value)
5956 95 @{
5957 96 if (value > 1) @{
5958 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5959 98 @}
5960 99 return (value);
5961 100 @}
5962 @end smallexample
5963
5964
5965 @kindex advance @var{location}
5966 @item advance @var{location}
5967 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5968 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5969 @ref{Specify Location}.
5970 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5971 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5972 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5973 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5974
5975
5976 @kindex stepi
5977 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5978 @item stepi
5979 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5980 @itemx si
5981 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5982
5983 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5984 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5985 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5986 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5987
5988 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5989
5990 @need 750
5991 @kindex nexti
5992 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5993 @item nexti
5994 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5995 @itemx ni
5996 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5997 proceed until the function returns.
5998
5999 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
6000
6001 @end table
6002
6003 @anchor{range stepping}
6004 @cindex range stepping
6005 @cindex target-assisted range stepping
6006 By default, and if available, @value{GDBN} makes use of
6007 target-assisted @dfn{range stepping}. In other words, whenever you
6008 use a stepping command (e.g., @code{step}, @code{next}), @value{GDBN}
6009 tells the target to step the corresponding range of instruction
6010 addresses instead of issuing multiple single-steps. This speeds up
6011 line stepping, particularly for remote targets. Ideally, there should
6012 be no reason you would want to turn range stepping off. However, it's
6013 possible that a bug in the debug info, a bug in the remote stub (for
6014 remote targets), or even a bug in @value{GDBN} could make line
6015 stepping behave incorrectly when target-assisted range stepping is
6016 enabled. You can use the following command to turn off range stepping
6017 if necessary:
6018
6019 @table @code
6020 @kindex set range-stepping
6021 @kindex show range-stepping
6022 @item set range-stepping
6023 @itemx show range-stepping
6024 Control whether range stepping is enabled.
6025
6026 If @code{on}, and the target supports it, @value{GDBN} tells the
6027 target to step a range of addresses itself, instead of issuing
6028 multiple single-steps. If @code{off}, @value{GDBN} always issues
6029 single-steps, even if range stepping is supported by the target. The
6030 default is @code{on}.
6031
6032 @end table
6033
6034 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
6035 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
6036 @cindex skipping over functions and files
6037
6038 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
6039 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} command lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
6040 skip a function, all functions in a file or a particular function in
6041 a particular file when stepping.
6042
6043 For example, consider the following C function:
6044
6045 @smallexample
6046 101 int func()
6047 102 @{
6048 103 foo(boring());
6049 104 bar(boring());
6050 105 @}
6051 @end smallexample
6052
6053 @noindent
6054 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
6055 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
6056 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
6057 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
6058
6059 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
6060 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
6061 is called from many places.
6062
6063 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
6064 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
6065 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
6066 @code{foo}.
6067
6068 Functions may be skipped by providing either a function name, linespec
6069 (@pxref{Specify Location}), regular expression that matches the function's
6070 name, file name or a @code{glob}-style pattern that matches the file name.
6071
6072 On Posix systems the form of the regular expression is
6073 ``Extended Regular Expressions''. See for example @samp{man 7 regex}
6074 on @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. On non-Posix systems the form of the regular
6075 expression is whatever is provided by the @code{regcomp} function of
6076 the underlying system.
6077 See for example @samp{man 7 glob} on @sc{gnu}/Linux systems for a
6078 description of @code{glob}-style patterns.
6079
6080 @table @code
6081 @kindex skip
6082 @item skip @r{[}@var{options}@r{]}
6083 The basic form of the @code{skip} command takes zero or more options
6084 that specify what to skip.
6085 The @var{options} argument is any useful combination of the following:
6086
6087 @table @code
6088 @item -file @var{file}
6089 @itemx -fi @var{file}
6090 Functions in @var{file} will be skipped over when stepping.
6091
6092 @item -gfile @var{file-glob-pattern}
6093 @itemx -gfi @var{file-glob-pattern}
6094 @cindex skipping over files via glob-style patterns
6095 Functions in files matching @var{file-glob-pattern} will be skipped
6096 over when stepping.
6097
6098 @smallexample
6099 (gdb) skip -gfi utils/*.c
6100 @end smallexample
6101
6102 @item -function @var{linespec}
6103 @itemx -fu @var{linespec}
6104 Functions named by @var{linespec} or the function containing the line
6105 named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when stepping.
6106 @xref{Specify Location}.
6107
6108 @item -rfunction @var{regexp}
6109 @itemx -rfu @var{regexp}
6110 @cindex skipping over functions via regular expressions
6111 Functions whose name matches @var{regexp} will be skipped over when stepping.
6112
6113 This form is useful for complex function names.
6114 For example, there is generally no need to step into C@t{++} @code{std::string}
6115 constructors or destructors. Plus with C@t{++} templates it can be hard to
6116 write out the full name of the function, and often it doesn't matter what
6117 the template arguments are. Specifying the function to be skipped as a
6118 regular expression makes this easier.
6119
6120 @smallexample
6121 (gdb) skip -rfu ^std::(allocator|basic_string)<.*>::~?\1 *\(
6122 @end smallexample
6123
6124 If you want to skip every templated C@t{++} constructor and destructor
6125 in the @code{std} namespace you can do:
6126
6127 @smallexample
6128 (gdb) skip -rfu ^std::([a-zA-z0-9_]+)<.*>::~?\1 *\(
6129 @end smallexample
6130 @end table
6131
6132 If no options are specified, the function you're currently debugging
6133 will be skipped.
6134
6135 @kindex skip function
6136 @item skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
6137 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
6138 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
6139 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
6140
6141 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
6142 will be skipped.
6143
6144 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
6145 @kbd{skip function file}.)
6146
6147 @kindex skip file
6148 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
6149 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
6150 will be skipped over when stepping.
6151
6152 @smallexample
6153 (gdb) skip file boring.c
6154 File boring.c will be skipped when stepping.
6155 @end smallexample
6156
6157 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
6158 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
6159 @end table
6160
6161 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
6162 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
6163
6164 @table @code
6165 @kindex info skip
6166 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
6167 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
6168 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
6169 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
6170
6171 @table @emph
6172 @item Identifier
6173 A number identifying this skip.
6174 @item Enabled or Disabled
6175 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}.
6176 Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
6177 @item Glob
6178 If the file name is a @samp{glob} pattern this is @samp{y}.
6179 Otherwise it is @samp{n}.
6180 @item File
6181 The name or @samp{glob} pattern of the file to be skipped.
6182 If no file is specified this is @samp{<none>}.
6183 @item RE
6184 If the function name is a @samp{regular expression} this is @samp{y}.
6185 Otherwise it is @samp{n}.
6186 @item Function
6187 The name or regular expression of the function to skip.
6188 If no function is specified this is @samp{<none>}.
6189 @end table
6190
6191 @kindex skip delete
6192 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
6193 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
6194 skips.
6195
6196 @kindex skip enable
6197 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
6198 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
6199 skips.
6200
6201 @kindex skip disable
6202 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
6203 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
6204 skips.
6205
6206 @kindex set debug skip
6207 @item set debug skip @r{[}on|off@r{]}
6208 Set whether to print the debug output about skipping files and functions.
6209
6210 @kindex show debug skip
6211 @item show debug skip
6212 Show whether the debug output about skipping files and functions is printed.
6213
6214 @end table
6215
6216 @node Signals
6217 @section Signals
6218 @cindex signals
6219
6220 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
6221 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
6222 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
6223 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
6224 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
6225 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
6226 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
6227 requested an alarm).
6228
6229 @cindex fatal signals
6230 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
6231 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
6232 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
6233 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
6234 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
6235 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
6236
6237 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
6238 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
6239 signal.
6240
6241 @cindex handling signals
6242 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
6243 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
6244 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
6245 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
6246 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
6247
6248 @table @code
6249 @kindex info signals
6250 @kindex info handle
6251 @item info signals
6252 @itemx info handle
6253 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
6254 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
6255 the defined types of signals.
6256
6257 @item info signals @var{sig}
6258 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
6259
6260 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
6261
6262 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
6263 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
6264 for details about this command.
6265
6266 @kindex handle
6267 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
6268 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal}
6269 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
6270 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
6271 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
6272 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
6273 say what change to make.
6274 @end table
6275
6276 @c @group
6277 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
6278 Their full names are:
6279
6280 @table @code
6281 @item nostop
6282 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
6283 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
6284
6285 @item stop
6286 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
6287 the @code{print} keyword as well.
6288
6289 @item print
6290 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
6291
6292 @item noprint
6293 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
6294 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
6295
6296 @item pass
6297 @itemx noignore
6298 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
6299 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
6300 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
6301
6302 @item nopass
6303 @itemx ignore
6304 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
6305 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
6306 @end table
6307 @c @end group
6308
6309 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
6310 program until you
6311 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
6312 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
6313 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
6314 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
6315 program sees that signal when you continue.
6316
6317 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
6318 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
6319 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
6320 erroneous signals.
6321
6322 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
6323 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
6324 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
6325 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
6326 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
6327 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
6328 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
6329 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
6330 Program a Signal}.
6331
6332 @cindex stepping and signal handlers
6333 @anchor{stepping and signal handlers}
6334
6335 @value{GDBN} optimizes for stepping the mainline code. If a signal
6336 that has @code{handle nostop} and @code{handle pass} set arrives while
6337 a stepping command (e.g., @code{stepi}, @code{step}, @code{next}) is
6338 in progress, @value{GDBN} lets the signal handler run and then resumes
6339 stepping the mainline code once the signal handler returns. In other
6340 words, @value{GDBN} steps over the signal handler. This prevents
6341 signals that you've specified as not interesting (with @code{handle
6342 nostop}) from changing the focus of debugging unexpectedly. Note that
6343 the signal handler itself may still hit a breakpoint, stop for another
6344 signal that has @code{handle stop} in effect, or for any other event
6345 that normally results in stopping the stepping command sooner. Also
6346 note that @value{GDBN} still informs you that the program received a
6347 signal if @code{handle print} is set.
6348
6349 @anchor{stepping into signal handlers}
6350
6351 If you set @code{handle pass} for a signal, and your program sets up a
6352 handler for it, then issuing a stepping command, such as @code{step}
6353 or @code{stepi}, when your program is stopped due to the signal will
6354 step @emph{into} the signal handler (if the target supports that).
6355
6356 Likewise, if you use the @code{queue-signal} command to queue a signal
6357 to be delivered to the current thread when execution of the thread
6358 resumes (@pxref{Signaling, ,Giving your Program a Signal}), then a
6359 stepping command will step into the signal handler.
6360
6361 Here's an example, using @code{stepi} to step to the first instruction
6362 of @code{SIGUSR1}'s handler:
6363
6364 @smallexample
6365 (@value{GDBP}) handle SIGUSR1
6366 Signal Stop Print Pass to program Description
6367 SIGUSR1 Yes Yes Yes User defined signal 1
6368 (@value{GDBP}) c
6369 Continuing.
6370
6371 Program received signal SIGUSR1, User defined signal 1.
6372 main () sigusr1.c:28
6373 28 p = 0;
6374 (@value{GDBP}) si
6375 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
6376 9 @{
6377 @end smallexample
6378
6379 The same, but using @code{queue-signal} instead of waiting for the
6380 program to receive the signal first:
6381
6382 @smallexample
6383 (@value{GDBP}) n
6384 28 p = 0;
6385 (@value{GDBP}) queue-signal SIGUSR1
6386 (@value{GDBP}) si
6387 sigusr1_handler () at sigusr1.c:9
6388 9 @{
6389 (@value{GDBP})
6390 @end smallexample
6391
6392 @cindex extra signal information
6393 @anchor{extra signal information}
6394
6395 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
6396 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
6397 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
6398 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
6399 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
6400 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
6401 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
6402 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
6403 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
6404 system header.
6405
6406 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
6407 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
6408
6409 @smallexample
6410 @group
6411 (@value{GDBP}) continue
6412 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
6413 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
6414 69 *(int *)p = 0;
6415 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
6416 type = struct @{
6417 int si_signo;
6418 int si_errno;
6419 int si_code;
6420 union @{
6421 int _pad[28];
6422 struct @{...@} _kill;
6423 struct @{...@} _timer;
6424 struct @{...@} _rt;
6425 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
6426 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
6427 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
6428 @} _sifields;
6429 @}
6430 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
6431 type = struct @{
6432 void *si_addr;
6433 @}
6434 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
6435 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
6436 @end group
6437 @end smallexample
6438
6439 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
6440
6441 @cindex Intel MPX boundary violations
6442 @cindex boundary violations, Intel MPX
6443 On some targets, a @code{SIGSEGV} can be caused by a boundary
6444 violation, i.e., accessing an address outside of the allowed range.
6445 In those cases @value{GDBN} may displays additional information,
6446 depending on how @value{GDBN} has been told to handle the signal.
6447 With @code{handle stop SIGSEGV}, @value{GDBN} displays the violation
6448 kind: "Upper" or "Lower", the memory address accessed and the
6449 bounds, while with @code{handle nostop SIGSEGV} no additional
6450 information is displayed.
6451
6452 The usual output of a segfault is:
6453 @smallexample
6454 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault
6455 0x0000000000400d7c in upper () at i386-mpx-sigsegv.c:68
6456 68 value = *(p + len);
6457 @end smallexample
6458
6459 While a bound violation is presented as:
6460 @smallexample
6461 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault
6462 Upper bound violation while accessing address 0x7fffffffc3b3
6463 Bounds: [lower = 0x7fffffffc390, upper = 0x7fffffffc3a3]
6464 0x0000000000400d7c in upper () at i386-mpx-sigsegv.c:68
6465 68 value = *(p + len);
6466 @end smallexample
6467
6468 @node Thread Stops
6469 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
6470
6471 @cindex stopped threads
6472 @cindex threads, stopped
6473
6474 @cindex continuing threads
6475 @cindex threads, continuing
6476
6477 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
6478 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
6479 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
6480 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
6481 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
6482 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
6483 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
6484 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
6485 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
6486
6487 @menu
6488 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
6489 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
6490 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
6491 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
6492 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
6493 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
6494 @end menu
6495
6496 @node All-Stop Mode
6497 @subsection All-Stop Mode
6498
6499 @cindex all-stop mode
6500
6501 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
6502 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
6503 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
6504 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
6505 underfoot.
6506
6507 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
6508 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
6509 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
6510
6511 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
6512 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
6513 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
6514 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
6515 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
6516 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
6517 stops.
6518
6519 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
6520 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
6521 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
6522 first thread completes whatever you requested.
6523
6524 @cindex automatic thread selection
6525 @cindex switching threads automatically
6526 @cindex threads, automatic switching
6527 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
6528 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
6529 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
6530 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
6531 thread.
6532
6533 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
6534 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
6535
6536 @table @code
6537 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
6538 @cindex scheduler locking mode
6539 @cindex lock scheduler
6540 Set the scheduler locking mode. It applies to normal execution,
6541 record mode, and replay mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
6542 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only
6543 the current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The
6544 @code{step} mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other
6545 threads from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so
6546 that the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly. Other
6547 threads never get a chance to run when you step, and they are
6548 completely free to run when you use commands like @samp{continue},
6549 @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another thread hits a
6550 breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change the
6551 current thread away from the thread that you are debugging. The
6552 @code{replay} mode behaves like @code{off} in record mode and like
6553 @code{on} in replay mode.
6554
6555 @item show scheduler-locking
6556 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
6557 @end table
6558
6559 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
6560 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
6561 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
6562 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
6563 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
6564 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
6565 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
6566 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
6567 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
6568 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
6569 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
6570 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
6571 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
6572 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
6573
6574 @table @code
6575 @kindex set schedule-multiple
6576 @item set schedule-multiple
6577 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
6578 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
6579 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
6580 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
6581 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
6582 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
6583
6584 @item show schedule-multiple
6585 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
6586 multiple processes.
6587 @end table
6588
6589 @node Non-Stop Mode
6590 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
6591
6592 @cindex non-stop mode
6593
6594 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
6595 @c with more details.
6596
6597 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
6598 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
6599 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
6600 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
6601 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
6602 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
6603
6604 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
6605 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
6606 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
6607 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
6608 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
6609 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
6610 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
6611 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
6612 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
6613 independently and simultaneously.
6614
6615 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
6616 or attach to your program:
6617
6618 @smallexample
6619 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
6620 set pagination off
6621
6622 # Finally, turn it on!
6623 set non-stop on
6624 @end smallexample
6625
6626 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
6627
6628 @table @code
6629 @kindex set non-stop
6630 @item set non-stop on
6631 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
6632 @item set non-stop off
6633 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
6634 @kindex show non-stop
6635 @item show non-stop
6636 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
6637 @end table
6638
6639 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
6640 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
6641 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
6642 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
6643 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
6644 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
6645 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
6646 default.
6647
6648 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
6649 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
6650 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
6651
6652 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
6653 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
6654 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
6655 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
6656 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
6657
6658 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
6659 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
6660 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
6661 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
6662 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
6663
6664 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
6665
6666 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
6667 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
6668 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
6669 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
6670 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
6671 previously current thread.
6672
6673 @node Background Execution
6674 @subsection Background Execution
6675
6676 @cindex foreground execution
6677 @cindex background execution
6678 @cindex asynchronous execution
6679 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
6680
6681 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
6682 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
6683 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
6684 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
6685 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
6686 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
6687
6688 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
6689 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
6690
6691 @cindex @code{&}, background execution of commands
6692 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
6693 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
6694 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
6695 are:
6696
6697 @table @code
6698 @kindex run&
6699 @item run
6700 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
6701
6702 @item attach
6703 @kindex attach&
6704 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
6705
6706 @item step
6707 @kindex step&
6708 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
6709
6710 @item stepi
6711 @kindex stepi&
6712 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
6713
6714 @item next
6715 @kindex next&
6716 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
6717
6718 @item nexti
6719 @kindex nexti&
6720 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
6721
6722 @item continue
6723 @kindex continue&
6724 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
6725
6726 @item finish
6727 @kindex finish&
6728 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
6729
6730 @item until
6731 @kindex until&
6732 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
6733
6734 @end table
6735
6736 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
6737 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
6738 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
6739 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
6740 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
6741 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
6742
6743 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
6744 using the @code{interrupt} command.
6745
6746 @table @code
6747 @kindex interrupt
6748 @item interrupt
6749 @itemx interrupt -a
6750
6751 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
6752 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
6753 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
6754 use @code{interrupt -a}.
6755 @end table
6756
6757 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6758 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
6759
6760 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
6761 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
6762 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
6763
6764 @table @code
6765 @cindex breakpoints and threads
6766 @cindex thread breakpoints
6767 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{thread-id}
6768 @item break @var{location} thread @var{thread-id}
6769 @itemx break @var{location} thread @var{thread-id} if @dots{}
6770 @var{location} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
6771 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
6772 specify some source line.
6773
6774 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} with a breakpoint command
6775 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
6776 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. The @var{thread-id} specifier
6777 is one of the thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown
6778 in the first column of the @samp{info threads} display.
6779
6780 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} when you set a
6781 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
6782 program.
6783
6784 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
6785 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{thread-id}} before or
6786 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
6787
6788 @smallexample
6789 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
6790 @end smallexample
6791
6792 @end table
6793
6794 Thread-specific breakpoints are automatically deleted when
6795 @value{GDBN} detects the corresponding thread is no longer in the
6796 thread list. For example:
6797
6798 @smallexample
6799 (@value{GDBP}) c
6800 Thread-specific breakpoint 3 deleted - thread 28 no longer in the thread list.
6801 @end smallexample
6802
6803 There are several ways for a thread to disappear, such as a regular
6804 thread exit, but also when you detach from the process with the
6805 @code{detach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
6806 Process}), or if @value{GDBN} loses the remote connection
6807 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), etc. Note that with some targets,
6808 @value{GDBN} is only able to detect a thread has exited when the user
6809 explictly asks for the thread list with the @code{info threads}
6810 command.
6811
6812 @node Interrupted System Calls
6813 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
6814
6815 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
6816 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
6817 @cindex premature return from system calls
6818 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
6819 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
6820 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
6821 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
6822 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
6823 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
6824 stop execution.
6825
6826 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
6827 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
6828 style anyways.
6829
6830 For example, do not write code like this:
6831
6832 @smallexample
6833 sleep (10);
6834 @end smallexample
6835
6836 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
6837 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
6838
6839 Instead, write this:
6840
6841 @smallexample
6842 int unslept = 10;
6843 while (unslept > 0)
6844 unslept = sleep (unslept);
6845 @end smallexample
6846
6847 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
6848 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
6849 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
6850 @value{GDBN}.
6851
6852 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
6853 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
6854 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
6855 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
6856
6857 @node Observer Mode
6858 @subsection Observer Mode
6859
6860 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
6861 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
6862 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
6863 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
6864 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
6865
6866 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
6867 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
6868 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
6869 mode.
6870
6871 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
6872 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
6873 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
6874 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
6875 stream will still not be able to be placed.
6876
6877 @table @code
6878
6879 @kindex observer
6880 @item set observer on
6881 @itemx set observer off
6882 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
6883 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
6884 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
6885 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
6886
6887 @item show observer
6888 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
6889
6890 @kindex may-write-registers
6891 @item set may-write-registers on
6892 @itemx set may-write-registers off
6893 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
6894 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
6895 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
6896
6897 @item show may-write-registers
6898 Show the current permission to write registers.
6899
6900 @kindex may-write-memory
6901 @item set may-write-memory on
6902 @itemx set may-write-memory off
6903 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
6904 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
6905 defaults to @code{on}.
6906
6907 @item show may-write-memory
6908 Show the current permission to write memory.
6909
6910 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
6911 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
6912 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
6913 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
6914 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
6915 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6916
6917 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
6918 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
6919
6920 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
6921 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
6922 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
6923 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
6924 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6925 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
6926 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6927
6928 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
6929 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
6930
6931 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6932 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
6933 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
6934 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
6935 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6936 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
6937 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6938
6939 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6940 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
6941
6942 @kindex may-interrupt
6943 @item set may-interrupt on
6944 @itemx set may-interrupt off
6945 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
6946 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
6947 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
6948 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6949
6950 @item show may-interrupt
6951 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
6952
6953 @end table
6954
6955 @node Reverse Execution
6956 @chapter Running programs backward
6957 @cindex reverse execution
6958 @cindex running programs backward
6959
6960 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
6961 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
6962 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
6963 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
6964
6965 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
6966 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
6967 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
6968 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
6969 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
6970 all target environments can support reverse execution.
6971
6972 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
6973 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
6974 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
6975 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
6976 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6977 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6978 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6979 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6980 prior values@footnote{
6981 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6982 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6983 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6984
6985 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6986 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6987 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6988 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6989 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6990 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6991 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6992 }.
6993
6994 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} has built-in support for reverse
6995 execution, activated with the @code{record} or @code{record btrace}
6996 commands. @xref{Process Record and Replay}. Some remote targets,
6997 typically full system emulators, support reverse execution directly
6998 without requiring any special command.
6999
7000 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
7001 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
7002
7003 @table @code
7004 @kindex reverse-continue
7005 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
7006 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
7007 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
7008 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
7009 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
7010 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
7011 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
7012
7013 @kindex reverse-step
7014 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
7015 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
7016 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
7017 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
7018
7019 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
7020 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
7021 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
7022 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
7023 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
7024 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
7025
7026 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
7027 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
7028
7029 @kindex reverse-stepi
7030 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
7031 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
7032 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
7033 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
7034 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
7035 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
7036 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
7037
7038 @kindex reverse-next
7039 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
7040 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
7041 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
7042 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
7043 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
7044 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
7045 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
7046 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
7047 line of a function back to its return to its caller
7048 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
7049
7050 @kindex reverse-nexti
7051 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
7052 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
7053 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
7054 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
7055 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
7056 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
7057 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
7058 frame) is reached.
7059
7060 @kindex reverse-finish
7061 @item reverse-finish
7062 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
7063 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
7064 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
7065 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
7066
7067 @kindex set exec-direction
7068 @item set exec-direction
7069 Set the direction of target execution.
7070 @item set exec-direction reverse
7071 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
7072 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
7073 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
7074 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
7075 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
7076 @item set exec-direction forward
7077 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
7078 This is the default.
7079 @end table
7080
7081
7082 @node Process Record and Replay
7083 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
7084 @cindex process record and replay
7085 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
7086
7087 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
7088 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
7089 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
7090
7091 @cindex replay mode
7092 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
7093 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
7094 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
7095 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
7096 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
7097 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
7098 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
7099 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
7100 execution log.
7101
7102 @cindex record mode
7103 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
7104 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
7105 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
7106 for future replay.
7107
7108 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
7109 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
7110 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
7111 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
7112 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
7113 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
7114
7115 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
7116 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
7117 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
7118 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
7119
7120 Currently, process record and replay is supported on ARM, Aarch64,
7121 Moxie, PowerPC, PowerPC64, S/390, and x86 (i386/amd64) running
7122 GNU/Linux. Process record and replay can be used both when native
7123 debugging, and when remote debugging via @code{gdbserver}.
7124
7125 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
7126 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
7127
7128 @table @code
7129 @kindex target record
7130 @kindex target record-full
7131 @kindex target record-btrace
7132 @kindex record
7133 @kindex record full
7134 @kindex record btrace
7135 @kindex record btrace bts
7136 @kindex record btrace pt
7137 @kindex record bts
7138 @kindex record pt
7139 @kindex rec
7140 @kindex rec full
7141 @kindex rec btrace
7142 @kindex rec btrace bts
7143 @kindex rec btrace pt
7144 @kindex rec bts
7145 @kindex rec pt
7146 @item record @var{method}
7147 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
7148 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
7149 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
7150 recording methods are available:
7151
7152 @table @code
7153 @item full
7154 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
7155 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
7156 execution.
7157
7158 @item btrace @var{format}
7159 Hardware-supported instruction recording, supported on Intel
7160 processors. This method does not record data. Further, the data is
7161 collected in a ring buffer so old data will be overwritten when the
7162 buffer is full. It allows limited reverse execution. Variables and
7163 registers are not available during reverse execution. In remote
7164 debugging, recording continues on disconnect. Recorded data can be
7165 inspected after reconnecting. The recording may be stopped using
7166 @code{record stop}.
7167
7168 The recording format can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
7169 the command chooses the recording format. The following recording
7170 formats are available:
7171
7172 @table @code
7173 @item bts
7174 @cindex branch trace store
7175 Use the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) recording format. In
7176 this format, the processor stores a from/to record for each executed
7177 branch in the btrace ring buffer.
7178
7179 @item pt
7180 @cindex Intel Processor Trace
7181 Use the @dfn{Intel Processor Trace} recording format. In this
7182 format, the processor stores the execution trace in a compressed form
7183 that is afterwards decoded by @value{GDBN}.
7184
7185 The trace can be recorded with very low overhead. The compressed
7186 trace format also allows small trace buffers to already contain a big
7187 number of instructions compared to @acronym{BTS}.
7188
7189 Decoding the recorded execution trace, on the other hand, is more
7190 expensive than decoding @acronym{BTS} trace. This is mostly due to the
7191 increased number of instructions to process. You should increase the
7192 buffer-size with care.
7193 @end table
7194
7195 Not all recording formats may be available on all processors.
7196 @end table
7197
7198 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
7199 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
7200 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
7201 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
7202
7203 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
7204 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
7205 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
7206 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
7207 doesn't support displaced stepping.
7208
7209 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
7210 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
7211 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
7212 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
7213 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
7214 does not support these two modes.
7215
7216 @kindex record stop
7217 @kindex rec s
7218 @item record stop
7219 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
7220 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
7221 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
7222
7223 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
7224 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
7225 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
7226 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
7227 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
7228
7229 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
7230 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
7231 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
7232 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
7233 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
7234
7235 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
7236 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
7237
7238 @kindex record goto
7239 @item record goto
7240 Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
7241 ways to specify the location to go to:
7242
7243 @table @code
7244 @item record goto begin
7245 @itemx record goto start
7246 Go to the beginning of the execution log.
7247
7248 @item record goto end
7249 Go to the end of the execution log.
7250
7251 @item record goto @var{n}
7252 Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
7253 @end table
7254
7255 @kindex record save
7256 @item record save @var{filename}
7257 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
7258 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
7259 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
7260
7261 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
7262
7263 @kindex record restore
7264 @item record restore @var{filename}
7265 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
7266 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
7267
7268 @kindex set record full
7269 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
7270 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
7271 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
7272 recording method. Default value is 200000.
7273
7274 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
7275 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
7276 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
7277 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
7278 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
7279 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
7280 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
7281 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
7282
7283 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
7284 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
7285 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
7286
7287 @kindex show record full
7288 @item show record full insn-number-max
7289 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
7290 recording method.
7291
7292 @item set record full stop-at-limit
7293 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
7294 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
7295 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
7296 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
7297 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
7298 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
7299 oldest one to be deleted.
7300
7301 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
7302 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
7303
7304 @item show record full stop-at-limit
7305 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
7306
7307 @item set record full memory-query
7308 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
7309 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
7310 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
7311 case.
7312
7313 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
7314 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
7315 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
7316 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
7317 results.
7318
7319 @item show record full memory-query
7320 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
7321
7322 @kindex set record btrace
7323 The @code{btrace} record target does not trace data. As a
7324 convenience, when replaying, @value{GDBN} reads read-only memory off
7325 the live program directly, assuming that the addresses of the
7326 read-only areas don't change. This for example makes it possible to
7327 disassemble code while replaying, but not to print variables.
7328 In some cases, being able to inspect variables might be useful.
7329 You can use the following command for that:
7330
7331 @item set record btrace replay-memory-access
7332 Control the behavior of the @code{btrace} recording method when
7333 accessing memory during replay. If @code{read-only} (the default),
7334 @value{GDBN} will only allow accesses to read-only memory.
7335 If @code{read-write}, @value{GDBN} will allow accesses to read-only
7336 and to read-write memory. Beware that the accessed memory corresponds
7337 to the live target and not necessarily to the current replay
7338 position.
7339
7340 @item set record btrace cpu @var{identifier}
7341 Set the processor to be used for enabling workarounds for processor
7342 errata when decoding the trace.
7343
7344 Processor errata are defects in processor operation, caused by its
7345 design or manufacture. They can cause a trace not to match the
7346 specification. This, in turn, may cause trace decode to fail.
7347 @value{GDBN} can detect erroneous trace packets and correct them, thus
7348 avoiding the decoding failures. These corrections are known as
7349 @dfn{errata workarounds}, and are enabled based on the processor on
7350 which the trace was recorded.
7351
7352 By default, @value{GDBN} attempts to detect the processor
7353 automatically, and apply the necessary workarounds for it. However,
7354 you may need to specify the processor if @value{GDBN} does not yet
7355 support it. This command allows you to do that, and also allows to
7356 disable the workarounds.
7357
7358 The argument @var{identifier} identifies the @sc{cpu} and is of the
7359 form: @code{@var{vendor}:@var{procesor identifier}}. In addition,
7360 there are two special identifiers, @code{none} and @code{auto}
7361 (default).
7362
7363 The following vendor identifiers and corresponding processor
7364 identifiers are currently supported:
7365
7366 @multitable @columnfractions .1 .9
7367
7368 @item @code{intel}
7369 @tab @var{family}/@var{model}[/@var{stepping}]
7370
7371 @end multitable
7372
7373 On GNU/Linux systems, the processor @var{family}, @var{model}, and
7374 @var{stepping} can be obtained from @code{/proc/cpuinfo}.
7375
7376 If @var{identifier} is @code{auto}, enable errata workarounds for the
7377 processor on which the trace was recorded. If @var{identifier} is
7378 @code{none}, errata workarounds are disabled.
7379
7380 For example, when using an old @value{GDBN} on a new system, decode
7381 may fail because @value{GDBN} does not support the new processor. It
7382 often suffices to specify an older processor that @value{GDBN}
7383 supports.
7384
7385 @smallexample
7386 (gdb) info record
7387 Active record target: record-btrace
7388 Recording format: Intel Processor Trace.
7389 Buffer size: 16kB.
7390 Failed to configure the Intel Processor Trace decoder: unknown cpu.
7391 (gdb) set record btrace cpu intel:6/158
7392 (gdb) info record
7393 Active record target: record-btrace
7394 Recording format: Intel Processor Trace.
7395 Buffer size: 16kB.
7396 Recorded 84872 instructions in 3189 functions (0 gaps) for thread 1 (...).
7397 @end smallexample
7398
7399 @kindex show record btrace
7400 @item show record btrace replay-memory-access
7401 Show the current setting of @code{replay-memory-access}.
7402
7403 @item show record btrace cpu
7404 Show the processor to be used for enabling trace decode errata
7405 workarounds.
7406
7407 @kindex set record btrace bts
7408 @item set record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
7409 @itemx set record btrace bts buffer-size unlimited
7410 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in @acronym{BTS}
7411 format. Default is 64KB.
7412
7413 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
7414 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
7415 that uses the btrace recording method and the @acronym{BTS} format.
7416 The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the requested
7417 @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the actual
7418 buffer size for each thread that uses the btrace recording method and
7419 the @acronym{BTS} format.
7420
7421 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
7422 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
7423
7424 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
7425 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
7426
7427 @item show record btrace bts buffer-size @var{size}
7428 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
7429 tracing in @acronym{BTS} format.
7430
7431 @kindex set record btrace pt
7432 @item set record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
7433 @itemx set record btrace pt buffer-size unlimited
7434 Set the requested ring buffer size for branch tracing in Intel
7435 Processor Trace format. Default is 16KB.
7436
7437 If @var{size} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will try to
7438 allocate a buffer of at least @var{size} bytes for each new thread
7439 that uses the btrace recording method and the Intel Processor Trace
7440 format. The actually obtained buffer size may differ from the
7441 requested @var{size}. Use the @code{info record} command to see the
7442 actual buffer size for each thread.
7443
7444 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will try to
7445 allocate a buffer of 4MB.
7446
7447 Bigger buffers mean longer traces. On the other hand, @value{GDBN} will
7448 also need longer to process the branch trace data before it can be used.
7449
7450 @item show record btrace pt buffer-size @var{size}
7451 Show the current setting of the requested ring buffer size for branch
7452 tracing in Intel Processor Trace format.
7453
7454 @kindex info record
7455 @item info record
7456 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
7457 method:
7458
7459 @table @code
7460 @item full
7461 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
7462 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
7463
7464 @itemize @bullet
7465 @item
7466 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
7467 @item
7468 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
7469 @item
7470 Highest recorded instruction number.
7471 @item
7472 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
7473 @item
7474 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
7475 @item
7476 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
7477 @end itemize
7478
7479 @item btrace
7480 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows:
7481
7482 @itemize @bullet
7483 @item
7484 Recording format.
7485 @item
7486 Number of instructions that have been recorded.
7487 @item
7488 Number of blocks of sequential control-flow formed by the recorded
7489 instructions.
7490 @item
7491 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
7492 @end itemize
7493
7494 For the @code{bts} recording format, it also shows:
7495 @itemize @bullet
7496 @item
7497 Size of the perf ring buffer.
7498 @end itemize
7499
7500 For the @code{pt} recording format, it also shows:
7501 @itemize @bullet
7502 @item
7503 Size of the perf ring buffer.
7504 @end itemize
7505 @end table
7506
7507 @kindex record delete
7508 @kindex rec del
7509 @item record delete
7510 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
7511 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
7512 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
7513 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
7514
7515 @kindex record instruction-history
7516 @kindex rec instruction-history
7517 @item record instruction-history
7518 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
7519 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
7520 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
7521 are printed in execution order.
7522
7523 It can also print mixed source+disassembly if you specify the the
7524 @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier, and print the raw instructions in hex
7525 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
7526
7527 The current position marker is printed for the instruction at the
7528 current program counter value. This instruction can appear multiple
7529 times in the trace and the current position marker will be printed
7530 every time. To omit the current position marker, specify the
7531 @code{/p} modifier.
7532
7533 To better align the printed instructions when the trace contains
7534 instructions from more than one function, the function name may be
7535 omitted by specifying the @code{/f} modifier.
7536
7537 Speculatively executed instructions are prefixed with @samp{?}. This
7538 feature is not available for all recording formats.
7539
7540 There are several ways to specify what part of the execution log to
7541 disassemble:
7542
7543 @table @code
7544 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
7545 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
7546 @var{insn}.
7547
7548 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
7549 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
7550 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
7551 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
7552 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
7553 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
7554
7555 @item record instruction-history
7556 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
7557
7558 @item record instruction-history -
7559 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
7560
7561 @item record instruction-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
7562 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
7563 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
7564 number @var{end} is included.
7565 @end table
7566
7567 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
7568
7569 @kindex set record
7570 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
7571 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
7572 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
7573 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
7574 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
7575
7576 @kindex show record
7577 @item show record instruction-history-size
7578 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
7579 instruction-history} command.
7580
7581 @kindex record function-call-history
7582 @kindex rec function-call-history
7583 @item record function-call-history
7584 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
7585 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
7586 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
7587 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
7588 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
7589 the @code{/i} modifier is specified). The function names are indented
7590 to reflect the call stack depth if the @code{/c} modifier is
7591 specified. The @code{/l}, @code{/i}, and @code{/c} modifiers can be
7592 given together.
7593
7594 @smallexample
7595 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
7596 1 void foo (void)
7597 2 @{
7598 3 @}
7599 4
7600 5 void bar (void)
7601 6 @{
7602 7 ...
7603 8 foo ();
7604 9 ...
7605 10 @}
7606 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /ilc}
7607 1 bar inst 1,4 at foo.c:6,8
7608 2 foo inst 5,10 at foo.c:2,3
7609 3 bar inst 11,13 at foo.c:9,10
7610 @end smallexample
7611
7612 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
7613 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
7614 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
7615 to print:
7616
7617 @table @code
7618 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
7619 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
7620
7621 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
7622 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
7623 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
7624 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
7625 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
7626
7627 @item record function-call-history
7628 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
7629
7630 @item record function-call-history -
7631 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
7632
7633 @item record function-call-history @var{begin}, @var{end}
7634 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
7635 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is included.
7636 @end table
7637
7638 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
7639
7640 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
7641 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
7642 Define how many lines to print in the
7643 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
7644 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
7645
7646 @item show record function-call-history-size
7647 Show how many lines to print in the
7648 @code{record function-call-history} command.
7649 @end table
7650
7651
7652 @node Stack
7653 @chapter Examining the Stack
7654
7655 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
7656 stopped and how it got there.
7657
7658 @cindex call stack
7659 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
7660 is generated.
7661 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
7662 the arguments of the call,
7663 and the local variables of the function being called.
7664 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
7665 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
7666 stack}.
7667
7668 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
7669 stack allow you to see all of this information.
7670
7671 @cindex selected frame
7672 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
7673 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
7674 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
7675 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
7676 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
7677 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7678
7679 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
7680 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
7681 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
7682
7683 @menu
7684 * Frames:: Stack frames
7685 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
7686 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
7687 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
7688 * Frame Apply:: Applying a command to several frames
7689 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
7690
7691 @end menu
7692
7693 @node Frames
7694 @section Stack Frames
7695
7696 @cindex frame, definition
7697 @cindex stack frame
7698 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
7699 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
7700 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
7701 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
7702 which the function is executing.
7703
7704 @cindex initial frame
7705 @cindex outermost frame
7706 @cindex innermost frame
7707 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
7708 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
7709 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
7710 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
7711 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
7712 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
7713 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
7714 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
7715
7716 @cindex frame pointer
7717 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
7718 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
7719 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
7720 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
7721 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
7722 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
7723
7724 @cindex frame level
7725 @cindex frame number
7726 @value{GDBN} labels each existing stack frame with a @dfn{level}, a
7727 number that is zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that
7728 called it, and so on upward. These level numbers give you a way of
7729 designating stack frames in @value{GDBN} commands. The terms
7730 @dfn{frame number} and @dfn{frame level} can be used interchangeably to
7731 describe this number.
7732
7733 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
7734 @c underflow problems.
7735 @cindex frameless execution
7736 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
7737 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
7738 @smallexample
7739 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
7740 @end smallexample
7741 generates functions without a frame.)
7742 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
7743 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
7744 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
7745 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
7746 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
7747 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
7748 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
7749
7750 @node Backtrace
7751 @section Backtraces
7752
7753 @cindex traceback
7754 @cindex call stack traces
7755 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
7756 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
7757 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
7758 stack.
7759
7760 @anchor{backtrace-command}
7761 @kindex backtrace
7762 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
7763 To print a backtrace of the entire stack, use the @code{backtrace}
7764 command, or its alias @code{bt}. This command will print one line per
7765 frame for frames in the stack. By default, all stack frames are
7766 printed. You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system
7767 interrupt character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
7768
7769 @table @code
7770 @item backtrace [@var{option}]@dots{} [@var{qualifier}]@dots{} [@var{count}]
7771 @itemx bt [@var{option}]@dots{} [@var{qualifier}]@dots{} [@var{count}]
7772 Print the backtrace of the entire stack.
7773
7774 The optional @var{count} can be one of the following:
7775
7776 @table @code
7777 @item @var{n}
7778 @itemx @var{n}
7779 Print only the innermost @var{n} frames, where @var{n} is a positive
7780 number.
7781
7782 @item -@var{n}
7783 @itemx -@var{n}
7784 Print only the outermost @var{n} frames, where @var{n} is a positive
7785 number.
7786 @end table
7787
7788 Options:
7789
7790 @table @code
7791 @item -full
7792 Print the values of the local variables also. This can be combined
7793 with the optional @var{count} to limit the number of frames shown.
7794
7795 @item -no-filters
7796 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
7797 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
7798 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
7799 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
7800 support.
7801
7802 @item -hide
7803 A Python frame filter might decide to ``elide'' some frames. Normally
7804 such elided frames are still printed, but they are indented relative
7805 to the filtered frames that cause them to be elided. The @code{-hide}
7806 option causes elided frames to not be printed at all.
7807 @end table
7808
7809 The @code{backtrace} command also supports a number of options that
7810 allow overriding relevant global print settings as set by @code{set
7811 backtrace} and @code{set print} subcommands:
7812
7813 @table @code
7814 @item -past-main [@code{on}|@code{off}]
7815 Set whether backtraces should continue past @code{main}. Related setting:
7816 @ref{set backtrace past-main}.
7817
7818 @item -past-entry [@code{on}|@code{off}]
7819 Set whether backtraces should continue past the entry point of a program.
7820 Related setting: @ref{set backtrace past-entry}.
7821
7822 @item -entry-values @code{no}|@code{only}|@code{preferred}|@code{if-needed}|@code{both}|@code{compact}|@code{default}
7823 Set printing of function arguments at function entry.
7824 Related setting: @ref{set print entry-values}.
7825
7826 @item -frame-arguments @code{all}|@code{scalars}|@code{none}
7827 Set printing of non-scalar frame arguments.
7828 Related setting: @ref{set print frame-arguments}.
7829
7830 @item -raw-frame-arguments [@code{on}|@code{off}]
7831 Set whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
7832 Related setting: @ref{set print raw-frame-arguments}.
7833
7834 @item -frame-info @code{auto}|@code{source-line}|@code{location}|@code{source-and-location}|@code{location-and-address}|@code{short-location}
7835 Set printing of frame information.
7836 Related setting: @ref{set print frame-info}.
7837 @end table
7838
7839 The optional @var{qualifier} is maintained for backward compatibility.
7840 It can be one of the following:
7841
7842 @table @code
7843 @item full
7844 Equivalent to the @code{-full} option.
7845
7846 @item no-filters
7847 Equivalent to the @code{-no-filters} option.
7848
7849 @item hide
7850 Equivalent to the @code{-hide} option.
7851 @end table
7852
7853 @end table
7854
7855 @kindex where
7856 @kindex info stack
7857 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
7858 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
7859
7860 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
7861 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
7862 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
7863 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
7864 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
7865 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
7866 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
7867 multi-threaded program.
7868
7869 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
7870 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
7871 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
7872 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
7873 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
7874 line number.
7875
7876 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
7877 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
7878
7879 @smallexample
7880 @group
7881 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7882 at builtin.c:993
7883 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
7884 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
7885 at macro.c:71
7886 (More stack frames follow...)
7887 @end group
7888 @end smallexample
7889
7890 @noindent
7891 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
7892 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
7893 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
7894
7895 @noindent
7896 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
7897 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
7898 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
7899 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
7900 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
7901 The command @kbd{set print frame-info} (@pxref{Print Settings}) controls
7902 what frame information is printed.
7903
7904 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
7905 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
7906 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
7907 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
7908 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
7909 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
7910 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
7911 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
7912 such a backtrace might look like:
7913
7914 @smallexample
7915 @group
7916 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
7917 at builtin.c:993
7918 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
7919 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
7920 at macro.c:71
7921 (More stack frames follow...)
7922 @end group
7923 @end smallexample
7924
7925 @noindent
7926 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
7927 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
7928
7929 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
7930 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
7931 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
7932
7933 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
7934 @cindex program entry point
7935 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
7936 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
7937 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
7938 @code{main}@footnote{
7939 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
7940 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
7941 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
7942 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
7943 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
7944 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
7945
7946 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
7947 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
7948
7949 @table @code
7950 @item set backtrace past-main
7951 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
7952 @anchor{set backtrace past-main}
7953 @kindex set backtrace
7954 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
7955
7956 @item set backtrace past-main off
7957 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
7958 default.
7959
7960 @item show backtrace past-main
7961 @kindex show backtrace
7962 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
7963
7964 @item set backtrace past-entry
7965 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
7966 @anchor{set backtrace past-entry}
7967 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
7968 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
7969 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
7970
7971 @item set backtrace past-entry off
7972 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
7973 application. This is the default.
7974
7975 @item show backtrace past-entry
7976 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
7977
7978 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
7979 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
7980 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
7981 @anchor{set backtrace limit}
7982 @cindex backtrace limit
7983 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
7984 or zero means unlimited levels.
7985
7986 @item show backtrace limit
7987 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
7988 @end table
7989
7990 You can control how file names are displayed.
7991
7992 @table @code
7993 @item set filename-display
7994 @itemx set filename-display relative
7995 @cindex filename-display
7996 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
7997
7998 @item set filename-display basename
7999 Display only basename of a filename.
8000
8001 @item set filename-display absolute
8002 Display an absolute filename.
8003
8004 @item show filename-display
8005 Show the current way to display filenames.
8006 @end table
8007
8008 @node Selection
8009 @section Selecting a Frame
8010
8011 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
8012 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
8013 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
8014 of the stack frame just selected.
8015
8016 @table @code
8017 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
8018 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
8019 @item frame @r{[} @var{frame-selection-spec} @r{]}
8020 @item f @r{[} @var{frame-selection-spec} @r{]}
8021 The @command{frame} command allows different stack frames to be
8022 selected. The @var{frame-selection-spec} can be any of the following:
8023
8024 @table @code
8025 @kindex frame level
8026 @item @var{num}
8027 @item level @var{num}
8028 Select frame level @var{num}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
8029 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
8030 innermost one, and so on. The highest level frame is usually the one
8031 for @code{main}.
8032
8033 As this is the most common method of navigating the frame stack, the
8034 string @command{level} can be omitted. For example, the following two
8035 commands are equivalent:
8036
8037 @smallexample
8038 (@value{GDBP}) frame 3
8039 (@value{GDBP}) frame level 3
8040 @end smallexample
8041
8042 @kindex frame address
8043 @item address @var{stack-address}
8044 Select the frame with stack address @var{stack-address}. The
8045 @var{stack-address} for a frame can be seen in the output of
8046 @command{info frame}, for example:
8047
8048 @smallexample
8049 (gdb) info frame
8050 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
8051 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
8052 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
8053 source language c++.
8054 Arglist at unknown address.
8055 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
8056 @end smallexample
8057
8058 The @var{stack-address} for this frame is @code{0x7fffffffda30} as
8059 indicated by the line:
8060
8061 @smallexample
8062 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
8063 @end smallexample
8064
8065 @kindex frame function
8066 @item function @var{function-name}
8067 Select the stack frame for function @var{function-name}. If there are
8068 multiple stack frames for function @var{function-name} then the inner
8069 most stack frame is selected.
8070
8071 @kindex frame view
8072 @item view @var{stack-address} @r{[} @var{pc-addr} @r{]}
8073 View a frame that is not part of @value{GDBN}'s backtrace. The frame
8074 viewed has stack address @var{stack-addr}, and optionally, a program
8075 counter address of @var{pc-addr}.
8076
8077 This is useful mainly if the chaining of stack frames has been
8078 damaged by a bug, making it impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign
8079 numbers properly to all frames. In addition, this can be useful
8080 when your program has multiple stacks and switches between them.
8081
8082 When viewing a frame outside the current backtrace using
8083 @command{frame view} then you can always return to the original
8084 stack using one of the previous stack frame selection instructions,
8085 for example @command{frame level 0}.
8086
8087 @end table
8088
8089 @kindex up
8090 @item up @var{n}
8091 Move @var{n} frames up the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For positive
8092 numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the outermost frame, to higher
8093 frame numbers, to frames that have existed longer.
8094
8095 @kindex down
8096 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
8097 @item down @var{n}
8098 Move @var{n} frames down the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For
8099 positive numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the innermost frame, to
8100 lower frame numbers, to frames that were created more recently.
8101 You may abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
8102 @end table
8103
8104 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
8105 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
8106 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
8107 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
8108
8109 @need 1000
8110 For example:
8111
8112 @smallexample
8113 @group
8114 (@value{GDBP}) up
8115 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
8116 at env.c:10
8117 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
8118 @end group
8119 @end smallexample
8120
8121 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
8122 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
8123 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
8124 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
8125 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
8126 for details.
8127
8128 @table @code
8129 @kindex select-frame
8130 @item select-frame @r{[} @var{frame-selection-spec} @r{]}
8131 The @code{select-frame} command is a variant of @code{frame} that does
8132 not display the new frame after selecting it. This command is
8133 intended primarily for use in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the
8134 output might be unnecessary and distracting. The
8135 @var{frame-selection-spec} is as for the @command{frame} command
8136 described in @ref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
8137
8138 @kindex down-silently
8139 @kindex up-silently
8140 @item up-silently @var{n}
8141 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
8142 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
8143 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
8144 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
8145 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
8146 distracting.
8147 @end table
8148
8149 @node Frame Info
8150 @section Information About a Frame
8151
8152 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
8153 stack frame.
8154
8155 @table @code
8156 @item frame
8157 @itemx f
8158 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
8159 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
8160 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
8161 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
8162 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
8163
8164 @kindex info frame
8165 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
8166 @item info frame
8167 @itemx info f
8168 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
8169 including:
8170
8171 @itemize @bullet
8172 @item
8173 the address of the frame
8174 @item
8175 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
8176 @item
8177 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
8178 @item
8179 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
8180 @item
8181 the address of the frame's arguments
8182 @item
8183 the address of the frame's local variables
8184 @item
8185 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
8186 @item
8187 which registers were saved in the frame
8188 @end itemize
8189
8190 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
8191 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
8192 the usual conventions.
8193
8194 @item info frame @r{[} @var{frame-selection-spec} @r{]}
8195 @itemx info f @r{[} @var{frame-selection-spec} @r{]}
8196 Print a verbose description of the frame selected by
8197 @var{frame-selection-spec}. The @var{frame-selection-spec} is the
8198 same as for the @command{frame} command (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting
8199 a Frame}). The selected frame remains unchanged by this command.
8200
8201 @kindex info args
8202 @item info args [-q]
8203 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
8204
8205 The optional flag @samp{-q}, which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables
8206 printing header information and messages explaining why no argument
8207 have been printed.
8208
8209 @item info args [-q] [-t @var{type_regexp}] [@var{regexp}]
8210 Like @kbd{info args}, but only print the arguments selected
8211 with the provided regexp(s).
8212
8213 If @var{regexp} is provided, print only the arguments whose names
8214 match the regular expression @var{regexp}.
8215
8216 If @var{type_regexp} is provided, print only the arguments whose
8217 types, as printed by the @code{whatis} command, match
8218 the regular expression @var{type_regexp}.
8219 If @var{type_regexp} contains space(s), it should be enclosed in
8220 quote characters. If needed, use backslash to escape the meaning
8221 of special characters or quotes.
8222
8223 If both @var{regexp} and @var{type_regexp} are provided, an argument
8224 is printed only if its name matches @var{regexp} and its type matches
8225 @var{type_regexp}.
8226
8227 @item info locals [-q]
8228 @kindex info locals
8229 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
8230 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
8231 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
8232
8233 The optional flag @samp{-q}, which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables
8234 printing header information and messages explaining why no local variables
8235 have been printed.
8236
8237 @item info locals [-q] [-t @var{type_regexp}] [@var{regexp}]
8238 Like @kbd{info locals}, but only print the local variables selected
8239 with the provided regexp(s).
8240
8241 If @var{regexp} is provided, print only the local variables whose names
8242 match the regular expression @var{regexp}.
8243
8244 If @var{type_regexp} is provided, print only the local variables whose
8245 types, as printed by the @code{whatis} command, match
8246 the regular expression @var{type_regexp}.
8247 If @var{type_regexp} contains space(s), it should be enclosed in
8248 quote characters. If needed, use backslash to escape the meaning
8249 of special characters or quotes.
8250
8251 If both @var{regexp} and @var{type_regexp} are provided, a local variable
8252 is printed only if its name matches @var{regexp} and its type matches
8253 @var{type_regexp}.
8254
8255 The command @kbd{info locals -q -t @var{type_regexp}} can usefully be
8256 combined with the commands @kbd{frame apply} and @kbd{thread apply}.
8257 For example, your program might use Resource Acquisition Is
8258 Initialization types (RAII) such as @code{lock_something_t}: each
8259 local variable of type @code{lock_something_t} automatically places a
8260 lock that is destroyed when the variable goes out of scope. You can
8261 then list all acquired locks in your program by doing
8262 @smallexample
8263 thread apply all -s frame apply all -s info locals -q -t lock_something_t
8264 @end smallexample
8265 @noindent
8266 or the equivalent shorter form
8267 @smallexample
8268 tfaas i lo -q -t lock_something_t
8269 @end smallexample
8270
8271 @end table
8272
8273 @node Frame Apply
8274 @section Applying a Command to Several Frames.
8275 @anchor{frame apply}
8276 @kindex frame apply
8277 @cindex apply command to several frames
8278 @table @code
8279 @item frame apply [all | @var{count} | @var{-count} | level @var{level}@dots{}] [@var{option}]@dots{} @var{command}
8280 The @code{frame apply} command allows you to apply the named
8281 @var{command} to one or more frames.
8282
8283 @table @code
8284 @item @code{all}
8285 Specify @code{all} to apply @var{command} to all frames.
8286
8287 @item @var{count}
8288 Use @var{count} to apply @var{command} to the innermost @var{count}
8289 frames, where @var{count} is a positive number.
8290
8291 @item @var{-count}
8292 Use @var{-count} to apply @var{command} to the outermost @var{count}
8293 frames, where @var{count} is a positive number.
8294
8295 @item @code{level}
8296 Use @code{level} to apply @var{command} to the set of frames identified
8297 by the @var{level} list. @var{level} is a frame level or a range of frame
8298 levels as @var{level1}-@var{level2}. The frame level is the number shown
8299 in the first field of the @samp{backtrace} command output.
8300 E.g., @samp{2-4 6-8 3} indicates to apply @var{command} for the frames
8301 at levels 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and then again on frame at level 3.
8302
8303 @end table
8304
8305 Note that the frames on which @code{frame apply} applies a command are
8306 also influenced by the @code{set backtrace} settings such as @code{set
8307 backtrace past-main} and @code{set backtrace limit N}.
8308 @xref{Backtrace,,Backtraces}.
8309
8310 The @code{frame apply} command also supports a number of options that
8311 allow overriding relevant @code{set backtrace} settings:
8312
8313 @table @code
8314 @item -past-main [@code{on}|@code{off}]
8315 Whether backtraces should continue past @code{main}.
8316 Related setting: @ref{set backtrace past-main}.
8317
8318 @item -past-entry [@code{on}|@code{off}]
8319 Whether backtraces should continue past the entry point of a program.
8320 Related setting: @ref{set backtrace past-entry}.
8321 @end table
8322
8323 By default, @value{GDBN} displays some frame information before the
8324 output produced by @var{command}, and an error raised during the
8325 execution of a @var{command} will abort @code{frame apply}. The
8326 following options can be used to fine-tune these behaviors:
8327
8328 @table @code
8329 @item -c
8330 The flag @code{-c}, which stands for @samp{continue}, causes any
8331 errors in @var{command} to be displayed, and the execution of
8332 @code{frame apply} then continues.
8333 @item -s
8334 The flag @code{-s}, which stands for @samp{silent}, causes any errors
8335 or empty output produced by a @var{command} to be silently ignored.
8336 That is, the execution continues, but the frame information and errors
8337 are not printed.
8338 @item -q
8339 The flag @code{-q} (@samp{quiet}) disables printing the frame
8340 information.
8341 @end table
8342
8343 The following example shows how the flags @code{-c} and @code{-s} are
8344 working when applying the command @code{p j} to all frames, where
8345 variable @code{j} can only be successfully printed in the outermost
8346 @code{#1 main} frame.
8347
8348 @smallexample
8349 @group
8350 (gdb) frame apply all p j
8351 #0 some_function (i=5) at fun.c:4
8352 No symbol "j" in current context.
8353 (gdb) frame apply all -c p j
8354 #0 some_function (i=5) at fun.c:4
8355 No symbol "j" in current context.
8356 #1 0x565555fb in main (argc=1, argv=0xffffd2c4) at fun.c:11
8357 $1 = 5
8358 (gdb) frame apply all -s p j
8359 #1 0x565555fb in main (argc=1, argv=0xffffd2c4) at fun.c:11
8360 $2 = 5
8361 (gdb)
8362 @end group
8363 @end smallexample
8364
8365 By default, @samp{frame apply}, prints the frame location
8366 information before the command output:
8367
8368 @smallexample
8369 @group
8370 (gdb) frame apply all p $sp
8371 #0 some_function (i=5) at fun.c:4
8372 $4 = (void *) 0xffffd1e0
8373 #1 0x565555fb in main (argc=1, argv=0xffffd2c4) at fun.c:11
8374 $5 = (void *) 0xffffd1f0
8375 (gdb)
8376 @end group
8377 @end smallexample
8378
8379 If the flag @code{-q} is given, no frame information is printed:
8380 @smallexample
8381 @group
8382 (gdb) frame apply all -q p $sp
8383 $12 = (void *) 0xffffd1e0
8384 $13 = (void *) 0xffffd1f0
8385 (gdb)
8386 @end group
8387 @end smallexample
8388
8389 @end table
8390
8391 @table @code
8392
8393 @kindex faas
8394 @cindex apply a command to all frames (ignoring errors and empty output)
8395 @item faas @var{command}
8396 Shortcut for @code{frame apply all -s @var{command}}.
8397 Applies @var{command} on all frames, ignoring errors and empty output.
8398
8399 It can for example be used to print a local variable or a function
8400 argument without knowing the frame where this variable or argument
8401 is, using:
8402 @smallexample
8403 (@value{GDBP}) faas p some_local_var_i_do_not_remember_where_it_is
8404 @end smallexample
8405
8406 The @code{faas} command accepts the same options as the @code{frame
8407 apply} command. @xref{frame apply}.
8408
8409 Note that the command @code{tfaas @var{command}} applies @var{command}
8410 on all frames of all threads. See @xref{Threads,,Threads}.
8411 @end table
8412
8413
8414 @node Frame Filter Management
8415 @section Management of Frame Filters.
8416 @cindex managing frame filters
8417
8418 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
8419 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
8420
8421 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
8422 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
8423
8424 @table @code
8425 @kindex info frame-filter
8426 @item info frame-filter
8427 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
8428 their name, priority and enabled status.
8429
8430 @kindex disable frame-filter
8431 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
8432 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
8433 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
8434 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
8435 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
8436 @code{progspace}, or the name of the object file where the frame filter
8437 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
8438 across all dictionaries are disabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name
8439 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
8440 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
8441 may be enabled again later.
8442
8443 @kindex enable frame-filter
8444 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
8445 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
8446 @var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
8447 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
8448 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
8449 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
8450 all dictionaries are enabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
8451 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
8452 @var{filter-dictionary}.
8453
8454 Example:
8455
8456 @smallexample
8457 (gdb) info frame-filter
8458
8459 global frame-filters:
8460 Priority Enabled Name
8461 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
8462 100 Yes Reverse
8463
8464 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8465 Priority Enabled Name
8466 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8467
8468 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8469 Priority Enabled Name
8470 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
8471
8472 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
8473 (gdb) info frame-filter
8474
8475 global frame-filters:
8476 Priority Enabled Name
8477 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
8478 100 Yes Reverse
8479
8480 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8481 Priority Enabled Name
8482 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8483
8484 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8485 Priority Enabled Name
8486 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8487
8488 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
8489 (gdb) info frame-filter
8490
8491 global frame-filters:
8492 Priority Enabled Name
8493 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
8494 100 Yes Reverse
8495
8496 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8497 Priority Enabled Name
8498 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8499
8500 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8501 Priority Enabled Name
8502 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8503 @end smallexample
8504
8505 @kindex set frame-filter priority
8506 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
8507 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
8508 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
8509 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
8510 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
8511 dictionary resides. The @var{priority} is an integer.
8512
8513 @kindex show frame-filter priority
8514 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
8515 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
8516 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
8517 @var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
8518 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
8519 dictionary resides.
8520
8521 Example:
8522
8523 @smallexample
8524 (gdb) info frame-filter
8525
8526 global frame-filters:
8527 Priority Enabled Name
8528 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
8529 100 Yes Reverse
8530
8531 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8532 Priority Enabled Name
8533 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8534
8535 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8536 Priority Enabled Name
8537 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8538
8539 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
8540 (gdb) info frame-filter
8541
8542 global frame-filters:
8543 Priority Enabled Name
8544 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
8545 50 Yes Reverse
8546
8547 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
8548 Priority Enabled Name
8549 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
8550
8551 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
8552 Priority Enabled Name
8553 999 No BuildProgramFilter
8554 @end smallexample
8555 @end table
8556
8557 @node Source
8558 @chapter Examining Source Files
8559
8560 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
8561 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
8562 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
8563 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
8564 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
8565 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
8566 source files by explicit command.
8567
8568 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
8569 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
8570 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
8571
8572 @menu
8573 * List:: Printing source lines
8574 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
8575 * Edit:: Editing source files
8576 * Search:: Searching source files
8577 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
8578 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
8579 @end menu
8580
8581 @node List
8582 @section Printing Source Lines
8583
8584 @kindex list
8585 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
8586 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
8587 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
8588 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
8589 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
8590
8591 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
8592
8593 @table @code
8594 @item list @var{linenum}
8595 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
8596 current source file.
8597
8598 @item list @var{function}
8599 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
8600 @var{function}.
8601
8602 @item list
8603 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
8604 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
8605 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
8606 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
8607 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
8608
8609 @item list -
8610 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
8611 @end table
8612
8613 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
8614 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
8615 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
8616
8617 @table @code
8618 @kindex set listsize
8619 @item set listsize @var{count}
8620 @itemx set listsize unlimited
8621 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
8622 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
8623 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
8624
8625 @kindex show listsize
8626 @item show listsize
8627 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
8628 @end table
8629
8630 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
8631 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
8632 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
8633 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
8634 each repetition moves up in the source file.
8635
8636 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
8637 @dfn{locations}. Locations specify source lines; there are several ways
8638 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
8639 to specify some source line.
8640
8641 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
8642
8643 @table @code
8644 @item list @var{location}
8645 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{location}.
8646
8647 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
8648 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
8649 locations. When a @code{list} command has two locations, and the
8650 source file of the second location is omitted, this refers to
8651 the same source file as the first location.
8652
8653 @item list ,@var{last}
8654 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
8655
8656 @item list @var{first},
8657 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
8658
8659 @item list +
8660 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
8661
8662 @item list -
8663 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
8664
8665 @item list
8666 As described in the preceding table.
8667 @end table
8668
8669 @node Specify Location
8670 @section Specifying a Location
8671 @cindex specifying location
8672 @cindex location
8673 @cindex source location
8674
8675 @menu
8676 * Linespec Locations:: Linespec locations
8677 * Explicit Locations:: Explicit locations
8678 * Address Locations:: Address locations
8679 @end menu
8680
8681 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
8682 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
8683 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code.
8684 Locations may be specified using three different formats:
8685 linespec locations, explicit locations, or address locations.
8686
8687 @node Linespec Locations
8688 @subsection Linespec Locations
8689 @cindex linespec locations
8690
8691 A @dfn{linespec} is a colon-separated list of source location parameters such
8692 as file name, function name, etc. Here are all the different ways of
8693 specifying a linespec:
8694
8695 @table @code
8696 @item @var{linenum}
8697 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
8698
8699 @item -@var{offset}
8700 @itemx +@var{offset}
8701 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
8702 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
8703 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
8704 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
8705 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
8706 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
8707 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
8708 linespec.
8709
8710 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
8711 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
8712 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
8713 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
8714 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
8715 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
8716 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
8717
8718 @item @var{function}
8719 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
8720 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
8721
8722 By default, in C@t{++} and Ada, @var{function} is interpreted as
8723 specifying all functions named @var{function} in all scopes. For
8724 C@t{++}, this means in all namespaces and classes. For Ada, this
8725 means in all packages.
8726
8727 For example, assuming a program with C@t{++} symbols named
8728 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, both commands @w{@kbd{break
8729 func}} and @w{@kbd{break B::func}} set a breakpoint on both symbols.
8730
8731 Commands that accept a linespec let you override this with the
8732 @code{-qualified} option. For example, @w{@kbd{break -qualified
8733 func}} sets a breakpoint on a free-function named @code{func} ignoring
8734 any C@t{++} class methods and namespace functions called @code{func}.
8735
8736 @xref{Explicit Locations}.
8737
8738 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
8739 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
8740
8741 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
8742 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
8743 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
8744 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
8745 functions in different source files.
8746
8747 @item @var{label}
8748 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears
8749 in the function corresponding to the currently selected stack frame.
8750 If there is no current selected stack frame (for instance, if the inferior
8751 is not running), then @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
8752
8753 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
8754 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
8755 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
8756 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
8757 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
8758 specifies the location of such a static probe.
8759
8760 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
8761 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
8762 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
8763 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
8764 each one of those probes.
8765 @end table
8766
8767 @node Explicit Locations
8768 @subsection Explicit Locations
8769 @cindex explicit locations
8770
8771 @dfn{Explicit locations} allow the user to directly specify the source
8772 location's parameters using option-value pairs.
8773
8774 Explicit locations are useful when several functions, labels, or
8775 file names have the same name (base name for files) in the program's
8776 sources. In these cases, explicit locations point to the source
8777 line you meant more accurately and unambiguously. Also, using
8778 explicit locations might be faster in large programs.
8779
8780 For example, the linespec @samp{foo:bar} may refer to a function @code{bar}
8781 defined in the file named @file{foo} or the label @code{bar} in a function
8782 named @code{foo}. @value{GDBN} must search either the file system or
8783 the symbol table to know.
8784
8785 The list of valid explicit location options is summarized in the
8786 following table:
8787
8788 @table @code
8789 @item -source @var{filename}
8790 The value specifies the source file name. To differentiate between
8791 files with the same base name, prepend as many directories as is necessary
8792 to uniquely identify the desired file, e.g., @file{foo/bar/baz.c}. Otherwise
8793 @value{GDBN} will use the first file it finds with the given base
8794 name. This option requires the use of either @code{-function} or @code{-line}.
8795
8796 @item -function @var{function}
8797 The value specifies the name of a function. Operations
8798 on function locations unmodified by other options (such as @code{-label}
8799 or @code{-line}) refer to the line that begins the body of the function.
8800 In C, for example, this is the line with the open brace.
8801
8802 By default, in C@t{++} and Ada, @var{function} is interpreted as
8803 specifying all functions named @var{function} in all scopes. For
8804 C@t{++}, this means in all namespaces and classes. For Ada, this
8805 means in all packages.
8806
8807 For example, assuming a program with C@t{++} symbols named
8808 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, both commands @w{@kbd{break
8809 -function func}} and @w{@kbd{break -function B::func}} set a
8810 breakpoint on both symbols.
8811
8812 You can use the @kbd{-qualified} flag to override this (see below).
8813
8814 @item -qualified
8815
8816 This flag makes @value{GDBN} interpret a function name specified with
8817 @kbd{-function} as a complete fully-qualified name.
8818
8819 For example, assuming a C@t{++} program with symbols named
8820 @code{A::B::func} and @code{B::func}, the @w{@kbd{break -qualified
8821 -function B::func}} command sets a breakpoint on @code{B::func}, only.
8822
8823 (Note: the @kbd{-qualified} option can precede a linespec as well
8824 (@pxref{Linespec Locations}), so the particular example above could be
8825 simplified as @w{@kbd{break -qualified B::func}}.)
8826
8827 @item -label @var{label}
8828 The value specifies the name of a label. When the function
8829 name is not specified, the label is searched in the function of the currently
8830 selected stack frame.
8831
8832 @item -line @var{number}
8833 The value specifies a line offset for the location. The offset may either
8834 be absolute (@code{-line 3}) or relative (@code{-line +3}), depending on
8835 the command. When specified without any other options, the line offset is
8836 relative to the current line.
8837 @end table
8838
8839 Explicit location options may be abbreviated by omitting any non-unique
8840 trailing characters from the option name, e.g., @w{@kbd{break -s main.c -li 3}}.
8841
8842 @node Address Locations
8843 @subsection Address Locations
8844 @cindex address locations
8845
8846 @dfn{Address locations} indicate a specific program address. They have
8847 the generalized form *@var{address}.
8848
8849 For line-oriented commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this
8850 specifies a source line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and
8851 other breakpoint-oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
8852 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
8853 source files.
8854
8855 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
8856 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
8857 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
8858 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover several situations
8859 that frequently occur during debugging. Here are the various forms
8860 of @var{address}:
8861
8862 @table @code
8863 @item @var{expression}
8864 Any expression valid in the current working language.
8865
8866 @item @var{funcaddr}
8867 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
8868 C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
8869 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
8870 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
8871 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
8872 (although the Pascal form also works).
8873
8874 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
8875 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
8876
8877 @item '@var{filename}':@var{funcaddr}
8878 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
8879 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
8880 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
8881 functions with identical names in different source files.
8882 @end table
8883
8884 @node Edit
8885 @section Editing Source Files
8886 @cindex editing source files
8887
8888 @kindex edit
8889 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
8890 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
8891 The editing program of your choice
8892 is invoked with the current line set to
8893 the active line in the program.
8894 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
8895 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
8896
8897 @table @code
8898 @item edit @var{location}
8899 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
8900 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
8901 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
8902 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
8903 command most commonly used:
8904
8905 @table @code
8906 @item edit @var{number}
8907 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
8908
8909 @item edit @var{function}
8910 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
8911 @end table
8912
8913 @end table
8914
8915 @subsection Choosing your Editor
8916 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
8917 @footnote{
8918 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
8919 following command-line syntax:
8920 @smallexample
8921 ex +@var{number} file
8922 @end smallexample
8923 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
8924 the file where to start editing.}.
8925 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
8926 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
8927 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
8928 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
8929 @smallexample
8930 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
8931 export EDITOR
8932 gdb @dots{}
8933 @end smallexample
8934 or in the @code{csh} shell,
8935 @smallexample
8936 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
8937 gdb @dots{}
8938 @end smallexample
8939
8940 @node Search
8941 @section Searching Source Files
8942 @cindex searching source files
8943
8944 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
8945 regular expression.
8946
8947 @table @code
8948 @kindex search
8949 @kindex forward-search
8950 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
8951 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
8952 @itemx search @var{regexp}
8953 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
8954 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
8955 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
8956 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
8957 @code{fo}.
8958
8959 @kindex reverse-search
8960 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
8961 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
8962 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
8963 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
8964 this command as @code{rev}.
8965 @end table
8966
8967 @node Source Path
8968 @section Specifying Source Directories
8969
8970 @cindex source path
8971 @cindex directories for source files
8972 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
8973 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
8974 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
8975 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
8976 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
8977 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
8978 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
8979
8980 For example, suppose an executable references the file
8981 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, does not record a compilation
8982 directory, and the @dfn{source path} is @file{/mnt/cross}.
8983 @value{GDBN} would look for the source file in the following
8984 locations:
8985
8986 @enumerate
8987
8988 @item @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}
8989 @item @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}
8990 @item @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}
8991
8992 @end enumerate
8993
8994 If the source file is not present at any of the above locations then
8995 an error is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
8996 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
8997 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
8998 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
8999 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
9000 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
9001
9002 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
9003 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above,
9004 except that non-absolute file names are not looked up literally. If
9005 the @dfn{source path} is @file{/mnt/cross}, the source file is
9006 recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, and no compilation directory is
9007 recorded, then @value{GDBN} will search in the following locations:
9008
9009 @enumerate
9010
9011 @item @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}
9012 @item @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}
9013
9014 @end enumerate
9015
9016 @kindex cdir
9017 @kindex cwd
9018 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
9019 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
9020 @cindex compilation directory
9021 @cindex current directory
9022 @cindex working directory
9023 @cindex directory, current
9024 @cindex directory, compilation
9025 The @dfn{source path} will always include two special entries
9026 @samp{$cdir} and @samp{$cwd}, these refer to the compilation directory
9027 (if one is recorded) and the current working directory respectively.
9028
9029 @samp{$cdir} causes @value{GDBN} to search within the compilation
9030 directory, if one is recorded in the debug information. If no
9031 compilation directory is recorded in the debug information then
9032 @samp{$cdir} is ignored.
9033
9034 @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former tracks the
9035 current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
9036 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
9037 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
9038
9039 If a compilation directory is recorded in the debug information, and
9040 @value{GDBN} has not found the source file after the first search
9041 using @dfn{source path}, then @value{GDBN} will combine the
9042 compilation directory and the filename, and then search for the source
9043 file again using the @dfn{source path}.
9044
9045 For example, if the executable records the source file as
9046 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, the compilation directory is
9047 recorded as @file{/project/build}, and the @dfn{source path} is
9048 @file{/mnt/cross:$cdir:$cwd} while the current working directory of
9049 the @value{GDBN} session is @file{/home/user}, then @value{GDBN} will
9050 search for the source file in the following loctions:
9051
9052 @enumerate
9053
9054 @item @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}
9055 @item @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}
9056 @item @file{/project/build/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}
9057 @item @file{/home/user/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}
9058 @item @file{/mnt/cross/project/build/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}
9059 @item @file{/project/build/project/build/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}
9060 @item @file{/home/user/project/build/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}
9061 @item @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}
9062 @item @file{/project/build/foo.c}
9063 @item @file{/home/user/foo.c}
9064
9065 @end enumerate
9066
9067 If the file name in the previous example had been recorded in the
9068 executable as a relative path rather than an absolute path, then the
9069 first look up would not have occurred, but all of the remaining steps
9070 would be similar.
9071
9072 When searching for source files on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where
9073 absolute paths start with a drive letter (e.g.
9074 @file{C:/project/foo.c}), @value{GDBN} will remove the drive letter
9075 from the file name before appending it to a search directory from
9076 @dfn{source path}; for instance if the executable references the
9077 source file @file{C:/project/foo.c} and @dfn{source path} is set to
9078 @file{D:/mnt/cross}, then @value{GDBN} will search in the following
9079 locations for the source file:
9080
9081 @enumerate
9082
9083 @item @file{C:/project/foo.c}
9084 @item @file{D:/mnt/cross/project/foo.c}
9085 @item @file{D:/mnt/cross/foo.c}
9086
9087 @end enumerate
9088
9089 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
9090 source files.
9091
9092 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
9093 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
9094 each line is in the file.
9095
9096 @kindex directory
9097 @kindex dir
9098 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{$cdir}
9099 and @samp{$cwd}, in that order.
9100 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
9101
9102 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
9103 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
9104
9105 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
9106 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
9107 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
9108 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
9109 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
9110 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
9111 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
9112 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
9113 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
9114 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
9115 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
9116 name to look up the sources.
9117
9118 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
9119 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
9120 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
9121 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
9122 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
9123 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
9124 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
9125 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
9126
9127 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
9128 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
9129 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
9130 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
9131 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
9132 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
9133 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
9134
9135 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
9136 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
9137 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
9138 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
9139 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
9140 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
9141 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
9142 command.
9143
9144 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
9145 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
9146 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
9147 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
9148 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
9149 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
9150 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
9151
9152 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
9153 @cindex default source path substitution
9154 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
9155 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
9156 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
9157 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
9158 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
9159 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
9160 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
9161 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
9162 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
9163 together.
9164
9165 @table @code
9166 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
9167 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
9168 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
9169 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
9170 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
9171 part of absolute file names) or
9172 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
9173 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
9174
9175 The special strings @samp{$cdir} (to refer to the compilation
9176 directory, if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} (to refer to the
9177 current working directory) can also be included in the list of
9178 directories @var{dirname}. Though these will already be in the source
9179 path they will be moved forward in the list so @value{GDBN} searches
9180 them sooner.
9181
9182 @item directory
9183 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
9184
9185 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
9186 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
9187
9188 @item set directories @var{path-list}
9189 @kindex set directories
9190 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
9191 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
9192
9193 @item show directories
9194 @kindex show directories
9195 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
9196
9197 @anchor{set substitute-path}
9198 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
9199 @kindex set substitute-path
9200 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
9201 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
9202 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
9203
9204 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
9205 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
9206
9207 @smallexample
9208 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /foo/bar /mnt/cross
9209 @end smallexample
9210
9211 @noindent
9212 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/foo/bar} with
9213 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
9214 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
9215
9216 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
9217 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
9218 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
9219 the substitution.
9220
9221 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
9222
9223 @smallexample
9224 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
9225 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
9226 @end smallexample
9227
9228 @noindent
9229 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
9230 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
9231 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
9232 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
9233
9234
9235 @item unset substitute-path [path]
9236 @kindex unset substitute-path
9237 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
9238 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
9239 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
9240
9241 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
9242
9243 @item show substitute-path [path]
9244 @kindex show substitute-path
9245 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
9246 which would rewrite that path, if any.
9247
9248 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
9249 rules.
9250
9251 @end table
9252
9253 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
9254 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
9255 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
9256
9257 @enumerate
9258 @item
9259 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
9260
9261 @item
9262 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
9263 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
9264 directories in one command.
9265 @end enumerate
9266
9267 @node Machine Code
9268 @section Source and Machine Code
9269 @cindex source line and its code address
9270
9271 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
9272 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
9273 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
9274 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
9275 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
9276 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
9277 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
9278 well as hex.
9279
9280 @table @code
9281 @kindex info line
9282 @item info line
9283 @itemx info line @var{location}
9284 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
9285 source line @var{location}. You can specify source lines in any of
9286 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}. With no @var{location}
9287 information about the current source line is printed.
9288 @end table
9289
9290 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
9291 the object code for the first line of function
9292 @code{m4_changequote}:
9293
9294 @smallexample
9295 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
9296 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c <m4_changequote> and \
9297 ends at 0x6350 <m4_changequote+4>.
9298 @end smallexample
9299
9300 @noindent
9301 @cindex code address and its source line
9302 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
9303 @var{location}) what source line covers a particular address:
9304 @smallexample
9305 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
9306 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 <m4_changequote+152> and \
9307 ends at 0x6404 <m4_changequote+184>.
9308 @end smallexample
9309
9310 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
9311 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
9312 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
9313 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
9314 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
9315 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
9316 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
9317 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
9318 Variables}).
9319
9320 @cindex info line, repeated calls
9321 After @code{info line}, using @code{info line} again without
9322 specifying a location will display information about the next source
9323 line.
9324
9325 @table @code
9326 @kindex disassemble
9327 @cindex assembly instructions
9328 @cindex instructions, assembly
9329 @cindex machine instructions
9330 @cindex listing machine instructions
9331 @item disassemble
9332 @itemx disassemble /m
9333 @itemx disassemble /s
9334 @itemx disassemble /r
9335 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
9336 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
9337 the @code{/m} or @code{/s} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex
9338 as well as in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r} modifier.
9339 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
9340 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
9341 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
9342 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
9343 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
9344 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
9345
9346 @table @code
9347 @item @var{start},@var{end}
9348 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
9349 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
9350 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
9351 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
9352 @end table
9353
9354 @noindent
9355 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
9356 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
9357
9358 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
9359 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
9360
9361 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
9362 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
9363 @end table
9364
9365 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
9366 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
9367
9368 @smallexample
9369 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
9370 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
9371 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
9372 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
9373 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
9374 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
9375 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
9376 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
9377 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
9378 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
9379 End of assembler dump.
9380 @end smallexample
9381
9382 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86
9383 with @code{/m} or @code{/s}, when the program is stopped just after
9384 function prologue in a non-optimized function with no inline code.
9385
9386 @smallexample
9387 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
9388 Dump of assembler code for function main:
9389 5 @{
9390 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
9391 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
9392 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
9393 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
9394 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
9395
9396 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
9397 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
9398 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
9399
9400 7 return 0;
9401 8 @}
9402 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
9403 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
9404 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
9405
9406 End of assembler dump.
9407 @end smallexample
9408
9409 The @code{/m} option is deprecated as its output is not useful when
9410 there is either inlined code or re-ordered code.
9411 The @code{/s} option is the preferred choice.
9412 Here is an example for AMD x86-64 showing the difference between
9413 @code{/m} output and @code{/s} output.
9414 This example has one inline function defined in a header file,
9415 and the code is compiled with @samp{-O2} optimization.
9416 Note how the @code{/m} output is missing the disassembly of
9417 several instructions that are present in the @code{/s} output.
9418
9419 @file{foo.h}:
9420
9421 @smallexample
9422 int
9423 foo (int a)
9424 @{
9425 if (a < 0)
9426 return a * 2;
9427 if (a == 0)
9428 return 1;
9429 return a + 10;
9430 @}
9431 @end smallexample
9432
9433 @file{foo.c}:
9434
9435 @smallexample
9436 #include "foo.h"
9437 volatile int x, y;
9438 int
9439 main ()
9440 @{
9441 x = foo (y);
9442 return 0;
9443 @}
9444 @end smallexample
9445
9446 @smallexample
9447 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
9448 Dump of assembler code for function main:
9449 5 @{
9450
9451 6 x = foo (y);
9452 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
9453 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
9454
9455 7 return 0;
9456 8 @}
9457 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
9458 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
9459 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
9460 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
9461
9462 End of assembler dump.
9463 (@value{GDBP}) disas /s main
9464 Dump of assembler code for function main:
9465 foo.c:
9466 5 @{
9467 6 x = foo (y);
9468 0x0000000000400400 <+0>: mov 0x200c2e(%rip),%eax # 0x601034 <y>
9469
9470 foo.h:
9471 4 if (a < 0)
9472 0x0000000000400406 <+6>: test %eax,%eax
9473 0x0000000000400408 <+8>: js 0x400420 <main+32>
9474
9475 6 if (a == 0)
9476 7 return 1;
9477 8 return a + 10;
9478 0x000000000040040a <+10>: lea 0xa(%rax),%edx
9479 0x000000000040040d <+13>: test %eax,%eax
9480 0x000000000040040f <+15>: mov $0x1,%eax
9481 0x0000000000400414 <+20>: cmovne %edx,%eax
9482
9483 foo.c:
9484 6 x = foo (y);
9485 0x0000000000400417 <+23>: mov %eax,0x200c13(%rip) # 0x601030 <x>
9486
9487 7 return 0;
9488 8 @}
9489 0x000000000040041d <+29>: xor %eax,%eax
9490 0x000000000040041f <+31>: retq
9491
9492 foo.h:
9493 5 return a * 2;
9494 0x0000000000400420 <+32>: add %eax,%eax
9495 0x0000000000400422 <+34>: jmp 0x400417 <main+23>
9496 End of assembler dump.
9497 @end smallexample
9498
9499 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
9500
9501 @smallexample
9502 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
9503 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
9504 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
9505 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
9506 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
9507 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
9508 End of assembler dump.
9509 @end smallexample
9510
9511 Addresses cannot be specified as a location (@pxref{Specify Location}).
9512 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
9513 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
9514 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
9515
9516 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
9517 mnemonics or other syntax.
9518
9519 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
9520 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
9521 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
9522 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
9523 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
9524
9525 @table @code
9526 @kindex set disassembler-options
9527 @cindex disassembler options
9528 @item set disassembler-options @var{option1}[,@var{option2}@dots{}]
9529 This command controls the passing of target specific information to
9530 the disassembler. For a list of valid options, please refer to the
9531 @code{-M}/@code{--disassembler-options} section of the @samp{objdump}
9532 manual and/or the output of @kbd{objdump --help}
9533 (@pxref{objdump,,objdump,binutils,The GNU Binary Utilities}).
9534 The default value is the empty string.
9535
9536 If it is necessary to specify more than one disassembler option, then
9537 multiple options can be placed together into a comma separated list.
9538 Currently this command is only supported on targets ARM, MIPS, PowerPC
9539 and S/390.
9540
9541 @kindex show disassembler-options
9542 @item show disassembler-options
9543 Show the current setting of the disassembler options.
9544 @end table
9545
9546 @table @code
9547 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
9548 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
9549 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
9550 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
9551 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
9552 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
9553
9554 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
9555 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
9556 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
9557 assemblers for x86-based targets.
9558
9559 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
9560 @item show disassembly-flavor
9561 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
9562 @end table
9563
9564 @table @code
9565 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
9566 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
9567 @item set disassemble-next-line
9568 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
9569 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
9570 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
9571 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
9572 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
9573 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
9574 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
9575 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
9576 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
9577 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
9578 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
9579 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
9580 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
9581 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
9582 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
9583 instruction.
9584 @end table
9585
9586
9587 @node Data
9588 @chapter Examining Data
9589
9590 @cindex printing data
9591 @cindex examining data
9592 @kindex print
9593 @kindex inspect
9594 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
9595 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
9596 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
9597 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
9598 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
9599 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
9600
9601 @table @code
9602 @item print [[@var{options}] --] @var{expr}
9603 @itemx print [[@var{options}] --] /@var{f} @var{expr}
9604 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
9605 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
9606 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
9607 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
9608 Formats}.
9609
9610 @anchor{print options}
9611 The @code{print} command supports a number of options that allow
9612 overriding relevant global print settings as set by @code{set print}
9613 subcommands:
9614
9615 @table @code
9616 @item -address [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9617 Set printing of addresses.
9618 Related setting: @ref{set print address}.
9619
9620 @item -array [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9621 Pretty formatting of arrays.
9622 Related setting: @ref{set print array}.
9623
9624 @item -array-indexes [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9625 Set printing of array indexes.
9626 Related setting: @ref{set print array-indexes}.
9627
9628 @item -elements @var{number-of-elements}|@code{unlimited}
9629 Set limit on string chars or array elements to print. The value
9630 @code{unlimited} causes there to be no limit. Related setting:
9631 @ref{set print elements}.
9632
9633 @item -max-depth @var{depth}|@code{unlimited}
9634 Set the threshold after which nested structures are replaced with
9635 ellipsis. Related setting: @ref{set print max-depth}.
9636
9637 @item -null-stop [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9638 Set printing of char arrays to stop at first null char. Related
9639 setting: @ref{set print null-stop}.
9640
9641 @item -object [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9642 Set printing C@t{++} virtual function tables. Related setting:
9643 @ref{set print object}.
9644
9645 @item -pretty [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9646 Set pretty formatting of structures. Related setting: @ref{set print
9647 pretty}.
9648
9649 @item -repeats @var{number-of-repeats}|@code{unlimited}
9650 Set threshold for repeated print elements. @code{unlimited} causes
9651 all elements to be individually printed. Related setting: @ref{set
9652 print repeats}.
9653
9654 @item -static-members [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9655 Set printing C@t{++} static members. Related setting: @ref{set print
9656 static-members}.
9657
9658 @item -symbol [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9659 Set printing of symbol names when printing pointers. Related setting:
9660 @ref{set print symbol}.
9661
9662 @item -union [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9663 Set printing of unions interior to structures. Related setting:
9664 @ref{set print union}.
9665
9666 @item -vtbl [@code{on}|@code{off}]
9667 Set printing of C++ virtual function tables. Related setting:
9668 @ref{set print vtbl}.
9669 @end table
9670
9671 Because the @code{print} command accepts arbitrary expressions which
9672 may look like options (including abbreviations), if you specify any
9673 command option, then you must use a double dash (@code{--}) to mark
9674 the end of option processing.
9675
9676 For example, this prints the value of the @code{-r} expression:
9677
9678 @smallexample
9679 (@value{GDBP}) print -r
9680 @end smallexample
9681
9682 While this repeats the last value in the value history (see below)
9683 with the @code{-raw} option in effect:
9684
9685 @smallexample
9686 (@value{GDBP}) print -r --
9687 @end smallexample
9688
9689 Here is an example including both on option and an expression:
9690
9691 @smallexample
9692 @group
9693 (@value{GDBP}) print -pretty -- *myptr
9694 $1 = @{
9695 next = 0x0,
9696 flags = @{
9697 sweet = 1,
9698 sour = 1
9699 @},
9700 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
9701 @}
9702 @end group
9703 @end smallexample
9704
9705 @item print [@var{options}]
9706 @itemx print [@var{options}] /@var{f}
9707 @cindex reprint the last value
9708 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
9709 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
9710 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
9711 @end table
9712
9713 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
9714 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
9715 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
9716
9717 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
9718 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
9719 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
9720 Table}.
9721
9722 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
9723 @kindex explore
9724 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
9725 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
9726 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
9727 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
9728 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
9729 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
9730 embedded in the higher level data types.
9731
9732 @table @code
9733 @item explore @var{arg}
9734 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
9735 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
9736 @end table
9737
9738 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
9739 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
9740 C program as
9741
9742 @smallexample
9743 struct SimpleStruct
9744 @{
9745 int i;
9746 double d;
9747 @};
9748
9749 struct ComplexStruct
9750 @{
9751 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
9752 int arr[10];
9753 @};
9754 @end smallexample
9755
9756 @noindent
9757 followed by variable declarations as
9758
9759 @smallexample
9760 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
9761 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
9762 @end smallexample
9763
9764 @noindent
9765 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
9766 @code{explore} command as follows.
9767
9768 @smallexample
9769 (gdb) explore cs
9770 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
9771 the following fields:
9772
9773 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
9774 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
9775
9776 Enter the field number of choice:
9777 @end smallexample
9778
9779 @noindent
9780 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
9781 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
9782 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
9783 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
9784 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
9785 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
9786 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
9787 field will be explored as if it were an array.
9788
9789 @smallexample
9790 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
9791 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
9792 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
9793 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
9794
9795 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
9796 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
9797
9798 Press enter to return to parent value:
9799 @end smallexample
9800
9801 @noindent
9802 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
9803 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
9804 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
9805 to explore.
9806
9807 @smallexample
9808 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
9809 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
9810
9811 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
9812
9813 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
9814
9815 Press enter to return to parent value:
9816 @end smallexample
9817
9818 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
9819 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
9820 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
9821 level data structure).
9822
9823 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
9824 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
9825 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
9826 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
9827 same example as above, your can explore the type
9828 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
9829 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
9830
9831 @smallexample
9832 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
9833 @end smallexample
9834
9835 @noindent
9836 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
9837 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
9838 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
9839 example.
9840
9841 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
9842 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
9843 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
9844 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
9845 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
9846
9847 @table @code
9848 @item explore value @var{expr}
9849 @cindex explore value
9850 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
9851 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
9852 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
9853 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
9854 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
9855
9856 @item explore type @var{arg}
9857 @cindex explore type
9858 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
9859 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
9860 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
9861 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
9862 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
9863 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
9864 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
9865 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
9866 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
9867 @end table
9868
9869 @menu
9870 * Expressions:: Expressions
9871 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
9872 * Variables:: Program variables
9873 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
9874 * Output Formats:: Output formats
9875 * Memory:: Examining memory
9876 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
9877 * Print Settings:: Print settings
9878 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
9879 * Value History:: Value history
9880 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
9881 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
9882 * Registers:: Registers
9883 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
9884 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
9885 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
9886 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
9887 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
9888 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
9889 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
9890 character set than GDB does
9891 * Caching Target Data:: Data caching for targets
9892 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
9893 * Value Sizes:: Managing memory allocated for values
9894 @end menu
9895
9896 @node Expressions
9897 @section Expressions
9898
9899 @cindex expressions
9900 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
9901 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
9902 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
9903 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
9904 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
9905 you compiled your program to include this information; see
9906 @ref{Compilation}.
9907
9908 @cindex arrays in expressions
9909 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
9910 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
9911 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
9912 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
9913 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
9914 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
9915
9916 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
9917 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
9918 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
9919 languages.
9920
9921 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
9922 expressions regardless of your programming language.
9923
9924 @cindex casts, in expressions
9925 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
9926 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
9927 at that address in memory.
9928 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
9929
9930 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
9931 to programming languages:
9932
9933 @table @code
9934 @item @@
9935 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
9936 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
9937
9938 @item ::
9939 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
9940 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
9941
9942 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
9943 @cindex type casting memory
9944 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
9945 @cindex casts, to view memory
9946 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
9947 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
9948 memory. The address @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is
9949 an integer or pointer (but parentheses are required around binary
9950 operators, just as in a cast). This construct is allowed regardless
9951 of what kind of data is normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
9952 @end table
9953
9954 @node Ambiguous Expressions
9955 @section Ambiguous Expressions
9956 @cindex ambiguous expressions
9957
9958 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
9959 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
9960 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
9961 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
9962 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
9963 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
9964 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
9965
9966 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
9967 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
9968 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
9969 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
9970 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
9971 as well.
9972
9973 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
9974 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
9975 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
9976 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
9977 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
9978 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
9979 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
9980 choices.
9981
9982 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
9983 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
9984 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
9985
9986 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
9987 @smallexample
9988 @group
9989 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
9990 [0] cancel
9991 [1] all
9992 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
9993 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
9994 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
9995 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
9996 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
9997 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
9998 > 2 4 6
9999 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
10000 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
10001 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
10002 Multiple breakpoints were set.
10003 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
10004 breakpoints.
10005 (@value{GDBP})
10006 @end group
10007 @end smallexample
10008
10009 @table @code
10010 @kindex set multiple-symbols
10011 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
10012 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
10013
10014 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
10015 is ambiguous.
10016
10017 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
10018 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
10019 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
10020 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
10021 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
10022 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
10023 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
10024 in the use of the menu.
10025
10026 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
10027 when an ambiguity is detected.
10028
10029 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
10030 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
10031
10032 @kindex show multiple-symbols
10033 @item show multiple-symbols
10034 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
10035 @end table
10036
10037 @node Variables
10038 @section Program Variables
10039
10040 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
10041 in your program.
10042
10043 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
10044 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
10045
10046 @itemize @bullet
10047 @item
10048 global (or file-static)
10049 @end itemize
10050
10051 @noindent or
10052
10053 @itemize @bullet
10054 @item
10055 visible according to the scope rules of the
10056 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
10057 @end itemize
10058
10059 @noindent This means that in the function
10060
10061 @smallexample
10062 foo (a)
10063 int a;
10064 @{
10065 bar (a);
10066 @{
10067 int b = test ();
10068 bar (b);
10069 @}
10070 @}
10071 @end smallexample
10072
10073 @noindent
10074 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
10075 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
10076 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
10077 the block where @code{b} is declared.
10078
10079 @cindex variable name conflict
10080 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
10081 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
10082 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
10083 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
10084 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
10085 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
10086 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
10087
10088 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
10089 @ifnotinfo
10090 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
10091 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
10092 @end ifnotinfo
10093 @smallexample
10094 @var{file}::@var{variable}
10095 @var{function}::@var{variable}
10096 @end smallexample
10097
10098 @noindent
10099 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
10100 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
10101 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
10102 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
10103
10104 @smallexample
10105 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
10106 @end smallexample
10107
10108 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
10109 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
10110 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
10111 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
10112 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
10113
10114 @smallexample
10115 void
10116 foo (int a)
10117 @{
10118 if (a < 10)
10119 bar (a);
10120 else
10121 process (a); /* Stop here */
10122 @}
10123
10124 int
10125 bar (int a)
10126 @{
10127 foo (a + 5);
10128 @}
10129 @end smallexample
10130
10131 @noindent
10132 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
10133 here is what you might see
10134 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
10135
10136 @smallexample
10137 (@value{GDBP}) p a
10138 $1 = 10
10139 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
10140 $2 = 5
10141 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
10142 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
10143 (@value{GDBP}) p a
10144 $3 = 5
10145 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
10146 $4 = 0
10147 @end smallexample
10148
10149 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
10150 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very
10151 similar use of the same notation in C@t{++}. When they are in
10152 conflict, the C@t{++} meaning takes precedence; however, this can be
10153 overridden by quoting the file or function name with single quotes.
10154
10155 For example, suppose the program is stopped in a method of a class
10156 that has a field named @code{includefile}, and there is also an
10157 include file named @file{includefile} that defines a variable,
10158 @code{some_global}.
10159
10160 @smallexample
10161 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile
10162 $1 = 23
10163 (@value{GDBP}) p includefile::some_global
10164 A syntax error in expression, near `'.
10165 (@value{GDBP}) p 'includefile'::some_global
10166 $2 = 27
10167 @end smallexample
10168
10169 @cindex wrong values
10170 @cindex variable values, wrong
10171 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
10172 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
10173 @quotation
10174 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
10175 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
10176 scope, and just before exit.
10177 @end quotation
10178 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
10179 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
10180 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
10181 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
10182 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
10183 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
10184 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
10185 variable definitions may be gone.
10186
10187 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
10188 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
10189 when compiling.
10190
10191 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
10192 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
10193 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
10194 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
10195 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
10196 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
10197 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
10198
10199 @smallexample
10200 No symbol "foo" in current context.
10201 @end smallexample
10202
10203 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
10204 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
10205 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
10206 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
10207 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
10208
10209 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
10210 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
10211 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
10212 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
10213
10214 @cindex no debug info variables
10215 If you try to examine or use the value of a (global) variable for
10216 which @value{GDBN} has no type information, e.g., because the program
10217 includes no debug information, @value{GDBN} displays an error message.
10218 @xref{Symbols, unknown type}, for more about unknown types. If you
10219 cast the variable to its declared type, @value{GDBN} gets the
10220 variable's value using the cast-to type as the variable's type. For
10221 example, in a C program:
10222
10223 @smallexample
10224 (@value{GDBP}) p var
10225 'var' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
10226 (@value{GDBP}) p (float) var
10227 $1 = 3.14
10228 @end smallexample
10229
10230 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
10231 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
10232 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
10233 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
10234 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
10235
10236 @smallexample
10237 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
10238 29 i++;
10239 (gdb) next
10240 30 e (i);
10241 (gdb) print i
10242 $1 = 31
10243 (gdb) print i@@entry
10244 $2 = 30
10245 @end smallexample
10246
10247 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
10248 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
10249 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
10250 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
10251 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
10252 For program code
10253
10254 @smallexample
10255 char var0[] = "A";
10256 signed char var1[] = "A";
10257 @end smallexample
10258
10259 You get during debugging
10260 @smallexample
10261 (gdb) print var0
10262 $1 = "A"
10263 (gdb) print var1
10264 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
10265 @end smallexample
10266
10267 @node Arrays
10268 @section Artificial Arrays
10269
10270 @cindex artificial array
10271 @cindex arrays
10272 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
10273 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
10274 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
10275 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
10276 program.
10277
10278 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
10279 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
10280 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
10281 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
10282 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
10283 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
10284 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
10285 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
10286 example. If a program says
10287
10288 @smallexample
10289 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
10290 @end smallexample
10291
10292 @noindent
10293 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
10294
10295 @smallexample
10296 p *array@@len
10297 @end smallexample
10298
10299 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
10300 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
10301 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
10302 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
10303 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
10304
10305 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
10306 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
10307 The value need not be in memory:
10308 @smallexample
10309 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
10310 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
10311 @end smallexample
10312
10313 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
10314 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
10315 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
10316 @smallexample
10317 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
10318 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
10319 @end smallexample
10320
10321 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
10322 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
10323 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
10324 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
10325 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
10326 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
10327 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
10328 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
10329 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
10330 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
10331
10332 @smallexample
10333 set $i = 0
10334 p dtab[$i++]->fv
10335 @key{RET}
10336 @key{RET}
10337 @dots{}
10338 @end smallexample
10339
10340 @node Output Formats
10341 @section Output Formats
10342
10343 @cindex formatted output
10344 @cindex output formats
10345 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
10346 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
10347 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
10348 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
10349 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
10350
10351 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
10352 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
10353 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
10354 letters supported are:
10355
10356 @table @code
10357 @item x
10358 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
10359 hexadecimal.
10360
10361 @item d
10362 Print as integer in signed decimal.
10363
10364 @item u
10365 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
10366
10367 @item o
10368 Print as integer in octal.
10369
10370 @item t
10371 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
10372 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
10373 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
10374 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
10375
10376 @item a
10377 @cindex unknown address, locating
10378 @cindex locate address
10379 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
10380 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
10381 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
10382
10383 @smallexample
10384 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
10385 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
10386 @end smallexample
10387
10388 @noindent
10389 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
10390 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
10391
10392 @item c
10393 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
10394 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
10395 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
10396 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
10397
10398 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
10399 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
10400 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
10401 data.
10402
10403 @item f
10404 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
10405 using typical floating point syntax.
10406
10407 @item s
10408 @cindex printing strings
10409 @cindex printing byte arrays
10410 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
10411 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
10412 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
10413 natural types.
10414
10415 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
10416 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
10417 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
10418 array.
10419
10420 @item z
10421 Like @samp{x} formatting, the value is treated as an integer and
10422 printed as hexadecimal, but leading zeros are printed to pad the value
10423 to the size of the integer type.
10424
10425 @item r
10426 @cindex raw printing
10427 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
10428 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
10429 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
10430 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
10431 pretty-printer which might exist.
10432 @end table
10433
10434 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
10435
10436 @smallexample
10437 p/x $pc
10438 @end smallexample
10439
10440 @noindent
10441 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
10442 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
10443
10444 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
10445 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
10446 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
10447
10448 @node Memory
10449 @section Examining Memory
10450
10451 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
10452 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
10453
10454 @cindex examining memory
10455 @table @code
10456 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
10457 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
10458 @itemx x @var{addr}
10459 @itemx x
10460 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
10461 @end table
10462
10463 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
10464 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
10465 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
10466 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
10467 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
10468
10469 @table @r
10470 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
10471 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
10472 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display. If a negative
10473 number is specified, memory is examined backward from @var{addr}.
10474 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
10475 @c 4.1.2.
10476
10477 @item @var{f}, the display format
10478 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
10479 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
10480 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
10481 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
10482 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
10483
10484 @item @var{u}, the unit size
10485 The unit size is any of
10486
10487 @table @code
10488 @item b
10489 Bytes.
10490 @item h
10491 Halfwords (two bytes).
10492 @item w
10493 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
10494 @item g
10495 Giant words (eight bytes).
10496 @end table
10497
10498 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
10499 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
10500 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
10501 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
10502 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
10503 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
10504 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
10505 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
10506 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
10507 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
10508 be altered.
10509
10510 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
10511 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
10512 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
10513 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
10514 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
10515 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
10516 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
10517 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
10518 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
10519 a value from memory).
10520 @end table
10521
10522 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
10523 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
10524 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
10525 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
10526 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
10527
10528 You can also specify a negative repeat count to examine memory backward
10529 from the given address. For example, @samp{x/-3uh 0x54320} prints three
10530 halfwords (@code{h}) at @code{0x54314}, @code{0x54328}, and @code{0x5431c}.
10531
10532 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
10533 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
10534 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
10535 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
10536 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
10537
10538 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
10539 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
10540 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
10541 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
10542 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
10543 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
10544 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
10545 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
10546 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
10547
10548 If a negative repeat count is specified for the formats @samp{s} or @samp{i},
10549 the command displays null-terminated strings or instructions before the given
10550 address as many as the absolute value of the given number. For the @samp{i}
10551 format, we use line number information in the debug info to accurately locate
10552 instruction boundaries while disassembling backward. If line info is not
10553 available, the command stops examining memory with an error message.
10554
10555 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
10556 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
10557 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
10558 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
10559 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
10560 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
10561 for successive uses of @code{x}.
10562
10563 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
10564 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
10565
10566 @smallexample
10567 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
10568 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
10569 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
10570 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
10571 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
10572 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
10573 @end smallexample
10574
10575 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
10576 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
10577 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
10578 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
10579 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
10580 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
10581 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
10582 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
10583 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
10584
10585 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
10586 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
10587 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
10588
10589 @anchor{addressable memory unit}
10590 @cindex addressable memory unit
10591 Most targets have an addressable memory unit size of 8 bits. This means
10592 that to each memory address are associated 8 bits of data. Some
10593 targets, however, have other addressable memory unit sizes.
10594 Within @value{GDBN} and this document, the term
10595 @dfn{addressable memory unit} (or @dfn{memory unit} for short) is used
10596 when explicitly referring to a chunk of data of that size. The word
10597 @dfn{byte} is used to refer to a chunk of data of 8 bits, regardless of
10598 the addressable memory unit size of the target. For most systems,
10599 addressable memory unit is a synonym of byte.
10600
10601 @cindex remote memory comparison
10602 @cindex target memory comparison
10603 @cindex verify remote memory image
10604 @cindex verify target memory image
10605 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
10606 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image
10607 in the remote machine's memory against the executable file you
10608 downloaded to the target. Or, on any target, you may want to check
10609 whether the program has corrupted its own read-only sections. The
10610 @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such situations.
10611
10612 @table @code
10613 @kindex compare-sections
10614 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{|}@code{-r}@r{]}
10615 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
10616 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
10617 the target machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
10618 arguments, compares all loadable sections. With an argument of
10619 @code{-r}, compares all loadable read-only sections.
10620
10621 Note: for remote targets, this command can be accelerated if the
10622 target supports computing the CRC checksum of a block of memory
10623 (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
10624 @end table
10625
10626 @node Auto Display
10627 @section Automatic Display
10628 @cindex automatic display
10629 @cindex display of expressions
10630
10631 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
10632 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
10633 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
10634 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
10635 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
10636 The automatic display looks like this:
10637
10638 @smallexample
10639 2: foo = 38
10640 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
10641 @end smallexample
10642
10643 @noindent
10644 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
10645 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
10646 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
10647 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
10648 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
10649 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
10650
10651 @table @code
10652 @kindex display
10653 @item display @var{expr}
10654 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
10655 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
10656
10657 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
10658
10659 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
10660 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
10661 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
10662 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
10663 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
10664
10665 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
10666 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
10667 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
10668 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
10669 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
10670 @end table
10671
10672 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
10673 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
10674 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
10675
10676 @table @code
10677 @kindex delete display
10678 @kindex undisplay
10679 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
10680 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
10681 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
10682 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
10683 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
10684 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
10685 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
10686
10687 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
10688 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
10689
10690 @kindex disable display
10691 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
10692 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
10693 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
10694 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
10695 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
10696 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
10697 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
10698 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
10699
10700 @kindex enable display
10701 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
10702 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
10703 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
10704 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
10705 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
10706 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
10707 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
10708
10709 @item display
10710 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
10711 done when your program stops.
10712
10713 @kindex info display
10714 @item info display
10715 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
10716 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
10717 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
10718 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
10719 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
10720 @end table
10721
10722 @cindex display disabled out of scope
10723 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
10724 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
10725 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
10726 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
10727 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
10728 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
10729 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
10730 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
10731 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
10732 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
10733
10734 @node Print Settings
10735 @section Print Settings
10736
10737 @cindex format options
10738 @cindex print settings
10739 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
10740 and symbols are printed.
10741
10742 @noindent
10743 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
10744
10745 @table @code
10746 @kindex set print
10747 @anchor{set print address}
10748 @item set print address
10749 @itemx set print address on
10750 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
10751 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
10752 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
10753 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
10754 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
10755 @code{set print address on}:
10756
10757 @smallexample
10758 @group
10759 (@value{GDBP}) f
10760 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
10761 at input.c:530
10762 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
10763 @end group
10764 @end smallexample
10765
10766 @item set print address off
10767 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
10768 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
10769
10770 @smallexample
10771 @group
10772 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
10773 (@value{GDBP}) f
10774 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
10775 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
10776 @end group
10777 @end smallexample
10778
10779 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
10780 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
10781 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
10782 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
10783
10784 @kindex show print
10785 @item show print address
10786 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
10787 @end table
10788
10789 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
10790 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
10791 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
10792 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
10793 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
10794 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
10795 it prints a symbolic address:
10796
10797 @table @code
10798 @item set print symbol-filename on
10799 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
10800 @cindex symbol, source file and line
10801 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
10802 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
10803
10804 @item set print symbol-filename off
10805 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
10806 default.
10807
10808 @item show print symbol-filename
10809 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
10810 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
10811 @end table
10812
10813 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
10814 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
10815 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
10816
10817 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
10818 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
10819
10820 @table @code
10821 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
10822 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
10823 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
10824 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
10825 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
10826 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
10827 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
10828 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
10829
10830 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
10831 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
10832 symbolic address.
10833 @end table
10834
10835 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
10836 @cindex pointer, finding referent
10837 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
10838 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
10839 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
10840 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
10841 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
10842 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
10843
10844 @smallexample
10845 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
10846 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
10847 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
10848 @end smallexample
10849
10850 @quotation
10851 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
10852 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
10853 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
10854 @end quotation
10855
10856 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
10857 @samp{set print symbol on}:
10858
10859 @anchor{set print symbol}
10860 @table @code
10861 @item set print symbol on
10862 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
10863 one exists.
10864
10865 @item set print symbol off
10866 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
10867 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
10868 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
10869
10870 @item show print symbol
10871 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
10872 address.
10873 @end table
10874
10875 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
10876
10877 @table @code
10878 @anchor{set print array}
10879 @item set print array
10880 @itemx set print array on
10881 @cindex pretty print arrays
10882 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
10883 but uses more space. The default is off.
10884
10885 @item set print array off
10886 Return to compressed format for arrays.
10887
10888 @item show print array
10889 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
10890 arrays.
10891
10892 @cindex print array indexes
10893 @anchor{set print array-indexes}
10894 @item set print array-indexes
10895 @itemx set print array-indexes on
10896 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
10897 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
10898 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
10899
10900 @item set print array-indexes off
10901 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
10902
10903 @item show print array-indexes
10904 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
10905 arrays.
10906
10907 @anchor{set print elements}
10908 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
10909 @itemx set print elements unlimited
10910 @cindex number of array elements to print
10911 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
10912 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
10913 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
10914 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
10915 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
10916 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
10917 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
10918 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
10919
10920 @item show print elements
10921 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
10922 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
10923
10924 @anchor{set print frame-arguments}
10925 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
10926 @kindex set print frame-arguments
10927 @cindex printing frame argument values
10928 @cindex print all frame argument values
10929 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
10930 @cindex do not print frame arguments
10931 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
10932 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
10933 values are:
10934
10935 @table @code
10936 @item all
10937 The values of all arguments are printed.
10938
10939 @item scalars
10940 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
10941 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
10942 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
10943 only scalar arguments are shown:
10944
10945 @smallexample
10946 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
10947 at frame-args.c:23
10948 @end smallexample
10949
10950 @item none
10951 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
10952 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
10953
10954 @smallexample
10955 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
10956 at frame-args.c:23
10957 @end smallexample
10958
10959 @item presence
10960 Only the presence of arguments is indicated by @code{@dots{}}.
10961 The @code{@dots{}} are not printed for function without any arguments.
10962 None of the argument names and values are printed.
10963 In this case, the example above now becomes:
10964
10965 @smallexample
10966 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (@dots{}) at frame-args.c:23
10967 @end smallexample
10968
10969 @end table
10970
10971 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
10972 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
10973 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
10974 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
10975 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
10976 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
10977 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
10978 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
10979 to @code{scalars} (the default), @code{none} or @code{presence} avoids
10980 this computation, thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
10981
10982 @item show print frame-arguments
10983 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
10984
10985 @anchor{set print raw-frame-arguments}
10986 @item set print raw-frame-arguments on
10987 Print frame arguments in raw, non pretty-printed, form.
10988
10989 @item set print raw-frame-arguments off
10990 Print frame arguments in pretty-printed form, if there is a pretty-printer
10991 for the value (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
10992 otherwise print the value in raw form.
10993 This is the default.
10994
10995 @item show print raw-frame-arguments
10996 Show whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
10997
10998 @anchor{set print entry-values}
10999 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
11000 @kindex set print entry-values
11001 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
11002 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
11003 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
11004 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
11005 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
11006
11007 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
11008 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
11009 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
11010 @code{no} setting.
11011
11012 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
11013 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_call_site} tags. With
11014 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
11015 this information.
11016
11017 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
11018
11019 @table @code
11020 @item no
11021 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
11022 point.
11023 @smallexample
11024 #0 equal (val=5)
11025 #0 different (val=6)
11026 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
11027 #0 born (val=10)
11028 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
11029 @end smallexample
11030
11031 @item only
11032 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
11033 values are never printed.
11034 @smallexample
11035 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
11036 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
11037 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
11038 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
11039 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
11040 @end smallexample
11041
11042 @item preferred
11043 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
11044 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
11045 value for such parameter.
11046 @smallexample
11047 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
11048 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
11049 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
11050 #0 born (val=10)
11051 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
11052 @end smallexample
11053
11054 @item if-needed
11055 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
11056 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
11057 parameter.
11058 @smallexample
11059 #0 equal (val=5)
11060 #0 different (val=6)
11061 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
11062 #0 born (val=10)
11063 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
11064 @end smallexample
11065
11066 @item both
11067 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
11068 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
11069 optimizations.
11070 @smallexample
11071 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
11072 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
11073 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
11074 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
11075 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
11076 @end smallexample
11077
11078 @item compact
11079 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
11080 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
11081 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
11082 values are known and identical, print the shortened
11083 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
11084 @smallexample
11085 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
11086 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
11087 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
11088 #0 born (val=10)
11089 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
11090 @end smallexample
11091
11092 @item default
11093 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
11094 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
11095 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
11096 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
11097 @smallexample
11098 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
11099 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
11100 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
11101 #0 born (val=10)
11102 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
11103 @end smallexample
11104 @end table
11105
11106 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
11107 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
11108
11109 @item show print entry-values
11110 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
11111 entry.
11112
11113 @anchor{set print frame-info}
11114 @item set print frame-info @var{value}
11115 @kindex set print frame-info
11116 @cindex printing frame information
11117 @cindex frame information, printing
11118 This command allows to control the information printed when
11119 the debugger prints a frame. See @ref{Frames}, @ref{Backtrace},
11120 for a general explanation about frames and frame information.
11121 Note that some other settings (such as @code{set print frame-arguments}
11122 and @code{set print address}) are also influencing if and how some frame
11123 information is displayed. In particular, the frame program counter is never
11124 printed if @code{set print address} is off.
11125
11126 The possible values for @code{set print frame-info} are:
11127 @table @code
11128 @item short-location
11129 Print the frame level, the program counter (if not at the
11130 beginning of the location source line), the function, the function
11131 arguments.
11132 @item location
11133 Same as @code{short-location} but also print the source file and source line
11134 number.
11135 @item location-and-address
11136 Same as @code{location} but print the program counter even if located at the
11137 beginning of the location source line.
11138 @item source-line
11139 Print the program counter (if not at the beginning of the location
11140 source line), the line number and the source line.
11141 @item source-and-location
11142 Print what @code{location} and @code{source-line} are printing.
11143 @item auto
11144 The information printed for a frame is decided automatically
11145 by the @value{GDBN} command that prints a frame.
11146 For example, @code{frame} prints the information printed by
11147 @code{source-and-location} while @code{stepi} will switch between
11148 @code{source-line} and @code{source-and-location} depending on the program
11149 counter.
11150 The default value is @code{auto}.
11151 @end table
11152
11153 @anchor{set print repeats}
11154 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
11155 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
11156 @cindex repeated array elements
11157 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
11158 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
11159 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
11160 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
11161 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
11162 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
11163 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
11164 is 10.
11165
11166 @item show print repeats
11167 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
11168 elements.
11169
11170 @anchor{set print max-depth}
11171 @item set print max-depth @var{depth}
11172 @item set print max-depth unlimited
11173 @cindex printing nested structures
11174 Set the threshold after which nested structures are replaced with
11175 ellipsis, this can make visualising deeply nested structures easier.
11176
11177 For example, given this C code
11178
11179 @smallexample
11180 typedef struct s1 @{ int a; @} s1;
11181 typedef struct s2 @{ s1 b; @} s2;
11182 typedef struct s3 @{ s2 c; @} s3;
11183 typedef struct s4 @{ s3 d; @} s4;
11184
11185 s4 var = @{ @{ @{ @{ 3 @} @} @} @};
11186 @end smallexample
11187
11188 The following table shows how different values of @var{depth} will
11189 effect how @code{var} is printed by @value{GDBN}:
11190
11191 @multitable @columnfractions .3 .7
11192 @headitem @var{depth} setting @tab Result of @samp{p var}
11193 @item unlimited
11194 @tab @code{$1 = @{d = @{c = @{b = @{a = 3@}@}@}@}}
11195 @item @code{0}
11196 @tab @code{$1 = @{...@}}
11197 @item @code{1}
11198 @tab @code{$1 = @{d = @{...@}@}}
11199 @item @code{2}
11200 @tab @code{$1 = @{d = @{c = @{...@}@}@}}
11201 @item @code{3}
11202 @tab @code{$1 = @{d = @{c = @{b = @{...@}@}@}@}}
11203 @item @code{4}
11204 @tab @code{$1 = @{d = @{c = @{b = @{a = 3@}@}@}@}}
11205 @end multitable
11206
11207 To see the contents of structures that have been hidden the user can
11208 either increase the print max-depth, or they can print the elements of
11209 the structure that are visible, for example
11210
11211 @smallexample
11212 (gdb) set print max-depth 2
11213 (gdb) p var
11214 $1 = @{d = @{c = @{...@}@}@}
11215 (gdb) p var.d
11216 $2 = @{c = @{b = @{...@}@}@}
11217 (gdb) p var.d.c
11218 $3 = @{b = @{a = 3@}@}
11219 @end smallexample
11220
11221 The pattern used to replace nested structures varies based on
11222 language, for most languages @code{@{...@}} is used, but Fortran uses
11223 @code{(...)}.
11224
11225 @item show print max-depth
11226 Display the current threshold after which nested structures are
11227 replaces with ellipsis.
11228
11229 @anchor{set print null-stop}
11230 @item set print null-stop
11231 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
11232 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
11233 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
11234 contain only short strings.
11235 The default is off.
11236
11237 @item show print null-stop
11238 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
11239 @sc{null} character.
11240
11241 @anchor{set print pretty}
11242 @item set print pretty on
11243 @cindex print structures in indented form
11244 @cindex indentation in structure display
11245 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
11246 per line, like this:
11247
11248 @smallexample
11249 @group
11250 $1 = @{
11251 next = 0x0,
11252 flags = @{
11253 sweet = 1,
11254 sour = 1
11255 @},
11256 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
11257 @}
11258 @end group
11259 @end smallexample
11260
11261 @item set print pretty off
11262 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
11263
11264 @smallexample
11265 @group
11266 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
11267 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
11268 @end group
11269 @end smallexample
11270
11271 @noindent
11272 This is the default format.
11273
11274 @item show print pretty
11275 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
11276
11277 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
11278 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
11279 @cindex octal escapes in strings
11280 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
11281 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
11282 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
11283 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
11284 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
11285
11286 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
11287 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
11288 international character sets, and is the default.
11289
11290 @item show print sevenbit-strings
11291 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
11292
11293 @anchor{set print union}
11294 @item set print union on
11295 @cindex unions in structures, printing
11296 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
11297 and other unions. This is the default setting.
11298
11299 @item set print union off
11300 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
11301 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
11302 instead.
11303
11304 @item show print union
11305 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
11306 structures and other unions.
11307
11308 For example, given the declarations
11309
11310 @smallexample
11311 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
11312 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
11313 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
11314 Bug_forms;
11315
11316 struct thing @{
11317 Species it;
11318 union @{
11319 Tree_forms tree;
11320 Bug_forms bug;
11321 @} form;
11322 @};
11323
11324 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
11325 @end smallexample
11326
11327 @noindent
11328 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
11329
11330 @smallexample
11331 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
11332 @end smallexample
11333
11334 @noindent
11335 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
11336
11337 @smallexample
11338 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
11339 @end smallexample
11340
11341 @noindent
11342 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
11343 and in Pascal.
11344 @end table
11345
11346 @need 1000
11347 @noindent
11348 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
11349
11350 @table @code
11351 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
11352 @item set print demangle
11353 @itemx set print demangle on
11354 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
11355 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
11356 linkage. The default is on.
11357
11358 @item show print demangle
11359 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
11360
11361 @item set print asm-demangle
11362 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
11363 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
11364 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
11365 The default is off.
11366
11367 @item show print asm-demangle
11368 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
11369 or demangled form.
11370
11371 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
11372 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
11373 @kindex set demangle-style
11374 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
11375 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to represent
11376 C@t{++} names. If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible
11377 formats. The default value is @var{auto}, which lets @value{GDBN} choose a
11378 decoding style by inspecting your program.
11379
11380 @item show demangle-style
11381 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
11382
11383 @anchor{set print object}
11384 @item set print object
11385 @itemx set print object on
11386 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
11387 @cindex display derived types
11388 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
11389 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
11390 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
11391 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
11392 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
11393 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
11394 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
11395
11396 @item set print object off
11397 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
11398 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
11399
11400 @item show print object
11401 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
11402
11403 @anchor{set print static-members}
11404 @item set print static-members
11405 @itemx set print static-members on
11406 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
11407 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
11408
11409 @item set print static-members off
11410 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
11411
11412 @item show print static-members
11413 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
11414
11415 @item set print pascal_static-members
11416 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
11417 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
11418 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
11419 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
11420
11421 @item set print pascal_static-members off
11422 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
11423
11424 @item show print pascal_static-members
11425 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
11426
11427 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
11428 @anchor{set print vtbl}
11429 @item set print vtbl
11430 @itemx set print vtbl on
11431 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
11432 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
11433 @cindex VTBL display
11434 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
11435 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
11436 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
11437
11438 @item set print vtbl off
11439 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
11440
11441 @item show print vtbl
11442 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
11443 @end table
11444
11445 @node Pretty Printing
11446 @section Pretty Printing
11447
11448 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
11449 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
11450 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
11451
11452 @menu
11453 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
11454 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
11455 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
11456 @end menu
11457
11458 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
11459 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
11460
11461 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
11462 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
11463 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
11464
11465 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
11466 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
11467 pretty-printers with their names.
11468 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
11469 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
11470 Each such subprinter has its own name.
11471 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
11472
11473 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
11474 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
11475 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
11476 do anything special.
11477
11478 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
11479
11480 @itemize @bullet
11481 @item
11482 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
11483 all inferiors.
11484
11485 @item
11486 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
11487 when debugging that program.
11488 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
11489
11490 @item
11491 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
11492 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
11493 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
11494 @end itemize
11495
11496 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
11497 pretty-printers are selected,
11498
11499 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
11500 for new types.
11501
11502 @node Pretty-Printer Example
11503 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
11504
11505 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
11506
11507 @smallexample
11508 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11509 $1 = @{
11510 static npos = 4294967295,
11511 _M_dataplus = @{
11512 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
11513 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
11514 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
11515 @},
11516 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
11517 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
11518 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
11519 @}
11520 @}
11521 @end smallexample
11522
11523 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
11524
11525 @smallexample
11526 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11527 $2 = "abcd"
11528 @end smallexample
11529
11530 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
11531 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
11532 @cindex pretty-printer commands
11533
11534 @table @code
11535 @kindex info pretty-printer
11536 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
11537 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
11538 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
11539
11540 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
11541 whose pretty-printers to list.
11542 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
11543 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
11544 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
11545 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
11546 looks up a printer from these three objects.
11547
11548 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
11549 to list.
11550
11551 @kindex disable pretty-printer
11552 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
11553 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
11554 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
11555
11556 @kindex enable pretty-printer
11557 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
11558 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
11559 @end table
11560
11561 Example:
11562
11563 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
11564 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
11565 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
11566 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
11567
11568 @smallexample
11569 (gdb) info pretty-printer
11570 library1.so:
11571 foo
11572 library2.so:
11573 bar
11574 bar1
11575 bar2
11576 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
11577 library2.so:
11578 bar
11579 bar1
11580 bar2
11581 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
11582 1 printer disabled
11583 2 of 3 printers enabled
11584 (gdb) info pretty-printer
11585 library1.so:
11586 foo [disabled]
11587 library2.so:
11588 bar
11589 bar1
11590 bar2
11591 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar;bar1
11592 1 printer disabled
11593 1 of 3 printers enabled
11594 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
11595 library1.so:
11596 foo [disabled]
11597 library2.so:
11598 bar
11599 bar1 [disabled]
11600 bar2
11601 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
11602 1 printer disabled
11603 0 of 3 printers enabled
11604 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
11605 library1.so:
11606 foo [disabled]
11607 library2.so:
11608 bar [disabled]
11609 bar1 [disabled]
11610 bar2
11611 @end smallexample
11612
11613 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
11614 as can each individual subprinter.
11615
11616 @node Value History
11617 @section Value History
11618
11619 @cindex value history
11620 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
11621 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
11622 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
11623 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
11624 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
11625 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
11626 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
11627 symbol table.
11628
11629 @cindex @code{$}
11630 @cindex @code{$$}
11631 @cindex history number
11632 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
11633 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
11634 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
11635 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
11636 history number.
11637
11638 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
11639 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
11640 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
11641 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
11642 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
11643 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
11644 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
11645
11646 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
11647 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
11648
11649 @smallexample
11650 p *$
11651 @end smallexample
11652
11653 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
11654 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
11655
11656 @smallexample
11657 p *$.next
11658 @end smallexample
11659
11660 @noindent
11661 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
11662 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
11663
11664 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
11665 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
11666
11667 @smallexample
11668 print x
11669 set x=5
11670 @end smallexample
11671
11672 @noindent
11673 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
11674 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
11675
11676 @table @code
11677 @kindex show values
11678 @item show values
11679 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
11680 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
11681 values} does not change the history.
11682
11683 @item show values @var{n}
11684 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
11685
11686 @item show values +
11687 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
11688 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
11689 @end table
11690
11691 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
11692 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
11693
11694 @node Convenience Vars
11695 @section Convenience Variables
11696
11697 @cindex convenience variables
11698 @cindex user-defined variables
11699 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
11700 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
11701 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
11702 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
11703 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
11704
11705 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
11706 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
11707 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
11708 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
11709 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
11710
11711 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
11712 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
11713 For example:
11714
11715 @smallexample
11716 set $foo = *object_ptr
11717 @end smallexample
11718
11719 @noindent
11720 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
11721 @code{object_ptr}.
11722
11723 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
11724 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
11725 value with another assignment at any time.
11726
11727 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
11728 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
11729 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
11730 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
11731
11732 @table @code
11733 @kindex show convenience
11734 @cindex show all user variables and functions
11735 @item show convenience
11736 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
11737 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
11738 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
11739
11740 @kindex init-if-undefined
11741 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
11742 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
11743 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
11744 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
11745 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
11746 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
11747 override default values used in a command script.
11748
11749 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
11750 any side-effects do not occur.
11751 @end table
11752
11753 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
11754 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
11755 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
11756
11757 @smallexample
11758 set $i = 0
11759 print bar[$i++]->contents
11760 @end smallexample
11761
11762 @noindent
11763 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
11764
11765 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
11766 values likely to be useful.
11767
11768 @table @code
11769 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
11770 @item $_
11771 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
11772 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
11773 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
11774 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
11775 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
11776 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
11777 to the type of @code{$__}.
11778
11779 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
11780 @item $__
11781 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
11782 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
11783 to match the format in which the data was printed.
11784
11785 @item $_exitcode
11786 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
11787 When the program being debugged terminates normally, @value{GDBN}
11788 automatically sets this variable to the exit code of the program, and
11789 resets @code{$_exitsignal} to @code{void}.
11790
11791 @item $_exitsignal
11792 @vindex $_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
11793 When the program being debugged dies due to an uncaught signal,
11794 @value{GDBN} automatically sets this variable to that signal's number,
11795 and resets @code{$_exitcode} to @code{void}.
11796
11797 To distinguish between whether the program being debugged has exited
11798 (i.e., @code{$_exitcode} is not @code{void}) or signalled (i.e.,
11799 @code{$_exitsignal} is not @code{void}), the convenience function
11800 @code{$_isvoid} can be used (@pxref{Convenience Funs,, Convenience
11801 Functions}). For example, considering the following source code:
11802
11803 @smallexample
11804 #include <signal.h>
11805
11806 int
11807 main (int argc, char *argv[])
11808 @{
11809 raise (SIGALRM);
11810 return 0;
11811 @}
11812 @end smallexample
11813
11814 A valid way of telling whether the program being debugged has exited
11815 or signalled would be:
11816
11817 @smallexample
11818 (@value{GDBP}) define has_exited_or_signalled
11819 Type commands for definition of ``has_exited_or_signalled''.
11820 End with a line saying just ``end''.
11821 >if $_isvoid ($_exitsignal)
11822 >echo The program has exited\n
11823 >else
11824 >echo The program has signalled\n
11825 >end
11826 >end
11827 (@value{GDBP}) run
11828 Starting program:
11829
11830 Program terminated with signal SIGALRM, Alarm clock.
11831 The program no longer exists.
11832 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
11833 The program has signalled
11834 @end smallexample
11835
11836 As can be seen, @value{GDBN} correctly informs that the program being
11837 debugged has signalled, since it calls @code{raise} and raises a
11838 @code{SIGALRM} signal. If the program being debugged had not called
11839 @code{raise}, then @value{GDBN} would report a normal exit:
11840
11841 @smallexample
11842 (@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
11843 The program has exited
11844 @end smallexample
11845
11846 @item $_exception
11847 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
11848 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
11849
11850 @item $_ada_exception
11851 The variable @code{$_ada_exception} is set to the address of the
11852 exception being caught or thrown at an Ada exception-related
11853 catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
11854
11855 @item $_probe_argc
11856 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
11857 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11858
11859 @item $_sdata
11860 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
11861 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
11862 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
11863 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
11864 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
11865
11866 @item $_siginfo
11867 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
11868 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
11869 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
11870 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
11871 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
11872
11873 @item $_tlb
11874 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
11875 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
11876 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
11877 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
11878 @xref{General Query Packets}.
11879 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
11880
11881 @item $_inferior
11882 The number of the current inferior. @xref{Inferiors and
11883 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}.
11884
11885 @item $_thread
11886 The thread number of the current thread. @xref{thread numbers}.
11887
11888 @item $_gthread
11889 The global number of the current thread. @xref{global thread numbers}.
11890
11891 @item $_gdb_major
11892 @itemx $_gdb_minor
11893 @vindex $_gdb_major@r{, convenience variable}
11894 @vindex $_gdb_minor@r{, convenience variable}
11895 The major and minor version numbers of the running @value{GDBN}.
11896 Development snapshots and pretest versions have their minor version
11897 incremented by one; thus, @value{GDBN} pretest 9.11.90 will produce
11898 the value 12 for @code{$_gdb_minor}. These variables allow you to
11899 write scripts that work with different versions of @value{GDBN}
11900 without errors caused by features unavailable in some of those
11901 versions.
11902
11903 @item $_shell_exitcode
11904 @itemx $_shell_exitsignal
11905 @vindex $_shell_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
11906 @vindex $_shell_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
11907 @cindex shell command, exit code
11908 @cindex shell command, exit signal
11909 @cindex exit status of shell commands
11910 @value{GDBN} commands such as @code{shell} and @code{|} are launching
11911 shell commands. When a launched command terminates, @value{GDBN}
11912 automatically maintains the variables @code{$_shell_exitcode}
11913 and @code{$_shell_exitsignal} according to the exit status of the last
11914 launched command. These variables are set and used similarly to
11915 the variables @code{$_exitcode} and @code{$_exitsignal}.
11916
11917 @end table
11918
11919 @node Convenience Funs
11920 @section Convenience Functions
11921
11922 @cindex convenience functions
11923 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
11924 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
11925 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
11926 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
11927 @value{GDBN}.
11928
11929 These functions do not require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
11930 @code{Python} support, which means that they are always available.
11931
11932 @table @code
11933
11934 @item $_isvoid (@var{expr})
11935 @findex $_isvoid@r{, convenience function}
11936 Return one if the expression @var{expr} is @code{void}. Otherwise it
11937 returns zero.
11938
11939 A @code{void} expression is an expression where the type of the result
11940 is @code{void}. For example, you can examine a convenience variable
11941 (see @ref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}) to check whether
11942 it is @code{void}:
11943
11944 @smallexample
11945 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
11946 $1 = void
11947 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
11948 $2 = 1
11949 (@value{GDBP}) run
11950 Starting program: ./a.out
11951 [Inferior 1 (process 29572) exited normally]
11952 (@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
11953 $3 = 0
11954 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
11955 $4 = 0
11956 @end smallexample
11957
11958 In the example above, we used @code{$_isvoid} to check whether
11959 @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void} before and after the execution of the
11960 program being debugged. Before the execution there is no exit code to
11961 be examined, therefore @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void}. After the
11962 execution the program being debugged returned zero, therefore
11963 @code{$_exitcode} is zero, which means that it is not @code{void}
11964 anymore.
11965
11966 The @code{void} expression can also be a call of a function from the
11967 program being debugged. For example, given the following function:
11968
11969 @smallexample
11970 void
11971 foo (void)
11972 @{
11973 @}
11974 @end smallexample
11975
11976 The result of calling it inside @value{GDBN} is @code{void}:
11977
11978 @smallexample
11979 (@value{GDBP}) print foo ()
11980 $1 = void
11981 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid (foo ())
11982 $2 = 1
11983 (@value{GDBP}) set $v = foo ()
11984 (@value{GDBP}) print $v
11985 $3 = void
11986 (@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($v)
11987 $4 = 1
11988 @end smallexample
11989
11990 @item $_gdb_setting_str (@var{setting})
11991 @findex $_gdb_setting_str@r{, convenience function}
11992 Return the value of the @value{GDBN} @var{setting} as a string.
11993 @var{setting} is any setting that can be used in a @code{set} or
11994 @code{show} command (@pxref{Controlling GDB}).
11995
11996 @smallexample
11997 (@value{GDBP}) show print frame-arguments
11998 Printing of non-scalar frame arguments is "scalars".
11999 (@value{GDBP}) p $_gdb_setting_str("print frame-arguments")
12000 $1 = "scalars"
12001 (@value{GDBP}) p $_gdb_setting_str("height")
12002 $2 = "30"
12003 (@value{GDBP})
12004 @end smallexample
12005
12006 @item $_gdb_setting (@var{setting})
12007 @findex $_gdb_setting@r{, convenience function}
12008 Return the value of the @value{GDBN} @var{setting}.
12009 The type of the returned value depends on the setting.
12010
12011 The value type for boolean and auto boolean settings is @code{int}.
12012 The boolean values @code{off} and @code{on} are converted to
12013 the integer values @code{0} and @code{1}. The value @code{auto} is
12014 converted to the value @code{-1}.
12015
12016 The value type for integer settings is either @code{unsigned int}
12017 or @code{int}, depending on the setting.
12018
12019 Some integer settings accept an @code{unlimited} value.
12020 Depending on the setting, the @code{set} command also accepts
12021 the value @code{0} or the value @code{@minus{}1} as a synonym for
12022 @code{unlimited}.
12023 For example, @code{set height unlimited} is equivalent to
12024 @code{set height 0}.
12025
12026 Some other settings that accept the @code{unlimited} value
12027 use the value @code{0} to literally mean zero.
12028 For example, @code{set history size 0} indicates to not
12029 record any @value{GDBN} commands in the command history.
12030 For such settings, @code{@minus{}1} is the synonym
12031 for @code{unlimited}.
12032
12033 See the documentation of the corresponding @code{set} command for
12034 the numerical value equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
12035
12036 The @code{$_gdb_setting} function converts the unlimited value
12037 to a @code{0} or a @code{@minus{}1} value according to what the
12038 @code{set} command uses.
12039
12040 @smallexample
12041 @group
12042 (@value{GDBP}) p $_gdb_setting_str("height")
12043 $1 = "30"
12044 (@value{GDBP}) p $_gdb_setting("height")
12045 $2 = 30
12046 (@value{GDBP}) set height unlimited
12047 (@value{GDBP}) p $_gdb_setting_str("height")
12048 $3 = "unlimited"
12049 (@value{GDBP}) p $_gdb_setting("height")
12050 $4 = 0
12051 @end group
12052 @group
12053 (@value{GDBP}) p $_gdb_setting_str("history size")
12054 $5 = "unlimited"
12055 (@value{GDBP}) p $_gdb_setting("history size")
12056 $6 = -1
12057 (@value{GDBP}) p $_gdb_setting_str("disassemble-next-line")
12058 $7 = "auto"
12059 (@value{GDBP}) p $_gdb_setting("disassemble-next-line")
12060 $8 = -1
12061 (@value{GDBP})
12062 @end group
12063 @end smallexample
12064
12065 Other setting types (enum, filename, optional filename, string, string noescape)
12066 are returned as string values.
12067
12068
12069 @item $_gdb_maint_setting_str (@var{setting})
12070 @findex $_gdb_maint_setting_str@r{, convenience function}
12071 Like the @code{$_gdb_setting_str} function, but works with
12072 @code{maintenance set} variables.
12073
12074 @item $_gdb_maint_setting (@var{setting})
12075 @findex $_gdb_maint_setting@r{, convenience function}
12076 Like the @code{$_gdb_setting} function, but works with
12077 @code{maintenance set} variables.
12078
12079 @end table
12080
12081 The following functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
12082 @code{Python} support.
12083
12084 @table @code
12085
12086 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
12087 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
12088 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
12089 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
12090 Otherwise it returns zero.
12091
12092 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
12093 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
12094 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
12095 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
12096 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
12097 regular expression support.
12098
12099 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
12100 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
12101 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
12102 Otherwise it returns zero.
12103
12104 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
12105 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
12106 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
12107
12108 @item $_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
12109 @findex $_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
12110 Returns one if the calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
12111 Otherwise it returns zero.
12112
12113 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
12114 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
12115 The default is 1.
12116
12117 Example:
12118
12119 @smallexample
12120 (gdb) backtrace
12121 #0 bottom_func ()
12122 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:21
12123 #1 0x00000000004005a0 in middle_func ()
12124 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:27
12125 #2 0x00000000004005ab in top_func ()
12126 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:33
12127 #3 0x00000000004005b6 in main ()
12128 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:39
12129 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("middle_func")
12130 $1 = 1
12131 (gdb) print $_caller_is ("top_func", 2)
12132 $1 = 1
12133 @end smallexample
12134
12135 @item $_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
12136 @findex $_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
12137 Returns one if the calling function's name matches the regular expression
12138 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
12139
12140 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
12141 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
12142 The default is 1.
12143
12144 @item $_any_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
12145 @findex $_any_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
12146 Returns one if any calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
12147 Otherwise it returns zero.
12148
12149 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
12150 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
12151 The default is 1.
12152
12153 This function differs from @code{$_caller_is} in that this function
12154 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
12155 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_is} only checks the
12156 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
12157
12158 @item $_any_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
12159 @findex $_any_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
12160 Returns one if any calling function's name matches the regular expression
12161 @var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
12162
12163 If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
12164 it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
12165 The default is 1.
12166
12167 This function differs from @code{$_caller_matches} in that this function
12168 checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
12169 by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_matches} only checks the
12170 frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
12171
12172 @item $_as_string(@var{value})
12173 @findex $_as_string@r{, convenience function}
12174 Return the string representation of @var{value}.
12175
12176 This function is useful to obtain the textual label (enumerator) of an
12177 enumeration value. For example, assuming the variable @var{node} is of
12178 an enumerated type:
12179
12180 @smallexample
12181 (gdb) printf "Visiting node of type %s\n", $_as_string(node)
12182 Visiting node of type NODE_INTEGER
12183 @end smallexample
12184
12185 @item $_cimag(@var{value})
12186 @itemx $_creal(@var{value})
12187 @findex $_cimag@r{, convenience function}
12188 @findex $_creal@r{, convenience function}
12189 Return the imaginary (@code{$_cimag}) or real (@code{$_creal}) part of
12190 the complex number @var{value}.
12191
12192 The type of the imaginary or real part depends on the type of the
12193 complex number, e.g., using @code{$_cimag} on a @code{float complex}
12194 will return an imaginary part of type @code{float}.
12195
12196 @end table
12197
12198 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
12199 convenience functions.
12200
12201 @table @code
12202 @item help function
12203 @kindex help function
12204 @cindex show all convenience functions
12205 Print a list of all convenience functions.
12206 @end table
12207
12208 @node Registers
12209 @section Registers
12210
12211 @cindex registers
12212 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
12213 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
12214 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
12215 your machine.
12216
12217 @table @code
12218 @kindex info registers
12219 @item info registers
12220 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
12221 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
12222
12223 @kindex info all-registers
12224 @cindex floating point registers
12225 @item info all-registers
12226 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
12227 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
12228
12229 @item info registers @var{reggroup} @dots{}
12230 Print the name and value of the registers in each of the specified
12231 @var{reggroup}s. The @var{reggoup} can be any of those returned by
12232 @code{maint print reggroups} (@pxref{Maintenance Commands}).
12233
12234 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
12235 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
12236 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
12237 the selected stack frame. The @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
12238 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
12239 @end table
12240
12241 @anchor{standard registers}
12242 @cindex stack pointer register
12243 @cindex program counter register
12244 @cindex process status register
12245 @cindex frame pointer register
12246 @cindex standard registers
12247 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
12248 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
12249 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
12250 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
12251 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
12252 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
12253 register that contains the processor status. For example,
12254 you could print the program counter in hex with
12255
12256 @smallexample
12257 p/x $pc
12258 @end smallexample
12259
12260 @noindent
12261 or print the instruction to be executed next with
12262
12263 @smallexample
12264 x/i $pc
12265 @end smallexample
12266
12267 @noindent
12268 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
12269 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
12270 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
12271 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
12272 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
12273 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
12274 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
12275
12276 @smallexample
12277 set $sp += 4
12278 @end smallexample
12279
12280 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
12281 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
12282 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
12283 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
12284 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
12285 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
12286 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
12287
12288 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
12289 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
12290 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
12291 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
12292 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
12293 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
12294 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
12295
12296 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
12297 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
12298 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
12299 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
12300 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
12301 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
12302 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
12303 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
12304 prints the data in both formats.
12305
12306 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
12307 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
12308 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
12309 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
12310 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
12311 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
12312 registers in @code{struct} notation:
12313
12314 @smallexample
12315 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
12316 $1 = @{
12317 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
12318 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
12319 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
12320 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
12321 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
12322 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
12323 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
12324 @}
12325 @end smallexample
12326
12327 @noindent
12328 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
12329 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
12330 value to a @code{struct} member:
12331
12332 @smallexample
12333 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
12334 @end smallexample
12335
12336 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
12337 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
12338 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
12339 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
12340 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
12341 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
12342
12343 @cindex caller-saved registers
12344 @cindex call-clobbered registers
12345 @cindex volatile registers
12346 @cindex <not saved> values
12347 Usually ABIs reserve some registers as not needed to be saved by the
12348 callee (a.k.a.: ``caller-saved'', ``call-clobbered'' or ``volatile''
12349 registers). It may therefore not be possible for @value{GDBN} to know
12350 the value a register had before the call (in other words, in the outer
12351 frame), if the register value has since been changed by the callee.
12352 @value{GDBN} tries to deduce where the inner frame saved
12353 (``callee-saved'') registers, from the debug info, unwind info, or the
12354 machine code generated by your compiler. If some register is not
12355 saved, and @value{GDBN} knows the register is ``caller-saved'' (via
12356 its own knowledge of the ABI, or because the debug/unwind info
12357 explicitly says the register's value is undefined), @value{GDBN}
12358 displays @w{@samp{<not saved>}} as the register's value. With targets
12359 that @value{GDBN} has no knowledge of the register saving convention,
12360 if a register was not saved by the callee, then its value and location
12361 in the outer frame are assumed to be the same of the inner frame.
12362 This is usually harmless, because if the register is call-clobbered,
12363 the caller either does not care what is in the register after the
12364 call, or has code to restore the value that it does care about. Note,
12365 however, that if you change such a register in the outer frame, you
12366 may also be affecting the inner frame. Also, the more ``outer'' the
12367 frame is you're looking at, the more likely a call-clobbered
12368 register's value is to be wrong, in the sense that it doesn't actually
12369 represent the value the register had just before the call.
12370
12371 @node Floating Point Hardware
12372 @section Floating Point Hardware
12373 @cindex floating point
12374
12375 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
12376 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
12377
12378 @table @code
12379 @kindex info float
12380 @item info float
12381 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
12382 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
12383 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
12384 the ARM and x86 machines.
12385 @end table
12386
12387 @node Vector Unit
12388 @section Vector Unit
12389 @cindex vector unit
12390
12391 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
12392 more information about the status of the vector unit.
12393
12394 @table @code
12395 @kindex info vector
12396 @item info vector
12397 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
12398 layout vary depending on the hardware.
12399 @end table
12400
12401 @node OS Information
12402 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
12403 @cindex OS information
12404
12405 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
12406 you debug your program.
12407
12408 @cindex auxiliary vector
12409 @cindex vector, auxiliary
12410 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
12411 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
12412 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
12413 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
12414 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
12415 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
12416 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
12417 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
12418 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
12419 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
12420 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
12421
12422 @table @code
12423 @kindex info auxv
12424 @item info auxv
12425 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
12426 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
12427 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
12428 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
12429 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
12430 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
12431 an unrecognized tag.
12432 @end table
12433
12434 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
12435 information and show it to you. The types of information available
12436 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
12437 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
12438 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
12439 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
12440 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
12441
12442 @table @code
12443 @kindex info os
12444 @item info os @var{infotype}
12445
12446 Display OS information of the requested type.
12447
12448 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
12449
12450 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
12451 @table @code
12452 @kindex info os cpus
12453 @item cpus
12454 Display the list of all CPUs/cores. For each CPU/core, @value{GDBN} prints
12455 the available fields from /proc/cpuinfo. For each supported architecture
12456 different fields are available. Two common entries are processor which gives
12457 CPU number and bogomips; a system constant that is calculated during
12458 kernel initialization.
12459
12460 @kindex info os files
12461 @item files
12462 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
12463 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
12464 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
12465 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
12466
12467 @kindex info os modules
12468 @item modules
12469 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
12470 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
12471 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
12472 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
12473 in memory.
12474
12475 @kindex info os msg
12476 @item msg
12477 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
12478 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
12479 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
12480 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
12481 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
12482 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
12483 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
12484 the message queue was last changed.
12485
12486 @kindex info os processes
12487 @item processes
12488 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
12489 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
12490 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
12491 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
12492 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
12493 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
12494
12495 @kindex info os procgroups
12496 @item procgroups
12497 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
12498 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
12499 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
12500 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
12501 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
12502 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
12503 and the process group leader is listed first.
12504
12505 @kindex info os semaphores
12506 @item semaphores
12507 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
12508 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
12509 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
12510 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
12511 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
12512
12513 @kindex info os shm
12514 @item shm
12515 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
12516 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
12517 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
12518 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
12519 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
12520 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
12521 attached to, detach from, and changed.
12522
12523 @kindex info os sockets
12524 @item sockets
12525 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
12526 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
12527 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
12528 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
12529 connection.
12530
12531 @kindex info os threads
12532 @item threads
12533 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
12534 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
12535 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
12536 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
12537 process is not listed.
12538 @end table
12539
12540 @item info os
12541 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
12542 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
12543 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
12544 types, this command will report an error.
12545 @end table
12546
12547 @node Memory Region Attributes
12548 @section Memory Region Attributes
12549 @cindex memory region attributes
12550
12551 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
12552 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
12553 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
12554 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
12555 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
12556 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
12557 user can override the fetched regions.
12558
12559 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
12560 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
12561 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
12562 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
12563 all memory.
12564
12565 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
12566 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
12567
12568 @table @code
12569 @kindex mem
12570 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
12571 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
12572 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
12573 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
12574 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
12575 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
12576
12577 @item mem auto
12578 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
12579 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
12580
12581 @kindex delete mem
12582 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
12583 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
12584 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
12585
12586 @kindex disable mem
12587 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
12588 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
12589 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
12590 It may be enabled again later.
12591
12592 @kindex enable mem
12593 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
12594 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
12595
12596 @kindex info mem
12597 @item info mem
12598 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
12599 for each region:
12600
12601 @table @emph
12602 @item Memory Region Number
12603 @item Enabled or Disabled.
12604 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
12605 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
12606
12607 @item Lo Address
12608 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
12609
12610 @item Hi Address
12611 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
12612
12613 @item Attributes
12614 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
12615 @end table
12616 @end table
12617
12618
12619 @subsection Attributes
12620
12621 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
12622 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
12623 write accesses to a memory region.
12624
12625 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
12626 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
12627 etc.@: from accessing memory.
12628
12629 @table @code
12630 @item ro
12631 Memory is read only.
12632 @item wo
12633 Memory is write only.
12634 @item rw
12635 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
12636 @end table
12637
12638 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
12639 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
12640 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
12641 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
12642 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
12643
12644 @table @code
12645 @item 8
12646 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
12647 @item 16
12648 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
12649 @item 32
12650 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
12651 @item 64
12652 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
12653 @end table
12654
12655 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
12656 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
12657 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
12658 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
12659 @c
12660 @c @table @code
12661 @c @item hwbreak
12662 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
12663 @c @item swbreak (default)
12664 @c @end table
12665
12666 @subsubsection Data Cache
12667 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
12668 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
12669 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
12670 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
12671 registers.
12672
12673 @table @code
12674 @item cache
12675 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
12676 @item nocache
12677 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
12678 @end table
12679
12680 @subsection Memory Access Checking
12681 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
12682 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
12683 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
12684 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
12685
12686 @table @code
12687 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
12688 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
12689 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
12690 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
12691 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
12692 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
12693 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
12694 The default value is @code{on}.
12695 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
12696 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
12697 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
12698 @end table
12699
12700
12701 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
12702 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
12703 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
12704 @c
12705 @c @table @code
12706 @c @item verify
12707 @c @item noverify (default)
12708 @c @end table
12709
12710 @node Dump/Restore Files
12711 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
12712 @cindex dump/restore files
12713 @cindex append data to a file
12714 @cindex dump data to a file
12715 @cindex restore data from a file
12716
12717 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
12718 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
12719 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
12720 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
12721 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex,
12722 Tektronix Hex, or Verilog Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only
12723 append to binary files, and cannot read from Verilog Hex files.
12724
12725 @table @code
12726
12727 @kindex dump
12728 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
12729 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
12730 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
12731 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
12732
12733 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
12734 @table @code
12735 @item binary
12736 Raw binary form.
12737 @item ihex
12738 Intel hex format.
12739 @item srec
12740 Motorola S-record format.
12741 @item tekhex
12742 Tektronix Hex format.
12743 @item verilog
12744 Verilog Hex format.
12745 @end table
12746
12747 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
12748 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
12749 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
12750 form.
12751
12752 @kindex append
12753 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
12754 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
12755 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
12756 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
12757 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
12758
12759 @kindex restore
12760 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
12761 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
12762 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
12763 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
12764 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
12765
12766 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
12767 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
12768 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
12769 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
12770 from that location.
12771
12772 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
12773 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
12774 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
12775 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
12776
12777 @end table
12778
12779 @node Core File Generation
12780 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
12781 @cindex dump core from inferior
12782
12783 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
12784 image of a running process and its process status (register values
12785 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
12786 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
12787 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
12788 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
12789 the post-mortem debugging mode.
12790
12791 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
12792 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
12793 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
12794
12795 @table @code
12796 @kindex gcore
12797 @kindex generate-core-file
12798 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
12799 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
12800 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
12801 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
12802 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
12803 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
12804
12805 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
12806 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
12807
12808 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, this command can take into account the value of the
12809 file @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating the core
12810 dump (@pxref{set use-coredump-filter}), and by default honors the
12811 @code{VM_DONTDUMP} flag for mappings where it is present in the file
12812 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/smaps} (@pxref{set dump-excluded-mappings}).
12813
12814 @kindex set use-coredump-filter
12815 @anchor{set use-coredump-filter}
12816 @item set use-coredump-filter on
12817 @itemx set use-coredump-filter off
12818 Enable or disable the use of the file
12819 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} when generating core dump
12820 files. This file is used by the Linux kernel to decide what types of
12821 memory mappings will be dumped or ignored when generating a core dump
12822 file. @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process.
12823
12824 To make use of this feature, you have to write in the
12825 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file a value, in hexadecimal,
12826 which is a bit mask representing the memory mapping types. If a bit
12827 is set in the bit mask, then the memory mappings of the corresponding
12828 types will be dumped; otherwise, they will be ignored. This
12829 configuration is inherited by child processes. For more information
12830 about the bits that can be set in the
12831 @file{/proc/@var{pid}/coredump_filter} file, please refer to the
12832 manpage of @code{core(5)}.
12833
12834 By default, this option is @code{on}. If this option is turned
12835 @code{off}, @value{GDBN} does not read the @file{coredump_filter} file
12836 and instead uses the same default value as the Linux kernel in order
12837 to decide which pages will be dumped in the core dump file. This
12838 value is currently @code{0x33}, which means that bits @code{0}
12839 (anonymous private mappings), @code{1} (anonymous shared mappings),
12840 @code{4} (ELF headers) and @code{5} (private huge pages) are active.
12841 This will cause these memory mappings to be dumped automatically.
12842
12843 @kindex set dump-excluded-mappings
12844 @anchor{set dump-excluded-mappings}
12845 @item set dump-excluded-mappings on
12846 @itemx set dump-excluded-mappings off
12847 If @code{on} is specified, @value{GDBN} will dump memory mappings
12848 marked with the @code{VM_DONTDUMP} flag. This flag is represented in
12849 the file @file{/proc/@var{pid}/smaps} with the acronym @code{dd}.
12850
12851 The default value is @code{off}.
12852 @end table
12853
12854 @node Character Sets
12855 @section Character Sets
12856 @cindex character sets
12857 @cindex charset
12858 @cindex translating between character sets
12859 @cindex host character set
12860 @cindex target character set
12861
12862 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
12863 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
12864 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
12865 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
12866 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
12867 @dfn{target character set}.
12868
12869 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
12870 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
12871 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
12872 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
12873 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
12874 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
12875 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
12876 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
12877 character and string literals in expressions.
12878
12879 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
12880 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
12881 target-charset} command, described below.
12882
12883 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
12884 support:
12885
12886 @table @code
12887 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
12888 @kindex set target-charset
12889 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
12890 list of supported target character sets, type
12891 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
12892
12893 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
12894 @kindex set host-charset
12895 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
12896
12897 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
12898 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
12899 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
12900 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
12901 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
12902
12903 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
12904 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
12905 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
12906
12907 @item set charset @var{charset}
12908 @kindex set charset
12909 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
12910 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
12911 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
12912 for both host and target.
12913
12914 @item show charset
12915 @kindex show charset
12916 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
12917
12918 @item show host-charset
12919 @kindex show host-charset
12920 Show the name of the current host character set.
12921
12922 @item show target-charset
12923 @kindex show target-charset
12924 Show the name of the current target character set.
12925
12926 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
12927 @kindex set target-wide-charset
12928 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
12929 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
12930 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
12931 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
12932
12933 @item show target-wide-charset
12934 @kindex show target-wide-charset
12935 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
12936 @end table
12937
12938 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
12939 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
12940 @file{charset-test.c}:
12941
12942 @smallexample
12943 #include <stdio.h>
12944
12945 char ascii_hello[]
12946 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
12947 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
12948 char ibm1047_hello[]
12949 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
12950 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
12951
12952 main ()
12953 @{
12954 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
12955 @}
12956 @end smallexample
12957
12958 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
12959 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
12960 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
12961
12962 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
12963
12964 @smallexample
12965 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
12966 $ gdb -nw charset-test
12967 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
12968 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
12969 @dots{}
12970 (@value{GDBP})
12971 @end smallexample
12972
12973 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
12974 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
12975 strings:
12976
12977 @smallexample
12978 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
12979 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
12980 (@value{GDBP})
12981 @end smallexample
12982
12983 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
12984 initial character set:
12985 @smallexample
12986 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
12987 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
12988 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
12989 (@value{GDBP})
12990 @end smallexample
12991
12992 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
12993 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
12994 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
12995 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
12996 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
12997
12998 @smallexample
12999 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
13000 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
13001 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
13002 $2 = 72 'H'
13003 (@value{GDBP})
13004 @end smallexample
13005
13006 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
13007 literals you use in expressions:
13008
13009 @smallexample
13010 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
13011 $3 = 43 '+'
13012 (@value{GDBP})
13013 @end smallexample
13014
13015 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
13016 character.
13017
13018 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
13019 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
13020 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
13021
13022 @smallexample
13023 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
13024 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
13025 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
13026 $5 = 200 '\310'
13027 (@value{GDBP})
13028 @end smallexample
13029
13030 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
13031 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
13032
13033 @smallexample
13034 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
13035 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
13036 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
13037 @end smallexample
13038
13039 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
13040 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
13041 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
13042 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
13043 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
13044
13045 @smallexample
13046 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
13047 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
13048 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
13049 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
13050 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
13051 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
13052 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
13053 $7 = 72 '\110'
13054 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
13055 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
13056 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
13057 $9 = 200 'H'
13058 (@value{GDBP})
13059 @end smallexample
13060
13061 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
13062 string literals you use in expressions:
13063
13064 @smallexample
13065 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
13066 $10 = 78 '+'
13067 (@value{GDBP})
13068 @end smallexample
13069
13070 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
13071 character.
13072
13073 @node Caching Target Data
13074 @section Caching Data of Targets
13075 @cindex caching data of targets
13076
13077 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a target.
13078 Each cache is associated with the address space of the inferior.
13079 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}, about inferior and address space.
13080 Such caching generally improves performance in remote debugging
13081 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), because it reduces the overhead of the
13082 remote protocol by bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks.
13083 Unfortunately, simply caching everything would lead to incorrect results,
13084 since @value{GDBN} does not necessarily know anything about volatile
13085 values, memory-mapped I/O addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode
13086 (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command
13087 is executing.
13088 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
13089 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
13090 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
13091 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
13092 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.} or
13093 in the code segment.
13094 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
13095 cacheable; @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
13096
13097 @table @code
13098 @kindex set remotecache
13099 @item set remotecache on
13100 @itemx set remotecache off
13101 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
13102 with old scripts.
13103
13104 @kindex show remotecache
13105 @item show remotecache
13106 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
13107
13108 @kindex set stack-cache
13109 @item set stack-cache on
13110 @itemx set stack-cache off
13111 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{on}, use
13112 caching. By default, this option is @code{on}.
13113
13114 @kindex show stack-cache
13115 @item show stack-cache
13116 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
13117
13118 @kindex set code-cache
13119 @item set code-cache on
13120 @itemx set code-cache off
13121 Enable or disable caching of code segment accesses. When @code{on},
13122 use caching. By default, this option is @code{on}. This improves
13123 performance of disassembly in remote debugging.
13124
13125 @kindex show code-cache
13126 @item show code-cache
13127 Show the current state of target memory cache for code segment
13128 accesses.
13129
13130 @kindex info dcache
13131 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
13132 Print the information about the performance of data cache of the
13133 current inferior's address space. The information displayed
13134 includes the dcache width and depth, and for each cache line, its
13135 number, address, and how many times it was referenced. This
13136 command is useful for debugging the data cache operation.
13137
13138 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
13139 printed in hex.
13140
13141 @item set dcache size @var{size}
13142 @cindex dcache size
13143 @kindex set dcache size
13144 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
13145
13146 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
13147 @cindex dcache line-size
13148 @kindex set dcache line-size
13149 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
13150 Must be a power of 2.
13151
13152 @item show dcache size
13153 @kindex show dcache size
13154 Show maximum number of dcache entries. @xref{Caching Target Data, info dcache}.
13155
13156 @item show dcache line-size
13157 @kindex show dcache line-size
13158 Show default size of dcache lines.
13159
13160 @end table
13161
13162 @node Searching Memory
13163 @section Search Memory
13164 @cindex searching memory
13165
13166 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
13167 @code{find} command.
13168
13169 @table @code
13170 @kindex find
13171 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
13172 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
13173 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
13174 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
13175 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
13176 @end table
13177
13178 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
13179 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
13180
13181 @table @r
13182 @item @var{s}, search query size
13183 The size of each search query value.
13184
13185 @table @code
13186 @item b
13187 bytes
13188 @item h
13189 halfwords (two bytes)
13190 @item w
13191 words (four bytes)
13192 @item g
13193 giant words (eight bytes)
13194 @end table
13195
13196 All values are interpreted in the current language.
13197 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
13198 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
13199 The null terminator can be removed from searching by using casts,
13200 e.g.: @samp{@{char[5]@}"hello"}.
13201
13202 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
13203 value's type in the current language.
13204 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
13205 pattern as a mixture of types.
13206 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
13207 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
13208 which is typically four bytes.
13209
13210 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
13211 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
13212 @end table
13213
13214 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
13215 (@code{"}).
13216 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
13217 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
13218
13219 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
13220 number of matches found.
13221
13222 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
13223 @samp{$_}.
13224 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
13225
13226 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
13227
13228 @smallexample
13229 void
13230 hello ()
13231 @{
13232 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
13233 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
13234 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
13235 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
13236 printf ("%s\n", hello);
13237 @}
13238 @end smallexample
13239
13240 @noindent
13241 you get during debugging:
13242
13243 @smallexample
13244 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
13245 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
13246 1 pattern found
13247 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
13248 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
13249 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
13250 2 patterns found.
13251 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), @{char[5]@}"hello"
13252 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
13253 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
13254 2 patterns found.
13255 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
13256 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
13257 1 pattern found
13258 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
13259 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
13260 1 pattern found
13261 (gdb) print $numfound
13262 $1 = 1
13263 (gdb) print $_
13264 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
13265 @end smallexample
13266
13267 @node Value Sizes
13268 @section Value Sizes
13269
13270 Whenever @value{GDBN} prints a value memory will be allocated within
13271 @value{GDBN} to hold the contents of the value. It is possible in
13272 some languages with dynamic typing systems, that an invalid program
13273 may indicate a value that is incorrectly large, this in turn may cause
13274 @value{GDBN} to try and allocate an overly large ammount of memory.
13275
13276 @table @code
13277 @kindex set max-value-size
13278 @item set max-value-size @var{bytes}
13279 @itemx set max-value-size unlimited
13280 Set the maximum size of memory that @value{GDBN} will allocate for the
13281 contents of a value to @var{bytes}, trying to display a value that
13282 requires more memory than that will result in an error.
13283
13284 Setting this variable does not effect values that have already been
13285 allocated within @value{GDBN}, only future allocations.
13286
13287 There's a minimum size that @code{max-value-size} can be set to in
13288 order that @value{GDBN} can still operate correctly, this minimum is
13289 currently 16 bytes.
13290
13291 The limit applies to the results of some subexpressions as well as to
13292 complete expressions. For example, an expression denoting a simple
13293 integer component, such as @code{x.y.z}, may fail if the size of
13294 @var{x.y} is dynamic and exceeds @var{bytes}. On the other hand,
13295 @value{GDBN} is sometimes clever; the expression @code{A[i]}, where
13296 @var{A} is an array variable with non-constant size, will generally
13297 succeed regardless of the bounds on @var{A}, as long as the component
13298 size is less than @var{bytes}.
13299
13300 The default value of @code{max-value-size} is currently 64k.
13301
13302 @kindex show max-value-size
13303 @item show max-value-size
13304 Show the maximum size of memory, in bytes, that @value{GDBN} will
13305 allocate for the contents of a value.
13306 @end table
13307
13308 @node Optimized Code
13309 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
13310 @cindex optimized code, debugging
13311 @cindex debugging optimized code
13312
13313 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
13314 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
13315 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
13316 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
13317 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
13318 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
13319 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
13320
13321 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
13322 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
13323 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
13324 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
13325
13326 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
13327 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
13328 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
13329 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
13330 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
13331 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
13332
13333 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
13334 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
13335 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
13336 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
13337 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
13338
13339 @menu
13340 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
13341 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
13342 @end menu
13343
13344 @node Inline Functions
13345 @section Inline Functions
13346 @cindex inline functions, debugging
13347
13348 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
13349 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
13350 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
13351 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
13352 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
13353 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
13354 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
13355 @code{info frame} command.
13356
13357 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
13358 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
13359 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
13360 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
13361 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
13362 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
13363 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
13364 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
13365 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
13366 local variables in the caller.
13367
13368 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
13369 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
13370 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
13371 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
13372 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
13373 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
13374 instructions are executed.
13375
13376 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
13377 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
13378 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
13379 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
13380
13381 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
13382 function calls are the same as normal calls:
13383
13384 @itemize @bullet
13385 @item
13386 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
13387 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
13388 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
13389 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
13390 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
13391 or inside the inlined function instead.
13392
13393 @item
13394 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
13395 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
13396 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
13397 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
13398
13399 @end itemize
13400
13401 @node Tail Call Frames
13402 @section Tail Call Frames
13403 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
13404
13405 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
13406 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
13407 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
13408 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
13409 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
13410
13411 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
13412 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
13413 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
13414 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
13415 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
13416 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
13417 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
13418
13419 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
13420 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_call_site} tags. With
13421 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
13422 this information.
13423
13424 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
13425 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
13426
13427 @smallexample
13428 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
13429 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
13430 (gdb) info frame
13431 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
13432 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
13433 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
13434 source language c++.
13435 Arglist at unknown address.
13436 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
13437 @end smallexample
13438
13439 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
13440 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
13441 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
13442 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
13443 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
13444 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
13445
13446 @table @code
13447 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
13448 @item set debug entry-values
13449 @kindex set debug entry-values
13450 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
13451 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
13452 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
13453 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
13454 result.
13455
13456 @item show debug entry-values
13457 @kindex show debug entry-values
13458 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
13459 values at function entry and tail calls.
13460 @end table
13461
13462 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
13463 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
13464 reference by variable @code{x}):
13465
13466 @smallexample
13467 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
13468 void (*x) (void) = c;
13469 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
13470 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
13471 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
13472
13473 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_entry_value resolving cannot find
13474 DW_TAG_call_site 0x40039a in main
13475 a () at t.c:3
13476 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
13477 (gdb) bt
13478 #0 a () at t.c:3
13479 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
13480 @end smallexample
13481
13482 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
13483
13484 @smallexample
13485 int i;
13486 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
13487 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
13488 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
13489 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
13490 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
13491 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
13492 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
13493 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
13494
13495 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
13496 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
13497 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
13498 (gdb) bt
13499 #0 f () at t.c:2
13500 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
13501 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
13502 @end smallexample
13503
13504 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
13505 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
13506
13507 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
13508 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
13509 @set ARROW @click{}
13510 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
13511 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
13512 @end ifset
13513 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
13514 @set ARROW ->
13515 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
13516 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
13517 @end ifclear
13518
13519 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
13520 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
13521 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
13522
13523 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
13524 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
13525 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
13526 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
13527 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
13528 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
13529
13530 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
13531 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
13532 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
13533 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
13534 omitted.
13535
13536 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
13537 entry may fail:
13538
13539 @smallexample
13540 int v;
13541 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
13542 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
13543 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
13544 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
13545 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
13546 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
13547
13548 (gdb) bt
13549 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
13550 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_entry_value resolving has found
13551 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
13552 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
13553 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
13554 @end smallexample
13555
13556 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
13557 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
13558 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
13559 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
13560 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
13561
13562 @node Macros
13563 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
13564
13565 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
13566 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
13567 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
13568 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
13569 where it was defined.
13570
13571 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
13572 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
13573 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
13574 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
13575
13576 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
13577 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
13578 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
13579 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
13580 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
13581 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
13582 see @ref{List}.
13583
13584 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
13585 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
13586 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
13587
13588 @table @code
13589
13590 @kindex macro expand
13591 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
13592 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
13593 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
13594 @item macro expand @var{expression}
13595 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
13596 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
13597 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
13598 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
13599 it can be any string of tokens.
13600
13601 @kindex macro exp1
13602 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
13603 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
13604 @cindex expand macro once
13605 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
13606 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
13607 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
13608 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
13609 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
13610 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
13611 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
13612 can be any string of tokens.
13613
13614 @kindex info macro
13615 @cindex macro definition, showing
13616 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
13617 @cindex macros, from debug info
13618 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
13619 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
13620 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
13621 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
13622 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
13623 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
13624
13625 @kindex info macros
13626 @item info macros @var{location}
13627 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
13628 by @var{location}, and describe the source location or compiler
13629 command-line where those definitions were established.
13630
13631 @kindex macro define
13632 @cindex user-defined macros
13633 @cindex defining macros interactively
13634 @cindex macros, user-defined
13635 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
13636 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
13637 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
13638 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
13639 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
13640 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
13641 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
13642 @var{arglist}.
13643
13644 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
13645 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
13646 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
13647 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
13648 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
13649
13650 @kindex macro undef
13651 @item macro undef @var{macro}
13652 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
13653 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
13654 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
13655 in the program being debugged.
13656
13657 @kindex macro list
13658 @item macro list
13659 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
13660 @end table
13661
13662 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
13663 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
13664 show our source files:
13665
13666 @smallexample
13667 $ cat sample.c
13668 #include <stdio.h>
13669 #include "sample.h"
13670
13671 #define M 42
13672 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
13673
13674 main ()
13675 @{
13676 #define N 28
13677 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
13678 #undef N
13679 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
13680 #define N 1729
13681 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
13682 @}
13683 $ cat sample.h
13684 #define Q <
13685 $
13686 @end smallexample
13687
13688 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
13689 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
13690 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
13691 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
13692 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
13693 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
13694 information.
13695
13696 @smallexample
13697 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
13698 $
13699 @end smallexample
13700
13701 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
13702
13703 @smallexample
13704 $ gdb -nw sample
13705 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
13706 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
13707 GDB is free software, @dots{}
13708 (@value{GDBP})
13709 @end smallexample
13710
13711 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
13712 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
13713 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
13714
13715 @smallexample
13716 (@value{GDBP}) list main
13717 3
13718 4 #define M 42
13719 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
13720 6
13721 7 main ()
13722 8 @{
13723 9 #define N 28
13724 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
13725 11 #undef N
13726 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
13727 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
13728 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
13729 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
13730 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
13731 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
13732 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
13733 #define Q <
13734 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
13735 expands to: (42 + 1)
13736 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
13737 expands to: once (M + 1)
13738 (@value{GDBP})
13739 @end smallexample
13740
13741 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
13742 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
13743 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
13744 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
13745
13746 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
13747 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
13748
13749 @smallexample
13750 (@value{GDBP}) break main
13751 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
13752 (@value{GDBP}) run
13753 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
13754
13755 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
13756 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
13757 (@value{GDBP})
13758 @end smallexample
13759
13760 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
13761
13762 @smallexample
13763 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
13764 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
13765 #define N 28
13766 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
13767 expands to: 28 < 42
13768 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
13769 $1 = 1
13770 (@value{GDBP})
13771 @end smallexample
13772
13773 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
13774 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
13775 thereof) in force at each point:
13776
13777 @smallexample
13778 (@value{GDBP}) next
13779 Hello, world!
13780 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
13781 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
13782 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
13783 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
13784 (@value{GDBP}) next
13785 We're so creative.
13786 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
13787 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
13788 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
13789 #define N 1729
13790 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
13791 expands to: 1729 < 42
13792 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
13793 $2 = 0
13794 (@value{GDBP})
13795 @end smallexample
13796
13797 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
13798 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
13799 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
13800 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
13801
13802 @smallexample
13803 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
13804 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
13805 -D__STDC__=1
13806 (@value{GDBP})
13807 @end smallexample
13808
13809
13810 @node Tracepoints
13811 @chapter Tracepoints
13812 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
13813 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
13814
13815 @cindex tracepoints
13816 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
13817 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
13818 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
13819 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
13820 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
13821 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
13822 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
13823
13824 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
13825 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
13826 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
13827 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
13828 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
13829 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
13830 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
13831 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
13832 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
13833 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
13834 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
13835
13836 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
13837 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
13838 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
13839 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
13840 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
13841 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
13842 Packets}.
13843
13844 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
13845 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
13846 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
13847
13848 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
13849
13850 @menu
13851 * Set Tracepoints::
13852 * Analyze Collected Data::
13853 * Tracepoint Variables::
13854 * Trace Files::
13855 @end menu
13856
13857 @node Set Tracepoints
13858 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
13859
13860 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
13861 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
13862 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
13863 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
13864 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
13865 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
13866 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
13867
13868 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
13869 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
13870 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
13871 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
13872 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
13873 tracepoint was hit.
13874
13875 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
13876 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
13877 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
13878 either.
13879
13880 @cindex fast tracepoints
13881 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
13882 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
13883 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
13884
13885 @cindex static tracepoints
13886 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
13887 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
13888 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
13889 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
13890 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
13891 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
13892 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
13893 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
13894 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
13895 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
13896 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
13897 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
13898 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
13899 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
13900 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
13901 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
13902 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
13903 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
13904 static tracepoint marker.
13905
13906 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
13907 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
13908
13909 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
13910 conditions and actions.
13911
13912 @menu
13913 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
13914 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
13915 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
13916 * Tracepoint Conditions::
13917 * Trace State Variables::
13918 * Tracepoint Actions::
13919 * Listing Tracepoints::
13920 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
13921 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
13922 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
13923 @end menu
13924
13925 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
13926 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
13927
13928 @table @code
13929 @cindex set tracepoint
13930 @kindex trace
13931 @item trace @var{location}
13932 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
13933 Its argument @var{location} can be any valid location.
13934 @xref{Specify Location}. The @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint,
13935 which is a point in the target program where the debugger will briefly stop,
13936 collect some data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint
13937 or changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
13938 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
13939 in tracing}).
13940 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
13941 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
13942 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
13943 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
13944 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
13945 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
13946 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
13947 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
13948 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
13949 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
13950 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
13951 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
13952
13953 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
13954
13955 @smallexample
13956 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
13957
13958 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
13959
13960 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
13961
13962 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
13963
13964 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
13965 @end smallexample
13966
13967 @noindent
13968 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
13969
13970 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
13971 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
13972 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
13973 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
13974 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
13975 information on tracepoint conditions.
13976
13977 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
13978 @cindex set fast tracepoint
13979 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
13980 @kindex ftrace
13981 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
13982 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
13983 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
13984 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
13985 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
13986 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
13987 message.
13988
13989 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
13990 @code{trace}.
13991
13992 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
13993 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
13994 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
13995 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
13996 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
13997 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
13998 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
13999 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
14000
14001 @example
14002 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
14003 @end example
14004
14005 @noindent
14006 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
14007 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
14008
14009 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
14010 @cindex set static tracepoint
14011 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
14012 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
14013 @kindex strace
14014 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
14015 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
14016 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
14017 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
14018 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
14019
14020 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
14021 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
14022 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
14023 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
14024 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
14025 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
14026 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
14027 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
14028 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
14029 tracing engine:
14030
14031 @smallexample
14032 main ()
14033 @{
14034 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
14035 @}
14036 @end smallexample
14037
14038 @noindent
14039 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
14040 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
14041
14042 @smallexample
14043 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
14044 Cnt Enb ID Address What
14045 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
14046 Data: "str %s"
14047 [etc...]
14048 @end smallexample
14049
14050 @noindent
14051 so you may probe the marker above with:
14052
14053 @smallexample
14054 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
14055 @end smallexample
14056
14057 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
14058 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
14059 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
14060 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
14061 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
14062 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
14063 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
14064 the @samp{Data:} field.
14065
14066 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
14067 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
14068 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
14069
14070 @vindex $tpnum
14071 @cindex last tracepoint number
14072 @cindex recent tracepoint number
14073 @cindex tracepoint number
14074 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
14075 of the most recently set tracepoint.
14076
14077 @kindex delete tracepoint
14078 @cindex tracepoint deletion
14079 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
14080 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
14081 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
14082 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
14083
14084 Examples:
14085
14086 @smallexample
14087 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
14088
14089 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
14090 @end smallexample
14091
14092 @noindent
14093 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
14094 @end table
14095
14096 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
14097 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
14098
14099 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
14100
14101 @table @code
14102 @kindex disable tracepoint
14103 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
14104 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
14105 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
14106 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
14107 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
14108 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
14109 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
14110 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
14111 next trace experiment.
14112
14113 @kindex enable tracepoint
14114 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
14115 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
14116 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
14117 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
14118 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
14119 next time a trace experiment is run.
14120 @end table
14121
14122 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
14123 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
14124
14125 @table @code
14126 @kindex passcount
14127 @cindex tracepoint pass count
14128 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
14129 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
14130 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
14131 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
14132 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
14133 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
14134 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
14135 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
14136 user.
14137
14138 Examples:
14139
14140 @smallexample
14141 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
14142 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
14143
14144 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
14145 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
14146 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
14147 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
14148 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
14149 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
14150 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
14151 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
14152 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
14153 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
14154 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
14155 @end smallexample
14156 @end table
14157
14158 @node Tracepoint Conditions
14159 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
14160 @cindex conditional tracepoints
14161 @cindex tracepoint conditions
14162
14163 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
14164 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
14165 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
14166 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
14167 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
14168 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
14169 is true.
14170
14171 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
14172 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
14173 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
14174 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
14175 just as with breakpoints.
14176
14177 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
14178 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
14179 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
14180 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
14181 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
14182 accesses, and so forth.
14183
14184 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
14185 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
14186 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
14187 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
14188 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
14189 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
14190 search through.
14191
14192 @smallexample
14193 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
14194 @end smallexample
14195
14196 @node Trace State Variables
14197 @subsection Trace State Variables
14198 @cindex trace state variables
14199
14200 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
14201 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
14202 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
14203 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
14204 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
14205 integers.
14206
14207 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
14208 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
14209 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
14210 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
14211
14212 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
14213 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
14214 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
14215 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
14216 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
14217 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
14218 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
14219 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
14220 variable with the same name.
14221
14222 @table @code
14223
14224 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
14225 @kindex tvariable
14226 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
14227 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
14228 @var{expression}. The @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
14229 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
14230 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
14231 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
14232 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
14233 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
14234 value. The default initial value is 0.
14235
14236 @item info tvariables
14237 @kindex info tvariables
14238 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
14239 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
14240 currently running.
14241
14242 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
14243 @kindex delete tvariable
14244 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
14245 are specified.
14246
14247 @end table
14248
14249 @node Tracepoint Actions
14250 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
14251
14252 @table @code
14253 @kindex actions
14254 @cindex tracepoint actions
14255 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
14256 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
14257 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
14258 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
14259 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
14260 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
14261 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
14262 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
14263 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
14264 @code{while-stepping}.
14265
14266 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
14267 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
14268 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
14269
14270 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
14271 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
14272 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
14273
14274 @smallexample
14275 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
14276
14277 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
14278
14279 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
14280 @end smallexample
14281
14282 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
14283 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
14284 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
14285 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
14286 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
14287 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
14288 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
14289 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
14290
14291 @smallexample
14292 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
14293 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
14294 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
14295 > collect bar,baz
14296 > collect $regs
14297 > while-stepping 12
14298 > collect $pc, arr[i]
14299 > end
14300 end
14301 @end smallexample
14302
14303 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
14304 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
14305 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
14306 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
14307 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
14308 special arguments are supported:
14309
14310 @table @code
14311 @item $regs
14312 Collect all registers.
14313
14314 @item $args
14315 Collect all function arguments.
14316
14317 @item $locals
14318 Collect all local variables.
14319
14320 @item $_ret
14321 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
14322 of a backtrace.
14323
14324 @emph{Note:} The return address location can not always be reliably
14325 determined up front, and the wrong address / registers may end up
14326 collected instead. On some architectures the reliability is higher
14327 for tracepoints at function entry, while on others it's the opposite.
14328 When this happens, backtracing will stop because the return address is
14329 found unavailable (unless another collect rule happened to match it).
14330
14331 @item $_probe_argc
14332 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
14333 tracepoint is located.
14334 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
14335
14336 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
14337 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
14338 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
14339 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
14340
14341 @item $_sdata
14342 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
14343 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
14344 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
14345 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
14346 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
14347 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
14348 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
14349 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
14350 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
14351
14352 @smallexample
14353 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
14354 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
14355 @end smallexample
14356
14357 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
14358 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
14359 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
14360 @value{GDBN}.
14361 @end table
14362
14363 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
14364 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
14365 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
14366
14367 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
14368 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
14369 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
14370 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
14371 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
14372 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
14373 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
14374 @samp{mystr}.
14375
14376 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
14377 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
14378
14379 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
14380 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
14381 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
14382 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
14383 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
14384 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
14385 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
14386 action were used.
14387
14388 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
14389 @item while-stepping @var{n}
14390 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
14391 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
14392 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
14393 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
14394
14395 @smallexample
14396 > while-stepping 12
14397 > collect $regs, myglobal
14398 > end
14399 >
14400 @end smallexample
14401
14402 @noindent
14403 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
14404 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
14405 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
14406 @code{stepping}.
14407
14408 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
14409 @kindex set default-collect
14410 @cindex default collection action
14411 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
14412 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
14413 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
14414 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
14415 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
14416 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
14417
14418 @item show default-collect
14419 @kindex show default-collect
14420 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
14421 tracepoint hit.
14422
14423 @end table
14424
14425 @node Listing Tracepoints
14426 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
14427
14428 @table @code
14429 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
14430 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
14431 @cindex information about tracepoints
14432 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
14433 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
14434 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
14435 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
14436 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
14437 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
14438
14439 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
14440 tracing:
14441
14442 @itemize @bullet
14443 @item
14444 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
14445
14446 @item
14447 the state about installed on target of each location
14448 @end itemize
14449
14450 @smallexample
14451 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
14452 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
14453 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
14454 while-stepping 20
14455 collect globfoo, $regs
14456 end
14457 collect globfoo2
14458 end
14459 pass count 1200
14460 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
14461 collect $eip
14462 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
14463 installed on target
14464 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
14465 installed on target
14466 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
14467 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
14468 not installed on target
14469 (@value{GDBP})
14470 @end smallexample
14471
14472 @noindent
14473 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
14474 @end table
14475
14476 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
14477 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
14478
14479 @table @code
14480 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
14481 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
14482 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
14483 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
14484 program.
14485
14486 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
14487
14488 @table @emph
14489 @item Count
14490 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
14491 stable identifier.
14492 @item ID
14493 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
14494 @item Enabled or Disabled
14495 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
14496 that are not enabled.
14497 @item Address
14498 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
14499 @item What
14500 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
14501 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
14502 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
14503 will be left blank.
14504 @end table
14505
14506 @noindent
14507 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
14508
14509 @table @emph
14510 @item Data
14511 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
14512 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
14513 marker call.
14514 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
14515 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
14516 @end table
14517
14518 @smallexample
14519 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
14520 Cnt ID Enb Address What
14521 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
14522 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
14523 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
14524 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
14525 Data: str %s
14526 (@value{GDBP})
14527 @end smallexample
14528 @end table
14529
14530 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
14531 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
14532
14533 @table @code
14534 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
14535 @cindex start a new trace experiment
14536 @cindex collected data discarded
14537 @item tstart
14538 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
14539 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
14540 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
14541 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
14542 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
14543 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
14544 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
14545 information, and so forth.
14546
14547 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
14548 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
14549 @item tstop
14550 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
14551 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
14552 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
14553 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
14554 needs to be stopped quickly.
14555
14556 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
14557 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
14558 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
14559
14560 @kindex tstatus
14561 @cindex status of trace data collection
14562 @cindex trace experiment, status of
14563 @item tstatus
14564 This command displays the status of the current trace data
14565 collection.
14566 @end table
14567
14568 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
14569
14570 @smallexample
14571 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
14572 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
14573 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
14574 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
14575 > while-stepping 11
14576 > collect $regs
14577 > end
14578 > end
14579 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
14580 [time passes @dots{}]
14581 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
14582 @end smallexample
14583
14584 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
14585 @cindex disconnected tracing
14586 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
14587 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
14588 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
14589 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
14590 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
14591 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
14592 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
14593 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
14594
14595 @table @code
14596 @item set disconnected-tracing on
14597 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
14598 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
14599 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
14600 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
14601 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
14602 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
14603 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
14604
14605 @item show disconnected-tracing
14606 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
14607 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
14608
14609 @end table
14610
14611 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
14612 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
14613 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
14614 it will continue after reconnection.
14615
14616 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
14617 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
14618 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
14619 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
14620 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
14621 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
14622 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
14623 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
14624 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
14625 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
14626
14627 @cindex circular trace buffer
14628 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
14629 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
14630 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
14631 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
14632 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
14633 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
14634 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
14635 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
14636 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
14637 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
14638 the next run.
14639
14640 @table @code
14641 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
14642 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
14643 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
14644 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
14645 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
14646 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
14647 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
14648
14649 @item show circular-trace-buffer
14650 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
14651 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
14652 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
14653 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
14654 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
14655
14656 @end table
14657
14658 @table @code
14659 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
14660 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
14661 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
14662 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
14663 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
14664 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
14665 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
14666 likes. This is also the default.
14667
14668 @item show trace-buffer-size
14669 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
14670 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
14671 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
14672 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
14673 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
14674 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
14675 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
14676 @end table
14677
14678 @table @code
14679 @item set trace-user @var{text}
14680 @kindex set trace-user
14681
14682 @item show trace-user
14683 @kindex show trace-user
14684
14685 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
14686 @kindex set trace-notes
14687 Set the trace run's notes.
14688
14689 @item show trace-notes
14690 @kindex show trace-notes
14691 Show the trace run's notes.
14692
14693 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
14694 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
14695 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
14696 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
14697 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
14698
14699 @item show trace-stop-notes
14700 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
14701 Show the trace run's stop notes.
14702
14703 @end table
14704
14705 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
14706 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
14707
14708 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
14709 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
14710 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
14711 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
14712 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
14713 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
14714 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
14715 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
14716 mentioned here.
14717
14718 @itemize @bullet
14719
14720 @item
14721 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
14722 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
14723 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
14724 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
14725 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
14726 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
14727 cannot be collected either.
14728
14729 @item
14730 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
14731 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
14732 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
14733 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
14734 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
14735 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
14736 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
14737 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
14738 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
14739 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
14740
14741 @item
14742 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
14743 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
14744 in a misleading way.
14745
14746 @item
14747 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
14748 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
14749 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
14750 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
14751 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
14752 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
14753 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
14754 by @code{ptr}.
14755
14756 @item
14757 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
14758 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
14759 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
14760 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
14761 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
14762 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
14763 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
14764 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
14765 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
14766 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
14767 invalid address.
14768
14769 @item
14770 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
14771 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
14772 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
14773 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
14774 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
14775 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
14776 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
14777 it to zero.
14778
14779 @end itemize
14780
14781 @node Analyze Collected Data
14782 @section Using the Collected Data
14783
14784 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
14785 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
14786 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
14787 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
14788 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
14789 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
14790 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
14791 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
14792 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
14793 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
14794 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
14795 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
14796 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
14797 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
14798 the buffer will fail.
14799
14800 @menu
14801 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
14802 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
14803 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
14804 @end menu
14805
14806 @node tfind
14807 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
14808
14809 @kindex tfind
14810 @cindex select trace snapshot
14811 @cindex find trace snapshot
14812 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
14813 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
14814 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
14815 snapshot is selected.
14816
14817 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
14818
14819 @table @code
14820 @item tfind start
14821 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
14822 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
14823
14824 @item tfind none
14825 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
14826
14827 @item tfind end
14828 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
14829
14830 @item tfind
14831 No argument means find the next trace snapshot or find the first
14832 one if no trace snapshot is selected.
14833
14834 @item tfind -
14835 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
14836 retracing earlier steps.
14837
14838 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
14839 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
14840 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
14841 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
14842 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
14843
14844 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
14845 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
14846 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
14847 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
14848 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
14849
14850 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
14851 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
14852 addresses (exclusive).
14853
14854 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
14855 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
14856 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
14857
14858 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
14859 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
14860 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
14861 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
14862 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
14863 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
14864 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
14865 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
14866 @end table
14867
14868 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
14869 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
14870 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
14871 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
14872 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
14873 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
14874 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
14875 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
14876 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
14877 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
14878 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
14879 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
14880 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
14881 tracepoint as the current one.
14882
14883 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
14884 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
14885 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
14886 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
14887 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
14888
14889 @smallexample
14890 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
14891 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
14892 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
14893 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
14894 > tfind
14895 > end
14896
14897 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
14898 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
14899 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
14900 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
14901 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
14902 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
14903 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
14904 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
14905 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
14906 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
14907 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
14908 @end smallexample
14909
14910 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
14911 the buffer:
14912
14913 @smallexample
14914 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
14915 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
14916 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
14917 > tfind line
14918 > end
14919
14920 Frame 0, X = 1
14921 Frame 7, X = 2
14922 Frame 13, X = 255
14923 @end smallexample
14924
14925 @node tdump
14926 @subsection @code{tdump}
14927 @kindex tdump
14928 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
14929 @cindex tracepoint data, display
14930
14931 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
14932 the current trace snapshot.
14933
14934 @smallexample
14935 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
14936 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
14937 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
14938 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
14939 > end
14940
14941 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
14942
14943 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
14944 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
14945 at gdb_test.c:444
14946 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
14947
14948 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
14949 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
14950 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
14951 d1 0x18 24
14952 d2 0x80 128
14953 d3 0x33 51
14954 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
14955 d5 0x22 34
14956 d6 0xe0 224
14957 d7 0x380035 3670069
14958 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
14959 a1 0x3000668 50333288
14960 a2 0x100 256
14961 a3 0x322000 3284992
14962 a4 0x3000698 50333336
14963 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
14964 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
14965 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
14966 ps 0x0 0
14967 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
14968 fpcontrol 0x0 0
14969 fpstatus 0x0 0
14970 fpiaddr 0x0 0
14971 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
14972 p1 = (void *) 0x11
14973 p2 = (void *) 0x22
14974 p3 = (void *) 0x33
14975 p4 = (void *) 0x44
14976 p5 = (void *) 0x55
14977 p6 = (void *) 0x66
14978 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
14979
14980 (@value{GDBP})
14981 @end smallexample
14982
14983 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
14984 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
14985 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
14986 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
14987
14988 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
14989 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
14990 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
14991 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
14992 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
14993 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
14994 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
14995 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
14996 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
14997 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
14998
14999 @node save tracepoints
15000 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
15001 @kindex save tracepoints
15002 @kindex save-tracepoints
15003 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
15004
15005 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
15006 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
15007 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
15008 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
15009 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
15010 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
15011
15012 @node Tracepoint Variables
15013 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
15014 @cindex tracepoint variables
15015 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
15016
15017 @table @code
15018 @vindex $trace_frame
15019 @item (int) $trace_frame
15020 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
15021 snapshot is selected.
15022
15023 @vindex $tracepoint
15024 @item (int) $tracepoint
15025 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
15026
15027 @vindex $trace_line
15028 @item (int) $trace_line
15029 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
15030
15031 @vindex $trace_file
15032 @item (char []) $trace_file
15033 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
15034
15035 @vindex $trace_func
15036 @item (char []) $trace_func
15037 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
15038 @end table
15039
15040 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
15041 use @code{output} instead.
15042
15043 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
15044 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
15045 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
15046 which are managed by the target.
15047
15048 @smallexample
15049 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
15050
15051 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
15052 > output $trace_file
15053 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
15054 > tfind
15055 > end
15056 @end smallexample
15057
15058 @node Trace Files
15059 @section Using Trace Files
15060 @cindex trace files
15061
15062 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
15063 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
15064 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
15065 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
15066 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
15067
15068 @table @code
15069
15070 @kindex tsave
15071 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
15072 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
15073 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
15074 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
15075 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
15076 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
15077 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
15078 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
15079 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
15080 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
15081 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
15082 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save data in CTF
15083 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
15084 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
15085 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
15086
15087 @kindex target tfile
15088 @kindex tfile
15089 @kindex target ctf
15090 @kindex ctf
15091 @item target tfile @var{filename}
15092 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
15093 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
15094 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
15095 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
15096 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
15097 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
15098 Both @var{filename} and @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
15099 the host.
15100
15101 @smallexample
15102 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
15103 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
15104 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
15105 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
15106 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
15107 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
15108 i = 0
15109 a = 0
15110 b = 1 '\001'
15111 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
15112 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
15113 (@value{GDBP}) p b
15114 $1 = 1
15115 @end smallexample
15116
15117 @end table
15118
15119 @node Overlays
15120 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
15121 @cindex overlays
15122
15123 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
15124 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
15125 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
15126 use overlays.
15127
15128 @menu
15129 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
15130 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
15131 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
15132 mapped by asking the inferior.
15133 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
15134 @end menu
15135
15136 @node How Overlays Work
15137 @section How Overlays Work
15138 @cindex mapped overlays
15139 @cindex unmapped overlays
15140 @cindex load address, overlay's
15141 @cindex mapped address
15142 @cindex overlay area
15143
15144 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
15145 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
15146 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
15147 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
15148 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
15149
15150 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
15151 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
15152 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
15153 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
15154 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
15155 largest overlay as well.
15156
15157 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
15158 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
15159 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
15160 there.
15161
15162 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
15163 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
15164 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
15165
15166 @smallexample
15167 @group
15168 Data Instruction Larger
15169 Address Space Address Space Address Space
15170 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
15171 | | | | | |
15172 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
15173 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
15174 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
15175 | and heap | | | | | |
15176 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
15177 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
15178 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
15179 | | | | | |
15180 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
15181 address | | | | | |
15182 | overlay | <-' | | |
15183 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
15184 | | <---. | | load address
15185 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
15186 | | | |
15187 +-----------+ | |
15188 +-----------+
15189 | |
15190 +-----------+
15191
15192 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
15193 @end group
15194 @end smallexample
15195
15196 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
15197 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
15198 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
15199 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
15200 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
15201 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
15202 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
15203 program and the overlay area.
15204
15205 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
15206 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
15207 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
15208 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
15209 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
15210 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
15211 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
15212
15213 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
15214 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
15215 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
15216
15217 @itemize @bullet
15218
15219 @item
15220 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
15221 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
15222 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
15223 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
15224
15225 @item
15226 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
15227 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
15228 your program's performance.
15229
15230 @item
15231 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
15232 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
15233 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
15234 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
15235 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
15236 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
15237 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
15238
15239 @item
15240 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
15241 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
15242 instruction and data spaces.
15243
15244 @end itemize
15245
15246 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
15247 improved in many ways:
15248
15249 @itemize @bullet
15250
15251 @item
15252 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
15253 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
15254 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
15255 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
15256 area in the usual way.
15257
15258 @item
15259 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
15260 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
15261
15262 @item
15263 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
15264 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
15265 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
15266 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
15267 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
15268 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
15269 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
15270
15271 @end itemize
15272
15273
15274 @node Overlay Commands
15275 @section Overlay Commands
15276
15277 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
15278 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
15279 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
15280 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
15281 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
15282 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
15283
15284 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
15285 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
15286
15287 @table @code
15288 @item overlay off
15289 @kindex overlay
15290 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
15291 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
15292 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
15293 overlay support is disabled.
15294
15295 @item overlay manual
15296 @cindex manual overlay debugging
15297 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
15298 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
15299 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
15300 commands described below.
15301
15302 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
15303 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
15304 @cindex map an overlay
15305 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
15306 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
15307 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
15308 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
15309 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
15310 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
15311
15312 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
15313 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
15314 @cindex unmap an overlay
15315 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
15316 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
15317 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
15318 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
15319
15320 @item overlay auto
15321 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
15322 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
15323 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
15324 Overlay Debugging}.
15325
15326 @item overlay load-target
15327 @itemx overlay load
15328 @cindex reloading the overlay table
15329 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
15330 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
15331 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
15332 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
15333 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
15334
15335 @item overlay list-overlays
15336 @itemx overlay list
15337 @cindex listing mapped overlays
15338 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
15339 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
15340
15341 @end table
15342
15343 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
15344 of the function the address falls in:
15345
15346 @smallexample
15347 (@value{GDBP}) print main
15348 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
15349 @end smallexample
15350 @noindent
15351 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
15352 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
15353 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
15354 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
15355
15356 @smallexample
15357 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
15358 No sections are mapped.
15359 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
15360 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
15361 @end smallexample
15362 @noindent
15363 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
15364 name normally:
15365
15366 @smallexample
15367 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
15368 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
15369 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
15370 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
15371 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
15372 @end smallexample
15373
15374 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
15375 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
15376 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
15377 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
15378 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
15379
15380 @itemize @bullet
15381 @item
15382 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
15383 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
15384 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
15385 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
15386 @item
15387 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
15388 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
15389 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
15390 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
15391 breakpoints properly.
15392 @end itemize
15393
15394
15395 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
15396 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
15397 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
15398
15399 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
15400 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
15401 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
15402 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
15403 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
15404 current state of the overlays.
15405
15406 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
15407 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
15408
15409 @table @asis
15410
15411 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
15412 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
15413
15414 @smallexample
15415 struct
15416 @{
15417 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
15418 unsigned long vma;
15419
15420 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
15421 unsigned long size;
15422
15423 /* The overlay's load address. */
15424 unsigned long lma;
15425
15426 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
15427 zero otherwise. */
15428 unsigned long mapped;
15429 @}
15430 @end smallexample
15431
15432 @item @code{_novlys}:
15433 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
15434 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
15435
15436 @end table
15437
15438 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
15439 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
15440 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
15441 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
15442 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
15443 currently mapped.
15444
15445 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
15446 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
15447 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
15448 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
15449 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
15450 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
15451 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
15452 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
15453 are not being executed.
15454
15455 @node Overlay Sample Program
15456 @section Overlay Sample Program
15457 @cindex overlay example program
15458
15459 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
15460 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
15461 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
15462 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
15463 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
15464 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
15465 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
15466
15467 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
15468 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
15469 suite. The program consists of the following files from
15470 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
15471
15472 @table @file
15473 @item overlays.c
15474 The main program file.
15475 @item ovlymgr.c
15476 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
15477 @item foo.c
15478 @itemx bar.c
15479 @itemx baz.c
15480 @itemx grbx.c
15481 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
15482 @item d10v.ld
15483 @itemx m32r.ld
15484 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
15485 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
15486 @end table
15487
15488 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
15489 cross-compiler like this:
15490
15491 @smallexample
15492 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
15493 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
15494 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
15495 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
15496 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
15497 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
15498 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
15499 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
15500 @end smallexample
15501
15502 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
15503 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
15504 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
15505
15506
15507 @node Languages
15508 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
15509 @cindex languages
15510
15511 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
15512 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
15513 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
15514 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
15515 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
15516 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
15517
15518 @cindex working language
15519 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
15520 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
15521 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
15522 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
15523 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
15524 language}.
15525
15526 @menu
15527 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
15528 * Show:: Displaying the language
15529 * Checks:: Type and range checks
15530 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
15531 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
15532 @end menu
15533
15534 @node Setting
15535 @section Switching Between Source Languages
15536
15537 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
15538 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
15539 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
15540 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
15541 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
15542 are printed, etc.
15543
15544 In addition to the working language, every source file that
15545 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
15546 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
15547 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
15548 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
15549 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
15550 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
15551 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
15552 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
15553 Displaying the Language}.
15554
15555 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
15556 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
15557 another language. In that case, make the
15558 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
15559 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
15560 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
15561
15562 @menu
15563 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
15564 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
15565 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
15566 @end menu
15567
15568 @node Filenames
15569 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
15570
15571 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
15572 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
15573
15574 @table @file
15575 @item .ada
15576 @itemx .ads
15577 @itemx .adb
15578 @itemx .a
15579 Ada source file.
15580
15581 @item .c
15582 C source file
15583
15584 @item .C
15585 @itemx .cc
15586 @itemx .cp
15587 @itemx .cpp
15588 @itemx .cxx
15589 @itemx .c++
15590 C@t{++} source file
15591
15592 @item .d
15593 D source file
15594
15595 @item .m
15596 Objective-C source file
15597
15598 @item .f
15599 @itemx .F
15600 Fortran source file
15601
15602 @item .mod
15603 Modula-2 source file
15604
15605 @item .s
15606 @itemx .S
15607 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
15608 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
15609 @end table
15610
15611 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
15612 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
15613
15614 @node Manually
15615 @subsection Setting the Working Language
15616
15617 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
15618 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
15619 your program.
15620
15621 @kindex set language
15622 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
15623 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
15624 a language, such as
15625 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
15626 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
15627
15628 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
15629 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
15630 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
15631 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
15632 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
15633 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
15634 command such as:
15635
15636 @smallexample
15637 print a = b + c
15638 @end smallexample
15639
15640 @noindent
15641 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
15642 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
15643 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
15644 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
15645
15646 @node Automatically
15647 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
15648
15649 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
15650 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
15651 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
15652 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
15653 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
15654 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
15655 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
15656 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
15657 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
15658
15659 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
15660 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
15661 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
15662 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
15663 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
15664
15665 @node Show
15666 @section Displaying the Language
15667
15668 The following commands help you find out which language is the
15669 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
15670
15671 @table @code
15672 @item show language
15673 @anchor{show language}
15674 @kindex show language
15675 Display the current working language. This is the
15676 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
15677 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
15678
15679 @item info frame
15680 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
15681 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
15682 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
15683 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
15684 information listed here.
15685
15686 @item info source
15687 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
15688 Display the source language of this source file.
15689 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
15690 information listed here.
15691 @end table
15692
15693 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
15694 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
15695 with a language explicitly:
15696
15697 @table @code
15698 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
15699 @kindex set extension-language
15700 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
15701 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
15702
15703 @item info extensions
15704 @kindex info extensions
15705 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
15706 @end table
15707
15708 @node Checks
15709 @section Type and Range Checking
15710
15711 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
15712 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
15713 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
15714 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
15715 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
15716 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
15717 errors when your program is running.
15718
15719 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
15720 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
15721 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
15722 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
15723
15724 @menu
15725 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
15726 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
15727 @end menu
15728
15729 @cindex type checking
15730 @cindex checks, type
15731 @node Type Checking
15732 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
15733
15734 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
15735 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
15736 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
15737 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
15738
15739 @smallexample
15740 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
15741
15742 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
15743 $1 = 2
15744 @exdent but
15745 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
15746 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
15747 @end smallexample
15748
15749 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
15750 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
15751
15752 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
15753 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
15754 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
15755 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
15756 expressions like the second example above.
15757
15758 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
15759 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
15760 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
15761 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
15762 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
15763 little sense to evaluate anyway.
15764
15765 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
15766
15767 @kindex set check type
15768 @kindex show check type
15769 @table @code
15770 @item set check type on
15771 @itemx set check type off
15772 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
15773 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
15774 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
15775
15776 @item show check type
15777 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
15778 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
15779 @end table
15780
15781 @cindex range checking
15782 @cindex checks, range
15783 @node Range Checking
15784 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
15785
15786 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
15787 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
15788 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
15789 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
15790 not exceed the bounds of the array.
15791
15792 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
15793 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
15794 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
15795 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
15796
15797 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
15798 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
15799 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
15800 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
15801 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
15802 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
15803
15804 @smallexample
15805 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
15806 @end smallexample
15807
15808 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
15809 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
15810 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
15811
15812 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
15813
15814 @kindex set check range
15815 @kindex show check range
15816 @table @code
15817 @item set check range auto
15818 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
15819 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
15820 each language.
15821
15822 @item set check range on
15823 @itemx set check range off
15824 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
15825 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
15826 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
15827 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
15828
15829 @item set check range warn
15830 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
15831 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
15832 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
15833 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
15834 systems).
15835
15836 @item show range
15837 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
15838 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
15839 @end table
15840
15841 @node Supported Languages
15842 @section Supported Languages
15843
15844 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran,
15845 OpenCL C, Pascal, Rust, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
15846 @c This is false ...
15847 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
15848 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
15849 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
15850 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
15851 language.
15852
15853 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
15854 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
15855 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
15856 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
15857 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
15858 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
15859 language reference or tutorial.
15860
15861 @menu
15862 * C:: C and C@t{++}
15863 * D:: D
15864 * Go:: Go
15865 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
15866 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
15867 * Fortran:: Fortran
15868 * Pascal:: Pascal
15869 * Rust:: Rust
15870 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
15871 * Ada:: Ada
15872 @end menu
15873
15874 @node C
15875 @subsection C and C@t{++}
15876
15877 @cindex C and C@t{++}
15878 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
15879
15880 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
15881 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
15882 together.
15883
15884 @cindex C@t{++}
15885 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
15886 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
15887 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
15888 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
15889 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
15890 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
15891 compiler (@code{aCC}).
15892
15893 @menu
15894 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
15895 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
15896 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
15897 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
15898 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
15899 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
15900 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
15901 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
15902 @end menu
15903
15904 @node C Operators
15905 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
15906
15907 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
15908
15909 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
15910 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
15911 often defined on groups of types.
15912
15913 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
15914
15915 @itemize @bullet
15916
15917 @item
15918 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
15919 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
15920
15921 @item
15922 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
15923 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
15924
15925 @item
15926 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
15927
15928 @item
15929 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
15930
15931 @end itemize
15932
15933 @noindent
15934 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
15935 in order of increasing precedence:
15936
15937 @table @code
15938 @item ,
15939 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
15940 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
15941 expression being the last expression evaluated.
15942
15943 @item =
15944 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
15945 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
15946
15947 @item @var{op}=
15948 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
15949 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
15950 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence. The operator
15951 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
15952 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
15953
15954 @item ?:
15955 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
15956 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. The argument @var{a}
15957 should be of an integral type.
15958
15959 @item ||
15960 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
15961
15962 @item &&
15963 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
15964
15965 @item |
15966 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
15967
15968 @item ^
15969 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
15970
15971 @item &
15972 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
15973
15974 @item ==@r{, }!=
15975 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
15976 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
15977
15978 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
15979 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
15980 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
15981 and non-zero for true.
15982
15983 @item <<@r{, }>>
15984 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
15985
15986 @item @@
15987 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
15988
15989 @item +@r{, }-
15990 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
15991 pointer types.
15992
15993 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
15994 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
15995 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
15996 integral types.
15997
15998 @item ++@r{, }--
15999 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
16000 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
16001 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
16002 operation takes place.
16003
16004 @item *
16005 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
16006 @code{++}.
16007
16008 @item &
16009 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
16010
16011 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
16012 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
16013 to examine the address
16014 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
16015 stored.
16016
16017 @item -
16018 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
16019 precedence as @code{++}.
16020
16021 @item !
16022 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
16023 @code{++}.
16024
16025 @item ~
16026 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
16027 @code{++}.
16028
16029
16030 @item .@r{, }->
16031 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
16032 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
16033 pointer based on the stored type information.
16034 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
16035
16036 @item .*@r{, }->*
16037 Dereferences of pointers to members.
16038
16039 @item []
16040 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
16041 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
16042
16043 @item ()
16044 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
16045
16046 @item ::
16047 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
16048 and @code{class} types.
16049
16050 @item ::
16051 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
16052 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
16053 above.
16054 @end table
16055
16056 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
16057 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
16058 predefined meaning.
16059
16060 @node C Constants
16061 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
16062
16063 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
16064
16065 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
16066 following ways:
16067
16068 @itemize @bullet
16069 @item
16070 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
16071 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
16072 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
16073 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
16074 @code{long} value.
16075
16076 @item
16077 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
16078 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
16079 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
16080 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
16081 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
16082 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
16083 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
16084 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
16085 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
16086 constant.
16087
16088 @item
16089 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
16090 integral equivalents.
16091
16092 @item
16093 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
16094 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
16095 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
16096 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
16097 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
16098 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
16099 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
16100 @samp{\n} for newline.
16101
16102 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
16103 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
16104 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
16105 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
16106
16107 @item
16108 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
16109 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
16110 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
16111 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
16112 characters.
16113
16114 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
16115 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
16116 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
16117
16118 @item
16119 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
16120 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
16121
16122 @item
16123 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
16124 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
16125 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
16126 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
16127 @end itemize
16128
16129 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
16130 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
16131
16132 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
16133 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
16134
16135 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
16136 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
16137 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
16138 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
16139 @quotation
16140 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
16141 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
16142 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
16143 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
16144 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
16145 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
16146 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
16147 code. @xref{Compilation}.
16148 @end quotation
16149
16150 @enumerate
16151
16152 @cindex member functions
16153 @item
16154 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
16155
16156 @smallexample
16157 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
16158 @end smallexample
16159
16160 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
16161 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
16162 @item
16163 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
16164 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
16165 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
16166 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
16167 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
16168
16169 @cindex call overloaded functions
16170 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
16171 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
16172 @item
16173 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
16174 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
16175 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
16176 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
16177 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
16178 default arguments.
16179
16180 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
16181 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
16182 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
16183 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
16184 number of function arguments.
16185
16186 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
16187 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
16188 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
16189
16190 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
16191 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
16192 @smallexample
16193 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
16194 @end smallexample
16195
16196 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
16197 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
16198
16199 @cindex reference declarations
16200 @item
16201 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} lvalue or rvalue
16202 references; you can use them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++}
16203 source---they are automatically dereferenced.
16204
16205 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
16206 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
16207 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
16208 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
16209 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
16210
16211 @item
16212 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
16213 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
16214 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
16215 necessary, for example in an expression like
16216 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
16217 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
16218 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
16219
16220 @item
16221 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
16222 specification.
16223 @end enumerate
16224
16225 @node C Defaults
16226 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
16227
16228 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
16229
16230 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
16231 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
16232 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
16233 selects the working language.
16234
16235 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
16236 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
16237 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
16238 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
16239 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
16240 for further details.
16241
16242 @node C Checks
16243 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
16244
16245 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
16246
16247 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
16248 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
16249 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
16250 constants to pointers.
16251
16252 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
16253 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
16254 that is not itself an array.
16255
16256 @node Debugging C
16257 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
16258
16259 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
16260 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
16261 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
16262 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
16263
16264 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
16265 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
16266 ,Expressions}.
16267
16268 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
16269 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
16270
16271 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
16272
16273 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
16274 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
16275
16276 @table @code
16277 @cindex break in overloaded functions
16278 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
16279 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
16280 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
16281 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
16282 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
16283
16284 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
16285 @item rbreak @var{regex}
16286 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
16287 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
16288 classes.
16289 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
16290
16291 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
16292 @item catch throw
16293 @itemx catch rethrow
16294 @itemx catch catch
16295 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
16296 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
16297
16298 @cindex inheritance
16299 @item ptype @var{typename}
16300 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
16301 @var{typename}.
16302 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
16303
16304 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
16305 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
16306 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
16307 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
16308 multiple inheritance is in use.
16309
16310 @cindex C@t{++} demangling
16311 @item demangle @var{name}
16312 Demangle @var{name}.
16313 @xref{Symbols}, for a more complete description of the @code{demangle} command.
16314
16315 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
16316 @item set print demangle
16317 @itemx show print demangle
16318 @itemx set print asm-demangle
16319 @itemx show print asm-demangle
16320 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
16321 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
16322 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
16323
16324 @item set print object
16325 @itemx show print object
16326 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
16327 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
16328
16329 @item set print vtbl
16330 @itemx show print vtbl
16331 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
16332 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
16333 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
16334 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
16335
16336 @kindex set overload-resolution
16337 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
16338 @item set overload-resolution on
16339 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
16340 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
16341 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
16342 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
16343 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
16344 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
16345
16346 @item set overload-resolution off
16347 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
16348 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
16349 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
16350 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
16351 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
16352 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
16353 argument types.
16354
16355 @kindex show overload-resolution
16356 @item show overload-resolution
16357 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
16358
16359 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
16360 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
16361 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
16362 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
16363 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
16364 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
16365 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
16366
16367 @item @r{Breakpoints in functions with ABI tags}
16368
16369 The GNU C@t{++} compiler introduced the notion of ABI ``tags'', which
16370 correspond to changes in the ABI of a type, function, or variable that
16371 would not otherwise be reflected in a mangled name. See
16372 @url{https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2015/02/05/gcc5-and-the-c11-abi/}
16373 for more detail.
16374
16375 The ABI tags are visible in C@t{++} demangled names. For example, a
16376 function that returns a std::string:
16377
16378 @smallexample
16379 std::string function(int);
16380 @end smallexample
16381
16382 @noindent
16383 when compiled for the C++11 ABI is marked with the @code{cxx11} ABI
16384 tag, and @value{GDBN} displays the symbol like this:
16385
16386 @smallexample
16387 function[abi:cxx11](int)
16388 @end smallexample
16389
16390 You can set a breakpoint on such functions simply as if they had no
16391 tag. For example:
16392
16393 @smallexample
16394 (gdb) b function(int)
16395 Breakpoint 2 at 0x40060d: file main.cc, line 10.
16396 (gdb) info breakpoints
16397 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
16398 1 breakpoint keep y 0x0040060d in function[abi:cxx11](int)
16399 at main.cc:10
16400 @end smallexample
16401
16402 On the rare occasion you need to disambiguate between different ABI
16403 tags, you can do so by simply including the ABI tag in the function
16404 name, like:
16405
16406 @smallexample
16407 (@value{GDBP}) b ambiguous[abi:other_tag](int)
16408 @end smallexample
16409 @end table
16410
16411 @node Decimal Floating Point
16412 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
16413 @cindex decimal floating point format
16414
16415 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
16416 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
16417 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
16418 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
16419
16420 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
16421 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
16422 PowerPC and S/390. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the
16423 configured target.
16424
16425 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
16426 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
16427 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
16428
16429 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
16430 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
16431 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
16432
16433 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
16434 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
16435 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
16436
16437 @node D
16438 @subsection D
16439
16440 @cindex D
16441 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
16442 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
16443 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
16444
16445 @node Go
16446 @subsection Go
16447
16448 @cindex Go (programming language)
16449 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
16450 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
16451
16452 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
16453
16454 @table @code
16455 @cindex current Go package
16456 @item The current Go package
16457 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
16458 specifying global variables and functions.
16459
16460 For example, given the program:
16461
16462 @example
16463 package main
16464 var myglob = "Shall we?"
16465 func main () @{
16466 // ...
16467 @}
16468 @end example
16469
16470 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
16471
16472 @example
16473 (gdb) p myglob
16474 (gdb) p main.myglob
16475 @end example
16476
16477 @cindex builtin Go types
16478 @item Builtin Go types
16479 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
16480 as a string.
16481
16482 @cindex builtin Go functions
16483 @item Builtin Go functions
16484 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
16485 function and handles it internally.
16486
16487 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
16488 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
16489 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
16490 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
16491 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
16492 @end table
16493
16494 @node Objective-C
16495 @subsection Objective-C
16496
16497 @cindex Objective-C
16498 This section provides information about some commands and command
16499 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
16500 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
16501 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
16502
16503 @menu
16504 * Method Names in Commands::
16505 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
16506 @end menu
16507
16508 @node Method Names in Commands
16509 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
16510
16511 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
16512 names as line specifications:
16513
16514 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
16515 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
16516 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
16517 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
16518 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
16519 @itemize
16520 @item @code{clear}
16521 @item @code{break}
16522 @item @code{info line}
16523 @item @code{jump}
16524 @item @code{list}
16525 @end itemize
16526
16527 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
16528
16529 @smallexample
16530 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
16531 @end smallexample
16532
16533 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
16534 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
16535 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
16536 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
16537 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
16538 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
16539 debugged, enter:
16540
16541 @smallexample
16542 break -[Fruit create]
16543 @end smallexample
16544
16545 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
16546 enter:
16547
16548 @smallexample
16549 list +[NSText initialize]
16550 @end smallexample
16551
16552 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
16553 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
16554 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
16555 is also possible to specify just a method name:
16556
16557 @smallexample
16558 break create
16559 @end smallexample
16560
16561 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
16562 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
16563 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
16564 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
16565 none apply.
16566
16567 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
16568 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
16569
16570 @smallexample
16571 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
16572 @end smallexample
16573
16574 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
16575 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
16576 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
16577 @kindex print-object
16578 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
16579
16580 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
16581
16582 @smallexample
16583 print -[@var{object} hash]
16584 @end smallexample
16585
16586 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
16587 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
16588 @noindent
16589 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
16590 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
16591 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
16592 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
16593 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
16594 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
16595
16596 @node OpenCL C
16597 @subsection OpenCL C
16598
16599 @cindex OpenCL C
16600 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
16601
16602 @menu
16603 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
16604 * OpenCL C Expressions::
16605 * OpenCL C Operators::
16606 @end menu
16607
16608 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
16609 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
16610
16611 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
16612 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
16613 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
16614 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
16615 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
16616
16617 @node OpenCL C Expressions
16618 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
16619
16620 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
16621 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
16622 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
16623 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
16624
16625 @node OpenCL C Operators
16626 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
16627
16628 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
16629 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
16630 vector data types.
16631
16632 @node Fortran
16633 @subsection Fortran
16634 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
16635
16636 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
16637 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
16638
16639 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
16640 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
16641 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
16642 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
16643 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
16644 underscore.
16645
16646 @menu
16647 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
16648 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
16649 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
16650 @end menu
16651
16652 @node Fortran Operators
16653 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
16654
16655 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
16656
16657 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
16658 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
16659 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
16660
16661 @table @code
16662 @item **
16663 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
16664 of the second one.
16665
16666 @item :
16667 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
16668 represent a section of array.
16669
16670 @item %
16671 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
16672 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
16673 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
16674 union type.
16675 @item ::
16676 The scope operator. Normally used to access variables in modules or
16677 to set breakpoints on subroutines nested in modules or in other
16678 subroutines (internal subroutines).
16679 @end table
16680
16681 @node Fortran Defaults
16682 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
16683
16684 @cindex Fortran Defaults
16685
16686 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
16687 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
16688 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
16689 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
16690
16691 @node Special Fortran Commands
16692 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
16693
16694 @cindex Special Fortran commands
16695
16696 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
16697 such as displaying common blocks.
16698
16699 @table @code
16700 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
16701 @kindex info common
16702 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
16703 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
16704 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
16705 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
16706 printed.
16707 @end table
16708
16709 @node Pascal
16710 @subsection Pascal
16711
16712 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
16713 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
16714 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
16715 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
16716 syntax.
16717
16718 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
16719 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
16720 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
16721
16722 @node Rust
16723 @subsection Rust
16724
16725 @value{GDBN} supports the @url{https://www.rust-lang.org/, Rust
16726 Programming Language}. Type- and value-printing, and expression
16727 parsing, are reasonably complete. However, there are a few
16728 peculiarities and holes to be aware of.
16729
16730 @itemize @bullet
16731 @item
16732 Linespecs (@pxref{Specify Location}) are never relative to the current
16733 crate. Instead, they act as if there were a global namespace of
16734 crates, somewhat similar to the way @code{extern crate} behaves.
16735
16736 That is, if @value{GDBN} is stopped at a breakpoint in a function in
16737 crate @samp{A}, module @samp{B}, then @code{break B::f} will attempt
16738 to set a breakpoint in a function named @samp{f} in a crate named
16739 @samp{B}.
16740
16741 As a consequence of this approach, linespecs also cannot refer to
16742 items using @samp{self::} or @samp{super::}.
16743
16744 @item
16745 Because @value{GDBN} implements Rust name-lookup semantics in
16746 expressions, it will sometimes prepend the current crate to a name.
16747 For example, if @value{GDBN} is stopped at a breakpoint in the crate
16748 @samp{K}, then @code{print ::x::y} will try to find the symbol
16749 @samp{K::x::y}.
16750
16751 However, since it is useful to be able to refer to other crates when
16752 debugging, @value{GDBN} provides the @code{extern} extension to
16753 circumvent this. To use the extension, just put @code{extern} before
16754 a path expression to refer to the otherwise unavailable ``global''
16755 scope.
16756
16757 In the above example, if you wanted to refer to the symbol @samp{y} in
16758 the crate @samp{x}, you would use @code{print extern x::y}.
16759
16760 @item
16761 The Rust expression evaluator does not support ``statement-like''
16762 expressions such as @code{if} or @code{match}, or lambda expressions.
16763
16764 @item
16765 Tuple expressions are not implemented.
16766
16767 @item
16768 The Rust expression evaluator does not currently implement the
16769 @code{Drop} trait. Objects that may be created by the evaluator will
16770 never be destroyed.
16771
16772 @item
16773 @value{GDBN} does not implement type inference for generics. In order
16774 to call generic functions or otherwise refer to generic items, you
16775 will have to specify the type parameters manually.
16776
16777 @item
16778 @value{GDBN} currently uses the C@t{++} demangler for Rust. In most
16779 cases this does not cause any problems. However, in an expression
16780 context, completing a generic function name will give syntactically
16781 invalid results. This happens because Rust requires the @samp{::}
16782 operator between the function name and its generic arguments. For
16783 example, @value{GDBN} might provide a completion like
16784 @code{crate::f<u32>}, where the parser would require
16785 @code{crate::f::<u32>}.
16786
16787 @item
16788 As of this writing, the Rust compiler (version 1.8) has a few holes in
16789 the debugging information it generates. These holes prevent certain
16790 features from being implemented by @value{GDBN}:
16791 @itemize @bullet
16792
16793 @item
16794 Method calls cannot be made via traits.
16795
16796 @item
16797 Operator overloading is not implemented.
16798
16799 @item
16800 When debugging in a monomorphized function, you cannot use the generic
16801 type names.
16802
16803 @item
16804 The type @code{Self} is not available.
16805
16806 @item
16807 @code{use} statements are not available, so some names may not be
16808 available in the crate.
16809 @end itemize
16810 @end itemize
16811
16812 @node Modula-2
16813 @subsection Modula-2
16814
16815 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
16816
16817 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
16818 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
16819 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
16820 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
16821 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
16822 table.
16823
16824 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
16825 @menu
16826 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
16827 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
16828 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
16829 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
16830 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
16831 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
16832 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
16833 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
16834 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
16835 @end menu
16836
16837 @node M2 Operators
16838 @subsubsection Operators
16839 @cindex Modula-2 operators
16840
16841 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
16842 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
16843 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
16844 following definitions hold:
16845
16846 @itemize @bullet
16847
16848 @item
16849 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
16850 their subranges.
16851
16852 @item
16853 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
16854
16855 @item
16856 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
16857
16858 @item
16859 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
16860 @var{type}}.
16861
16862 @item
16863 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
16864
16865 @item
16866 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
16867
16868 @item
16869 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
16870 @end itemize
16871
16872 @noindent
16873 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
16874 increasing precedence:
16875
16876 @table @code
16877 @item ,
16878 Function argument or array index separator.
16879
16880 @item :=
16881 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
16882 @var{value}.
16883
16884 @item <@r{, }>
16885 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
16886 types.
16887
16888 @item <=@r{, }>=
16889 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
16890 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
16891 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
16892
16893 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
16894 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
16895 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
16896 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
16897 comment character.
16898
16899 @item IN
16900 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
16901 Same precedence as @code{<}.
16902
16903 @item OR
16904 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
16905
16906 @item AND@r{, }&
16907 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
16908
16909 @item @@
16910 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
16911
16912 @item +@r{, }-
16913 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
16914 and difference on set types.
16915
16916 @item *
16917 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
16918 on set types.
16919
16920 @item /
16921 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
16922 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
16923
16924 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
16925 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
16926 precedence as @code{*}.
16927
16928 @item -
16929 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
16930
16931 @item ^
16932 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
16933
16934 @item NOT
16935 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
16936 @code{^}.
16937
16938 @item .
16939 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
16940 precedence as @code{^}.
16941
16942 @item []
16943 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
16944
16945 @item ()
16946 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
16947 as @code{^}.
16948
16949 @item ::@r{, }.
16950 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
16951 @end table
16952
16953 @quotation
16954 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
16955 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
16956 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
16957 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
16958 @end quotation
16959
16960
16961 @node Built-In Func/Proc
16962 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
16963 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
16964
16965 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
16966 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
16967
16968 @table @var
16969
16970 @item a
16971 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
16972
16973 @item c
16974 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
16975
16976 @item i
16977 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
16978
16979 @item m
16980 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
16981 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
16982 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
16983
16984 @item n
16985 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
16986
16987 @item r
16988 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
16989
16990 @item t
16991 represents a type.
16992
16993 @item v
16994 represents a variable.
16995
16996 @item x
16997 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
16998 explanation of the function for details.
16999 @end table
17000
17001 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
17002
17003 @table @code
17004 @item ABS(@var{n})
17005 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
17006
17007 @item CAP(@var{c})
17008 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
17009 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
17010
17011 @item CHR(@var{i})
17012 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
17013
17014 @item DEC(@var{v})
17015 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
17016
17017 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
17018 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
17019 new value.
17020
17021 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
17022 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
17023 set.
17024
17025 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
17026 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
17027
17028 @item HIGH(@var{a})
17029 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
17030
17031 @item INC(@var{v})
17032 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
17033
17034 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
17035 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
17036 new value.
17037
17038 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
17039 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
17040 there. Returns the new set.
17041
17042 @item MAX(@var{t})
17043 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
17044
17045 @item MIN(@var{t})
17046 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
17047
17048 @item ODD(@var{i})
17049 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
17050
17051 @item ORD(@var{x})
17052 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
17053 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting
17054 the @sc{ascii} character set). The argument @var{x} must be of an
17055 ordered type, which include integral, character and enumerated types.
17056
17057 @item SIZE(@var{x})
17058 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
17059 variable or a type.
17060
17061 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
17062 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
17063
17064 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
17065 Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
17066 variable or a type.
17067
17068 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
17069 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
17070 @end table
17071
17072 @quotation
17073 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
17074 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
17075 an error.
17076 @end quotation
17077
17078 @cindex Modula-2 constants
17079 @node M2 Constants
17080 @subsubsection Constants
17081
17082 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
17083 ways:
17084
17085 @itemize @bullet
17086
17087 @item
17088 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
17089 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
17090 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
17091 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
17092
17093 @item
17094 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
17095 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
17096 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
17097 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
17098 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
17099 digits.
17100
17101 @item
17102 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
17103 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
17104 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
17105 followed by a @samp{C}.
17106
17107 @item
17108 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
17109 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
17110 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
17111 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
17112 sequences.
17113
17114 @item
17115 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
17116
17117 @item
17118 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
17119 @code{FALSE}.
17120
17121 @item
17122 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
17123
17124 @item
17125 Set constants are not yet supported.
17126 @end itemize
17127
17128 @node M2 Types
17129 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
17130 @cindex Modula-2 types
17131
17132 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
17133 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
17134 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
17135 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
17136 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
17137 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
17138
17139 The first example contains the following section of code:
17140
17141 @smallexample
17142 VAR
17143 s: SET OF CHAR ;
17144 r: [20..40] ;
17145 @end smallexample
17146
17147 @noindent
17148 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
17149 @code{r} and @code{s}.
17150
17151 @smallexample
17152 (@value{GDBP}) print s
17153 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
17154 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
17155 SET OF CHAR
17156 (@value{GDBP}) print r
17157 21
17158 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
17159 [20..40]
17160 @end smallexample
17161
17162 @noindent
17163 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
17164
17165 @smallexample
17166 VAR
17167 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
17168 @end smallexample
17169
17170 @noindent
17171 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
17172
17173 @smallexample
17174 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
17175 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
17176 @end smallexample
17177
17178 @noindent
17179 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
17180 expressions using the debugger.
17181
17182 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
17183 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
17184
17185 @smallexample
17186 VAR
17187 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
17188 @end smallexample
17189
17190 @smallexample
17191 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
17192 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
17193 @end smallexample
17194
17195 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
17196 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
17197 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
17198 above.
17199
17200 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
17201
17202 @smallexample
17203 TYPE
17204 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
17205 t = [blue..yellow] ;
17206 VAR
17207 s: t ;
17208 BEGIN
17209 s := blue ;
17210 @end smallexample
17211
17212 @noindent
17213 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
17214 and value of a variable.
17215
17216 @smallexample
17217 (@value{GDBP}) print s
17218 $1 = blue
17219 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
17220 type = [blue..yellow]
17221 @end smallexample
17222
17223 @noindent
17224 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
17225 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
17226 their @code{C} counterparts.
17227
17228 @smallexample
17229 VAR
17230 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
17231 BEGIN
17232 s[1] := 1 ;
17233 @end smallexample
17234
17235 @smallexample
17236 (@value{GDBP}) print s
17237 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
17238 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
17239 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
17240 @end smallexample
17241
17242 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
17243 pointer types as shown in this example:
17244
17245 @smallexample
17246 VAR
17247 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
17248 BEGIN
17249 NEW(s) ;
17250 s^[1] := 1 ;
17251 @end smallexample
17252
17253 @noindent
17254 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
17255
17256 @smallexample
17257 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
17258 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
17259 @end smallexample
17260
17261 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
17262 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
17263 types:
17264
17265 @smallexample
17266 TYPE
17267 foo = RECORD
17268 f1: CARDINAL ;
17269 f2: CHAR ;
17270 f3: myarray ;
17271 END ;
17272
17273 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
17274 myrange = [-2..2] ;
17275 VAR
17276 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
17277 @end smallexample
17278
17279 @noindent
17280 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
17281 below.
17282
17283 @smallexample
17284 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
17285 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
17286 f1 : CARDINAL;
17287 f2 : CHAR;
17288 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
17289 END
17290 @end smallexample
17291
17292 @node M2 Defaults
17293 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
17294 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
17295
17296 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
17297 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
17298 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
17299 selected the working language.
17300
17301 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
17302 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
17303 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
17304 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
17305
17306 @node Deviations
17307 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
17308 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
17309
17310 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
17311 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
17312
17313 @itemize @bullet
17314 @item
17315 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
17316 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
17317 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
17318 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
17319 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
17320 returned a pointer.)
17321
17322 @item
17323 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
17324 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
17325 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
17326 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
17327
17328 @item
17329 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
17330 argument.
17331
17332 @item
17333 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
17334 @end itemize
17335
17336 @node M2 Checks
17337 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
17338 @cindex Modula-2 checks
17339
17340 @quotation
17341 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
17342 range checking.
17343 @end quotation
17344 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
17345
17346 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
17347
17348 @itemize @bullet
17349 @item
17350 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
17351 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
17352
17353 @item
17354 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
17355 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
17356 @end itemize
17357
17358 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
17359 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
17360
17361 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
17362 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
17363
17364 @node M2 Scope
17365 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
17366 @cindex scope
17367 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
17368 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
17369 @ifinfo
17370 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
17371 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
17372 @end ifinfo
17373 @ifnotinfo
17374 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
17375 @end ifnotinfo
17376
17377 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
17378 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
17379 similar syntax:
17380
17381 @smallexample
17382
17383 @var{module} . @var{id}
17384 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
17385 @end smallexample
17386
17387 @noindent
17388 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
17389 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
17390 identifier within your program, except another module.
17391
17392 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
17393 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
17394 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
17395 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
17396
17397 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
17398 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
17399 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
17400 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
17401 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
17402 @var{module}.
17403
17404 @node GDB/M2
17405 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
17406
17407 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
17408 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
17409 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
17410 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
17411 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
17412 analogue in Modula-2.
17413
17414 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
17415 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
17416 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
17417 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
17418 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
17419 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
17420
17421 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
17422 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
17423 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
17424
17425 @node Ada
17426 @subsection Ada
17427 @cindex Ada
17428
17429 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
17430 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
17431 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
17432 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
17433 to be difficult.
17434
17435
17436 @cindex expressions in Ada
17437 @menu
17438 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
17439 and semantics supported by Ada mode
17440 in @value{GDBN}.
17441 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
17442 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
17443 * Overloading support for Ada:: Support for expressions involving overloaded
17444 subprograms.
17445 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
17446 * Ada Exceptions:: Ada Exceptions
17447 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
17448 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
17449 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
17450 Profile
17451 * Ada Settings:: New settable GDB parameters for Ada.
17452 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
17453 @end menu
17454
17455 @node Ada Mode Intro
17456 @subsubsection Introduction
17457 @cindex Ada mode, general
17458
17459 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
17460 syntax, with some extensions.
17461 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
17462
17463 @itemize @bullet
17464 @item
17465 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
17466 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
17467 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
17468 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
17469
17470 @item
17471 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
17472 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
17473
17474 @item
17475 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
17476 @end itemize
17477
17478 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
17479 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
17480 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
17481 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
17482 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
17483
17484 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
17485 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
17486 was translated from an Ada source file.
17487
17488 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
17489 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
17490 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
17491 middle (to allow based literals).
17492
17493 @node Omissions from Ada
17494 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
17495 @cindex Ada, omissions from
17496
17497 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
17498
17499 @itemize @bullet
17500 @item
17501 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
17502
17503 @itemize @minus
17504 @item
17505 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
17506 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
17507
17508 @item
17509 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
17510
17511 @item
17512 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
17513
17514 @item
17515 @t{'Tag}.
17516
17517 @item
17518 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
17519 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
17520
17521 @item
17522 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
17523 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
17524
17525 @item
17526 @t{'Address}.
17527 @end itemize
17528
17529 @item
17530 The names in
17531 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
17532 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
17533 not currently available.
17534
17535 @item
17536 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
17537 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
17538 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
17539 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
17540 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
17541 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
17542 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
17543 indeterminate values.
17544
17545 @item
17546 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
17547 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
17548 are not implemented.
17549
17550 @item
17551 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
17552 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
17553 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
17554 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
17555 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
17556
17557 @smallexample
17558 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
17559 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
17560 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
17561 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
17562 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
17563 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
17564 @end smallexample
17565
17566 Changing a
17567 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
17568 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
17569 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
17570 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
17571 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
17572 declared to have a type such as:
17573
17574 @smallexample
17575 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
17576 Id : Integer;
17577 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
17578 end record;
17579 @end smallexample
17580
17581 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
17582 assignments:
17583
17584 @smallexample
17585 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
17586 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
17587 @end smallexample
17588
17589 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
17590 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
17591 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
17592 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
17593 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
17594 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
17595 redundant component associations, although which component values are
17596 assigned in such cases is not defined.
17597
17598 @item
17599 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
17600
17601 @item
17602 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
17603 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
17604 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
17605 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
17606 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
17607 the proper resolution.
17608
17609 @item
17610 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
17611
17612 @item
17613 Entry calls are not implemented.
17614
17615 @item
17616 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
17617 formats are not supported.
17618
17619 @item
17620 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
17621
17622 @item
17623 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
17624 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
17625 context.
17626 Should your program
17627 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
17628 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
17629 @end itemize
17630
17631 @node Additions to Ada
17632 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
17633 @cindex Ada, deviations from
17634
17635 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
17636 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
17637
17638 @itemize @bullet
17639 @item
17640 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
17641 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
17642 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
17643 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
17644 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
17645 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
17646 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
17647 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
17648
17649 @item
17650 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
17651 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
17652 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
17653
17654 @item
17655 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
17656 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
17657
17658 @item
17659 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
17660 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
17661 @end itemize
17662
17663 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
17664 additions specific to Ada:
17665
17666 @itemize @bullet
17667 @item
17668 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
17669 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
17670
17671 @smallexample
17672 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
17673 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
17674 @end smallexample
17675
17676 @item
17677 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
17678 the value of its right-hand operand.
17679 This allows, for example,
17680 complex conditional breaks:
17681
17682 @smallexample
17683 (@value{GDBP}) break f
17684 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
17685 @end smallexample
17686
17687 @item
17688 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
17689 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
17690 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
17691 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
17692 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
17693 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
17694 in strings. For example,
17695 @smallexample
17696 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
17697 @end smallexample
17698 @noindent
17699 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
17700 after each period.
17701
17702 @item
17703 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
17704 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
17705 to write
17706
17707 @smallexample
17708 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
17709 @end smallexample
17710
17711 @item
17712 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
17713 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
17714 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
17715 of 3 might print as
17716
17717 @smallexample
17718 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
17719 @end smallexample
17720
17721 @noindent
17722 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
17723 clause.
17724
17725 @item
17726 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
17727 multi-character subsequence of
17728 their names (an exact match gets preference).
17729 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
17730 in place of @t{a'length}.
17731
17732 @item
17733 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
17734 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
17735 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
17736 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
17737 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
17738 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
17739 For example,
17740 @smallexample
17741 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
17742 @end smallexample
17743
17744 @item
17745 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
17746 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
17747 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
17748 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
17749 object.
17750
17751 @end itemize
17752
17753 @node Overloading support for Ada
17754 @subsubsection Overloading support for Ada
17755 @cindex overloading, Ada
17756
17757 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
17758 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
17759 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
17760 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
17761 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
17762 functions to procedures elsewhere.
17763
17764 If, after narrowing, the set of matching definitions still contains more than
17765 one definition, @value{GDBN} will display a menu to query which one it should
17766 use, for instance:
17767
17768 @smallexample
17769 (@value{GDBP}) print f(1)
17770 Multiple matches for f
17771 [0] cancel
17772 [1] foo.f (integer) return boolean at foo.adb:23
17773 [2] foo.f (foo.new_integer) return boolean at foo.adb:28
17774 >
17775 @end smallexample
17776
17777 In this case, just select one menu entry either to cancel expression evaluation
17778 (type @kbd{0} and press @key{RET}) or to continue evaluation with a specific
17779 instance (type the corresponding number and press @key{RET}).
17780
17781 Here are a couple of commands to customize @value{GDBN}'s behavior in this
17782 case:
17783
17784 @table @code
17785
17786 @kindex set ada print-signatures
17787 @item set ada print-signatures
17788 Control whether parameter types and return types are displayed in overloads
17789 selection menus. It is @code{on} by default.
17790 @xref{Overloading support for Ada}.
17791
17792 @kindex show ada print-signatures
17793 @item show ada print-signatures
17794 Show the current setting for displaying parameter types and return types in
17795 overloads selection menu.
17796 @xref{Overloading support for Ada}.
17797
17798 @end table
17799
17800 @node Stopping Before Main Program
17801 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
17802
17803 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
17804 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
17805 before reaching the main procedure.
17806 As defined in the Ada Reference
17807 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
17808 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
17809 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
17810 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
17811
17812 @node Ada Exceptions
17813 @subsubsection Ada Exceptions
17814
17815 A command is provided to list all Ada exceptions:
17816
17817 @table @code
17818 @kindex info exceptions
17819 @item info exceptions
17820 @itemx info exceptions @var{regexp}
17821 The @code{info exceptions} command allows you to list all Ada exceptions
17822 defined within the program being debugged, as well as their addresses.
17823 With a regular expression, @var{regexp}, as argument, only those exceptions
17824 whose names match @var{regexp} are listed.
17825 @end table
17826
17827 Below is a small example, showing how the command can be used, first
17828 without argument, and next with a regular expression passed as an
17829 argument.
17830
17831 @smallexample
17832 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions
17833 All defined Ada exceptions:
17834 constraint_error: 0x613da0
17835 program_error: 0x613d20
17836 storage_error: 0x613ce0
17837 tasking_error: 0x613ca0
17838 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
17839 (@value{GDBP}) info exceptions const.aint
17840 All Ada exceptions matching regular expression "const.aint":
17841 constraint_error: 0x613da0
17842 const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
17843 @end smallexample
17844
17845 It is also possible to ask @value{GDBN} to stop your program's execution
17846 when an exception is raised. For more details, see @ref{Set Catchpoints}.
17847
17848 @node Ada Tasks
17849 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
17850 @cindex Ada, tasking
17851
17852 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
17853 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
17854
17855 @table @code
17856 @kindex info tasks
17857 @item info tasks
17858 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
17859
17860
17861 @smallexample
17862 @iftex
17863 @leftskip=0.5cm
17864 @end iftex
17865 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17866 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17867 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17868 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
17869 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
17870 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
17871
17872 @end smallexample
17873
17874 @noindent
17875 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
17876 task currently being inspected.
17877
17878 @table @asis
17879 @item ID
17880 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
17881
17882 @item TID
17883 The Ada task ID.
17884
17885 @item P-ID
17886 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
17887
17888 @item Pri
17889 The base priority of the task.
17890
17891 @item State
17892 Current state of the task.
17893
17894 @table @code
17895 @item Unactivated
17896 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
17897 executing.
17898
17899 @item Runnable
17900 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
17901 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
17902
17903 @item Terminated
17904 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
17905 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
17906 terminated themselves.
17907
17908 @item Child Activation Wait
17909 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
17910
17911 @item Accept Statement
17912 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
17913
17914 @item Waiting on entry call
17915 The task is waiting on an entry call.
17916
17917 @item Async Select Wait
17918 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
17919 select statement.
17920
17921 @item Delay Sleep
17922 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
17923 alternative open.
17924
17925 @item Child Termination Wait
17926 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
17927 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
17928 waiting on a terminate Phase.
17929
17930 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
17931 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
17932 finish terminating.
17933
17934 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
17935 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
17936 @end table
17937
17938 @item Name
17939 Name of the task in the program.
17940
17941 @end table
17942
17943 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
17944 @item info task @var{taskno}
17945 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
17946 the following example:
17947 @smallexample
17948 @iftex
17949 @leftskip=0.5cm
17950 @end iftex
17951 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17952 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17953 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17954 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
17955 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
17956 Ada Task: 0x807c468
17957 Name: "task_1"
17958 Thread: 0
17959 LWP: 0x1fac
17960 Parent: 1 ("main_task")
17961 Base Priority: 15
17962 State: Runnable
17963 @end smallexample
17964
17965 @item task
17966 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
17967 @cindex current Ada task ID
17968 This command prints the ID and name of the current task.
17969
17970 @smallexample
17971 @iftex
17972 @leftskip=0.5cm
17973 @end iftex
17974 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17975 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17976 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17977 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable some_task
17978 (@value{GDBP}) task
17979 [Current task is 2 "some_task"]
17980 @end smallexample
17981
17982 @item task @var{taskno}
17983 @cindex Ada task switching
17984 This command is like the @code{thread @var{thread-id}}
17985 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
17986 from the current task to the given task.
17987
17988 @smallexample
17989 @iftex
17990 @leftskip=0.5cm
17991 @end iftex
17992 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
17993 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
17994 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
17995 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable some_task
17996 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
17997 [Switching to task 1 "main_task"]
17998 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
17999 (@value{GDBP}) bt
18000 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
18001 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
18002 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
18003 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
18004 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
18005 @end smallexample
18006
18007 @item break @var{location} task @var{taskno}
18008 @itemx break @var{location} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
18009 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
18010 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
18011 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
18012 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
18013 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}). The
18014 @var{location} argument specifies source lines, as described
18015 in @ref{Specify Location}.
18016
18017 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
18018 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
18019 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. The @var{taskno} is one of the
18020 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
18021 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
18022
18023 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
18024 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
18025 program.
18026
18027 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
18028 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
18029 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
18030
18031 For example,
18032
18033 @smallexample
18034 @iftex
18035 @leftskip=0.5cm
18036 @end iftex
18037 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
18038 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
18039 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
18040 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
18041 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
18042 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
18043 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
18044 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
18045 (@value{GDBP}) cont
18046 Continuing.
18047 task # 1 running
18048 task # 2 running
18049
18050 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
18051 15 flush;
18052 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
18053 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
18054 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
18055 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
18056 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
18057 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
18058 @end smallexample
18059 @end table
18060
18061 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
18062 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
18063 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
18064
18065 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
18066 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
18067 the platform being used.
18068 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
18069 switching is not supported.
18070
18071 On certain platforms, the debugger needs to perform some
18072 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
18073 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
18074 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
18075 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
18076 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
18077
18078 @node Ravenscar Profile
18079 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
18080 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
18081
18082 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
18083 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
18084 requirements.
18085
18086 @table @code
18087 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
18088 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
18089 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
18090 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
18091 Profile. This is the default.
18092
18093 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
18094 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
18095 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
18096 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
18097 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
18098 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
18099 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
18100
18101 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
18102 @item show ravenscar task-switching
18103 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
18104 using the Ravenscar Profile.
18105
18106 @end table
18107
18108 @node Ada Settings
18109 @subsubsection Ada Settings
18110 @cindex Ada settings
18111
18112 @table @code
18113 @kindex set varsize-limit
18114 @item set varsize-limit @var{size}
18115 Prevent @value{GDBN} from attempting to evaluate objects whose size
18116 is above the given limit (@var{size}) when those sizes are computed
18117 from run-time quantities. This is typically the case when the object
18118 has a variable size, such as an array whose bounds are not known at
18119 compile time for example. Setting @var{size} to @code{unlimited}
18120 removes the size limitation. By default, the limit is about 65KB.
18121
18122 The purpose of having such a limit is to prevent @value{GDBN} from
18123 trying to grab enormous chunks of virtual memory when asked to evaluate
18124 a quantity whose bounds have been corrupted or have not yet been fully
18125 initialized. The limit applies to the results of some subexpressions
18126 as well as to complete expressions. For example, an expression denoting
18127 a simple integer component, such as @code{x.y.z}, may fail if the size of
18128 @code{x.y} is variable and exceeds @code{size}. On the other hand,
18129 @value{GDBN} is sometimes clever; the expression @code{A(i)}, where
18130 @code{A} is an array variable with non-constant size, will generally
18131 succeed regardless of the bounds on @code{A}, as long as the component
18132 size is less than @var{size}.
18133
18134 @kindex show varsize-limit
18135 @item show varsize-limit
18136 Show the limit on types whose size is determined by run-time quantities.
18137 @end table
18138
18139 @node Ada Glitches
18140 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
18141 @cindex Ada, problems
18142
18143 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
18144 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
18145 @value{GDBN},
18146 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
18147 and the GNU Ada compiler.
18148
18149 @itemize @bullet
18150 @item
18151 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
18152 storage are invisible to the debugger.
18153
18154 @item
18155 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
18156 argument lists are treated as positional).
18157
18158 @item
18159 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
18160
18161 @item
18162 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
18163 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
18164 the host machine.
18165
18166 @item
18167 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
18168 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
18169 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
18170 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
18171 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
18172 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
18173 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
18174 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
18175 you can usually resolve the confusion
18176 by qualifying the problematic names with package
18177 @code{Standard} explicitly.
18178 @end itemize
18179
18180 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
18181 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
18182 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
18183 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
18184 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
18185 enabled.
18186
18187 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
18188 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
18189 @table @code
18190
18191 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
18192 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
18193 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
18194 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
18195 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
18196 This is the default.
18197
18198 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
18199 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
18200 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
18201 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
18202 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
18203 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
18204 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
18205
18206 @end table
18207
18208 @cindex GNAT descriptive types
18209 @cindex GNAT encoding
18210 Internally, the debugger also relies on the compiler following a number
18211 of conventions known as the @samp{GNAT Encoding}, all documented in
18212 @file{gcc/ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources. This encoding describes
18213 how the debugging information should be generated for certain types.
18214 In particular, this convention makes use of @dfn{descriptive types},
18215 which are artificial types generated purely to help the debugger.
18216
18217 These encodings were defined at a time when the debugging information
18218 format used was not powerful enough to describe some of the more complex
18219 types available in Ada. Since DWARF allows us to express nearly all
18220 Ada features, the long-term goal is to slowly replace these descriptive
18221 types by their pure DWARF equivalent. To facilitate that transition,
18222 a new maintenance option is available to force the debugger to ignore
18223 those descriptive types. It allows the user to quickly evaluate how
18224 well @value{GDBN} works without them.
18225
18226 @table @code
18227
18228 @kindex maint ada set ignore-descriptive-types
18229 @item maintenance ada set ignore-descriptive-types [on|off]
18230 Control whether the debugger should ignore descriptive types.
18231 The default is not to ignore descriptives types (@code{off}).
18232
18233 @kindex maint ada show ignore-descriptive-types
18234 @item maintenance ada show ignore-descriptive-types
18235 Show if descriptive types are ignored by @value{GDBN}.
18236
18237 @end table
18238
18239 @node Unsupported Languages
18240 @section Unsupported Languages
18241
18242 @cindex unsupported languages
18243 @cindex minimal language
18244 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
18245 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
18246 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
18247 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
18248 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
18249 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
18250
18251 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
18252 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
18253 language.
18254
18255 @node Symbols
18256 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
18257
18258 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
18259 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
18260 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
18261 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
18262 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
18263 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
18264 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
18265
18266 @cindex symbol names
18267 @cindex names of symbols
18268 @cindex quoting names
18269 @anchor{quoting names}
18270 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
18271 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
18272 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
18273 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
18274 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
18275 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
18276 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
18277 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
18278
18279 @smallexample
18280 p 'foo.c'::x
18281 @end smallexample
18282
18283 @noindent
18284 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
18285
18286 @table @code
18287 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
18288 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
18289 @kindex set case-sensitive
18290 @item set case-sensitive on
18291 @itemx set case-sensitive off
18292 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
18293 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
18294 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
18295 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
18296 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
18297 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
18298 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
18299 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
18300 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
18301 case-insensitive matches.
18302
18303 @kindex show case-sensitive
18304 @item show case-sensitive
18305 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
18306 lookups.
18307
18308 @kindex set print type methods
18309 @item set print type methods
18310 @itemx set print type methods on
18311 @itemx set print type methods off
18312 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
18313 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
18314 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
18315 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
18316 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
18317 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
18318
18319 @kindex show print type methods
18320 @item show print type methods
18321 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
18322 classes.
18323
18324 @kindex set print type nested-type-limit
18325 @item set print type nested-type-limit @var{limit}
18326 @itemx set print type nested-type-limit unlimited
18327 Set the limit of displayed nested types that the type printer will
18328 show. A @var{limit} of @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} will show all
18329 nested definitions. By default, the type printer will not show any nested
18330 types defined in classes.
18331
18332 @kindex show print type nested-type-limit
18333 @item show print type nested-type-limit
18334 This command shows the current display limit of nested types when
18335 printing classes.
18336
18337 @kindex set print type typedefs
18338 @item set print type typedefs
18339 @itemx set print type typedefs on
18340 @itemx set print type typedefs off
18341
18342 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
18343 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
18344 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
18345 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
18346 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
18347 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
18348 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
18349 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
18350 types.
18351
18352 @kindex show print type typedefs
18353 @item show print type typedefs
18354 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
18355 printing classes.
18356
18357 @kindex info address
18358 @cindex address of a symbol
18359 @item info address @var{symbol}
18360 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
18361 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
18362 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
18363 is always stored.
18364
18365 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
18366 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
18367 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
18368
18369 @kindex info symbol
18370 @cindex symbol from address
18371 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
18372 @item info symbol @var{addr}
18373 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
18374 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
18375 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
18376
18377 @smallexample
18378 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
18379 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
18380 @end smallexample
18381
18382 @noindent
18383 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
18384 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
18385
18386 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
18387 library containing the symbol is also printed:
18388
18389 @smallexample
18390 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
18391 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
18392 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
18393 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
18394 @end smallexample
18395
18396 @kindex demangle
18397 @cindex demangle
18398 @item demangle @r{[}-l @var{language}@r{]} @r{[}@var{--}@r{]} @var{name}
18399 Demangle @var{name}.
18400 If @var{language} is provided it is the name of the language to demangle
18401 @var{name} in. Otherwise @var{name} is demangled in the current language.
18402
18403 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
18404 and is useful when @var{name} begins with a dash.
18405
18406 The parameter @code{demangle-style} specifies how to interpret the kind
18407 of mangling used. @xref{Print Settings}.
18408
18409 @kindex whatis
18410 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
18411 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
18412 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
18413 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
18414
18415 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
18416 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
18417 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
18418
18419 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
18420 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
18421 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
18422 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
18423 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
18424 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
18425 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
18426 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
18427 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
18428
18429 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
18430 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
18431 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
18432 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
18433 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
18434 unroll it.
18435
18436 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
18437 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
18438 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
18439
18440 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
18441 Available flags are:
18442
18443 @table @code
18444 @item r
18445 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
18446 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
18447 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
18448
18449 @item m
18450 Do not print methods defined in the class.
18451
18452 @item M
18453 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
18454 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
18455
18456 @item t
18457 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
18458 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
18459 names are substituted when printing other types.
18460
18461 @item T
18462 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
18463 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
18464
18465 @item o
18466 Print the offsets and sizes of fields in a struct, similar to what the
18467 @command{pahole} tool does. This option implies the @code{/tm} flags.
18468
18469 For example, given the following declarations:
18470
18471 @smallexample
18472 struct tuv
18473 @{
18474 int a1;
18475 char *a2;
18476 int a3;
18477 @};
18478
18479 struct xyz
18480 @{
18481 int f1;
18482 char f2;
18483 void *f3;
18484 struct tuv f4;
18485 @};
18486
18487 union qwe
18488 @{
18489 struct tuv fff1;
18490 struct xyz fff2;
18491 @};
18492
18493 struct tyu
18494 @{
18495 int a1 : 1;
18496 int a2 : 3;
18497 int a3 : 23;
18498 char a4 : 2;
18499 int64_t a5;
18500 int a6 : 5;
18501 int64_t a7 : 3;
18502 @};
18503 @end smallexample
18504
18505 Issuing a @kbd{ptype /o struct tuv} command would print:
18506
18507 @smallexample
18508 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o struct tuv
18509 /* offset | size */ type = struct tuv @{
18510 /* 0 | 4 */ int a1;
18511 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
18512 /* 8 | 8 */ char *a2;
18513 /* 16 | 4 */ int a3;
18514
18515 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
18516 @}
18517 @end smallexample
18518
18519 Notice the format of the first column of comments. There, you can
18520 find two parts separated by the @samp{|} character: the @emph{offset},
18521 which indicates where the field is located inside the struct, in
18522 bytes, and the @emph{size} of the field. Another interesting line is
18523 the marker of a @emph{hole} in the struct, indicating that it may be
18524 possible to pack the struct and make it use less space by reorganizing
18525 its fields.
18526
18527 It is also possible to print offsets inside an union:
18528
18529 @smallexample
18530 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o union qwe
18531 /* offset | size */ type = union qwe @{
18532 /* 24 */ struct tuv @{
18533 /* 0 | 4 */ int a1;
18534 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
18535 /* 8 | 8 */ char *a2;
18536 /* 16 | 4 */ int a3;
18537
18538 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
18539 @} fff1;
18540 /* 40 */ struct xyz @{
18541 /* 0 | 4 */ int f1;
18542 /* 4 | 1 */ char f2;
18543 /* XXX 3-byte hole */
18544 /* 8 | 8 */ void *f3;
18545 /* 16 | 24 */ struct tuv @{
18546 /* 16 | 4 */ int a1;
18547 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
18548 /* 24 | 8 */ char *a2;
18549 /* 32 | 4 */ int a3;
18550
18551 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
18552 @} f4;
18553
18554 /* total size (bytes): 40 */
18555 @} fff2;
18556
18557 /* total size (bytes): 40 */
18558 @}
18559 @end smallexample
18560
18561 In this case, since @code{struct tuv} and @code{struct xyz} occupy the
18562 same space (because we are dealing with an union), the offset is not
18563 printed for them. However, you can still examine the offset of each
18564 of these structures' fields.
18565
18566 Another useful scenario is printing the offsets of a struct containing
18567 bitfields:
18568
18569 @smallexample
18570 (@value{GDBP}) ptype /o struct tyu
18571 /* offset | size */ type = struct tyu @{
18572 /* 0:31 | 4 */ int a1 : 1;
18573 /* 0:28 | 4 */ int a2 : 3;
18574 /* 0: 5 | 4 */ int a3 : 23;
18575 /* 3: 3 | 1 */ signed char a4 : 2;
18576 /* XXX 3-bit hole */
18577 /* XXX 4-byte hole */
18578 /* 8 | 8 */ int64_t a5;
18579 /* 16: 0 | 4 */ int a6 : 5;
18580 /* 16: 5 | 8 */ int64_t a7 : 3;
18581 "/* XXX 7-byte padding */
18582
18583 /* total size (bytes): 24 */
18584 @}
18585 @end smallexample
18586
18587 Note how the offset information is now extended to also include the
18588 first bit of the bitfield.
18589 @end table
18590
18591 @kindex ptype
18592 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
18593 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
18594 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
18595 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
18596
18597 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
18598 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
18599 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
18600 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
18601 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
18602 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
18603 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
18604 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
18605
18606 For example, for this variable declaration:
18607
18608 @smallexample
18609 typedef double real_t;
18610 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
18611 typedef struct complex complex_t;
18612 complex_t var;
18613 real_t *real_pointer_var;
18614 @end smallexample
18615
18616 @noindent
18617 the two commands give this output:
18618
18619 @smallexample
18620 @group
18621 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
18622 type = complex_t
18623 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
18624 type = struct complex @{
18625 real_t real;
18626 double imag;
18627 @}
18628 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
18629 type = struct complex
18630 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
18631 type = struct complex
18632 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
18633 type = struct complex @{
18634 real_t real;
18635 double imag;
18636 @}
18637 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
18638 type = real_t *
18639 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
18640 type = double *
18641 @end group
18642 @end smallexample
18643
18644 @noindent
18645 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
18646 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
18647
18648 @cindex incomplete type
18649 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
18650 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
18651 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
18652 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
18653 given these declarations:
18654
18655 @smallexample
18656 struct foo;
18657 struct foo *fooptr;
18658 @end smallexample
18659
18660 @noindent
18661 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
18662
18663 @smallexample
18664 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
18665 $1 = <incomplete type>
18666 @end smallexample
18667
18668 @noindent
18669 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
18670 completely specified.
18671
18672 @cindex unknown type
18673 Othertimes, information about a variable's type is completely absent
18674 from the debug information included in the program. This most often
18675 happens when the program or library where the variable is defined
18676 includes no debug information at all. @value{GDBN} knows the variable
18677 exists from inspecting the linker/loader symbol table (e.g., the ELF
18678 dynamic symbol table), but such symbols do not contain type
18679 information. Inspecting the type of a (global) variable for which
18680 @value{GDBN} has no type information shows:
18681
18682 @smallexample
18683 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
18684 type = <data variable, no debug info>
18685 @end smallexample
18686
18687 @xref{Variables, no debug info variables}, for how to print the values
18688 of such variables.
18689
18690 @kindex info types
18691 @item info types [-q] [@var{regexp}]
18692 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
18693 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
18694 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
18695 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
18696 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
18697 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
18698 name is @code{value}.
18699
18700 In programs using different languages, @value{GDBN} chooses the syntax
18701 to print the type description according to the
18702 @samp{set language} value: using @samp{set language auto}
18703 (see @ref{Automatically, ,Set Language Automatically}) means to use the
18704 language of the type, other values mean to use
18705 the manually specified language (see @ref{Manually, ,Set Language Manually}).
18706
18707 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
18708 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
18709 lists all source files and line numbers where a type is defined.
18710
18711 The output from @samp{into types} is proceeded with a header line
18712 describing what types are being listed. The optional flag @samp{-q},
18713 which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables printing this header
18714 information.
18715
18716 @kindex info type-printers
18717 @item info type-printers
18718 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
18719 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
18720 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
18721 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
18722 type printers.
18723
18724 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
18725
18726 @kindex enable type-printer
18727 @kindex disable type-printer
18728 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
18729 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
18730 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
18731
18732 @kindex info scope
18733 @cindex local variables
18734 @item info scope @var{location}
18735 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
18736 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
18737 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
18738 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
18739 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
18740
18741 @smallexample
18742 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
18743 Scope for command_line_handler:
18744 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
18745 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
18746 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
18747 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
18748 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
18749 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
18750 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
18751 @end smallexample
18752
18753 @noindent
18754 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
18755 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
18756 collect}.
18757
18758 @kindex info source
18759 @item info source
18760 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
18761 the function containing the current point of execution:
18762 @itemize @bullet
18763 @item
18764 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
18765 @item
18766 the directory it was compiled in,
18767 @item
18768 its length, in lines,
18769 @item
18770 which programming language it is written in,
18771 @item
18772 if the debug information provides it, the program that compiled the file
18773 (which may include, e.g., the compiler version and command line arguments),
18774 @item
18775 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
18776 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
18777 @item
18778 whether the debugging information includes information about
18779 preprocessor macros.
18780 @end itemize
18781
18782
18783 @kindex info sources
18784 @item info sources
18785 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
18786 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
18787 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
18788
18789 @item info sources [-dirname | -basename] [--] [@var{regexp}]
18790 Like @samp{info sources}, but only print the names of the files
18791 matching the provided @var{regexp}.
18792 By default, the @var{regexp} is used to match anywhere in the filename.
18793 If @code{-dirname}, only files having a dirname matching @var{regexp} are shown.
18794 If @code{-basename}, only files having a basename matching @var{regexp}
18795 are shown.
18796 The matching is case-sensitive, except on operating systems that
18797 have case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows).
18798
18799 @kindex info functions
18800 @item info functions [-q] [-n]
18801 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
18802 Similarly to @samp{info types}, this command groups its output by source
18803 files and annotates each function definition with its source line
18804 number.
18805
18806 In programs using different languages, @value{GDBN} chooses the syntax
18807 to print the function name and type according to the
18808 @samp{set language} value: using @samp{set language auto}
18809 (see @ref{Automatically, ,Set Language Automatically}) means to use the
18810 language of the function, other values mean to use
18811 the manually specified language (see @ref{Manually, ,Set Language Manually}).
18812
18813 The @samp{-n} flag excludes @dfn{non-debugging symbols} from the
18814 results. A non-debugging symbol is a symbol that comes from the
18815 executable's symbol table, not from the debug information (for
18816 example, DWARF) associated with the executable.
18817
18818 The optional flag @samp{-q}, which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables
18819 printing header information and messages explaining why no functions
18820 have been printed.
18821
18822 @item info functions [-q] [-n] [-t @var{type_regexp}] [@var{regexp}]
18823 Like @samp{info functions}, but only print the names and data types
18824 of the functions selected with the provided regexp(s).
18825
18826 If @var{regexp} is provided, print only the functions whose names
18827 match the regular expression @var{regexp}.
18828 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose
18829 names include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
18830 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters that
18831 conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
18832 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
18833
18834 If @var{type_regexp} is provided, print only the functions whose
18835 types, as printed by the @code{whatis} command, match
18836 the regular expression @var{type_regexp}.
18837 If @var{type_regexp} contains space(s), it should be enclosed in
18838 quote characters. If needed, use backslash to escape the meaning
18839 of special characters or quotes.
18840 Thus, @samp{info fun -t '^int ('} finds the functions that return
18841 an integer; @samp{info fun -t '(.*int.*'} finds the functions that
18842 have an argument type containing int; @samp{info fun -t '^int (' ^step}
18843 finds the functions whose names start with @code{step} and that return
18844 int.
18845
18846 If both @var{regexp} and @var{type_regexp} are provided, a function
18847 is printed only if its name matches @var{regexp} and its type matches
18848 @var{type_regexp}.
18849
18850
18851 @kindex info variables
18852 @item info variables [-q] [-n]
18853 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
18854 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
18855 The printed variables are grouped by source files and annotated with
18856 their respective source line numbers.
18857
18858 In programs using different languages, @value{GDBN} chooses the syntax
18859 to print the variable name and type according to the
18860 @samp{set language} value: using @samp{set language auto}
18861 (see @ref{Automatically, ,Set Language Automatically}) means to use the
18862 language of the variable, other values mean to use
18863 the manually specified language (see @ref{Manually, ,Set Language Manually}).
18864
18865 The @samp{-n} flag excludes non-debugging symbols from the results.
18866
18867 The optional flag @samp{-q}, which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables
18868 printing header information and messages explaining why no variables
18869 have been printed.
18870
18871 @item info variables [-q] [-n] [-t @var{type_regexp}] [@var{regexp}]
18872 Like @kbd{info variables}, but only print the variables selected
18873 with the provided regexp(s).
18874
18875 If @var{regexp} is provided, print only the variables whose names
18876 match the regular expression @var{regexp}.
18877
18878 If @var{type_regexp} is provided, print only the variables whose
18879 types, as printed by the @code{whatis} command, match
18880 the regular expression @var{type_regexp}.
18881 If @var{type_regexp} contains space(s), it should be enclosed in
18882 quote characters. If needed, use backslash to escape the meaning
18883 of special characters or quotes.
18884
18885 If both @var{regexp} and @var{type_regexp} are provided, an argument
18886 is printed only if its name matches @var{regexp} and its type matches
18887 @var{type_regexp}.
18888
18889 @kindex info modules
18890 @cindex modules
18891 @item info modules @r{[}-q@r{]} @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
18892 List all Fortran modules in the program, or all modules matching the
18893 optional regular expression @var{regexp}.
18894
18895 The optional flag @samp{-q}, which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables
18896 printing header information and messages explaining why no modules
18897 have been printed.
18898
18899 @kindex info module
18900 @cindex Fortran modules, information about
18901 @cindex functions and variables by Fortran module
18902 @cindex module functions and variables
18903 @item info module functions @r{[}-q@r{]} @r{[}-m @var{module-regexp}@r{]} @r{[}-t @var{type-regexp}@r{]} @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
18904 @itemx info module variables @r{[}-q@r{]} @r{[}-m @var{module-regexp}@r{]} @r{[}-t @var{type-regexp}@r{]} @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
18905 List all functions or variables within all Fortran modules. The set
18906 of functions or variables listed can be limited by providing some or
18907 all of the optional regular expressions. If @var{module-regexp} is
18908 provided, then only Fortran modules matching @var{module-regexp} will
18909 be searched. Only functions or variables whose type matches the
18910 optional regular expression @var{type-regexp} will be listed. And
18911 only functions or variables whose name matches the optional regular
18912 expression @var{regexp} will be listed.
18913
18914 The optional flag @samp{-q}, which stands for @samp{quiet}, disables
18915 printing header information and messages explaining why no functions
18916 or variables have been printed.
18917
18918 @kindex info classes
18919 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
18920 @item info classes
18921 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
18922 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
18923 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
18924 expression.
18925
18926 @kindex info selectors
18927 @item info selectors
18928 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
18929 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
18930 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
18931 expression.
18932
18933 @ignore
18934 This was never implemented.
18935 @kindex info methods
18936 @item info methods
18937 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
18938 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
18939 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
18940 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
18941 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
18942 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
18943 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
18944 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
18945 @end ignore
18946
18947 @cindex opaque data types
18948 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
18949 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
18950 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
18951 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
18952 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
18953 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
18954 another source file. The default is on.
18955
18956 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
18957 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
18958
18959 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
18960 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
18961 is printed as follows:
18962 @smallexample
18963 @{<no data fields>@}
18964 @end smallexample
18965
18966 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
18967 @item show opaque-type-resolution
18968 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
18969
18970 @kindex set print symbol-loading
18971 @cindex print messages when symbols are loaded
18972 @item set print symbol-loading
18973 @itemx set print symbol-loading full
18974 @itemx set print symbol-loading brief
18975 @itemx set print symbol-loading off
18976 The @code{set print symbol-loading} command allows you to control the
18977 printing of messages when @value{GDBN} loads symbol information.
18978 By default a message is printed for the executable and one for each
18979 shared library, and normally this is what you want. However, when
18980 debugging apps with large numbers of shared libraries these messages
18981 can be annoying.
18982 When set to @code{brief} a message is printed for each executable,
18983 and when @value{GDBN} loads a collection of shared libraries at once
18984 it will only print one message regardless of the number of shared
18985 libraries. When set to @code{off} no messages are printed.
18986
18987 @kindex show print symbol-loading
18988 @item show print symbol-loading
18989 Show whether messages will be printed when a @value{GDBN} command
18990 entered from the keyboard causes symbol information to be loaded.
18991
18992 @kindex maint print symbols
18993 @cindex symbol dump
18994 @kindex maint print psymbols
18995 @cindex partial symbol dump
18996 @kindex maint print msymbols
18997 @cindex minimal symbol dump
18998 @item maint print symbols @r{[}-pc @var{address}@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
18999 @itemx maint print symbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-source @var{source}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
19000 @itemx maint print psymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-pc @var{address}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
19001 @itemx maint print psymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}-source @var{source}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
19002 @itemx maint print msymbols @r{[}-objfile @var{objfile}@r{]} @r{[}--@r{]} @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
19003 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename} or
19004 the terminal if @var{filename} is unspecified.
19005 If @code{-objfile @var{objfile}} is specified, only dump symbols for
19006 that objfile.
19007 If @code{-pc @var{address}} is specified, only dump symbols for the file
19008 with code at that address. Note that @var{address} may be a symbol like
19009 @code{main}.
19010 If @code{-source @var{source}} is specified, only dump symbols for that
19011 source file.
19012
19013 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code.
19014 These commands do not modify internal @value{GDBN} state, therefore
19015 @samp{maint print symbols} will only print symbols for already expanded symbol
19016 tables.
19017 You can use the command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are.
19018 If you use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information
19019 about symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols
19020 defined in files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely.
19021 Finally, @samp{maint print msymbols} just dumps ``minimal symbols'', e.g.,
19022 ``ELF symbols''.
19023
19024 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
19025 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
19026
19027 @kindex maint info symtabs
19028 @kindex maint info psymtabs
19029 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
19030 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
19031 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
19032 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
19033 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
19034 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
19035
19036 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
19037 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
19038 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
19039 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
19040 structure in more detail. For example:
19041
19042 @smallexample
19043 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
19044 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
19045 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
19046 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
19047 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
19048 readin no
19049 fullname (null)
19050 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
19051 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
19052 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
19053 dependencies (none)
19054 @}
19055 @}
19056 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
19057 (@value{GDBP})
19058 @end smallexample
19059 @noindent
19060 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
19061 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
19062 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
19063 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
19064 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
19065
19066 @smallexample
19067 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
19068 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
19069 line 1574.
19070 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
19071 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
19072 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
19073 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
19074 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
19075 dirname (null)
19076 fullname (null)
19077 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
19078 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
19079 debugformat DWARF 2
19080 @}
19081 @}
19082 (@value{GDBP})
19083 @end smallexample
19084
19085 @kindex maint info line-table
19086 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal line tables
19087 @cindex line tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
19088 @item maint info line-table @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
19089
19090 List the @code{struct linetable} from all @code{struct symtab}
19091 instances whose name matches @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
19092 given, list the @code{struct linetable} from all @code{struct symtab}.
19093
19094 @kindex maint set symbol-cache-size
19095 @cindex symbol cache size
19096 @item maint set symbol-cache-size @var{size}
19097 Set the size of the symbol cache to @var{size}.
19098 The default size is intended to be good enough for debugging
19099 most applications. This option exists to allow for experimenting
19100 with different sizes.
19101
19102 @kindex maint show symbol-cache-size
19103 @item maint show symbol-cache-size
19104 Show the size of the symbol cache.
19105
19106 @kindex maint print symbol-cache
19107 @cindex symbol cache, printing its contents
19108 @item maint print symbol-cache
19109 Print the contents of the symbol cache.
19110 This is useful when debugging symbol cache issues.
19111
19112 @kindex maint print symbol-cache-statistics
19113 @cindex symbol cache, printing usage statistics
19114 @item maint print symbol-cache-statistics
19115 Print symbol cache usage statistics.
19116 This helps determine how well the cache is being utilized.
19117
19118 @kindex maint flush-symbol-cache
19119 @cindex symbol cache, flushing
19120 @item maint flush-symbol-cache
19121 Flush the contents of the symbol cache, all entries are removed.
19122 This command is useful when debugging the symbol cache.
19123 It is also useful when collecting performance data.
19124
19125 @end table
19126
19127 @node Altering
19128 @chapter Altering Execution
19129
19130 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
19131 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
19132 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
19133 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
19134 program.
19135
19136 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
19137 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
19138 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
19139
19140 @menu
19141 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
19142 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
19143 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
19144 * Returning:: Returning from a function
19145 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
19146 * Patching:: Patching your program
19147 * Compiling and Injecting Code:: Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
19148 @end menu
19149
19150 @node Assignment
19151 @section Assignment to Variables
19152
19153 @cindex assignment
19154 @cindex setting variables
19155 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
19156 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
19157
19158 @smallexample
19159 print x=4
19160 @end smallexample
19161
19162 @noindent
19163 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
19164 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
19165 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
19166 information on operators in supported languages.
19167
19168 @kindex set variable
19169 @cindex variables, setting
19170 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
19171 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
19172 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
19173 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
19174 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
19175
19176 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
19177 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
19178 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
19179 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
19180 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
19181 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
19182 command @code{set width}:
19183
19184 @smallexample
19185 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
19186 type = double
19187 (@value{GDBP}) p width
19188 $4 = 13
19189 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
19190 Invalid syntax in expression.
19191 @end smallexample
19192
19193 @noindent
19194 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
19195 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
19196
19197 @smallexample
19198 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
19199 @end smallexample
19200
19201 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
19202 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
19203 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
19204 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
19205 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
19206 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
19207
19208 @smallexample
19209 @group
19210 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
19211 type = double
19212 (@value{GDBP}) p g
19213 $1 = 1
19214 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
19215 (@value{GDBP}) p g
19216 $2 = 1
19217 (@value{GDBP}) r
19218 The program being debugged has been started already.
19219 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
19220 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
19221 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
19222 Invalid bfd target.
19223 (@value{GDBP}) show g
19224 The current BFD target is "=4".
19225 @end group
19226 @end smallexample
19227
19228 @noindent
19229 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
19230 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
19231 @code{g}, use
19232
19233 @smallexample
19234 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
19235 @end smallexample
19236
19237 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
19238 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
19239 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
19240 same length or shorter.
19241 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
19242 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
19243
19244 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
19245 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
19246 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
19247 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
19248 and representation in memory), and
19249
19250 @smallexample
19251 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
19252 @end smallexample
19253
19254 @noindent
19255 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
19256
19257 @node Jumping
19258 @section Continuing at a Different Address
19259
19260 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
19261 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
19262 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
19263
19264 @table @code
19265 @kindex jump
19266 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
19267 @item jump @var{location}
19268 @itemx j @var{location}
19269 Resume execution at @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately
19270 if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description
19271 of the different forms of @var{location}. It is common
19272 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
19273 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
19274
19275 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
19276 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
19277 register other than the program counter. If @var{location} is in
19278 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
19279 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
19280 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
19281 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
19282 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
19283 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
19284 @end table
19285
19286 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
19287 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
19288 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
19289 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
19290 example,
19291
19292 @smallexample
19293 set $pc = 0x485
19294 @end smallexample
19295
19296 @noindent
19297 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
19298 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
19299 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
19300
19301 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
19302 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
19303 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
19304 detail.
19305
19306 @c @group
19307 @node Signaling
19308 @section Giving your Program a Signal
19309 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
19310
19311 @table @code
19312 @kindex signal
19313 @item signal @var{signal}
19314 Resume execution where your program is stopped, but immediately give it the
19315 signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
19316 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
19317 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
19318
19319 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
19320 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
19321 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
19322 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
19323 signal.
19324
19325 @emph{Note:} When resuming a multi-threaded program, @var{signal} is
19326 delivered to the currently selected thread, not the thread that last
19327 reported a stop. This includes the situation where a thread was
19328 stopped due to a signal. So if you want to continue execution
19329 suppressing the signal that stopped a thread, you should select that
19330 same thread before issuing the @samp{signal 0} command. If you issue
19331 the @samp{signal 0} command with another thread as the selected one,
19332 @value{GDBN} detects that and asks for confirmation.
19333
19334 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
19335 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
19336 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
19337 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
19338 passes the signal directly to your program.
19339
19340 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
19341 after executing the command.
19342
19343 @kindex queue-signal
19344 @item queue-signal @var{signal}
19345 Queue @var{signal} to be delivered immediately to the current thread
19346 when execution of the thread resumes. The @var{signal} can be the name or
19347 the number of a signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and
19348 @code{signal SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
19349 The handling of the signal must be set to pass the signal to the program,
19350 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error.
19351 You can control the handling of signals from @value{GDBN} with the
19352 @code{handle} command (@pxref{Signals}).
19353
19354 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, any currently queued signal
19355 for the current thread is discarded and when execution resumes no signal
19356 will be delivered. This is useful when your program stopped on account
19357 of a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
19358 @code{continue} command.
19359
19360 This command differs from the @code{signal} command in that the signal
19361 is just queued, execution is not resumed. And @code{queue-signal} cannot
19362 be used to pass a signal whose handling state has been set to @code{nopass}
19363 (@pxref{Signals}).
19364 @end table
19365 @c @end group
19366
19367 @xref{stepping into signal handlers}, for information on how stepping
19368 commands behave when the thread has a signal queued.
19369
19370 @node Returning
19371 @section Returning from a Function
19372
19373 @table @code
19374 @cindex returning from a function
19375 @kindex return
19376 @item return
19377 @itemx return @var{expression}
19378 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
19379 command. If you give an
19380 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
19381 value.
19382 @end table
19383
19384 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
19385 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
19386 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
19387 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
19388
19389 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
19390 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
19391 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
19392 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
19393 of functions.
19394
19395 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
19396 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
19397 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
19398 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
19399 selected stack frame returns naturally.
19400
19401 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
19402 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
19403 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
19404 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
19405 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
19406 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
19407 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
19408 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
19409 assignment into the right register(s).
19410
19411 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
19412 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
19413 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
19414 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
19415 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
19416 into a @code{long long int}:
19417
19418 @smallexample
19419 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
19420 29 return 31;
19421 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
19422 Make func return now? (y or n) y
19423 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
19424 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
19425 (@value{GDBP})
19426 @end smallexample
19427
19428 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
19429 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
19430 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
19431 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
19432 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
19433 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
19434 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
19435 an appropriate cast explicitly:
19436
19437 @smallexample
19438 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
19439 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
19440 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
19441 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
19442 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
19443 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
19444 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
19445 (@value{GDBP})
19446 @end smallexample
19447
19448 @node Calling
19449 @section Calling Program Functions
19450
19451 @table @code
19452 @cindex calling functions
19453 @cindex inferior functions, calling
19454 @item print @var{expr}
19455 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
19456 The expression may include calls to functions in the program being
19457 debugged.
19458
19459 @kindex call
19460 @item call @var{expr}
19461 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
19462 returned values.
19463
19464 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
19465 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
19466 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
19467 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
19468 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
19469 value history.
19470 @end table
19471
19472 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
19473 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
19474 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
19475 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
19476
19477 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
19478 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
19479 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
19480 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
19481 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
19482 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
19483 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
19484 in that case is controlled by the
19485 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
19486
19487 @table @code
19488 @item set unwindonsignal
19489 @kindex set unwindonsignal
19490 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
19491 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
19492 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
19493 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
19494 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
19495 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
19496 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
19497 received.
19498
19499 @item show unwindonsignal
19500 @kindex show unwindonsignal
19501 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
19502 @value{GDBN}.
19503
19504 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
19505 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
19506 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
19507 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
19508 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
19509 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
19510 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
19511 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
19512 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
19513 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
19514
19515 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
19516 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
19517 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
19518 @value{GDBN}.
19519
19520 @item set may-call-functions
19521 @kindex set may-call-functions
19522 @cindex disabling calling functions in the program
19523 @cindex calling functions in the program, disabling
19524 Set permission to call functions in the program.
19525 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to call functions in
19526 the program, such as with expressions in the @code{print} command. It
19527 defaults to @code{on}.
19528
19529 To call a function in the program, @value{GDBN} has to temporarily
19530 modify the state of the inferior. This has potentially undesired side
19531 effects. Also, having @value{GDBN} call nested functions is likely to
19532 be erroneous and may even crash the program being debugged. You can
19533 avoid such hazards by forbidding @value{GDBN} from calling functions
19534 in the program being debugged. If calling functions in the program
19535 is forbidden, GDB will throw an error when a command (such as printing
19536 an expression) starts a function call in the program.
19537
19538 @item show may-call-functions
19539 @kindex show may-call-functions
19540 Show permission to call functions in the program.
19541
19542 @end table
19543
19544 @subsection Calling functions with no debug info
19545
19546 @cindex no debug info functions
19547 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is missing debug information.
19548 In such case, @value{GDBN} does not know the type of the function,
19549 including the types of the function's parameters. To avoid calling
19550 the inferior function incorrectly, which could result in the called
19551 function functioning erroneously and even crash, @value{GDBN} refuses
19552 to call the function unless you tell it the type of the function.
19553
19554 For prototyped (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) functions, there are two ways
19555 to do that. The simplest is to cast the call to the function's
19556 declared return type. For example:
19557
19558 @smallexample
19559 (@value{GDBP}) p getenv ("PATH")
19560 'getenv' has unknown return type; cast the call to its declared return type
19561 (@value{GDBP}) p (char *) getenv ("PATH")
19562 $1 = 0x7fffffffe7ba "/usr/local/bin:/"...
19563 @end smallexample
19564
19565 Casting the return type of a no-debug function is equivalent to
19566 casting the function to a pointer to a prototyped function that has a
19567 prototype that matches the types of the passed-in arguments, and
19568 calling that. I.e., the call above is equivalent to:
19569
19570 @smallexample
19571 (@value{GDBP}) p ((char * (*) (const char *)) getenv) ("PATH")
19572 @end smallexample
19573
19574 @noindent
19575 and given this prototyped C or C++ function with float parameters:
19576
19577 @smallexample
19578 float multiply (float v1, float v2) @{ return v1 * v2; @}
19579 @end smallexample
19580
19581 @noindent
19582 these calls are equivalent:
19583
19584 @smallexample
19585 (@value{GDBP}) p (float) multiply (2.0f, 3.0f)
19586 (@value{GDBP}) p ((float (*) (float, float)) multiply) (2.0f, 3.0f)
19587 @end smallexample
19588
19589 If the function you wish to call is declared as unprototyped (i.e.@:
19590 old K&R style), you must use the cast-to-function-pointer syntax, so
19591 that @value{GDBN} knows that it needs to apply default argument
19592 promotions (promote float arguments to double). @xref{ABI, float
19593 promotion}. For example, given this unprototyped C function with
19594 float parameters, and no debug info:
19595
19596 @smallexample
19597 float
19598 multiply_noproto (v1, v2)
19599 float v1, v2;
19600 @{
19601 return v1 * v2;
19602 @}
19603 @end smallexample
19604
19605 @noindent
19606 you call it like this:
19607
19608 @smallexample
19609 (@value{GDBP}) p ((float (*) ()) multiply_noproto) (2.0f, 3.0f)
19610 @end smallexample
19611
19612 @node Patching
19613 @section Patching Programs
19614
19615 @cindex patching binaries
19616 @cindex writing into executables
19617 @cindex writing into corefiles
19618
19619 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
19620 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
19621 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
19622 patching your program's binary.
19623
19624 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
19625 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
19626 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
19627 repairs.
19628
19629 @table @code
19630 @kindex set write
19631 @item set write on
19632 @itemx set write off
19633 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
19634 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
19635 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
19636
19637 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
19638 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
19639 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
19640
19641 @item show write
19642 @kindex show write
19643 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
19644 as well as reading.
19645 @end table
19646
19647 @node Compiling and Injecting Code
19648 @section Compiling and injecting code in @value{GDBN}
19649 @cindex injecting code
19650 @cindex writing into executables
19651 @cindex compiling code
19652
19653 @value{GDBN} supports on-demand compilation and code injection into
19654 programs running under @value{GDBN}. GCC 5.0 or higher built with
19655 @file{libcc1.so} must be installed for this functionality to be enabled.
19656 This functionality is implemented with the following commands.
19657
19658 @table @code
19659 @kindex compile code
19660 @item compile code @var{source-code}
19661 @itemx compile code -raw @var{--} @var{source-code}
19662 Compile @var{source-code} with the compiler language found as the current
19663 language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). If compilation and
19664 injection is not supported with the current language specified in
19665 @value{GDBN}, or the compiler does not support this feature, an error
19666 message will be printed. If @var{source-code} compiles and links
19667 successfully, @value{GDBN} will load the object-code emitted,
19668 and execute it within the context of the currently selected inferior.
19669 It is important to note that the compiled code is executed immediately.
19670 After execution, the compiled code is removed from @value{GDBN} and any
19671 new types or variables you have defined will be deleted.
19672
19673 The command allows you to specify @var{source-code} in two ways.
19674 The simplest method is to provide a single line of code to the command.
19675 E.g.:
19676
19677 @smallexample
19678 compile code printf ("hello world\n");
19679 @end smallexample
19680
19681 If you specify options on the command line as well as source code, they
19682 may conflict. The @samp{--} delimiter can be used to separate options
19683 from actual source code. E.g.:
19684
19685 @smallexample
19686 compile code -r -- printf ("hello world\n");
19687 @end smallexample
19688
19689 Alternatively you can enter source code as multiple lines of text. To
19690 enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile code} command without any text
19691 following the command. This will start the multiple-line editor and
19692 allow you to type as many lines of source code as required. When you
19693 have completed typing, enter @samp{end} on its own line to exit the
19694 editor.
19695
19696 @smallexample
19697 compile code
19698 >printf ("hello\n");
19699 >printf ("world\n");
19700 >end
19701 @end smallexample
19702
19703 Specifying @samp{-raw}, prohibits @value{GDBN} from wrapping the
19704 provided @var{source-code} in a callable scope. In this case, you must
19705 specify the entry point of the code by defining a function named
19706 @code{_gdb_expr_}. The @samp{-raw} code cannot access variables of the
19707 inferior. Using @samp{-raw} option may be needed for example when
19708 @var{source-code} requires @samp{#include} lines which may conflict with
19709 inferior symbols otherwise.
19710
19711 @kindex compile file
19712 @item compile file @var{filename}
19713 @itemx compile file -raw @var{filename}
19714 Like @code{compile code}, but take the source code from @var{filename}.
19715
19716 @smallexample
19717 compile file /home/user/example.c
19718 @end smallexample
19719 @end table
19720
19721 @table @code
19722 @item compile print [[@var{options}] --] @var{expr}
19723 @itemx compile print [[@var{options}] --] /@var{f} @var{expr}
19724 Compile and execute @var{expr} with the compiler language found as the
19725 current language in @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Languages}). By default the
19726 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
19727 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
19728 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
19729 Formats}. The @code{compile print} command accepts the same options
19730 as the @code{print} command; see @ref{print options}.
19731
19732 @item compile print [[@var{options}] --]
19733 @itemx compile print [[@var{options}] --] /@var{f}
19734 @cindex reprint the last value
19735 Alternatively you can enter the expression (source code producing it) as
19736 multiple lines of text. To enter this mode, invoke the @samp{compile print}
19737 command without any text following the command. This will start the
19738 multiple-line editor.
19739 @end table
19740
19741 @noindent
19742 The process of compiling and injecting the code can be inspected using:
19743
19744 @table @code
19745 @anchor{set debug compile}
19746 @item set debug compile
19747 @cindex compile command debugging info
19748 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} process of compiling and
19749 injecting the code. The default is off.
19750
19751 @item show debug compile
19752 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} process of
19753 compiling and injecting the code.
19754
19755 @anchor{set debug compile-cplus-types}
19756 @item set debug compile-cplus-types
19757 @cindex compile C@t{++} type conversion
19758 Turns on or off the display of C@t{++} type conversion debugging information.
19759 The default is off.
19760
19761 @item show debug compile-cplus-types
19762 Displays the current state of displaying debugging information for
19763 C@t{++} type conversion.
19764 @end table
19765
19766 @subsection Compilation options for the @code{compile} command
19767
19768 @value{GDBN} needs to specify the right compilation options for the code
19769 to be injected, in part to make its ABI compatible with the inferior
19770 and in part to make the injected code compatible with @value{GDBN}'s
19771 injecting process.
19772
19773 @noindent
19774 The options used, in increasing precedence:
19775
19776 @table @asis
19777 @item target architecture and OS options (@code{gdbarch})
19778 These options depend on target processor type and target operating
19779 system, usually they specify at least 32-bit (@code{-m32}) or 64-bit
19780 (@code{-m64}) compilation option.
19781
19782 @item compilation options recorded in the target
19783 @value{NGCC} (since version 4.7) stores the options used for compilation
19784 into @code{DW_AT_producer} part of DWARF debugging information according
19785 to the @value{NGCC} option @code{-grecord-gcc-switches}. One has to
19786 explicitly specify @code{-g} during inferior compilation otherwise
19787 @value{NGCC} produces no DWARF. This feature is only relevant for
19788 platforms where @code{-g} produces DWARF by default, otherwise one may
19789 try to enforce DWARF by using @code{-gdwarf-4}.
19790
19791 @item compilation options set by @code{set compile-args}
19792 @end table
19793
19794 @noindent
19795 You can override compilation options using the following command:
19796
19797 @table @code
19798 @item set compile-args
19799 @cindex compile command options override
19800 Set compilation options used for compiling and injecting code with the
19801 @code{compile} commands. These options override any conflicting ones
19802 from the target architecture and/or options stored during inferior
19803 compilation.
19804
19805 @item show compile-args
19806 Displays the current state of compilation options override.
19807 This does not show all the options actually used during compilation,
19808 use @ref{set debug compile} for that.
19809 @end table
19810
19811 @subsection Caveats when using the @code{compile} command
19812
19813 There are a few caveats to keep in mind when using the @code{compile}
19814 command. As the caveats are different per language, the table below
19815 highlights specific issues on a per language basis.
19816
19817 @table @asis
19818 @item C code examples and caveats
19819 When the language in @value{GDBN} is set to @samp{C}, the compiler will
19820 attempt to compile the source code with a @samp{C} compiler. The source
19821 code provided to the @code{compile} command will have much the same
19822 access to variables and types as it normally would if it were part of
19823 the program currently being debugged in @value{GDBN}.
19824
19825 Below is a sample program that forms the basis of the examples that
19826 follow. This program has been compiled and loaded into @value{GDBN},
19827 much like any other normal debugging session.
19828
19829 @smallexample
19830 void function1 (void)
19831 @{
19832 int i = 42;
19833 printf ("function 1\n");
19834 @}
19835
19836 void function2 (void)
19837 @{
19838 int j = 12;
19839 function1 ();
19840 @}
19841
19842 int main(void)
19843 @{
19844 int k = 6;
19845 int *p;
19846 function2 ();
19847 return 0;
19848 @}
19849 @end smallexample
19850
19851 For the purposes of the examples in this section, the program above has
19852 been compiled, loaded into @value{GDBN}, stopped at the function
19853 @code{main}, and @value{GDBN} is awaiting input from the user.
19854
19855 To access variables and types for any program in @value{GDBN}, the
19856 program must be compiled and packaged with debug information. The
19857 @code{compile} command is not an exception to this rule. Without debug
19858 information, you can still use the @code{compile} command, but you will
19859 be very limited in what variables and types you can access.
19860
19861 So with that in mind, the example above has been compiled with debug
19862 information enabled. The @code{compile} command will have access to
19863 all variables and types (except those that may have been optimized
19864 out). Currently, as @value{GDBN} has stopped the program in the
19865 @code{main} function, the @code{compile} command would have access to
19866 the variable @code{k}. You could invoke the @code{compile} command
19867 and type some source code to set the value of @code{k}. You can also
19868 read it, or do anything with that variable you would normally do in
19869 @code{C}. Be aware that changes to inferior variables in the
19870 @code{compile} command are persistent. In the following example:
19871
19872 @smallexample
19873 compile code k = 3;
19874 @end smallexample
19875
19876 @noindent
19877 the variable @code{k} is now 3. It will retain that value until
19878 something else in the example program changes it, or another
19879 @code{compile} command changes it.
19880
19881 Normal scope and access rules apply to source code compiled and
19882 injected by the @code{compile} command. In the example, the variables
19883 @code{j} and @code{k} are not accessible yet, because the program is
19884 currently stopped in the @code{main} function, where these variables
19885 are not in scope. Therefore, the following command
19886
19887 @smallexample
19888 compile code j = 3;
19889 @end smallexample
19890
19891 @noindent
19892 will result in a compilation error message.
19893
19894 Once the program is continued, execution will bring these variables in
19895 scope, and they will become accessible; then the code you specify via
19896 the @code{compile} command will be able to access them.
19897
19898 You can create variables and types with the @code{compile} command as
19899 part of your source code. Variables and types that are created as part
19900 of the @code{compile} command are not visible to the rest of the program for
19901 the duration of its run. This example is valid:
19902
19903 @smallexample
19904 compile code int ff = 5; printf ("ff is %d\n", ff);
19905 @end smallexample
19906
19907 However, if you were to type the following into @value{GDBN} after that
19908 command has completed:
19909
19910 @smallexample
19911 compile code printf ("ff is %d\n'', ff);
19912 @end smallexample
19913
19914 @noindent
19915 a compiler error would be raised as the variable @code{ff} no longer
19916 exists. Object code generated and injected by the @code{compile}
19917 command is removed when its execution ends. Caution is advised
19918 when assigning to program variables values of variables created by the
19919 code submitted to the @code{compile} command. This example is valid:
19920
19921 @smallexample
19922 compile code int ff = 5; k = ff;
19923 @end smallexample
19924
19925 The value of the variable @code{ff} is assigned to @code{k}. The variable
19926 @code{k} does not require the existence of @code{ff} to maintain the value
19927 it has been assigned. However, pointers require particular care in
19928 assignment. If the source code compiled with the @code{compile} command
19929 changed the address of a pointer in the example program, perhaps to a
19930 variable created in the @code{compile} command, that pointer would point
19931 to an invalid location when the command exits. The following example
19932 would likely cause issues with your debugged program:
19933
19934 @smallexample
19935 compile code int ff = 5; p = &ff;
19936 @end smallexample
19937
19938 In this example, @code{p} would point to @code{ff} when the
19939 @code{compile} command is executing the source code provided to it.
19940 However, as variables in the (example) program persist with their
19941 assigned values, the variable @code{p} would point to an invalid
19942 location when the command exists. A general rule should be followed
19943 in that you should either assign @code{NULL} to any assigned pointers,
19944 or restore a valid location to the pointer before the command exits.
19945
19946 Similar caution must be exercised with any structs, unions, and typedefs
19947 defined in @code{compile} command. Types defined in the @code{compile}
19948 command will no longer be available in the next @code{compile} command.
19949 Therefore, if you cast a variable to a type defined in the
19950 @code{compile} command, care must be taken to ensure that any future
19951 need to resolve the type can be achieved.
19952
19953 @smallexample
19954 (gdb) compile code static struct a @{ int a; @} v = @{ 42 @}; argv = &v;
19955 (gdb) compile code printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
19956 gdb command line:1:36: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type ‘struct a’
19957 Compilation failed.
19958 (gdb) compile code struct a @{ int a; @}; printf ("%d\n", ((struct a *) argv)->a);
19959 42
19960 @end smallexample
19961
19962 Variables that have been optimized away by the compiler are not
19963 accessible to the code submitted to the @code{compile} command.
19964 Access to those variables will generate a compiler error which @value{GDBN}
19965 will print to the console.
19966 @end table
19967
19968 @subsection Compiler search for the @code{compile} command
19969
19970 @value{GDBN} needs to find @value{NGCC} for the inferior being debugged
19971 which may not be obvious for remote targets of different architecture
19972 than where @value{GDBN} is running. Environment variable @code{PATH} on
19973 @value{GDBN} host is searched for @value{NGCC} binary matching the
19974 target architecture and operating system. This search can be overriden
19975 by @code{set compile-gcc} @value{GDBN} command below. @code{PATH} is
19976 taken from shell that executed @value{GDBN}, it is not the value set by
19977 @value{GDBN} command @code{set environment}). @xref{Environment}.
19978
19979
19980 Specifically @code{PATH} is searched for binaries matching regular expression
19981 @code{@var{arch}(-[^-]*)?-@var{os}-gcc} according to the inferior target being
19982 debugged. @var{arch} is processor name --- multiarch is supported, so for
19983 example both @code{i386} and @code{x86_64} targets look for pattern
19984 @code{(x86_64|i.86)} and both @code{s390} and @code{s390x} targets look
19985 for pattern @code{s390x?}. @var{os} is currently supported only for
19986 pattern @code{linux(-gnu)?}.
19987
19988 On Posix hosts the compiler driver @value{GDBN} needs to find also
19989 shared library @file{libcc1.so} from the compiler. It is searched in
19990 default shared library search path (overridable with usual environment
19991 variable @code{LD_LIBRARY_PATH}), unrelated to @code{PATH} or @code{set
19992 compile-gcc} settings. Contrary to it @file{libcc1plugin.so} is found
19993 according to the installation of the found compiler --- as possibly
19994 specified by the @code{set compile-gcc} command.
19995
19996 @table @code
19997 @item set compile-gcc
19998 @cindex compile command driver filename override
19999 Set compilation command used for compiling and injecting code with the
20000 @code{compile} commands. If this option is not set (it is set to
20001 an empty string), the search described above will occur --- that is the
20002 default.
20003
20004 @item show compile-gcc
20005 Displays the current compile command @value{NGCC} driver filename.
20006 If set, it is the main command @command{gcc}, found usually for example
20007 under name @file{x86_64-linux-gnu-gcc}.
20008 @end table
20009
20010 @node GDB Files
20011 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
20012
20013 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
20014 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
20015 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
20016 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
20017
20018 @menu
20019 * Files:: Commands to specify files
20020 * File Caching:: Information about @value{GDBN}'s file caching
20021 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
20022 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
20023 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
20024 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
20025 * Data Files:: GDB data files
20026 @end menu
20027
20028 @node Files
20029 @section Commands to Specify Files
20030
20031 @cindex symbol table
20032 @cindex core dump file
20033
20034 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
20035 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
20036 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
20037 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
20038
20039 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
20040 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
20041 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
20042 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
20043 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
20044 new files are useful.
20045
20046 @table @code
20047 @cindex executable file
20048 @kindex file
20049 @item file @var{filename}
20050 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
20051 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
20052 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
20053 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
20054 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
20055 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
20056 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
20057 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
20058
20059 @cindex unlinked object files
20060 @cindex patching object files
20061 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
20062 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
20063 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
20064 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
20065 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
20066 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
20067 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
20068 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
20069
20070 @item file
20071 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
20072 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
20073
20074 @kindex exec-file
20075 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
20076 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
20077 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
20078 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
20079 discard information on the executable file.
20080
20081 @kindex symbol-file
20082 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{[} -o @var{offset} @r{]]}
20083 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
20084 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
20085 table and program to run from the same file.
20086
20087 If an optional @var{offset} is specified, it is added to the start
20088 address of each section in the symbol file. This is useful if the
20089 program is relocated at runtime, such as the Linux kernel with kASLR
20090 enabled.
20091
20092 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
20093 program's symbol table.
20094
20095 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
20096 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
20097 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
20098 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
20099 @value{GDBN}.
20100
20101 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
20102 executing it once.
20103
20104 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
20105 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
20106 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
20107 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
20108 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
20109 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
20110 optimized code.
20111
20112 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
20113 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
20114 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
20115 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
20116 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
20117
20118 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
20119 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
20120 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
20121 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
20122 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
20123 Warnings and Messages}.)
20124
20125 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
20126 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
20127 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
20128 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
20129 in stabs format.
20130
20131 @kindex readnow
20132 @cindex reading symbols immediately
20133 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
20134 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
20135 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
20136 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
20137 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
20138 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
20139 entire symbol table available.
20140
20141 @cindex @code{-readnever}, option for symbol-file command
20142 @cindex never read symbols
20143 @cindex symbols, never read
20144 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnever @r{]} @var{filename}
20145 @itemx file @r{[} -readnever @r{]} @var{filename}
20146 You can instruct @value{GDBN} to never read the symbolic information
20147 contained in @var{filename} by using the @samp{-readnever} option.
20148 @xref{--readnever}.
20149
20150 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
20151 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
20152 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
20153 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
20154 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
20155 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
20156 @c files.
20157
20158 @kindex core-file
20159 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
20160 @itemx core
20161 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
20162 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
20163 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
20164 executable file itself for other parts.
20165
20166 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
20167 to be used.
20168
20169 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
20170 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
20171 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
20172 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
20173 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
20174
20175 @kindex add-symbol-file
20176 @cindex dynamic linking
20177 @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{]}
20178 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
20179 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
20180 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
20181 into the program that is running. The @var{textaddress} parameter gives
20182 the memory address at which the file's text section has been loaded.
20183 You can additionally specify the base address of other sections using
20184 an arbitrary number of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs.
20185 If a section is omitted, @value{GDBN} will use its default addresses
20186 as found in @var{filename}. Any @var{address} or @var{textaddress}
20187 can be given as an expression.
20188
20189 If an optional @var{offset} is specified, it is added to the start
20190 address of each section, except those for which the address was
20191 specified explicitly.
20192
20193 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
20194 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
20195 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
20196 thus read is kept in addition to the old.
20197
20198 Changes can be reverted using the command @code{remove-symbol-file}.
20199
20200 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
20201 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
20202 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
20203 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
20204 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
20205 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
20206 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
20207 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
20208 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
20209
20210 @itemize @bullet
20211 @item
20212 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
20213 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
20214 @item
20215 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
20216 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
20217 @item
20218 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
20219 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
20220 @end itemize
20221
20222 @noindent
20223 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
20224 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
20225 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
20226 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
20227 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
20228 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
20229 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
20230 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
20231 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
20232 way.
20233
20234 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
20235
20236 @kindex remove-symbol-file
20237 @item remove-symbol-file @var{filename}
20238 @item remove-symbol-file -a @var{address}
20239 Remove a symbol file added via the @code{add-symbol-file} command. The
20240 file to remove can be identified by its @var{filename} or by an @var{address}
20241 that lies within the boundaries of this symbol file in memory. Example:
20242
20243 @smallexample
20244 (gdb) add-symbol-file /home/user/gdb/mylib.so 0x7ffff7ff9480
20245 add symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so" at
20246 .text_addr = 0x7ffff7ff9480
20247 (y or n) y
20248 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/mylib.so...done.
20249 (gdb) remove-symbol-file -a 0x7ffff7ff9480
20250 Remove symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so"? (y or n) y
20251 (gdb)
20252 @end smallexample
20253
20254
20255 @code{remove-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
20256
20257 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
20258 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
20259 @cindex load symbols from memory
20260 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
20261 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
20262 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
20263 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
20264 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
20265 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
20266 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
20267 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
20268 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
20269
20270 @kindex section
20271 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
20272 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
20273 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
20274 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
20275 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
20276 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
20277 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
20278 their addresses.
20279
20280 @kindex info files
20281 @kindex info target
20282 @item info files
20283 @itemx info target
20284 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
20285 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
20286 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
20287 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
20288 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
20289 current ones.
20290
20291 @kindex maint info sections
20292 @item maint info sections
20293 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
20294 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
20295 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
20296 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
20297 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
20298 may be arbitrarily combined):
20299
20300 @table @code
20301 @item ALLOBJ
20302 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
20303 @item @var{sections}
20304 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
20305 @item @var{section-flags}
20306 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
20307 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
20308 @table @code
20309 @item ALLOC
20310 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
20311 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
20312 @item LOAD
20313 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
20314 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
20315 @item RELOC
20316 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
20317 @item READONLY
20318 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
20319 @item CODE
20320 Section contains executable code only.
20321 @item DATA
20322 Section contains data only (no executable code).
20323 @item ROM
20324 Section will reside in ROM.
20325 @item CONSTRUCTOR
20326 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
20327 @item HAS_CONTENTS
20328 Section is not empty.
20329 @item NEVER_LOAD
20330 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
20331 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
20332 A notification to the linker that the section contains
20333 COFF shared library information.
20334 @item IS_COMMON
20335 Section contains common symbols.
20336 @end table
20337 @end table
20338 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
20339 @cindex read-only sections
20340 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
20341 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
20342 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
20343 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
20344 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
20345 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
20346 enhancement to debugging performance.
20347
20348 The default is off.
20349
20350 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
20351 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
20352 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
20353 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
20354
20355 @item show trust-readonly-sections
20356 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
20357 @end table
20358
20359 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
20360 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
20361 name and remembers it that way.
20362
20363 @cindex shared libraries
20364 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
20365 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, SunOS,
20366 Darwin/Mach-O, SVr4, IBM RS/6000 AIX, QNX Neutrino, FDPIC (FR-V), and
20367 DSBT (TIC6X) shared libraries.
20368
20369 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
20370 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
20371
20372 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
20373 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
20374 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
20375 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
20376 debugging a core file).
20377
20378 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
20379 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
20380 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
20381
20382 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
20383 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
20384 particularly large or there are many of them.
20385
20386 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
20387 commands:
20388
20389 @table @code
20390 @kindex set auto-solib-add
20391 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
20392 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
20393 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
20394 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
20395 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
20396 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
20397 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
20398
20399 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
20400 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
20401 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
20402 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
20403 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
20404 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
20405 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
20406 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
20407 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
20408
20409 @kindex show auto-solib-add
20410 @item show auto-solib-add
20411 Display the current autoloading mode.
20412 @end table
20413
20414 @cindex load shared library
20415 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
20416 command:
20417
20418 @table @code
20419 @kindex info sharedlibrary
20420 @kindex info share
20421 @item info share @var{regex}
20422 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
20423 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
20424 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
20425 all shared libraries that are loaded.
20426
20427 @kindex info dll
20428 @item info dll @var{regex}
20429 This is an alias of @code{info sharedlibrary}.
20430
20431 @kindex sharedlibrary
20432 @kindex share
20433 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
20434 @itemx share @var{regex}
20435 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
20436 Unix regular expression.
20437 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
20438 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
20439 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
20440 loaded.
20441
20442 @item nosharedlibrary
20443 @kindex nosharedlibrary
20444 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
20445 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
20446 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
20447 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
20448 discarded.
20449 @end table
20450
20451 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
20452 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
20453 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
20454 Catchpoints}).
20455
20456 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
20457 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
20458 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
20459 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
20460
20461 @table @code
20462 @item set stop-on-solib-events
20463 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
20464 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
20465 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
20466 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
20467 shared library.
20468
20469 @item show stop-on-solib-events
20470 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
20471 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
20472 library events happen.
20473 @end table
20474
20475 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
20476 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
20477 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
20478 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
20479 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
20480 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
20481 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
20482 not.
20483
20484 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
20485 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
20486 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
20487 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
20488 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
20489
20490 @table @code
20491 @cindex prefix for executable and shared library file names
20492 @cindex system root, alternate
20493 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
20494 @kindex set sysroot
20495 @item set sysroot @var{path}
20496 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
20497 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
20498 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
20499 target program's memory. When starting processes remotely, and when
20500 attaching to already-running processes (local or remote), their
20501 executable filenames will be prefixed with @var{path} if reported to
20502 @value{GDBN} as absolute by the operating system. If you use
20503 @code{set sysroot} to find executables and shared libraries, they need
20504 to be laid out in the same way that they are on the target, with
20505 e.g.@: a @file{/bin}, @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy under
20506 @var{path}.
20507
20508 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{target:} and the target
20509 system is remote then @value{GDBN} will retrieve the target binaries
20510 from the remote system. This is only supported when using a remote
20511 target that supports the @code{remote get} command (@pxref{File
20512 Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}). The part of @var{path}
20513 following the initial @file{target:} (if present) is used as system
20514 root prefix on the remote file system. If @var{path} starts with the
20515 sequence @file{remote:} this is converted to the sequence
20516 @file{target:} by @code{set sysroot}@footnote{Historically the
20517 functionality to retrieve binaries from the remote system was
20518 provided by prefixing @var{path} with @file{remote:}}. If you want
20519 to specify a local system root using a directory that happens to be
20520 named @file{target:} or @file{remote:}, you need to use some
20521 equivalent variant of the name like @file{./target:}.
20522
20523 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
20524 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
20525 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
20526 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
20527 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
20528
20529 @smallexample
20530 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
20531 @end smallexample
20532
20533 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
20534 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
20535 system:
20536
20537 @smallexample
20538 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
20539 @end smallexample
20540
20541 If that does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries removing
20542 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
20543 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
20544 colons:
20545
20546 @smallexample
20547 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
20548 @end smallexample
20549
20550 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
20551 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
20552 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
20553 @samp{z}):
20554
20555 @smallexample
20556 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
20557 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
20558 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
20559 @end smallexample
20560
20561 @noindent
20562 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
20563 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
20564 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
20565
20566 If that still does not find the binary, @value{GDBN} tries
20567 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
20568
20569 @smallexample
20570 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
20571 @end smallexample
20572
20573 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
20574 if you don't want or need to.
20575
20576 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
20577 sysroot}.
20578
20579 @cindex default system root
20580 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
20581 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
20582 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
20583 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
20584 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
20585 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
20586 location.
20587
20588 @kindex show sysroot
20589 @item show sysroot
20590 Display the current executable and shared library prefix.
20591
20592 @kindex set solib-search-path
20593 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
20594 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
20595 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
20596 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
20597 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
20598 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
20599 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
20600 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
20601 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
20602 of shared library symbols.
20603
20604 @kindex show solib-search-path
20605 @item show solib-search-path
20606 Display the current shared library search path.
20607
20608 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
20609 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
20610 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
20611 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
20612 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
20613
20614 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
20615 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
20616 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
20617 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
20618 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
20619 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
20620 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
20621 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
20622 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
20623 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
20624 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
20625 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
20626 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
20627 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
20628 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
20629 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
20630 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
20631 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
20632 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
20633 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
20634 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
20635 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
20636
20637 @table @code
20638 @item unix
20639 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
20640 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
20641 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
20642 the forward slash.
20643
20644 @item dos-based
20645 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
20646 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
20647 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
20648 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
20649 considered directory separators.
20650
20651 @item auto
20652 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
20653 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
20654 This is the default.
20655 @end table
20656 @end table
20657
20658 @cindex file name canonicalization
20659 @cindex base name differences
20660 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
20661 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
20662 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
20663 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
20664 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
20665 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
20666 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
20667 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
20668 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
20669 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
20670 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
20671 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
20672 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
20673 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
20674 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
20675
20676 @table @code
20677 @item set basenames-may-differ
20678 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
20679 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
20680
20681 @item show basenames-may-differ
20682 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
20683 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
20684 @end table
20685
20686 @node File Caching
20687 @section File Caching
20688 @cindex caching of opened files
20689 @cindex caching of bfd objects
20690
20691 To speed up file loading, and reduce memory usage, @value{GDBN} will
20692 reuse the @code{bfd} objects used to track open files. @xref{Top, ,
20693 BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}. The following commands
20694 allow visibility and control of the caching behavior.
20695
20696 @table @code
20697 @kindex maint info bfds
20698 @item maint info bfds
20699 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
20700 @value{GDBN}.
20701
20702 @kindex maint set bfd-sharing
20703 @kindex maint show bfd-sharing
20704 @kindex bfd caching
20705 @item maint set bfd-sharing
20706 @item maint show bfd-sharing
20707 Control whether @code{bfd} objects can be shared. When sharing is
20708 enabled @value{GDBN} reuses already open @code{bfd} objects rather
20709 than reopening the same file. Turning sharing off does not cause
20710 already shared @code{bfd} objects to be unshared, but all future files
20711 that are opened will create a new @code{bfd} object. Similarly,
20712 re-enabling sharing does not cause multiple existing @code{bfd}
20713 objects to be collapsed into a single shared @code{bfd} object.
20714
20715 @kindex set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
20716 @kindex bfd caching
20717 @item set debug bfd-cache @var{level}
20718 Turns on debugging of the bfd cache, setting the level to @var{level}.
20719
20720 @kindex show debug bfd-cache
20721 @kindex bfd caching
20722 @item show debug bfd-cache
20723 Show the current debugging level of the bfd cache.
20724 @end table
20725
20726 @node Separate Debug Files
20727 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
20728 @cindex separate debugging information files
20729 @cindex debugging information in separate files
20730 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
20731 @cindex debugging information directory, global
20732 @cindex global debugging information directories
20733 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
20734 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
20735
20736 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
20737 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
20738 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
20739 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
20740 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
20741 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
20742 install only when they need to debug a problem.
20743
20744 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
20745 file:
20746
20747 @itemize @bullet
20748 @item
20749 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
20750 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
20751 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
20752 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
20753 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
20754 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
20755 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
20756 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
20757
20758 @item
20759 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
20760 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
20761 only on some operating systems, when using the ELF or PE file formats
20762 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
20763 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
20764 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld,
20765 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
20766 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
20767 below.
20768 @end itemize
20769
20770 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
20771 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
20772
20773 @itemize @bullet
20774 @item
20775 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
20776 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
20777 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the
20778 global debug directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to
20779 the leading directories of the executable's absolute file name. (On
20780 MS-Windows/MS-DOS, the drive letter of the executable's leading
20781 directories is converted to a one-letter subdirectory, i.e.@:
20782 @file{d:/usr/bin/} is converted to @file{/d/usr/bin/}, because Windows
20783 filesystems disallow colons in file names.)
20784
20785 @item
20786 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
20787 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
20788 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
20789 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
20790 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
20791 hex characters, not 10.)
20792 @end itemize
20793
20794 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
20795 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
20796 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
20797 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
20798 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
20799 debug information files, in the indicated order:
20800
20801 @itemize @minus
20802 @item
20803 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
20804 @item
20805 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
20806 @item
20807 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
20808 @item
20809 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
20810 @end itemize
20811
20812 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
20813 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
20814 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
20815 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
20816 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
20817
20818 @table @code
20819
20820 @kindex set debug-file-directory
20821 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
20822 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
20823 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
20824 concatenating them by a path separator.
20825
20826 @kindex show debug-file-directory
20827 @item show debug-file-directory
20828 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
20829 information files.
20830
20831 @end table
20832
20833 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
20834 @cindex debug link sections
20835 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
20836 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
20837
20838 @itemize
20839 @item
20840 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
20841 a zero byte,
20842 @item
20843 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
20844 boundary within the section, and
20845 @item
20846 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
20847 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
20848 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
20849 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
20850 @end itemize
20851
20852 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
20853 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
20854 described above.
20855
20856 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
20857 @cindex build ID sections
20858 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
20859 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
20860 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
20861 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
20862 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
20863 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
20864 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
20865 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
20866 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
20867
20868 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
20869 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
20870 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
20871 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
20872 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
20873 in an ordinary executable.
20874
20875 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
20876 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
20877 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
20878 following commands:
20879
20880 @smallexample
20881 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
20882 @kbd{strip -g foo}
20883 @end smallexample
20884
20885 @noindent
20886 These commands remove the debugging
20887 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
20888 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
20889 two files:
20890
20891 @itemize @bullet
20892 @item
20893 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
20894 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
20895
20896 @smallexample
20897 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
20898 @end smallexample
20899
20900 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
20901 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
20902 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
20903 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
20904
20905 @item
20906 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
20907 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
20908 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
20909 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
20910 @end itemize
20911
20912 @noindent
20913
20914 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
20915 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
20916 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
20917
20918 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
20919 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
20920 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
20921 @c different ways!
20922 @ifhtml
20923 @display
20924 @html
20925 <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>
20926 + <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
20927 @end html
20928 @end display
20929 @end ifhtml
20930 @ifnothtml
20931 @display
20932 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
20933 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
20934 @end display
20935 @end ifnothtml
20936
20937 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
20938 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
20939 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
20940 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
20941 CRC.
20942
20943 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
20944 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
20945 However in the case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed
20946 @emph{most} significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so
20947 trailing zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
20948
20949 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
20950 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
20951 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
20952 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
20953 @code{0xffffffff}.
20954
20955 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
20956 @smallexample
20957 unsigned long
20958 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
20959 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
20960 @{
20961 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
20962 @{
20963 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
20964 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
20965 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
20966 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
20967 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
20968 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
20969 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
20970 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
20971 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
20972 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
20973 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
20974 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
20975 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
20976 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
20977 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
20978 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
20979 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
20980 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
20981 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
20982 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
20983 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
20984 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
20985 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
20986 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
20987 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
20988 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
20989 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
20990 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
20991 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
20992 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
20993 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
20994 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
20995 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
20996 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
20997 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
20998 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
20999 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
21000 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
21001 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
21002 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
21003 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
21004 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
21005 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
21006 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
21007 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
21008 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
21009 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
21010 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
21011 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
21012 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
21013 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
21014 0x2d02ef8d
21015 @};
21016 unsigned char *end;
21017
21018 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
21019 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
21020 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
21021 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
21022 @}
21023 @end smallexample
21024
21025 @noindent
21026 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
21027
21028 @node MiniDebugInfo
21029 @section Debugging information in a special section
21030 @cindex separate debug sections
21031 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
21032
21033 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
21034 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
21035 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
21036 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
21037
21038 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
21039 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
21040 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
21041 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
21042 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
21043 debugging information might be included in the section.
21044
21045 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
21046 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
21047 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
21048
21049 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
21050 standard utilities:
21051
21052 @smallexample
21053 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
21054 # to also have these in the normal symbol table.
21055 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
21056 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
21057
21058 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo.
21059 # (Note that we actually also accept "D" symbols, for the benefit
21060 # of platforms like PowerPC64 that use function descriptors.)
21061 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
21062 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t" || $2 == "D") print $1 @}' \
21063 | sort > funcsyms
21064
21065 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
21066 # table.
21067 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
21068
21069 # Separate full debug info into debug binary.
21070 objcopy --only-keep-debug @var{binary} debug
21071
21072 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
21073 # removing some unnecessary sections.
21074 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
21075 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols debug mini_debuginfo
21076
21077 # Drop the full debug info from the original binary.
21078 strip --strip-all -R .comment @var{binary}
21079
21080 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
21081 # original binary.
21082 xz mini_debuginfo
21083 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
21084 @end smallexample
21085
21086 @node Index Files
21087 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
21088 @cindex index files
21089 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
21090
21091 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
21092 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
21093 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
21094 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
21095 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
21096 startup.
21097
21098 For convenience, @value{GDBN} comes with a program,
21099 @command{gdb-add-index}, which can be used to add the index to a
21100 symbol file. It takes the symbol file as its only argument:
21101
21102 @smallexample
21103 $ gdb-add-index symfile
21104 @end smallexample
21105
21106 @xref{gdb-add-index}.
21107
21108 It is also possible to do the work manually. Here is what
21109 @command{gdb-add-index} does behind the curtains.
21110
21111 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
21112 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
21113 using @command{objcopy}.
21114
21115 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
21116
21117 @table @code
21118 @item save gdb-index [-dwarf-5] @var{directory}
21119 @kindex save gdb-index
21120 Create index files for all symbol files currently known by
21121 @value{GDBN}. For each known @var{symbol-file}, this command by
21122 default creates it produces a single file
21123 @file{@var{symbol-file}.gdb-index}. If you invoke this command with
21124 the @option{-dwarf-5} option, it produces 2 files:
21125 @file{@var{symbol-file}.debug_names} and
21126 @file{@var{symbol-file}.debug_str}. The files are created in the
21127 given @var{directory}.
21128 @end table
21129
21130 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
21131 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
21132
21133 @smallexample
21134 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
21135 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
21136 @end smallexample
21137
21138 Or for @code{-dwarf-5}:
21139
21140 @smallexample
21141 $ objcopy --dump-section .debug_str=symfile.debug_str.new symfile
21142 $ cat symfile.debug_str >>symfile.debug_str.new
21143 $ objcopy --add-section .debug_names=symfile.gdb-index \
21144 --set-section-flags .debug_names=readonly \
21145 --update-section .debug_str=symfile.debug_str.new symfile symfile
21146 @end smallexample
21147
21148 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
21149 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
21150 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
21151 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
21152 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
21153 The default is @code{off}.
21154 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
21155 @xref{Index Section Format}.
21156
21157 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
21158 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
21159
21160 @smallexample
21161 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
21162 @end smallexample
21163
21164 Instead you must do, for example,
21165
21166 @smallexample
21167 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
21168 @end smallexample
21169
21170 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
21171 using DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, only the
21172 @code{-dwarf-5} index works for programs using Ada.
21173
21174 @subsection Automatic symbol index cache
21175
21176 @cindex automatic symbol index cache
21177 It is possible for @value{GDBN} to automatically save a copy of this index in a
21178 cache on disk and retrieve it from there when loading the same binary in the
21179 future. This feature can be turned on with @kbd{set index-cache on}. The
21180 following commands can be used to tweak the behavior of the index cache.
21181
21182 @table @code
21183
21184 @kindex set index-cache
21185 @item set index-cache on
21186 @itemx set index-cache off
21187 Enable or disable the use of the symbol index cache.
21188
21189 @item set index-cache directory @var{directory}
21190 @kindex show index-cache
21191 @itemx show index-cache directory
21192 Set/show the directory where index files will be saved.
21193
21194 The default value for this directory depends on the host platform. On
21195 most systems, the index is cached in the @file{gdb} subdirectory of
21196 the directory pointed to by the @env{XDG_CACHE_HOME} environment
21197 variable, if it is defined, else in the @file{.cache/gdb} subdirectory
21198 of your home directory. However, on some systems, the default may
21199 differ according to local convention.
21200
21201 There is no limit on the disk space used by index cache. It is perfectly safe
21202 to delete the content of that directory to free up disk space.
21203
21204 @item show index-cache stats
21205 Print the number of cache hits and misses since the launch of @value{GDBN}.
21206
21207 @end table
21208
21209 @node Symbol Errors
21210 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
21211
21212 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
21213 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
21214 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
21215 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
21216 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
21217 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
21218 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
21219 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
21220 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
21221 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
21222 Messages}).
21223
21224 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
21225
21226 @table @code
21227 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
21228
21229 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
21230 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
21231 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
21232 in its outer scope blocks.
21233
21234 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
21235 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
21236 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
21237 function.
21238
21239 @item block at @var{address} out of order
21240
21241 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
21242 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
21243 do so.
21244
21245 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
21246 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
21247 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
21248 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
21249 Messages}.)
21250
21251 @item bad block start address patched
21252
21253 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
21254 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
21255 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
21256
21257 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
21258 starting on the previous source line.
21259
21260 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
21261
21262 @cindex foo
21263 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
21264 larger than the size of the string table.
21265
21266 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
21267 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
21268 with this name.
21269
21270 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
21271
21272 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
21273 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
21274 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
21275
21276 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
21277 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
21278 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
21279 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
21280 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
21281 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
21282
21283 @item stub type has NULL name
21284
21285 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
21286
21287 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
21288 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
21289 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
21290 it.
21291
21292 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
21293
21294 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
21295
21296 @end table
21297
21298 @node Data Files
21299 @section GDB Data Files
21300
21301 @cindex prefix for data files
21302 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
21303 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
21304
21305 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
21306 is currently using.
21307
21308 @table @code
21309 @kindex set data-directory
21310 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
21311 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
21312 to @var{directory}.
21313
21314 @kindex show data-directory
21315 @item show data-directory
21316 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
21317 @end table
21318
21319 @cindex default data directory
21320 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
21321 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
21322 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
21323 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
21324 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
21325 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
21326 location.
21327
21328 The data directory may also be specified with the
21329 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
21330 @xref{Mode Options}.
21331
21332 @node Targets
21333 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
21334
21335 @cindex debugging target
21336 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
21337
21338 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
21339 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
21340 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
21341 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
21342 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
21343 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
21344 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
21345 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
21346
21347 @cindex target architecture
21348 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
21349 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
21350 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
21351 command.
21352
21353 @table @code
21354 @kindex set architecture
21355 @kindex show architecture
21356 @item set architecture @var{arch}
21357 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
21358 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
21359 supported architectures.
21360
21361 @item show architecture
21362 Show the current target architecture.
21363
21364 @item set processor
21365 @itemx processor
21366 @kindex set processor
21367 @kindex show processor
21368 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
21369 and @code{show architecture}.
21370 @end table
21371
21372 @menu
21373 * Active Targets:: Active targets
21374 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
21375 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
21376 @end menu
21377
21378 @node Active Targets
21379 @section Active Targets
21380
21381 @cindex stacking targets
21382 @cindex active targets
21383 @cindex multiple targets
21384
21385 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
21386 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
21387 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
21388 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
21389 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
21390 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
21391 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
21392 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
21393 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
21394
21395 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
21396 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
21397 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
21398 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
21399
21400 @node Target Commands
21401 @section Commands for Managing Targets
21402
21403 @table @code
21404 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
21405 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
21406 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
21407 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
21408 protocol of the target machine.
21409
21410 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
21411 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
21412 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
21413
21414 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
21415 after executing the command.
21416
21417 @kindex help target
21418 @item help target
21419 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
21420 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
21421 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
21422
21423 @item help target @var{name}
21424 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
21425 select it.
21426
21427 @kindex set gnutarget
21428 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
21429 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
21430 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
21431 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
21432 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
21433 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
21434
21435 @quotation
21436 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
21437 you must know the actual BFD name.
21438 @end quotation
21439
21440 @noindent
21441 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
21442
21443 @kindex show gnutarget
21444 @item show gnutarget
21445 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
21446 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
21447 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
21448 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
21449 @end table
21450
21451 @cindex common targets
21452 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
21453 configuration):
21454
21455 @table @code
21456 @kindex target
21457 @item target exec @var{program}
21458 @cindex executable file target
21459 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
21460 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
21461
21462 @item target core @var{filename}
21463 @cindex core dump file target
21464 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
21465 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
21466
21467 @item target remote @var{medium}
21468 @cindex remote target
21469 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
21470 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
21471 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
21472
21473 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
21474 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
21475
21476 @smallexample
21477 target remote /dev/ttya
21478 @end smallexample
21479
21480 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
21481 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
21482 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
21483 clobbered by the download.
21484
21485 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
21486 @cindex built-in simulator target
21487 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
21488 In general,
21489 @smallexample
21490 target sim
21491 load
21492 run
21493 @end smallexample
21494 @noindent
21495 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
21496 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
21497 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
21498 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
21499 Processors}.
21500
21501 @item target native
21502 @cindex native target
21503 Setup for local/native process debugging. Useful to make the
21504 @code{run} command spawn native processes (likewise @code{attach},
21505 etc.@:) even when @code{set auto-connect-native-target} is @code{off}
21506 (@pxref{set auto-connect-native-target}).
21507
21508 @end table
21509
21510 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
21511 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
21512
21513 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
21514 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
21515 various aspects of this process.
21516
21517 @table @code
21518
21519 @item set hash
21520 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
21521 @cindex hash mark while downloading
21522 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
21523 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
21524 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
21525 monitor.
21526
21527 @item show hash
21528 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
21529 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
21530
21531 @item set debug monitor
21532 @kindex set debug monitor
21533 @cindex display remote monitor communications
21534 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
21535 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
21536
21537 @item show debug monitor
21538 @kindex show debug monitor
21539 Show the current status of displaying communications between
21540 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
21541 @end table
21542
21543 @table @code
21544
21545 @kindex load @var{filename} @var{offset}
21546 @item load @var{filename} @var{offset}
21547 @anchor{load}
21548 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
21549 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
21550 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
21551 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
21552 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
21553 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
21554
21555 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
21556 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
21557 target is @dots{}}''
21558
21559 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
21560 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
21561 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
21562 specifies a fixed address.
21563 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
21564
21565 It is also possible to tell @value{GDBN} to load the executable file at a
21566 specific offset described by the optional argument @var{offset}. When
21567 @var{offset} is provided, @var{filename} must also be provided.
21568
21569 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
21570 load programs into flash memory.
21571
21572 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
21573 @end table
21574
21575 @table @code
21576
21577 @kindex flash-erase
21578 @item flash-erase
21579 @anchor{flash-erase}
21580
21581 Erases all known flash memory regions on the target.
21582
21583 @end table
21584
21585 @node Byte Order
21586 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
21587
21588 @cindex choosing target byte order
21589 @cindex target byte order
21590
21591 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
21592 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
21593 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
21594 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
21595 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
21596 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
21597
21598 @table @code
21599 @kindex set endian
21600 @item set endian big
21601 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
21602
21603 @item set endian little
21604 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
21605
21606 @item set endian auto
21607 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
21608 executable.
21609
21610 @item show endian
21611 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
21612
21613 @end table
21614
21615 If the @code{set endian auto} mode is in effect and no executable has
21616 been selected, then the endianness used is the last one chosen either
21617 by one of the @code{set endian big} and @code{set endian little}
21618 commands or by inferring from the last executable used. If no
21619 endianness has been previously chosen, then the default for this mode
21620 is inferred from the target @value{GDBN} has been built for, and is
21621 @code{little} if the name of the target CPU has an @code{el} suffix
21622 and @code{big} otherwise.
21623
21624 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
21625 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
21626 target system.
21627
21628
21629 @node Remote Debugging
21630 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
21631 @cindex remote debugging
21632
21633 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
21634 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
21635 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
21636 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
21637 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
21638
21639 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
21640 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
21641 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
21642 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
21643 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
21644 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
21645
21646 Other remote targets may be available in your
21647 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
21648
21649 @menu
21650 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
21651 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
21652 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
21653 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
21654 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
21655 @end menu
21656
21657 @node Connecting
21658 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
21659 @cindex remote debugging, connecting
21660 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, connecting
21661 @cindex remote debugging, types of connections
21662 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, types of connections
21663 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, @code{target remote} mode
21664 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, @code{target extended-remote} mode
21665
21666 This section describes how to connect to a remote target, including the
21667 types of connections and their differences, how to set up executable and
21668 symbol files on the host and target, and the commands used for
21669 connecting to and disconnecting from the remote target.
21670
21671 @subsection Types of Remote Connections
21672
21673 @value{GDBN} supports two types of remote connections, @code{target remote}
21674 mode and @code{target extended-remote} mode. Note that many remote targets
21675 support only @code{target remote} mode. There are several major
21676 differences between the two types of connections, enumerated here:
21677
21678 @table @asis
21679
21680 @cindex remote debugging, detach and program exit
21681 @item Result of detach or program exit
21682 @strong{With target remote mode:} When the debugged program exits or you
21683 detach from it, @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target. When using
21684 @code{gdbserver}, @code{gdbserver} will exit.
21685
21686 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} When the debugged program exits or
21687 you detach from it, @value{GDBN} remains connected to the target, even
21688 though no program is running. You can rerun the program, attach to a
21689 running program, or use @code{monitor} commands specific to the target.
21690
21691 When using @code{gdbserver} in this case, it does not exit unless it was
21692 invoked using the @option{--once} option. If the @option{--once} option
21693 was not used, you can ask @code{gdbserver} to exit using the
21694 @code{monitor exit} command (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
21695
21696 @item Specifying the program to debug
21697 For both connection types you use the @code{file} command to specify the
21698 program on the host system. If you are using @code{gdbserver} there are
21699 some differences in how to specify the location of the program on the
21700 target.
21701
21702 @strong{With target remote mode:} You must either specify the program to debug
21703 on the @code{gdbserver} command line or use the @option{--attach} option
21704 (@pxref{Attaching to a program,,Attaching to a Running Program}).
21705
21706 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
21707 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} You may specify the program to debug
21708 on the @code{gdbserver} command line, or you can load the program or attach
21709 to it using @value{GDBN} commands after connecting to @code{gdbserver}.
21710
21711 @anchor{--multi Option in Types of Remote Connnections}
21712 You can start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
21713 or process ID to attach. To do this, use the @option{--multi} command line
21714 option. Then you can connect using @code{target extended-remote} and start
21715 the program you want to debug (see below for details on using the
21716 @code{run} command in this scenario). Note that the conditions under which
21717 @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN} connects to it
21718 (@code{target remote} or @code{target extended-remote}). The
21719 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
21720
21721 @item The @code{run} command
21722 @strong{With target remote mode:} The @code{run} command is not
21723 supported. Once a connection has been established, you can use all
21724 the usual @value{GDBN} commands to examine and change data. The
21725 remote program is already running, so you can use commands like
21726 @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}.
21727
21728 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} The @code{run} command is
21729 supported. The @code{run} command uses the value set by
21730 @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set remote exec-file}) to select
21731 the program to run. Command line arguments are supported, except for
21732 wildcard expansion and I/O redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
21733
21734 If you specify the program to debug on the command line, then the
21735 @code{run} command is not required to start execution, and you can
21736 resume using commands like @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue} as with
21737 @code{target remote} mode.
21738
21739 @anchor{Attaching in Types of Remote Connections}
21740 @item Attaching
21741 @strong{With target remote mode:} The @value{GDBN} command @code{attach} is
21742 not supported. To attach to a running program using @code{gdbserver}, you
21743 must use the @option{--attach} option (@pxref{Running gdbserver}).
21744
21745 @strong{With target extended-remote mode:} To attach to a running program,
21746 you may use the @code{attach} command after the connection has been
21747 established. If you are using @code{gdbserver}, you may also invoke
21748 @code{gdbserver} using the @option{--attach} option
21749 (@pxref{Running gdbserver}).
21750
21751 @end table
21752
21753 @anchor{Host and target files}
21754 @subsection Host and Target Files
21755 @cindex remote debugging, symbol files
21756 @cindex symbol files, remote debugging
21757
21758 @value{GDBN}, running on the host, needs access to symbol and debugging
21759 information for your program running on the target. This requires
21760 access to an unstripped copy of your program, and possibly any associated
21761 symbol files. Note that this section applies equally to both @code{target
21762 remote} mode and @code{target extended-remote} mode.
21763
21764 Some remote targets (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}, and
21765 @pxref{Host I/O Packets}) allow @value{GDBN} to access program files over
21766 the same connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. With such a
21767 target, if the remote program is unstripped, the only command you need is
21768 @code{target remote} (or @code{target extended-remote}).
21769
21770 If the remote program is stripped, or the target does not support remote
21771 program file access, start up @value{GDBN} using the name of the local
21772 unstripped copy of your program as the first argument, or use the
21773 @code{file} command. Use @code{set sysroot} to specify the location (on
21774 the host) of target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN} was compiled with
21775 the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}). Alternatively, you
21776 may use @code{set solib-search-path} to specify how @value{GDBN} locates
21777 target libraries.
21778
21779 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
21780 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
21781 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
21782 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
21783 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
21784 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
21785 programs.
21786
21787 @subsection Remote Connection Commands
21788 @cindex remote connection commands
21789 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, a
21790 local Unix domain socket, or
21791 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
21792 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
21793 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
21794 @code{target remote} and @code{target extended-remote} commands
21795 establish a connection to the target. Both commands accept the same
21796 arguments, which indicate the medium to use:
21797
21798 @table @code
21799
21800 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
21801 @itemx target extended-remote @var{serial-device}
21802 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
21803 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
21804 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
21805
21806 @smallexample
21807 target remote /dev/ttyb
21808 @end smallexample
21809
21810 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
21811 @samp{--baud} option, or use the @code{set serial baud} command
21812 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set serial baud}) before the
21813 @code{target} command.
21814
21815 @item target remote @var{local-socket}
21816 @itemx target extended-remote @var{local-socket}
21817 @cindex local socket, @code{target remote}
21818 @cindex Unix domain socket
21819 Use @var{local-socket} to communicate with the target. For example,
21820 to use a local Unix domain socket bound to the file system entry @file{/tmp/gdb-socket0}:
21821
21822 @smallexample
21823 target remote /tmp/gdb-socket0
21824 @end smallexample
21825
21826 Note that this command has the same form as the command to connect
21827 to a serial line. @value{GDBN} will automatically determine which
21828 kind of file you have specified and will make the appropriate kind
21829 of connection.
21830 This feature is not available if the host system does not support
21831 Unix domain sockets.
21832
21833 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
21834 @itemx target remote @code{@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21835 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21836 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21837 @itemx target remote @code{tcp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21838 @itemx target remote @code{tcp6:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21839 @itemx target remote @code{tcp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21840 @itemx target extended-remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
21841 @itemx target extended-remote @code{@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21842 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21843 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21844 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21845 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp6:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21846 @itemx target extended-remote @code{tcp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21847 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
21848 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
21849 The @var{host} may be either a host name, a numeric @acronym{IPv4}
21850 address, or a numeric @acronym{IPv6} address (with or without the
21851 square brackets to separate the address from the port); @var{port}
21852 must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be the target machine
21853 itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or it might be a
21854 terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the target.
21855
21856 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
21857 @code{manyfarms}:
21858
21859 @smallexample
21860 target remote manyfarms:2828
21861 @end smallexample
21862
21863 To connect to port 2828 on a terminal server whose address is
21864 @code{2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334}, you can either use the
21865 square bracket syntax:
21866
21867 @smallexample
21868 target remote [2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334]:2828
21869 @end smallexample
21870
21871 @noindent
21872 or explicitly specify the @acronym{IPv6} protocol:
21873
21874 @smallexample
21875 target remote tcp6:2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334:2828
21876 @end smallexample
21877
21878 This last example may be confusing to the reader, because there is no
21879 visible separation between the hostname and the port number.
21880 Therefore, we recommend the user to provide @acronym{IPv6} addresses
21881 using square brackets for clarity. However, it is important to
21882 mention that for @value{GDBN} there is no ambiguity: the number after
21883 the last colon is considered to be the port number.
21884
21885 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
21886 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
21887 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
21888 port 1234 on your local machine:
21889
21890 @smallexample
21891 target remote :1234
21892 @end smallexample
21893 @noindent
21894
21895 Note that the colon is still required here.
21896
21897 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21898 @itemx target remote @code{udp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21899 @itemx target remote @code{udp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21900 @itemx target remote @code{udp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21901 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21902 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21903 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21904 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp4:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21905 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp6:@var{host}:@var{port}}
21906 @itemx target extended-remote @code{udp6:@var{[host]}:@var{port}}
21907 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
21908 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
21909 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
21910
21911 @smallexample
21912 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
21913 @end smallexample
21914
21915 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
21916 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
21917 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
21918 cause havoc with your debugging session.
21919
21920 @item target remote | @var{command}
21921 @itemx target extended-remote | @var{command}
21922 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
21923 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
21924 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
21925 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
21926 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
21927 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
21928 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
21929 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
21930
21931 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
21932 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
21933 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
21934
21935 @end table
21936
21937 @cindex interrupting remote programs
21938 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
21939 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
21940 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
21941 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
21942 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
21943 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
21944
21945 @smallexample
21946 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
21947 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
21948 @end smallexample
21949
21950 In @code{target remote} mode, if you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons
21951 the remote debugging session. (If you decide you want to try again later,
21952 you can use @kbd{target remote} again to connect once more.) If you type
21953 @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN} goes back to waiting.
21954
21955 In @code{target extended-remote} mode, typing @kbd{n} will leave
21956 @value{GDBN} connected to the target.
21957
21958 @table @code
21959 @kindex detach (remote)
21960 @item detach
21961 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
21962 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
21963 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
21964 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
21965 command in @code{target remote} mode, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to
21966 another target. In @code{target extended-remote} mode, @value{GDBN} is
21967 still connected to the target.
21968
21969 @kindex disconnect
21970 @item disconnect
21971 The @code{disconnect} command closes the connection to the target, and
21972 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
21973 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
21974 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
21975 another target.
21976
21977 @cindex send command to remote monitor
21978 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
21979 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
21980 @kindex monitor
21981 @item monitor @var{cmd}
21982 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
21983 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
21984 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
21985 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
21986 and implement.
21987 @end table
21988
21989 @node File Transfer
21990 @section Sending files to a remote system
21991 @cindex remote target, file transfer
21992 @cindex file transfer
21993 @cindex sending files to remote systems
21994
21995 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
21996 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
21997 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
21998 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
21999 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
22000 the only way to upload or download files.
22001
22002 Not all remote targets support these commands.
22003
22004 @table @code
22005 @kindex remote put
22006 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
22007 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
22008 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
22009
22010 @kindex remote get
22011 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
22012 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
22013 on the host system.
22014
22015 @kindex remote delete
22016 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
22017 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
22018
22019 @end table
22020
22021 @node Server
22022 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
22023
22024 @kindex gdbserver
22025 @cindex remote connection without stubs
22026 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
22027 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
22028 @code{target remote} or @code{target extended-remote}---but without
22029 linking in the usual debugging stub.
22030
22031 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
22032 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
22033 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
22034 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
22035 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
22036 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
22037 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
22038 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
22039 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
22040 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
22041 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
22042 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
22043 choice for debugging.
22044
22045 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
22046 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
22047 protocol.
22048
22049 @quotation
22050 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
22051 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
22052 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
22053 target system with the same privileges as the user running
22054 @code{gdbserver}.
22055 @end quotation
22056
22057 @anchor{Running gdbserver}
22058 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
22059 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
22060 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
22061
22062 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
22063 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
22064 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
22065 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
22066 system does all the symbol handling.
22067
22068 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
22069 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
22070 syntax is:
22071
22072 @smallexample
22073 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
22074 @end smallexample
22075
22076 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
22077 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
22078 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
22079 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
22080 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
22081 @file{/dev/com1}:
22082
22083 @smallexample
22084 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
22085 @end smallexample
22086
22087 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
22088 with it.
22089
22090 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
22091
22092 @smallexample
22093 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
22094 @end smallexample
22095
22096 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
22097 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
22098 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
22099 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
22100 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
22101 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
22102 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
22103 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
22104 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
22105 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
22106 @code{target remote} command.
22107
22108 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
22109 with ssh:
22110
22111 @smallexample
22112 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
22113 @end smallexample
22114
22115 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
22116 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
22117 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
22118 You could elide it if you want to.
22119
22120 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
22121 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
22122 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
22123 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
22124
22125 @anchor{Attaching to a program}
22126 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
22127 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
22128 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
22129
22130 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
22131 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
22132
22133 @smallexample
22134 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
22135 @end smallexample
22136
22137 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
22138 necessary to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
22139
22140 In @code{target extended-remote} mode, you can also attach using the
22141 @value{GDBN} attach command
22142 (@pxref{Attaching in Types of Remote Connections}).
22143
22144 @pindex pidof
22145 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
22146 @code{pidof} utility:
22147
22148 @smallexample
22149 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
22150 @end smallexample
22151
22152 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
22153 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
22154 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
22155
22156 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
22157
22158 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP
22159 port.
22160
22161 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
22162 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
22163 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
22164 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
22165 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
22166 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
22167 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
22168 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
22169
22170 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
22171 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
22172 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
22173
22174 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
22175 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
22176 subsequent connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
22177 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
22178 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
22179 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
22180 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
22181 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
22182 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
22183 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
22184 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
22185 instance closes its port after the first connection.
22186
22187 @anchor{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}
22188 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
22189
22190 You can use the @option{--multi} option to start @code{gdbserver} without
22191 specifying a program to debug or a process to attach to. Then you can
22192 attach in @code{target extended-remote} mode and run or attach to a
22193 program. For more information,
22194 @pxref{--multi Option in Types of Remote Connnections}.
22195
22196 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
22197 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
22198 status information about the debugging process.
22199 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
22200 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
22201 remote protocol debug output.
22202 @cindex @option{--debug-file}, @code{gdbserver} option
22203 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, send all debug output to a single file
22204 The @option{--debug-file=@var{filename}} option tells @code{gdbserver} to
22205 write any debug output to the given @var{filename}. These options are intended
22206 for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
22207
22208 @cindex @option{--debug-format}, @code{gdbserver} option
22209 The @option{--debug-format=option1[,option2,...]} option tells
22210 @code{gdbserver} to include additional information in each output.
22211 Possible options are:
22212
22213 @table @code
22214 @item none
22215 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
22216 @item all
22217 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
22218 @item timestamps
22219 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
22220 @end table
22221
22222 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
22223 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
22224
22225 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
22226 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
22227 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
22228 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
22229 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
22230
22231 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
22232 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
22233 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
22234 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
22235
22236 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
22237 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
22238 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
22239 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
22240
22241 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
22242 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
22243 environment:
22244
22245 @smallexample
22246 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
22247 @end smallexample
22248
22249 @cindex @option{--selftest}
22250 The @option{--selftest} option runs the self tests in @code{gdbserver}:
22251
22252 @smallexample
22253 $ gdbserver --selftest
22254 Ran 2 unit tests, 0 failed
22255 @end smallexample
22256
22257 These tests are disabled in release.
22258 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
22259
22260 The basic procedure for connecting to the remote target is:
22261 @itemize
22262
22263 @item
22264 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
22265
22266 @item
22267 Make sure you have the necessary symbol files
22268 (@pxref{Host and target files}).
22269 Load symbols for your application using the @code{file} command before you
22270 connect. Use @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your
22271 @value{GDBN} was compiled with the correct sysroot using
22272 @code{--with-sysroot}).
22273
22274 @item
22275 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
22276 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
22277 the @code{target} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
22278 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
22279 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
22280 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{target remote} mode, since the
22281 program is already on the target.
22282
22283 @end itemize
22284
22285 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
22286 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
22287 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
22288
22289 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
22290 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
22291 Here are the available commands.
22292
22293 @table @code
22294 @item monitor help
22295 List the available monitor commands.
22296
22297 @item monitor set debug 0
22298 @itemx monitor set debug 1
22299 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
22300
22301 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
22302 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
22303 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
22304 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
22305
22306 @item monitor set debug-file filename
22307 @itemx monitor set debug-file
22308 Send any debug output to the given file, or to stderr.
22309
22310 @item monitor set debug-format option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
22311 Specify additional text to add to debugging messages.
22312 Possible options are:
22313
22314 @table @code
22315 @item none
22316 Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
22317 @item all
22318 Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
22319 @item timestamps
22320 Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
22321 @end table
22322
22323 Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
22324 appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
22325
22326 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
22327 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
22328 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
22329 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
22330 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
22331 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
22332
22333 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
22334 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
22335
22336 @item monitor exit
22337 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
22338 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
22339 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
22340 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
22341 of a multi-process mode debug session.
22342
22343 @end table
22344
22345 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
22346 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
22347
22348 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
22349 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
22350
22351 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
22352 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
22353 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
22354 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
22355 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
22356 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
22357 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
22358 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
22359 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
22360 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
22361 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
22362 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
22363
22364 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
22365
22366 @table @code
22367 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
22368
22369 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
22370 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
22371 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
22372
22373 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
22374
22375 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
22376 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
22377 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
22378 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
22379 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
22380 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
22381
22382 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
22383
22384 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
22385 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
22386 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
22387 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
22388 command for that. For example:
22389
22390 @smallexample
22391 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
22392 @end smallexample
22393
22394 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
22395 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
22396 @end table
22397
22398 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
22399 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
22400 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
22401 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
22402 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
22403 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
22404 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
22405 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
22406 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
22407 @code{gdbserver} like so:
22408
22409 @smallexample
22410 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
22411 @end smallexample
22412
22413 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
22414
22415 @smallexample
22416 $ gdb myprogram
22417 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
22418 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
22419 (@value{GDBP}) b main
22420 (@value{GDBP}) continue
22421 @end smallexample
22422
22423 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
22424 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
22425 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
22426 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
22427 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
22428 tracing.
22429
22430 @node Remote Configuration
22431 @section Remote Configuration
22432
22433 @kindex set remote
22434 @kindex show remote
22435 This section documents the configuration options available when
22436 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
22437 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
22438 system-call-allowed}.
22439
22440 @table @code
22441 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
22442 @cindex address size for remote targets
22443 @cindex bits in remote address
22444 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
22445 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
22446 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
22447 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
22448
22449 @item show remoteaddresssize
22450 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
22451
22452 @item set serial baud @var{n}
22453 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
22454 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
22455 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
22456 remote targets.
22457
22458 @item show serial baud
22459 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
22460
22461 @item set serial parity @var{parity}
22462 Set the parity for the remote serial I/O. Supported values of @var{parity} are:
22463 @code{even}, @code{none}, and @code{odd}. The default is @code{none}.
22464
22465 @item show serial parity
22466 Show the current parity of the serial port.
22467
22468 @item set remotebreak
22469 @cindex interrupt remote programs
22470 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
22471 @anchor{set remotebreak}
22472 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
22473 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
22474 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
22475 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
22476 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
22477
22478 @item show remotebreak
22479 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
22480 interrupt the remote program.
22481
22482 @item set remoteflow on
22483 @itemx set remoteflow off
22484 @kindex set remoteflow
22485 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
22486 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
22487
22488 @item show remoteflow
22489 @kindex show remoteflow
22490 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
22491
22492 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
22493 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
22494 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
22495 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
22496 @code{ascii}.
22497
22498 @item show remotelogbase
22499 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
22500 protocol.
22501
22502 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
22503 @cindex record serial communications on file
22504 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
22505 default is not to record at all.
22506
22507 @item show remotelogfile
22508 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
22509 serial communications.
22510
22511 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
22512 @cindex timeout for serial communications
22513 @cindex remote timeout
22514 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
22515 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
22516
22517 @item show remotetimeout
22518 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
22519 responses.
22520
22521 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
22522 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
22523 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
22524 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
22525 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
22526 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
22527 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware watchpoints
22528 or breakpoints. The @var{limit} can be set to 0 to disable hardware
22529 watchpoints or breakpoints, and @code{unlimited} for unlimited
22530 watchpoints or breakpoints.
22531
22532 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-limit
22533 @itemx show remote hardware-breakpoint-limit
22534 Show the current limit for the number of hardware watchpoints or
22535 breakpoints that @value{GDBN} can use.
22536
22537 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
22538 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
22539 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
22540 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
22541 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum
22542 length of a remote hardware watchpoint. A @var{limit} of 0 disables
22543 hardware watchpoints and @code{unlimited} allows watchpoints of any
22544 length.
22545
22546 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
22547 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
22548 a remote hardware watchpoint.
22549
22550 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
22551 @itemx show remote exec-file
22552 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
22553 @cindex executable file, for remote target
22554 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
22555 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
22556 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
22557 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
22558
22559 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
22560 @cindex interrupt remote programs
22561 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
22562 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
22563 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
22564 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
22565 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
22566 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
22567 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
22568 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
22569
22570 @item show interrupt-sequence
22571 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
22572 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
22573 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
22574 also known as Magic SysRq g.
22575
22576 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
22577 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
22578 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
22579 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
22580 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
22581 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
22582
22583 @item show interrupt-on-connect
22584 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
22585 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
22586
22587 @kindex set tcp
22588 @kindex show tcp
22589 @item set tcp auto-retry on
22590 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
22591 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
22592 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
22593 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
22594 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
22595 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
22596 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
22597 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
22598
22599 @item set tcp auto-retry off
22600 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
22601
22602 @item show tcp auto-retry
22603 Show the current auto-retry setting.
22604
22605 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
22606 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
22607 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
22608 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
22609 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
22610 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
22611 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
22612 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
22613 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
22614 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
22615 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
22616
22617 @item show tcp connect-timeout
22618 Show the current connection timeout setting.
22619 @end table
22620
22621 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
22622 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
22623 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
22624 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
22625 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
22626 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
22627 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
22628 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
22629 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
22630
22631 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
22632 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
22633 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
22634 @value{GDBN} developers.
22635
22636 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
22637 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
22638 are:
22639
22640 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
22641 @item Command Name
22642 @tab Remote Packet
22643 @tab Related Features
22644
22645 @item @code{fetch-register}
22646 @tab @code{p}
22647 @tab @code{info registers}
22648
22649 @item @code{set-register}
22650 @tab @code{P}
22651 @tab @code{set}
22652
22653 @item @code{binary-download}
22654 @tab @code{X}
22655 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
22656
22657 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
22658 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
22659 @tab @code{info auxv}
22660
22661 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
22662 @tab @code{qSymbol}
22663 @tab Detecting multiple threads
22664
22665 @item @code{attach}
22666 @tab @code{vAttach}
22667 @tab @code{attach}
22668
22669 @item @code{verbose-resume}
22670 @tab @code{vCont}
22671 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
22672
22673 @item @code{run}
22674 @tab @code{vRun}
22675 @tab @code{run}
22676
22677 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
22678 @tab @code{Z0}
22679 @tab @code{break}
22680
22681 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
22682 @tab @code{Z1}
22683 @tab @code{hbreak}
22684
22685 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
22686 @tab @code{Z2}
22687 @tab @code{watch}
22688
22689 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
22690 @tab @code{Z3}
22691 @tab @code{rwatch}
22692
22693 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
22694 @tab @code{Z4}
22695 @tab @code{awatch}
22696
22697 @item @code{pid-to-exec-file}
22698 @tab @code{qXfer:exec-file:read}
22699 @tab @code{attach}, @code{run}
22700
22701 @item @code{target-features}
22702 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
22703 @tab @code{set architecture}
22704
22705 @item @code{library-info}
22706 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
22707 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
22708
22709 @item @code{memory-map}
22710 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
22711 @tab @code{info mem}
22712
22713 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
22714 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
22715 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
22716
22717 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
22718 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
22719 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
22720
22721 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
22722 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
22723 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
22724
22725 @item @code{threads}
22726 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
22727 @tab @code{info threads}
22728
22729 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
22730 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
22731 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
22732
22733 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
22734 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
22735 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
22736
22737 @item @code{search-memory}
22738 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
22739 @tab @code{find}
22740
22741 @item @code{supported-packets}
22742 @tab @code{qSupported}
22743 @tab Remote communications parameters
22744
22745 @item @code{catch-syscalls}
22746 @tab @code{QCatchSyscalls}
22747 @tab @code{catch syscall}
22748
22749 @item @code{pass-signals}
22750 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
22751 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
22752
22753 @item @code{program-signals}
22754 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
22755 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
22756
22757 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
22758 @tab @code{vFile:close}
22759 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
22760
22761 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
22762 @tab @code{vFile:open}
22763 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
22764
22765 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
22766 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
22767 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
22768
22769 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
22770 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
22771 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
22772
22773 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
22774 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
22775 @tab @code{remote delete}
22776
22777 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
22778 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
22779 @tab Host I/O
22780
22781 @item @code{hostio-fstat-packet}
22782 @tab @code{vFile:fstat}
22783 @tab Host I/O
22784
22785 @item @code{hostio-setfs-packet}
22786 @tab @code{vFile:setfs}
22787 @tab Host I/O
22788
22789 @item @code{noack-packet}
22790 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
22791 @tab Packet acknowledgment
22792
22793 @item @code{osdata}
22794 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
22795 @tab @code{info os}
22796
22797 @item @code{query-attached}
22798 @tab @code{qAttached}
22799 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
22800
22801 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
22802 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
22803 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
22804
22805 @item @code{trace-status}
22806 @tab @code{qTStatus}
22807 @tab @code{tstatus}
22808
22809 @item @code{traceframe-info}
22810 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
22811 @tab Traceframe info
22812
22813 @item @code{install-in-trace}
22814 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
22815 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
22816
22817 @item @code{disable-randomization}
22818 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
22819 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
22820
22821 @item @code{startup-with-shell}
22822 @tab @code{QStartupWithShell}
22823 @tab @code{set startup-with-shell}
22824
22825 @item @code{environment-hex-encoded}
22826 @tab @code{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
22827 @tab @code{set environment}
22828
22829 @item @code{environment-unset}
22830 @tab @code{QEnvironmentUnset}
22831 @tab @code{unset environment}
22832
22833 @item @code{environment-reset}
22834 @tab @code{QEnvironmentReset}
22835 @tab @code{Reset the inferior environment (i.e., unset user-set variables)}
22836
22837 @item @code{set-working-dir}
22838 @tab @code{QSetWorkingDir}
22839 @tab @code{set cwd}
22840
22841 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
22842 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
22843 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
22844
22845 @item @code{multiprocess-extensions}
22846 @tab @code{multiprocess extensions}
22847 @tab Debug multiple processes and remote process PID awareness
22848
22849 @item @code{swbreak-feature}
22850 @tab @code{swbreak stop reason}
22851 @tab @code{break}
22852
22853 @item @code{hwbreak-feature}
22854 @tab @code{hwbreak stop reason}
22855 @tab @code{hbreak}
22856
22857 @item @code{fork-event-feature}
22858 @tab @code{fork stop reason}
22859 @tab @code{fork}
22860
22861 @item @code{vfork-event-feature}
22862 @tab @code{vfork stop reason}
22863 @tab @code{vfork}
22864
22865 @item @code{exec-event-feature}
22866 @tab @code{exec stop reason}
22867 @tab @code{exec}
22868
22869 @item @code{thread-events}
22870 @tab @code{QThreadEvents}
22871 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
22872
22873 @item @code{no-resumed-stop-reply}
22874 @tab @code{no resumed thread left stop reply}
22875 @tab Tracking thread lifetime.
22876
22877 @end multitable
22878
22879 @node Remote Stub
22880 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
22881
22882 @cindex debugging stub, example
22883 @cindex remote stub, example
22884 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
22885 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
22886 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
22887 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
22888 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
22889 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
22890 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
22891 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
22892
22893 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
22894 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
22895 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
22896 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
22897 program, you need:
22898
22899 @enumerate
22900 @item
22901 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
22902 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
22903 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
22904
22905 @item
22906 A C subroutine library to support your program's
22907 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
22908
22909 @item
22910 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
22911 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
22912 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
22913 documentation.
22914 @end enumerate
22915
22916 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
22917 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
22918 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
22919
22920 @table @emph
22921 @item On the host,
22922 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
22923 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
22924 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
22925
22926 @item On the target,
22927 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
22928 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
22929 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
22930
22931 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
22932 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
22933 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
22934 @end table
22935
22936 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
22937 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
22938 @sc{sparc} boards.
22939
22940 @cindex remote serial stub list
22941 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
22942
22943 @table @code
22944
22945 @item i386-stub.c
22946 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
22947 @cindex Intel
22948 @cindex i386
22949 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
22950
22951 @item m68k-stub.c
22952 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
22953 @cindex Motorola 680x0
22954 @cindex m680x0
22955 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
22956
22957 @item sh-stub.c
22958 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
22959 @cindex Renesas
22960 @cindex SH
22961 For Renesas SH architectures.
22962
22963 @item sparc-stub.c
22964 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
22965 @cindex Sparc
22966 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
22967
22968 @item sparcl-stub.c
22969 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
22970 @cindex Fujitsu
22971 @cindex SparcLite
22972 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
22973
22974 @end table
22975
22976 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
22977 recently added stubs.
22978
22979 @menu
22980 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
22981 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
22982 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
22983 @end menu
22984
22985 @node Stub Contents
22986 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
22987
22988 @cindex remote serial stub
22989 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
22990 subroutines:
22991
22992 @table @code
22993 @item set_debug_traps
22994 @findex set_debug_traps
22995 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
22996 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
22997 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
22998 program's startup code.
22999
23000 @item handle_exception
23001 @findex handle_exception
23002 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
23003 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
23004 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
23005 run when a trap is triggered.
23006
23007 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
23008 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
23009 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
23010 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
23011 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
23012 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
23013 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
23014 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
23015 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
23016 machine.
23017
23018 @item breakpoint
23019 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
23020 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
23021 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
23022 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
23023 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
23024 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
23025 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
23026 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
23027 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
23028 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
23029 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
23030
23031 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
23032 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
23033 start of your debugging session.
23034 @end table
23035
23036 @node Bootstrapping
23037 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
23038
23039 @cindex remote stub, support routines
23040 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
23041 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
23042 debugging target machine.
23043
23044 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
23045 serial port.
23046
23047 @table @code
23048 @item int getDebugChar()
23049 @findex getDebugChar
23050 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
23051 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
23052 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
23053
23054 @item void putDebugChar(int)
23055 @findex putDebugChar
23056 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
23057 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
23058 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
23059 @end table
23060
23061 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
23062 @cindex interrupting remote targets
23063 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
23064 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
23065 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
23066 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
23067 remote system to stop.
23068
23069 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
23070 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
23071 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
23072 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
23073
23074 Other routines you need to supply are:
23075
23076 @table @code
23077 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
23078 @findex exceptionHandler
23079 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
23080 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
23081 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
23082 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
23083 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
23084 The @var{exception_number} specifies the exception which should be changed;
23085 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
23086 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
23087 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
23088 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
23089 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
23090 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
23091 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
23092
23093 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
23094 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
23095 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
23096 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
23097 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
23098
23099 @item void flush_i_cache()
23100 @findex flush_i_cache
23101 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
23102 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
23103 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
23104
23105 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
23106 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
23107 @end table
23108
23109 @noindent
23110 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
23111
23112 @table @code
23113 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
23114 @findex memset
23115 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
23116 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
23117 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
23118 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
23119 @end table
23120
23121 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
23122 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
23123 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
23124 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
23125
23126
23127 @node Debug Session
23128 @subsection Putting it All Together
23129
23130 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
23131 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
23132 steps.
23133
23134 @enumerate
23135 @item
23136 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
23137 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
23138 @display
23139 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
23140 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
23141 @end display
23142
23143 @item
23144 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
23145 procedure is called:
23146
23147 @smallexample
23148 set_debug_traps();
23149 breakpoint();
23150 @end smallexample
23151
23152 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
23153 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
23154 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
23155 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
23156 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
23157 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
23158 progress.
23159
23160 @item
23161 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
23162 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
23163
23164 @smallexample
23165 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
23166 @end smallexample
23167
23168 @noindent
23169 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
23170 function in your program, that function is called when
23171 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
23172 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
23173 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
23174
23175 @item
23176 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
23177 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
23178
23179 @item
23180 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
23181 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
23182
23183 @item
23184 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
23185 @c document that. FIXME.
23186 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
23187 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
23188
23189 @item
23190 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
23191 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
23192
23193 @end enumerate
23194
23195 @node Configurations
23196 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
23197
23198 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
23199 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
23200 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
23201
23202 There are three major categories of configurations: native
23203 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
23204 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
23205 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
23206 are quite different from each other.
23207
23208 @menu
23209 * Native::
23210 * Embedded OS::
23211 * Embedded Processors::
23212 * Architectures::
23213 @end menu
23214
23215 @node Native
23216 @section Native
23217
23218 This section describes details specific to particular native
23219 configurations.
23220
23221 @menu
23222 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
23223 * Process Information:: Process information
23224 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
23225 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
23226 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
23227 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
23228 * FreeBSD:: Features specific to FreeBSD
23229 @end menu
23230
23231 @node BSD libkvm Interface
23232 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
23233
23234 @cindex libkvm
23235 @cindex kernel memory image
23236 @cindex kernel crash dump
23237
23238 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
23239 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
23240 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
23241 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
23242 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
23243 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
23244 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
23245 @code{kvm} target:
23246
23247 @smallexample
23248 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
23249 @end smallexample
23250
23251 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
23252 argument:
23253
23254 @smallexample
23255 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
23256 @end smallexample
23257
23258 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
23259 available:
23260
23261 @table @code
23262 @kindex kvm
23263 @item kvm pcb
23264 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
23265
23266 @item kvm proc
23267 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
23268 modern FreeBSD systems.
23269 @end table
23270
23271 @node Process Information
23272 @subsection Process Information
23273 @cindex /proc
23274 @cindex examine process image
23275 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
23276
23277 Some operating systems provide interfaces to fetch additional
23278 information about running processes beyond memory and per-thread
23279 register state. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system
23280 with a supported interface, the command @code{info proc} is available
23281 to report information about the process running your program, or about
23282 any process running on your system.
23283
23284 One supported interface is a facility called @samp{/proc} that can be
23285 used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
23286 subroutines. This facility is supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris
23287 systems.
23288
23289 On FreeBSD systems, system control nodes are used to query process
23290 information.
23291
23292 In addition, some systems may provide additional process information
23293 in core files. Note that a core file may include a subset of the
23294 information available from a live process. Process information is
23295 currently avaiable from cores created on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD
23296 systems.
23297
23298 @table @code
23299 @kindex info proc
23300 @cindex process ID
23301 @item info proc
23302 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
23303 Summarize available information about a process. If a
23304 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
23305 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
23306 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
23307 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
23308 executable file's absolute file name.
23309
23310 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
23311 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
23312 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
23313 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
23314 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
23315 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
23316
23317 @item info proc cmdline
23318 @cindex info proc cmdline
23319 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
23320 supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
23321
23322 @item info proc cwd
23323 @cindex info proc cwd
23324 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
23325 supported on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
23326
23327 @item info proc exe
23328 @cindex info proc exe
23329 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is supported
23330 on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
23331
23332 @item info proc files
23333 @cindex info proc files
23334 Show the file descriptors open by the process. For each open file
23335 descriptor, @value{GDBN} shows its number, type (file, directory,
23336 character device, socket), file pointer offset, and the name of the
23337 resource open on the descriptor. The resource name can be a file name
23338 (for files, directories, and devices) or a protocol followed by socket
23339 address (for network connections). This command is supported on
23340 FreeBSD.
23341
23342 This example shows the open file descriptors for a process using a
23343 tty for standard input and output as well as two network sockets:
23344
23345 @smallexample
23346 (gdb) info proc files 22136
23347 process 22136
23348 Open files:
23349
23350 FD Type Offset Flags Name
23351 text file - r-------- /usr/bin/ssh
23352 ctty chr - rw------- /dev/pts/20
23353 cwd dir - r-------- /usr/home/john
23354 root dir - r-------- /
23355 0 chr 0x32933a4 rw------- /dev/pts/20
23356 1 chr 0x32933a4 rw------- /dev/pts/20
23357 2 chr 0x32933a4 rw------- /dev/pts/20
23358 3 socket 0x0 rw----n-- tcp4 10.0.1.2:53014 -> 10.0.1.10:22
23359 4 socket 0x0 rw------- unix stream:/tmp/ssh-FIt89oAzOn5f/agent.2456
23360 @end smallexample
23361
23362 @item info proc mappings
23363 @cindex memory address space mappings
23364 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in a process. On
23365 Solaris and FreeBSD systems, each memory range includes information on
23366 whether the process has read, write, or execute access rights to each
23367 range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD systems, each memory range
23368 includes the object file which is mapped to that range.
23369
23370 @item info proc stat
23371 @itemx info proc status
23372 @cindex process detailed status information
23373 Show additional process-related information, including the user ID and
23374 group ID; virtual memory usage; the signals that are pending, blocked,
23375 and ignored; its TTY; its consumption of system and user time; its
23376 stack size; its @samp{nice} value; etc. These commands are supported
23377 on @sc{gnu}/Linux and FreeBSD.
23378
23379 For @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, see the @samp{proc} man page for more
23380 information (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
23381
23382 For FreeBSD systems, @code{info proc stat} is an alias for @code{info
23383 proc status}.
23384
23385 @item info proc all
23386 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
23387 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
23388
23389 @ignore
23390 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
23391 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
23392 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
23393 @kindex info proc times
23394 @item info proc times
23395 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
23396 its children.
23397
23398 @kindex info proc id
23399 @item info proc id
23400 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
23401 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
23402 @end ignore
23403
23404 @item set procfs-trace
23405 @kindex set procfs-trace
23406 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
23407 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
23408
23409 @item show procfs-trace
23410 @kindex show procfs-trace
23411 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
23412
23413 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
23414 @kindex set procfs-file
23415 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
23416 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
23417 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
23418 standard output.
23419
23420 @item show procfs-file
23421 @kindex show procfs-file
23422 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
23423
23424 @item proc-trace-entry
23425 @itemx proc-trace-exit
23426 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
23427 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
23428 @kindex proc-trace-entry
23429 @kindex proc-trace-exit
23430 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
23431 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
23432 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
23433 from the @code{syscall} interface.
23434
23435 @item info pidlist
23436 @kindex info pidlist
23437 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
23438 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
23439 processes and all the threads within each process.
23440
23441 @item info meminfo
23442 @kindex info meminfo
23443 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
23444 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
23445 @end table
23446
23447 @node DJGPP Native
23448 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
23449 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
23450 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
23451 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
23452
23453 @cindex DPMI
23454 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
23455 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
23456 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
23457 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
23458
23459 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
23460 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
23461 subsection describes those commands.
23462
23463 @table @code
23464 @kindex info dos
23465 @item info dos
23466 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
23467 information about the target system and important OS structures.
23468
23469 @kindex sysinfo
23470 @cindex MS-DOS system info
23471 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
23472 @item info dos sysinfo
23473 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
23474 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
23475 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
23476
23477 @cindex GDT
23478 @cindex LDT
23479 @cindex IDT
23480 @cindex segment descriptor tables
23481 @cindex descriptor tables display
23482 @item info dos gdt
23483 @itemx info dos ldt
23484 @itemx info dos idt
23485 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
23486 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
23487 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
23488 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
23489 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
23490 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
23491 rights.
23492
23493 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
23494 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
23495 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
23496 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
23497 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
23498
23499 @cindex garbled pointers
23500 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
23501 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
23502 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
23503 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
23504 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
23505 debugged program's data segment:
23506
23507 @smallexample
23508 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
23509 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
23510 @end smallexample
23511
23512 @noindent
23513 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
23514 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
23515
23516 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
23517 @item info dos pde
23518 @itemx info dos pte
23519 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
23520 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
23521 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
23522 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
23523 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
23524 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
23525 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
23526 that is currently in use.
23527
23528 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
23529 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
23530 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
23531 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
23532 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
23533 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
23534 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
23535
23536 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
23537 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
23538 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
23539 controller.
23540
23541 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
23542
23543 @cindex physical address from linear address
23544 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
23545 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
23546 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
23547 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
23548 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
23549 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
23550 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
23551
23552 @smallexample
23553 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
23554 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
23555 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
23556 @end smallexample
23557
23558 @noindent
23559 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
23560 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
23561 attributes of that page.
23562
23563 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
23564 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
23565 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
23566 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
23567 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
23568 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
23569
23570 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
23571 transfer buffer:
23572
23573 @smallexample
23574 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
23575 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
23576 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
23577 @end smallexample
23578
23579 @noindent
23580 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
23581 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
23582 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
23583 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
23584 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
23585
23586 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
23587 @end table
23588
23589 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
23590 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
23591 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
23592 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
23593
23594 @table @code
23595 @kindex set com1base
23596 @kindex set com1irq
23597 @kindex set com2base
23598 @kindex set com2irq
23599 @kindex set com3base
23600 @kindex set com3irq
23601 @kindex set com4base
23602 @kindex set com4irq
23603 @item set com1base @var{addr}
23604 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
23605 port.
23606
23607 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
23608 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
23609 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
23610
23611 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
23612 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
23613 other 3 COM ports.
23614
23615 @kindex show com1base
23616 @kindex show com1irq
23617 @kindex show com2base
23618 @kindex show com2irq
23619 @kindex show com3base
23620 @kindex show com3irq
23621 @kindex show com4base
23622 @kindex show com4irq
23623 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
23624 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
23625 lines used by the COM ports.
23626
23627 @item info serial
23628 @kindex info serial
23629 @cindex DOS serial port status
23630 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
23631 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
23632 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
23633 counts of various errors encountered so far.
23634 @end table
23635
23636
23637 @node Cygwin Native
23638 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
23639 @cindex MS Windows debugging
23640 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
23641 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
23642
23643 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
23644 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
23645
23646 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
23647 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
23648 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
23649 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
23650 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
23651 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
23652 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
23653 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
23654
23655 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
23656 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
23657 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
23658
23659 @table @code
23660 @kindex info w32
23661 @item info w32
23662 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
23663 information about the target system and important OS structures.
23664
23665 @item info w32 selector
23666 This command displays information returned by
23667 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
23668 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
23669 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
23670 Without argument, this command displays information
23671 about the six segment registers.
23672
23673 @item info w32 thread-information-block
23674 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
23675 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
23676 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
23677
23678 @kindex signal-event
23679 @item signal-event @var{id}
23680 This command signals an event with user-provided @var{id}. Used to resume
23681 crashing process when attached to it using MS-Windows JIT debugging (AeDebug).
23682
23683 To use it, create or edit the following keys in
23684 @code{HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug} and/or
23685 @code{HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug}
23686 (for x86_64 versions):
23687
23688 @itemize @minus
23689 @item
23690 @code{Debugger} (REG_SZ) --- a command to launch the debugger.
23691 Suggested command is: @code{@var{fully-qualified-path-to-gdb.exe} -ex
23692 "attach %ld" -ex "signal-event %ld" -ex "continue"}.
23693
23694 The first @code{%ld} will be replaced by the process ID of the
23695 crashing process, the second @code{%ld} will be replaced by the ID of
23696 the event that blocks the crashing process, waiting for @value{GDBN}
23697 to attach.
23698
23699 @item
23700 @code{Auto} (REG_SZ) --- either @code{1} or @code{0}. @code{1} will
23701 make the system run debugger specified by the Debugger key
23702 automatically, @code{0} will cause a dialog box with ``OK'' and
23703 ``Cancel'' buttons to appear, which allows the user to either
23704 terminate the crashing process (OK) or debug it (Cancel).
23705 @end itemize
23706
23707 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
23708 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
23709 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
23710 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
23711 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
23712 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
23713 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
23714 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
23715 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
23716 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
23717 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
23718
23719 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
23720 @item show cygwin-exceptions
23721 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
23722 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
23723
23724 @kindex set new-console
23725 @item set new-console @var{mode}
23726 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
23727 be started in a new console on next start.
23728 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
23729 be started in the same console as the debugger.
23730
23731 @kindex show new-console
23732 @item show new-console
23733 Displays whether a new console is used
23734 when the debuggee is started.
23735
23736 @kindex set new-group
23737 @item set new-group @var{mode}
23738 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
23739 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
23740 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
23741 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
23742
23743 @kindex show new-group
23744 @item show new-group
23745 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
23746
23747 @kindex set debugevents
23748 @item set debugevents
23749 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
23750 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
23751 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
23752 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
23753 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
23754
23755 @kindex set debugexec
23756 @item set debugexec
23757 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
23758 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
23759
23760 @kindex set debugexceptions
23761 @item set debugexceptions
23762 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
23763 debuggee seen by the debugger.
23764
23765 @kindex set debugmemory
23766 @item set debugmemory
23767 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
23768 and writes by the debugger.
23769
23770 @kindex set shell
23771 @item set shell
23772 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
23773 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
23774
23775 @kindex show shell
23776 @item show shell
23777 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
23778
23779 @end table
23780
23781 @menu
23782 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
23783 @end menu
23784
23785 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
23786 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
23787 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
23788 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
23789
23790 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
23791 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
23792 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
23793 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
23794 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
23795 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
23796 ``minimal symbols''.
23797
23798 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
23799 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
23800 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
23801 program run once to completion.
23802
23803 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
23804
23805 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
23806 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
23807 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
23808 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
23809 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
23810 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
23811 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
23812 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
23813 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
23814
23815 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
23816 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
23817 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
23818 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
23819 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
23820 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
23821
23822 @smallexample
23823 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
23824 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
23825
23826 Non-debugging symbols:
23827 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
23828 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
23829 @end smallexample
23830
23831 @smallexample
23832 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
23833 All functions matching regular expression "!":
23834
23835 Non-debugging symbols:
23836 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
23837 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
23838 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
23839 [etc...]
23840 @end smallexample
23841
23842 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
23843
23844 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
23845 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
23846 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
23847 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
23848 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
23849 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
23850 a function within a DLL without a running program.
23851
23852 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
23853 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
23854 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
23855 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
23856 problem:
23857
23858 @smallexample
23859 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
23860 'cygwin1!__argv' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
23861 @end smallexample
23862
23863 @smallexample
23864 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
23865 'cygwin1!__argv' has unknown type; cast it to its declared type
23866 @end smallexample
23867
23868 And two possible solutions:
23869
23870 @smallexample
23871 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
23872 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
23873 @end smallexample
23874
23875 @smallexample
23876 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
23877 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
23878 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
23879 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
23880 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
23881 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
23882 @end smallexample
23883
23884 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
23885 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
23886 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
23887 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
23888 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
23889
23890 @smallexample
23891 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
23892 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
23893 @end smallexample
23894
23895 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
23896 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
23897 safe.
23898
23899 @node Hurd Native
23900 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
23901 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
23902
23903 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
23904 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
23905
23906 @table @code
23907 @item set signals
23908 @itemx set sigs
23909 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
23910 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
23911 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
23912 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
23913 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
23914 @code{signals}.
23915
23916 @item show signals
23917 @itemx show sigs
23918 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
23919 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
23920 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
23921
23922 @item set signal-thread
23923 @itemx set sigthread
23924 @kindex set signal-thread
23925 @kindex set sigthread
23926 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
23927 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
23928 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
23929 signal-thread}.
23930
23931 @item show signal-thread
23932 @itemx show sigthread
23933 @kindex show signal-thread
23934 @kindex show sigthread
23935 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
23936 delivered a signal.
23937
23938 @item set stopped
23939 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
23940 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
23941 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
23942 continued by delivering a signal to it.
23943
23944 @item show stopped
23945 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
23946 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
23947 stopped.
23948
23949 @item set exceptions
23950 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
23951 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
23952 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
23953 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
23954 trapping on.
23955
23956 @item show exceptions
23957 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
23958 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
23959
23960 @item set task pause
23961 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
23962 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
23963 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
23964 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
23965 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
23966 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
23967 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
23968 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
23969 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
23970
23971 @item show task pause
23972 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
23973 Show the current state of task suspension.
23974
23975 @item set task detach-suspend-count
23976 @cindex task suspend count
23977 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23978 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
23979 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
23980
23981 @item show task detach-suspend-count
23982 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
23983
23984 @item set task exception-port
23985 @itemx set task excp
23986 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
23987 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
23988 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
23989 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
23990
23991 @item set noninvasive
23992 @cindex noninvasive task options
23993 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
23994 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
23995 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
23996 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
23997
23998 @item info send-rights
23999 @itemx info receive-rights
24000 @itemx info port-rights
24001 @itemx info port-sets
24002 @itemx info dead-names
24003 @itemx info ports
24004 @itemx info psets
24005 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
24006 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
24007 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
24008 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
24009 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
24010 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
24011 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
24012 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
24013 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
24014
24015 @item set thread pause
24016 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
24017 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
24018 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
24019 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
24020 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
24021 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
24022 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
24023 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
24024 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
24025 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
24026 only the current thread.
24027
24028 @item show thread pause
24029 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
24030 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
24031
24032 @item set thread run
24033 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
24034
24035 @item show thread run
24036 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
24037
24038 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
24039 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
24040 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
24041 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
24042 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
24043 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
24044 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
24045
24046 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
24047 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
24048 detaching.
24049
24050 @item set thread exception-port
24051 @itemx set thread excp
24052 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
24053 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
24054 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
24055
24056 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
24057 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
24058 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
24059 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
24060
24061 @item set thread default
24062 @itemx show thread default
24063 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
24064 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
24065 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
24066 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
24067 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
24068 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
24069 the non-default commands.
24070 @end table
24071
24072 @node Darwin
24073 @subsection Darwin
24074 @cindex Darwin
24075
24076 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
24077
24078 @table @code
24079 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
24080 @kindex set debug darwin
24081 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
24082 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
24083
24084 @item show debug darwin
24085 @kindex show debug darwin
24086 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
24087
24088 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
24089 @kindex set debug mach-o
24090 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
24091 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
24092 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
24093 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
24094 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
24095 usage.
24096
24097 @item show debug mach-o
24098 @kindex show debug mach-o
24099 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
24100
24101 @item set mach-exceptions on
24102 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
24103 @kindex set mach-exceptions
24104 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
24105 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
24106 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
24107 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
24108
24109 @item show mach-exceptions
24110 @kindex show mach-exceptions
24111 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
24112 @end table
24113
24114 @node FreeBSD
24115 @subsection FreeBSD
24116 @cindex FreeBSD
24117
24118 When the ABI of a system call is changed in the FreeBSD kernel, this
24119 is implemented by leaving a compatibility system call using the old
24120 ABI at the existing number and allocating a new system call number for
24121 the version using the new ABI. As a convenience, when a system call
24122 is caught by name (@pxref{catch syscall}), compatibility system calls
24123 are also caught.
24124
24125 For example, FreeBSD 12 introduced a new variant of the @code{kevent}
24126 system call and catching the @code{kevent} system call by name catches
24127 both variants:
24128
24129 @smallexample
24130 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall kevent
24131 Catchpoint 1 (syscalls 'freebsd11_kevent' [363] 'kevent' [560])
24132 (@value{GDBP})
24133 @end smallexample
24134
24135
24136 @node Embedded OS
24137 @section Embedded Operating Systems
24138
24139 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
24140 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
24141 architectures.
24142
24143 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
24144 various real-time operating systems.
24145
24146 @node Embedded Processors
24147 @section Embedded Processors
24148
24149 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
24150 configurations.
24151
24152 @cindex send command to simulator
24153 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
24154 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
24155
24156 @table @code
24157 @item sim @var{command}
24158 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
24159 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
24160 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
24161 acceptable commands.
24162 @end table
24163
24164
24165 @menu
24166 * ARC:: Synopsys ARC
24167 * ARM:: ARM
24168 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
24169 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
24170 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
24171 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRISC 1000 (or1k)
24172 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
24173 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
24174 * CRIS:: CRIS
24175 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
24176 @end menu
24177
24178 @node ARC
24179 @subsection Synopsys ARC
24180 @cindex Synopsys ARC
24181 @cindex ARC specific commands
24182 @cindex ARC600
24183 @cindex ARC700
24184 @cindex ARC EM
24185 @cindex ARC HS
24186
24187 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARC-specific commands:
24188
24189 @table @code
24190 @item set debug arc
24191 @kindex set debug arc
24192 Control the level of ARC specific debug messages. Use 0 for no messages (the
24193 default), 1 for debug messages, and 2 for even more debug messages.
24194
24195 @item show debug arc
24196 @kindex show debug arc
24197 Show the level of ARC specific debugging in operation.
24198
24199 @item maint print arc arc-instruction @var{address}
24200 @kindex maint print arc arc-instruction
24201 Print internal disassembler information about instruction at a given address.
24202
24203 @end table
24204
24205 @node ARM
24206 @subsection ARM
24207
24208 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
24209
24210 @table @code
24211 @item set arm disassembler
24212 @kindex set arm
24213 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
24214 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
24215
24216 @item show arm disassembler
24217 @kindex show arm
24218 Show the current disassembly style.
24219
24220 @item set arm apcs32
24221 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
24222 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
24223
24224 @item show arm apcs32
24225 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
24226
24227 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
24228 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
24229 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
24230
24231 @table @code
24232 @item auto
24233 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
24234 @item softfpa
24235 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
24236 processors.
24237 @item fpa
24238 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
24239 @item softvfp
24240 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
24241 @item vfp
24242 VFP co-processor.
24243 @end table
24244
24245 @item show arm fpu
24246 Show the current type of the FPU.
24247
24248 @item set arm abi
24249 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
24250
24251 @item show arm abi
24252 Show the currently used ABI.
24253
24254 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
24255 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
24256 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
24257 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
24258 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
24259 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
24260 register).
24261
24262 @item show arm fallback-mode
24263 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
24264
24265 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
24266 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
24267 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
24268 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
24269 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
24270
24271 @item show arm force-mode
24272 Show the current forced instruction mode.
24273
24274 @item set debug arm
24275 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
24276 target support subsystem.
24277
24278 @item show debug arm
24279 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
24280 @end table
24281
24282 @table @code
24283 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
24284 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
24285
24286 @table @code
24287 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
24288 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support. The argument
24289 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
24290 The default value is @code{all}.
24291
24292 @table @code
24293 @item none
24294 @item demon
24295 @item angel
24296 @item redboot
24297 @item all
24298 @end table
24299 @end table
24300 @end table
24301
24302 @node M68K
24303 @subsection M68k
24304
24305 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support.
24306
24307 @node MicroBlaze
24308 @subsection MicroBlaze
24309 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
24310 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
24311
24312 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
24313 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
24314 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
24315 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
24316 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
24317 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
24318 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
24319 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
24320 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
24321 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
24322 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
24323
24324 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
24325
24326 @table @code
24327 @item target remote :1234
24328 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
24329 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
24330
24331 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
24332 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
24333 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
24334
24335 @item load
24336 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
24337
24338 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
24339 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
24340
24341 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
24342 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
24343 @end table
24344
24345 @node MIPS Embedded
24346 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
24347
24348 @noindent
24349 @value{GDBN} supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
24350
24351 @table @code
24352 @item set mipsfpu double
24353 @itemx set mipsfpu single
24354 @itemx set mipsfpu none
24355 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
24356 @itemx show mipsfpu
24357 @kindex set mipsfpu
24358 @kindex show mipsfpu
24359 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
24360 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
24361 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
24362 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
24363 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
24364 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
24365 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
24366 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
24367 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
24368 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
24369 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
24370 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
24371 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
24372
24373 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
24374 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
24375 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
24376
24377 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
24378 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
24379 @end table
24380
24381 @node OpenRISC 1000
24382 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
24383 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
24384
24385 @noindent
24386 The OpenRISC 1000 provides a free RISC instruction set architecture. It is
24387 mainly provided as a soft-core which can run on Xilinx, Altera and other
24388 FPGA's.
24389
24390 @value{GDBN} for OpenRISC supports the below commands when connecting to
24391 a target:
24392
24393 @table @code
24394
24395 @kindex target sim
24396 @item target sim
24397
24398 Runs the builtin CPU simulator which can run very basic
24399 programs but does not support most hardware functions like MMU.
24400 For more complex use cases the user is advised to run an external
24401 target, and connect using @samp{target remote}.
24402
24403 Example: @code{target sim}
24404
24405 @item set debug or1k
24406 Toggle whether to display OpenRISC-specific debugging messages from the
24407 OpenRISC target support subsystem.
24408
24409 @item show debug or1k
24410 Show whether OpenRISC-specific debugging messages are enabled.
24411 @end table
24412
24413 @node PowerPC Embedded
24414 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
24415
24416 @cindex DVC register
24417 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
24418 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
24419
24420 @smallexample
24421 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
24422 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
24423 @end smallexample
24424
24425 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
24426 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
24427 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
24428 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
24429 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
24430 or newer.
24431
24432 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
24433 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
24434 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
24435 watching variables of scalar types.
24436
24437 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
24438 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
24439
24440 @smallexample
24441 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
24442 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
24443 @end smallexample
24444
24445 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
24446 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
24447
24448 @cindex ranged breakpoint
24449 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
24450 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
24451 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
24452 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
24453 use the @code{break-range} command.
24454
24455 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
24456
24457 @table @code
24458 @kindex break-range
24459 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
24460 Set a breakpoint for an address range given by
24461 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}, which can specify a function name,
24462 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
24463 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
24464 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
24465 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
24466 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
24467 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
24468
24469 @kindex set powerpc
24470 @item set powerpc soft-float
24471 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
24472 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
24473 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
24474 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
24475
24476 @item set powerpc vector-abi
24477 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
24478 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
24479 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
24480 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
24481 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
24482 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
24483 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
24484
24485 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
24486 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
24487 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
24488 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
24489 address of its first byte.
24490
24491 @end table
24492
24493 @node AVR
24494 @subsection Atmel AVR
24495 @cindex AVR
24496
24497 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
24498 following AVR-specific commands:
24499
24500 @table @code
24501 @item info io_registers
24502 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
24503 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
24504 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
24505 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
24506 @end table
24507
24508 @node CRIS
24509 @subsection CRIS
24510 @cindex CRIS
24511
24512 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
24513 following CRIS-specific commands:
24514
24515 @table @code
24516 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
24517 @cindex CRIS version
24518 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
24519 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
24520 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
24521
24522 @item show cris-version
24523 Show the current CRIS version.
24524
24525 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
24526 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
24527 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
24528 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
24529 @code{R59}.
24530
24531 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
24532 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
24533
24534 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
24535 @cindex CRIS mode
24536 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
24537 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
24538 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
24539
24540 @item show cris-mode
24541 Show the current CRIS mode.
24542 @end table
24543
24544 @node Super-H
24545 @subsection Renesas Super-H
24546 @cindex Super-H
24547
24548 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
24549 commands:
24550
24551 @table @code
24552 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
24553 @kindex set sh calling-convention
24554 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
24555 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
24556 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
24557 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
24558 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
24559 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
24560 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
24561 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
24562 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
24563 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
24564
24565 @item show sh calling-convention
24566 @kindex show sh calling-convention
24567 Show the current calling convention setting.
24568
24569 @end table
24570
24571
24572 @node Architectures
24573 @section Architectures
24574
24575 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
24576 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
24577
24578 @menu
24579 * AArch64::
24580 * i386::
24581 * Alpha::
24582 * MIPS::
24583 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
24584 * PowerPC::
24585 * Nios II::
24586 * Sparc64::
24587 * S12Z::
24588 @end menu
24589
24590 @node AArch64
24591 @subsection AArch64
24592 @cindex AArch64 support
24593
24594 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
24595 following special commands:
24596
24597 @table @code
24598 @item set debug aarch64
24599 @kindex set debug aarch64
24600 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
24601 messages are to be displayed.
24602
24603 @item show debug aarch64
24604 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
24605
24606 @end table
24607
24608 @subsubsection AArch64 SVE.
24609 @cindex AArch64 SVE.
24610
24611 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, if the Scalable Vector
24612 Extension (SVE) is present, then @value{GDBN} will provide the vector registers
24613 @code{$z0} through @code{$z31}, vector predicate registers @code{$p0} through
24614 @code{$p15}, and the @code{$ffr} register. In addition, the pseudo register
24615 @code{$vg} will be provided. This is the vector granule for the current thread
24616 and represents the number of 64-bit chunks in an SVE @code{z} register.
24617
24618 If the vector length changes, then the @code{$vg} register will be updated,
24619 but the lengths of the @code{z} and @code{p} registers will not change. This
24620 is a known limitation of @value{GDBN} and does not affect the execution of the
24621 target process.
24622
24623 @subsubsection AArch64 Pointer Authentication.
24624 @cindex AArch64 Pointer Authentication.
24625
24626 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, and the program is
24627 using the v8.3-A feature Pointer Authentication (PAC), then whenever the link
24628 register @code{$lr} is pointing to an PAC function its value will be masked.
24629 When GDB prints a backtrace, any addresses that required unmasking will be
24630 postfixed with the marker [PAC]. When using the MI, this is printed as part
24631 of the @code{addr_flags} field.
24632
24633 @node i386
24634 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
24635
24636 @table @code
24637 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
24638 @kindex set struct-convention
24639 @cindex struct return convention
24640 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
24641 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
24642 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
24643 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
24644 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
24645 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
24646 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
24647 be returned in a register.
24648
24649 @item show struct-convention
24650 @kindex show struct-convention
24651 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
24652 from functions.
24653 @end table
24654
24655
24656 @subsubsection Intel @dfn{Memory Protection Extensions} (MPX).
24657 @cindex Intel Memory Protection Extensions (MPX).
24658
24659 Memory Protection Extension (MPX) adds the bound registers @samp{BND0}
24660 @footnote{The register named with capital letters represent the architecture
24661 registers.} through @samp{BND3}. Bound registers store a pair of 64-bit values
24662 which are the lower bound and upper bound. Bounds are effective addresses or
24663 memory locations. The upper bounds are architecturally represented in 1's
24664 complement form. A bound having lower bound = 0, and upper bound = 0
24665 (1's complement of all bits set) will allow access to the entire address space.
24666
24667 @samp{BND0} through @samp{BND3} are represented in @value{GDBN} as @samp{bnd0raw}
24668 through @samp{bnd3raw}. Pseudo registers @samp{bnd0} through @samp{bnd3}
24669 display the upper bound performing the complement of one operation on the
24670 upper bound value, i.e.@ when upper bound in @samp{bnd0raw} is 0 in the
24671 @value{GDBN} @samp{bnd0} it will be @code{0xfff@dots{}}. In this sense it
24672 can also be noted that the upper bounds are inclusive.
24673
24674 As an example, assume that the register BND0 holds bounds for a pointer having
24675 access allowed for the range between 0x32 and 0x71. The values present on
24676 bnd0raw and bnd registers are presented as follows:
24677
24678 @smallexample
24679 bnd0raw = @{0x32, 0xffffffff8e@}
24680 bnd0 = @{lbound = 0x32, ubound = 0x71@} : size 64
24681 @end smallexample
24682
24683 This way the raw value can be accessed via bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw. Any
24684 change on bnd0@dots{}bnd3 or bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw is reflect on its
24685 counterpart. When the bnd0@dots{}bnd3 registers are displayed via
24686 Python, the display includes the memory size, in bits, accessible to
24687 the pointer.
24688
24689 Bounds can also be stored in bounds tables, which are stored in
24690 application memory. These tables store bounds for pointers by specifying
24691 the bounds pointer's value along with its bounds. Evaluating and changing
24692 bounds located in bound tables is therefore interesting while investigating
24693 bugs on MPX context. @value{GDBN} provides commands for this purpose:
24694
24695 @table @code
24696 @item show mpx bound @var{pointer}
24697 @kindex show mpx bound
24698 Display bounds of the given @var{pointer}.
24699
24700 @item set mpx bound @var{pointer}, @var{lbound}, @var{ubound}
24701 @kindex set mpx bound
24702 Set the bounds of a pointer in the bound table.
24703 This command takes three parameters: @var{pointer} is the pointers
24704 whose bounds are to be changed, @var{lbound} and @var{ubound} are new values
24705 for lower and upper bounds respectively.
24706 @end table
24707
24708 When you call an inferior function on an Intel MPX enabled program,
24709 GDB sets the inferior's bound registers to the init (disabled) state
24710 before calling the function. As a consequence, bounds checks for the
24711 pointer arguments passed to the function will always pass.
24712
24713 This is necessary because when you call an inferior function, the
24714 program is usually in the middle of the execution of other function.
24715 Since at that point bound registers are in an arbitrary state, not
24716 clearing them would lead to random bound violations in the called
24717 function.
24718
24719 You can still examine the influence of the bound registers on the
24720 execution of the called function by stopping the execution of the
24721 called function at its prologue, setting bound registers, and
24722 continuing the execution. For example:
24723
24724 @smallexample
24725 $ break *upper
24726 Breakpoint 2 at 0x4009de: file i386-mpx-call.c, line 47.
24727 $ print upper (a, b, c, d, 1)
24728 Breakpoint 2, upper (a=0x0, b=0x6e0000005b, c=0x0, d=0x0, len=48)....
24729 $ print $bnd0
24730 @{lbound = 0x0, ubound = ffffffff@} : size -1
24731 @end smallexample
24732
24733 At this last step the value of bnd0 can be changed for investigation of bound
24734 violations caused along the execution of the call. In order to know how to
24735 set the bound registers or bound table for the call consult the ABI.
24736
24737 @node Alpha
24738 @subsection Alpha
24739
24740 See the following section.
24741
24742 @node MIPS
24743 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
24744
24745 @cindex stack on Alpha
24746 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
24747 @cindex Alpha stack
24748 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
24749 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
24750 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
24751 find the beginning of a function.
24752
24753 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
24754 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
24755 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
24756 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
24757 commands:
24758
24759 @table @code
24760 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
24761 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
24762 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
24763 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
24764 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
24765 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
24766 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
24767 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
24768
24769 @item show heuristic-fence-post
24770 Display the current limit.
24771 @end table
24772
24773 @noindent
24774 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
24775 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
24776
24777 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
24778 programs:
24779
24780 @table @code
24781 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
24782 @kindex set mips abi
24783 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
24784 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
24785 values of @var{arg} are:
24786
24787 @table @samp
24788 @item auto
24789 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
24790 default).
24791 @item o32
24792 @item o64
24793 @item n32
24794 @item n64
24795 @item eabi32
24796 @item eabi64
24797 @end table
24798
24799 @item show mips abi
24800 @kindex show mips abi
24801 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
24802
24803 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
24804 @kindex set mips compression
24805 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
24806 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
24807 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
24808 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
24809 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
24810 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
24811 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
24812 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
24813 provided by the executable.
24814
24815 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
24816 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
24817 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
24818 identified as such.
24819
24820 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
24821 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
24822 implicitly from an executable.
24823
24824 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
24825 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
24826 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
24827 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
24828 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
24829
24830 @item show mips compression
24831 @kindex show mips compression
24832 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
24833 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
24834
24835 @item set mipsfpu
24836 @itemx show mipsfpu
24837 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
24838
24839 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
24840 @kindex set mips mask-address
24841 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
24842 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
24843 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
24844 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
24845 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
24846
24847 @item show mips mask-address
24848 @kindex show mips mask-address
24849 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
24850 not.
24851
24852 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
24853 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
24854 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
24855 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
24856 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
24857 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
24858
24859 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
24860 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
24861 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
24862
24863 @item set debug mips
24864 @kindex set debug mips
24865 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
24866 target code in @value{GDBN}.
24867
24868 @item show debug mips
24869 @kindex show debug mips
24870 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
24871 @end table
24872
24873
24874 @node HPPA
24875 @subsection HPPA
24876 @cindex HPPA support
24877
24878 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
24879 following special commands:
24880
24881 @table @code
24882 @item set debug hppa
24883 @kindex set debug hppa
24884 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
24885 messages are to be displayed.
24886
24887 @item show debug hppa
24888 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
24889
24890 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
24891 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
24892 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
24893 given @var{address}.
24894
24895 @end table
24896
24897
24898 @node PowerPC
24899 @subsection PowerPC
24900 @cindex PowerPC architecture
24901
24902 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
24903 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
24904 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
24905 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
24906 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
24907
24908 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
24909 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
24910 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
24911
24912 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
24913 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
24914
24915 @node Nios II
24916 @subsection Nios II
24917 @cindex Nios II architecture
24918
24919 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
24920 it provides the following special commands:
24921
24922 @table @code
24923
24924 @item set debug nios2
24925 @kindex set debug nios2
24926 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
24927 target code in @value{GDBN}.
24928
24929 @item show debug nios2
24930 @kindex show debug nios2
24931 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
24932 @end table
24933
24934 @node Sparc64
24935 @subsection Sparc64
24936 @cindex Sparc64 support
24937 @cindex Application Data Integrity
24938 @subsubsection ADI Support
24939
24940 The M7 processor supports an Application Data Integrity (ADI) feature that
24941 detects invalid data accesses. When software allocates memory and enables
24942 ADI on the allocated memory, it chooses a 4-bit version number, sets the
24943 version in the upper 4 bits of the 64-bit pointer to that data, and stores
24944 the 4-bit version in every cacheline of that data. Hardware saves the latter
24945 in spare bits in the cache and memory hierarchy. On each load and store,
24946 the processor compares the upper 4 VA (virtual address) bits to the
24947 cacheline's version. If there is a mismatch, the processor generates a
24948 version mismatch trap which can be either precise or disrupting. The trap
24949 is an error condition which the kernel delivers to the process as a SIGSEGV
24950 signal.
24951
24952 Note that only 64-bit applications can use ADI and need to be built with
24953 ADI-enabled.
24954
24955 Values of the ADI version tags, which are in granularity of a
24956 cacheline (64 bytes), can be viewed or modified.
24957
24958
24959 @table @code
24960 @kindex adi examine
24961 @item adi (examine | x) [ / @var{n} ] @var{addr}
24962
24963 The @code{adi examine} command displays the value of one ADI version tag per
24964 cacheline.
24965
24966 @var{n} is a decimal integer specifying the number in bytes; the default
24967 is 1. It specifies how much ADI version information, at the ratio of 1:ADI
24968 block size, to display.
24969
24970 @var{addr} is the address in user address space where you want @value{GDBN}
24971 to begin displaying the ADI version tags.
24972
24973 Below is an example of displaying ADI versions of variable "shmaddr".
24974
24975 @smallexample
24976 (@value{GDBP}) adi x/100 shmaddr
24977 0xfff800010002c000: 0 0
24978 @end smallexample
24979
24980 @kindex adi assign
24981 @item adi (assign | a) [ / @var{n} ] @var{addr} = @var{tag}
24982
24983 The @code{adi assign} command is used to assign new ADI version tag
24984 to an address.
24985
24986 @var{n} is a decimal integer specifying the number in bytes;
24987 the default is 1. It specifies how much ADI version information, at the
24988 ratio of 1:ADI block size, to modify.
24989
24990 @var{addr} is the address in user address space where you want @value{GDBN}
24991 to begin modifying the ADI version tags.
24992
24993 @var{tag} is the new ADI version tag.
24994
24995 For example, do the following to modify then verify ADI versions of
24996 variable "shmaddr":
24997
24998 @smallexample
24999 (@value{GDBP}) adi a/100 shmaddr = 7
25000 (@value{GDBP}) adi x/100 shmaddr
25001 0xfff800010002c000: 7 7
25002 @end smallexample
25003
25004 @end table
25005
25006 @node S12Z
25007 @subsection S12Z
25008 @cindex S12Z support
25009
25010 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the S12Z architecture,
25011 it provides the following special command:
25012
25013 @table @code
25014 @item maint info bdccsr
25015 @kindex maint info bdccsr@r{, S12Z}
25016 This command displays the current value of the microprocessor's
25017 BDCCSR register.
25018 @end table
25019
25020
25021 @node Controlling GDB
25022 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
25023
25024 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
25025 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
25026 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
25027 described here.
25028
25029 @menu
25030 * Prompt:: Prompt
25031 * Editing:: Command editing
25032 * Command History:: Command history
25033 * Screen Size:: Screen size
25034 * Output Styling:: Output styling
25035 * Numbers:: Numbers
25036 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
25037 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
25038 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
25039 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
25040 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
25041 @end menu
25042
25043 @node Prompt
25044 @section Prompt
25045
25046 @cindex prompt
25047
25048 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
25049 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
25050 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
25051 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
25052 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
25053 which one you are talking to.
25054
25055 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
25056 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
25057 or a prompt that does not.
25058
25059 @table @code
25060 @kindex set prompt
25061 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
25062 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
25063
25064 @kindex show prompt
25065 @item show prompt
25066 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
25067 @end table
25068
25069 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
25070 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
25071 are:
25072
25073 @table @code
25074 @kindex set extended-prompt
25075 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
25076 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
25077 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
25078 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
25079 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
25080 is displayed.
25081
25082 For example:
25083
25084 @smallexample
25085 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
25086 @end smallexample
25087
25088 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
25089 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
25090
25091 @kindex show extended-prompt
25092 @item show extended-prompt
25093 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
25094 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
25095 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
25096 @end table
25097
25098 @node Editing
25099 @section Command Editing
25100 @cindex readline
25101 @cindex command line editing
25102
25103 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
25104 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
25105 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
25106 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
25107 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
25108 debugging sessions.
25109
25110 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
25111 command @code{set}.
25112
25113 @table @code
25114 @kindex set editing
25115 @cindex editing
25116 @item set editing
25117 @itemx set editing on
25118 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
25119
25120 @item set editing off
25121 Disable command line editing.
25122
25123 @kindex show editing
25124 @item show editing
25125 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
25126 @end table
25127
25128 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
25129 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
25130 @end ifset
25131 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
25132 @xref{Command Line Editing},
25133 @end ifclear
25134 for more details about the Readline
25135 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
25136 encouraged to read that chapter.
25137
25138 @cindex Readline application name
25139 @value{GDBN} sets the Readline application name to @samp{gdb}. This
25140 is useful for conditions in @file{.inputrc}.
25141
25142 @node Command History
25143 @section Command History
25144 @cindex command history
25145
25146 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
25147 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
25148 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
25149 history facility.
25150
25151 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
25152 package, to provide the history facility.
25153 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
25154 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
25155 @end ifset
25156 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
25157 @xref{Using History Interactively},
25158 @end ifclear
25159 for the detailed description of the History library.
25160
25161 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
25162 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
25163 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
25164 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
25165 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
25166 pressed on a line by itself.
25167
25168 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
25169 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
25170 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
25171 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
25172
25173 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
25174 history.
25175
25176 @table @code
25177 @cindex history substitution
25178 @cindex history file
25179 @kindex set history filename
25180 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
25181 @item set history filename @var{fname}
25182 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
25183 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
25184 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
25185 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
25186 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
25187 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
25188 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
25189 is not set.
25190
25191 @cindex save command history
25192 @kindex set history save
25193 @item set history save
25194 @itemx set history save on
25195 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
25196 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
25197
25198 @item set history save off
25199 Stop recording command history in a file.
25200
25201 @cindex history size
25202 @kindex set history size
25203 @cindex @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, environment variable
25204 @item set history size @var{size}
25205 @itemx set history size unlimited
25206 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
25207 This defaults to the value of the environment variable @env{GDBHISTSIZE}, or
25208 to 256 if this variable is not set. Non-numeric values of @env{GDBHISTSIZE}
25209 are ignored. If @var{size} is @code{unlimited} or if @env{GDBHISTSIZE} is
25210 either a negative number or the empty string, then the number of commands
25211 @value{GDBN} keeps in the history list is unlimited.
25212
25213 @cindex remove duplicate history
25214 @kindex set history remove-duplicates
25215 @item set history remove-duplicates @var{count}
25216 @itemx set history remove-duplicates unlimited
25217 Control the removal of duplicate history entries in the command history list.
25218 If @var{count} is non-zero, @value{GDBN} will look back at the last @var{count}
25219 history entries and remove the first entry that is a duplicate of the current
25220 entry being added to the command history list. If @var{count} is
25221 @code{unlimited} then this lookbehind is unbounded. If @var{count} is 0, then
25222 removal of duplicate history entries is disabled.
25223
25224 Only history entries added during the current session are considered for
25225 removal. This option is set to 0 by default.
25226
25227 @end table
25228
25229 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
25230 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
25231 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
25232 @end ifset
25233 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
25234 @xref{Event Designators},
25235 @end ifclear
25236 for more details.
25237
25238 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
25239 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
25240 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
25241 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
25242 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
25243 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
25244 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
25245 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
25246
25247 The commands to control history expansion are:
25248
25249 @table @code
25250 @item set history expansion on
25251 @itemx set history expansion
25252 @kindex set history expansion
25253 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
25254
25255 @item set history expansion off
25256 Disable history expansion.
25257
25258 @c @group
25259 @kindex show history
25260 @item show history
25261 @itemx show history filename
25262 @itemx show history save
25263 @itemx show history size
25264 @itemx show history expansion
25265 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
25266 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
25267 @c @end group
25268 @end table
25269
25270 @table @code
25271 @kindex show commands
25272 @cindex show last commands
25273 @cindex display command history
25274 @item show commands
25275 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
25276
25277 @item show commands @var{n}
25278 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
25279
25280 @item show commands +
25281 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
25282 @end table
25283
25284 @node Screen Size
25285 @section Screen Size
25286 @cindex size of screen
25287 @cindex screen size
25288 @cindex pagination
25289 @cindex page size
25290 @cindex pauses in output
25291
25292 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
25293 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
25294 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
25295 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to see one more page of output,
25296 @kbd{q} to discard the remaining output, or @kbd{c} to continue
25297 without paging for the rest of the current command. Also, the screen
25298 width setting determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on
25299 what is being printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a
25300 readable place, rather than simply letting it overflow onto the
25301 following line.
25302
25303 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
25304 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
25305 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
25306 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
25307 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
25308 width} commands:
25309
25310 @table @code
25311 @kindex set height
25312 @kindex set width
25313 @kindex show width
25314 @kindex show height
25315 @item set height @var{lpp}
25316 @itemx set height unlimited
25317 @itemx show height
25318 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
25319 @itemx set width unlimited
25320 @itemx show width
25321 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
25322 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
25323 commands display the current settings.
25324
25325 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
25326 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
25327 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
25328 buffer.
25329
25330 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
25331 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
25332
25333 @item set pagination on
25334 @itemx set pagination off
25335 @kindex set pagination
25336 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
25337 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
25338 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
25339 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
25340
25341 @item show pagination
25342 @kindex show pagination
25343 Show the current pagination mode.
25344 @end table
25345
25346 @node Output Styling
25347 @section Output Styling
25348 @cindex styling
25349 @cindex colors
25350
25351 @kindex set style
25352 @kindex show style
25353 @value{GDBN} can style its output on a capable terminal. This is
25354 enabled by default on most systems, but disabled by default when in
25355 batch mode (@pxref{Mode Options}). Various style settings are available;
25356 and styles can also be disabled entirely.
25357
25358 @table @code
25359 @item set style enabled @samp{on|off}
25360 Enable or disable all styling. The default is host-dependent, with
25361 most hosts defaulting to @samp{on}.
25362
25363 @item show style enabled
25364 Show the current state of styling.
25365
25366 @item set style sources @samp{on|off}
25367 Enable or disable source code styling. This affects whether source
25368 code, such as the output of the @code{list} command, is styled. Note
25369 that source styling only works if styling in general is enabled, and
25370 if @value{GDBN} was linked with the GNU Source Highlight library. The
25371 default is @samp{on}.
25372
25373 @item show style sources
25374 Show the current state of source code styling.
25375 @end table
25376
25377 Subcommands of @code{set style} control specific forms of styling.
25378 These subcommands all follow the same pattern: each style-able object
25379 can be styled with a foreground color, a background color, and an
25380 intensity.
25381
25382 For example, the style of file names can be controlled using the
25383 @code{set style filename} group of commands:
25384
25385 @table @code
25386 @item set style filename background @var{color}
25387 Set the background to @var{color}. Valid colors are @samp{none}
25388 (meaning the terminal's default color), @samp{black}, @samp{red},
25389 @samp{green}, @samp{yellow}, @samp{blue}, @samp{magenta}, @samp{cyan},
25390 and@samp{white}.
25391
25392 @item set style filename foreground @var{color}
25393 Set the foreground to @var{color}. Valid colors are @samp{none}
25394 (meaning the terminal's default color), @samp{black}, @samp{red},
25395 @samp{green}, @samp{yellow}, @samp{blue}, @samp{magenta}, @samp{cyan},
25396 and@samp{white}.
25397
25398 @item set style filename intensity @var{value}
25399 Set the intensity to @var{value}. Valid intensities are @samp{normal}
25400 (the default), @samp{bold}, and @samp{dim}.
25401 @end table
25402
25403 The @code{show style} command and its subcommands are styling
25404 a style name in their output using its own style.
25405 So, use @command{show style} to see the complete list of styles,
25406 their characteristics and the visual aspect of each style.
25407
25408 The style-able objects are:
25409 @table @code
25410 @item filename
25411 Control the styling of file names. By default, this style's
25412 foreground color is green.
25413
25414 @item function
25415 Control the styling of function names. These are managed with the
25416 @code{set style function} family of commands. By default, this
25417 style's foreground color is yellow.
25418
25419 @item variable
25420 Control the styling of variable names. These are managed with the
25421 @code{set style variable} family of commands. By default, this style's
25422 foreground color is cyan.
25423
25424 @item address
25425 Control the styling of addresses. These are managed with the
25426 @code{set style address} family of commands. By default, this style's
25427 foreground color is blue.
25428
25429 @item title
25430 Control the styling of titles. These are managed with the
25431 @code{set style title} family of commands. By default, this style's
25432 intensity is bold. Commands are using the title style to improve
25433 the readibility of large output. For example, the commands
25434 @command{apropos} and @command{help} are using the title style
25435 for the command names.
25436
25437 @item highlight
25438 Control the styling of highlightings. These are managed with the
25439 @code{set style highlight} family of commands. By default, this style's
25440 foreground color is red. Commands are using the highlight style to draw
25441 the user attention to some specific parts of their output. For example,
25442 the command @command{apropos -v REGEXP} uses the highlight style to
25443 mark the documentation parts matching @var{regexp}.
25444
25445 @end table
25446
25447 @node Numbers
25448 @section Numbers
25449 @cindex number representation
25450 @cindex entering numbers
25451
25452 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
25453 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
25454 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
25455 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
25456 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
25457 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
25458 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
25459 both input and output with the commands described below.
25460
25461 @table @code
25462 @kindex set input-radix
25463 @item set input-radix @var{base}
25464 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
25465 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
25466 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
25467 example, any of
25468
25469 @smallexample
25470 set input-radix 012
25471 set input-radix 10.
25472 set input-radix 0xa
25473 @end smallexample
25474
25475 @noindent
25476 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
25477 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
25478 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
25479 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
25480 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
25481 change the radix.
25482
25483 @kindex set output-radix
25484 @item set output-radix @var{base}
25485 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
25486 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
25487 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
25488
25489 @kindex show input-radix
25490 @item show input-radix
25491 Display the current default base for numeric input.
25492
25493 @kindex show output-radix
25494 @item show output-radix
25495 Display the current default base for numeric display.
25496
25497 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
25498 @itemx show radix
25499 @kindex set radix
25500 @kindex show radix
25501 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
25502 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
25503 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
25504 default value of 10.
25505
25506 @end table
25507
25508 @node ABI
25509 @section Configuring the Current ABI
25510
25511 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
25512 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
25513 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
25514 current ABI.
25515
25516 @cindex OS ABI
25517 @kindex set osabi
25518 @kindex show osabi
25519 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
25520
25521 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
25522 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
25523 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
25524 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
25525 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
25526 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
25527 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
25528 platform provides.
25529
25530 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
25531 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
25532 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
25533 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
25534
25535 @table @code
25536 @item show osabi
25537 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
25538
25539 @item set osabi
25540 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
25541
25542 @item set osabi @var{abi}
25543 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
25544 @end table
25545
25546 @cindex float promotion
25547
25548 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
25549 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
25550 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
25551 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
25552 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
25553 @code{double} and then passed.
25554
25555 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
25556 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
25557 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
25558
25559 @table @code
25560 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
25561 @item set coerce-float-to-double
25562 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
25563 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
25564 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
25565
25566 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
25567 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
25568 functions.
25569
25570 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
25571 @item show coerce-float-to-double
25572 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
25573 @end table
25574
25575 @kindex set cp-abi
25576 @kindex show cp-abi
25577 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
25578 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
25579 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
25580 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
25581 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
25582 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
25583 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
25584 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
25585 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
25586 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
25587 ``auto''.
25588
25589 @table @code
25590 @item show cp-abi
25591 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
25592
25593 @item set cp-abi
25594 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
25595
25596 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
25597 @itemx set cp-abi auto
25598 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
25599 @end table
25600
25601 @node Auto-loading
25602 @section Automatically loading associated files
25603 @cindex auto-loading
25604
25605 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
25606 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
25607 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
25608 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
25609 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
25610 sources).
25611
25612 @menu
25613 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
25614 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
25615
25616 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
25617 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
25618 @end menu
25619
25620 There are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load.
25621 In addition to these files, @value{GDBN} supports auto-loading code written
25622 in various extension languages. @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
25623
25624 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
25625 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
25626 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25627
25628 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
25629 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
25630
25631 @table @code
25632 @anchor{set auto-load off}
25633 @kindex set auto-load off
25634 @item set auto-load off
25635 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
25636 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
25637 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
25638 @smallexample
25639 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
25640 @end smallexample
25641
25642 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
25643 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
25644 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
25645 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
25646 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
25647 @code{set auto-load no}.
25648
25649 @anchor{show auto-load}
25650 @kindex show auto-load
25651 @item show auto-load
25652 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
25653 or disabled.
25654
25655 @smallexample
25656 (gdb) show auto-load
25657 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
25658 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
25659 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
25660 is on.
25661 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
25662 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
25663 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
25664 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
25665 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
25666 @end smallexample
25667
25668 @anchor{info auto-load}
25669 @kindex info auto-load
25670 @item info auto-load
25671 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
25672 not.
25673
25674 @smallexample
25675 (gdb) info auto-load
25676 gdb-scripts:
25677 Loaded Script
25678 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
25679 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
25680 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
25681 loaded.
25682 python-scripts:
25683 Loaded Script
25684 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
25685 @end smallexample
25686 @end table
25687
25688 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
25689
25690 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
25691 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
25692 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
25693 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
25694 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
25695 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
25696 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
25697 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
25698 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
25699 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
25700 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
25701 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
25702 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
25703 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
25704 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
25705 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
25706 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
25707 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
25708 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
25709 @item @xref{set auto-load guile-scripts}.
25710 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
25711 @item @xref{show auto-load guile-scripts}.
25712 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
25713 @item @xref{info auto-load guile-scripts}.
25714 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
25715 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
25716 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
25717 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
25718 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
25719 @item @xref{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}.
25720 @tab Add directory for auto-loaded scripts location list.
25721 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
25722 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
25723 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
25724 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
25725 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
25726 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
25727 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
25728 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
25729 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
25730 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
25731 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
25732 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
25733 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
25734 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
25735 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
25736 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
25737 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
25738 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
25739 @end multitable
25740
25741 @node Init File in the Current Directory
25742 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
25743 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
25744
25745 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
25746 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
25747 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
25748
25749 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
25750 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25751
25752 @table @code
25753 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
25754 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
25755 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
25756 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
25757 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
25758
25759 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
25760 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
25761 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
25762 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
25763 current directory is enabled or disabled.
25764
25765 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
25766 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
25767 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
25768 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
25769 current directory have been auto-loaded.
25770 @end table
25771
25772 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
25773 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
25774 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
25775
25776 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
25777
25778 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
25779 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
25780
25781 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
25782 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
25783 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
25784 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
25785 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
25786 library.
25787
25788 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
25789 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25790
25791 @table @code
25792 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
25793 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
25794 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
25795 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
25796
25797 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
25798 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
25799 @item show auto-load libthread-db
25800 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
25801 enabled or disabled.
25802
25803 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
25804 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
25805 @item info auto-load libthread-db
25806 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
25807 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
25808 @end table
25809
25810 @node Auto-loading safe path
25811 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
25812 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
25813
25814 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
25815 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
25816 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
25817 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
25818 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
25819
25820 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
25821 get loaded:
25822
25823 @smallexample
25824 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
25825 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
25826 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
25827 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
25828 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
25829 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
25830 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
25831 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
25832 @end smallexample
25833
25834 @noindent
25835 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
25836 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
25837
25838 @smallexample
25839 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
25840 @end smallexample
25841
25842 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
25843
25844 @table @code
25845 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
25846 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
25847 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
25848 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
25849 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
25850 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
25851 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
25852 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
25853 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
25854 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
25855
25856 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
25857 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
25858 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
25859
25860 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
25861 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
25862 @item show auto-load safe-path
25863 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
25864 scripts.
25865
25866 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
25867 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
25868 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
25869 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of directories trusted for
25870 automatic loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited
25871 by the host platform path separator in use.
25872 @end table
25873
25874 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
25875 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
25876 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
25877 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
25878 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
25879
25880 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
25881 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
25882 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
25883 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
25884 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
25885 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
25886 init file in the current directory
25887 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
25888
25889 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
25890 example, you could use one of the following ways:
25891
25892 @table @asis
25893 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
25894 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
25895 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
25896 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
25897
25898 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
25899 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
25900 @value{GDBN} session.
25901
25902 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
25903 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
25904 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
25905 from trusted sources.
25906
25907 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
25908 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
25909 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
25910 trusted sources.
25911 @end table
25912
25913 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
25914 also suppresses any such warning messages:
25915
25916 @table @asis
25917 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
25918 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
25919
25920 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
25921 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
25922 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
25923 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
25924 @end table
25925
25926 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
25927 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
25928 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
25929 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
25930 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
25931 recommended to be entered.
25932
25933 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
25934 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
25935 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
25936
25937 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
25938 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
25939 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
25940 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
25941 be printed.
25942
25943 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
25944 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
25945 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
25946
25947 @smallexample
25948 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
25949 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
25950 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
25951 for objfile "/tmp/true".
25952 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
25953 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
25954 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
25955 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
25956 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
25957 @end smallexample
25958
25959 @table @code
25960 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
25961 @kindex set debug auto-load
25962 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
25963 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
25964
25965 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
25966 @kindex show debug auto-load
25967 @item show debug auto-load
25968 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
25969 on or off.
25970 @end table
25971
25972 @node Messages/Warnings
25973 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
25974
25975 @cindex verbose operation
25976 @cindex optional warnings
25977 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
25978 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
25979 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
25980 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
25981
25982 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
25983 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
25984 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
25985
25986 @table @code
25987 @kindex set verbose
25988 @item set verbose on
25989 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
25990
25991 @item set verbose off
25992 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
25993
25994 @kindex show verbose
25995 @item show verbose
25996 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
25997 @end table
25998
25999 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
26000 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
26001 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
26002 Symbol Files}).
26003
26004 @table @code
26005
26006 @kindex set complaints
26007 @item set complaints @var{limit}
26008 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
26009 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
26010 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
26011 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
26012
26013 @kindex show complaints
26014 @item show complaints
26015 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
26016
26017 @end table
26018
26019 @anchor{confirmation requests}
26020 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
26021 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
26022 you try to run a program which is already running:
26023
26024 @smallexample
26025 (@value{GDBP}) run
26026 The program being debugged has been started already.
26027 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
26028 @end smallexample
26029
26030 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
26031 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
26032
26033 @table @code
26034
26035 @kindex set confirm
26036 @cindex flinching
26037 @cindex confirmation
26038 @cindex stupid questions
26039 @item set confirm off
26040 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
26041 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
26042 automatically disables confirmation requests.
26043
26044 @item set confirm on
26045 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
26046
26047 @kindex show confirm
26048 @item show confirm
26049 Displays state of confirmation requests.
26050
26051 @end table
26052
26053 @cindex command tracing
26054 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
26055 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
26056 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
26057 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
26058
26059 @table @code
26060 @kindex set trace-commands
26061 @cindex command scripts, debugging
26062 @item set trace-commands on
26063 Enable command tracing.
26064 @item set trace-commands off
26065 Disable command tracing.
26066 @item show trace-commands
26067 Display the current state of command tracing.
26068 @end table
26069
26070 @node Debugging Output
26071 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
26072 @cindex optional debugging messages
26073
26074 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
26075 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
26076 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
26077 section documents those commands.
26078
26079 @table @code
26080 @kindex set exec-done-display
26081 @item set exec-done-display
26082 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
26083 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
26084 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
26085 @kindex show exec-done-display
26086 @item show exec-done-display
26087 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
26088 notification.
26089 @kindex set debug
26090 @cindex ARM AArch64
26091 @item set debug aarch64
26092 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
26093 The default is off.
26094 @kindex show debug
26095 @item show debug aarch64
26096 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
26097 ARM AArch64.
26098 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
26099 @cindex architecture debugging info
26100 @item set debug arch
26101 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
26102 @item show debug arch
26103 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
26104 @item set debug aix-solib
26105 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
26106 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
26107 support module. The default is off.
26108 @item show debug aix-thread
26109 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
26110 @item set debug aix-thread
26111 @cindex AIX threads
26112 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
26113 module.
26114 @item show debug aix-thread
26115 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
26116 @item set debug check-physname
26117 @cindex physname
26118 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
26119 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
26120 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
26121 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
26122 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
26123 both ways and display any discrepancies.
26124 @item show debug check-physname
26125 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
26126 @item set debug coff-pe-read
26127 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
26128 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
26129 exported symbols. The default is off.
26130 @item show debug coff-pe-read
26131 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
26132 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
26133 @item set debug dwarf-die
26134 @cindex DWARF DIEs
26135 Dump DWARF DIEs after they are read in.
26136 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
26137 A value of zero turns off the display.
26138 @item show debug dwarf-die
26139 Show the current state of DWARF DIE debugging.
26140 @item set debug dwarf-line
26141 @cindex DWARF Line Tables
26142 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
26143 DWARF line tables. The default is 0 (off).
26144 A value of 1 provides basic information.
26145 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
26146 @item show debug dwarf-line
26147 Show the current state of DWARF line table debugging.
26148 @item set debug dwarf-read
26149 @cindex DWARF Reading
26150 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
26151 DWARF debug info. The default is 0 (off).
26152 A value of 1 provides basic information.
26153 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
26154 @item show debug dwarf-read
26155 Show the current state of DWARF reader debugging.
26156 @item set debug displaced
26157 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
26158 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
26159 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
26160 @item show debug displaced
26161 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
26162 related to displaced stepping.
26163 @item set debug event
26164 @cindex event debugging info
26165 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
26166 default is off.
26167 @item show debug event
26168 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
26169 info.
26170 @item set debug expression
26171 @cindex expression debugging info
26172 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
26173 expression parsing. The default is off.
26174 @item show debug expression
26175 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
26176 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
26177 @item set debug fbsd-lwp
26178 @cindex FreeBSD LWP debug messages
26179 Turns on or off debugging messages from the FreeBSD LWP debug support.
26180 @item show debug fbsd-lwp
26181 Show the current state of FreeBSD LWP debugging messages.
26182 @item set debug fbsd-nat
26183 @cindex FreeBSD native target debug messages
26184 Turns on or off debugging messages from the FreeBSD native target.
26185 @item show debug fbsd-nat
26186 Show the current state of FreeBSD native target debugging messages.
26187 @item set debug frame
26188 @cindex frame debugging info
26189 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
26190 default is off.
26191 @item show debug frame
26192 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
26193 info.
26194 @item set debug gnu-nat
26195 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
26196 Turn on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
26197 @item show debug gnu-nat
26198 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
26199 @item set debug infrun
26200 @cindex inferior debugging info
26201 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
26202 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
26203 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
26204 @item show debug infrun
26205 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
26206 @item set debug jit
26207 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
26208 Turn on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
26209 @item show debug jit
26210 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
26211 @item set debug lin-lwp
26212 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
26213 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
26214 Turn on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
26215 @item show debug lin-lwp
26216 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
26217 @item set debug linux-namespaces
26218 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux namespaces debug messages
26219 Turn on or off debugging messages from the Linux namespaces debug support.
26220 @item show debug linux-namespaces
26221 Show the current state of Linux namespaces debugging messages.
26222 @item set debug mach-o
26223 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
26224 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
26225 processing. The default is off.
26226 @item show debug mach-o
26227 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
26228 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
26229 @item set debug notification
26230 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
26231 Turn on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
26232 The default is off.
26233 @item show debug notification
26234 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
26235 @item set debug observer
26236 @cindex observer debugging info
26237 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
26238 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
26239 @item show debug observer
26240 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
26241 @item set debug overload
26242 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
26243 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
26244 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
26245 is off.
26246 @item show debug overload
26247 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
26248 debugging info.
26249 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
26250 @cindex debug expression parser
26251 @item set debug parser
26252 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
26253 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
26254 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
26255 details. The default is off.
26256 @item show debug parser
26257 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
26258 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
26259 @cindex serial connections, debugging
26260 @cindex debug remote protocol
26261 @cindex remote protocol debugging
26262 @cindex display remote packets
26263 @item set debug remote
26264 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
26265 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
26266 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
26267 @item show debug remote
26268 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
26269
26270 @item set debug separate-debug-file
26271 Turns on or off display of debug output about separate debug file search.
26272 @item show debug separate-debug-file
26273 Displays the state of separate debug file search debug output.
26274
26275 @item set debug serial
26276 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
26277 default is off.
26278 @item show debug serial
26279 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
26280 info.
26281 @item set debug solib-frv
26282 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
26283 Turn on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
26284 @item show debug solib-frv
26285 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
26286 messages.
26287 @item set debug symbol-lookup
26288 @cindex symbol lookup
26289 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol lookup.
26290 The default is 0 (off).
26291 A value of 1 provides basic information.
26292 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
26293 @item show debug symbol-lookup
26294 Show the current state of symbol lookup debugging messages.
26295 @item set debug symfile
26296 @cindex symbol file functions
26297 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol file functions.
26298 The default is off. @xref{Files}.
26299 @item show debug symfile
26300 Show the current state of symbol file debugging messages.
26301 @item set debug symtab-create
26302 @cindex symbol table creation
26303 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
26304 The default is 0 (off).
26305 A value of 1 provides basic information.
26306 A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
26307 @item show debug symtab-create
26308 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
26309 @item set debug target
26310 @cindex target debugging info
26311 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
26312 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
26313 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
26314 value of large memory transfers.
26315 @item show debug target
26316 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
26317 info.
26318 @item set debug timestamp
26319 @cindex timestampping debugging info
26320 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
26321 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
26322 message.
26323 @item show debug timestamp
26324 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
26325 debugging info.
26326 @item set debug varobj
26327 @cindex variable object debugging info
26328 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
26329 info. The default is off.
26330 @item show debug varobj
26331 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
26332 debugging info.
26333 @item set debug xml
26334 @cindex XML parser debugging
26335 Turn on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
26336 @item show debug xml
26337 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
26338 @end table
26339
26340 @node Other Misc Settings
26341 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
26342 @cindex miscellaneous settings
26343
26344 @table @code
26345 @kindex set interactive-mode
26346 @item set interactive-mode
26347 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
26348 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
26349 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
26350 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
26351 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
26352 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
26353 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
26354 is, non-interactively otherwise.
26355
26356 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
26357 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
26358 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
26359 inside a cygwin window.
26360
26361 @kindex show interactive-mode
26362 @item show interactive-mode
26363 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
26364 @end table
26365
26366 @node Extending GDB
26367 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
26368 @cindex extending GDB
26369
26370 @value{GDBN} provides several mechanisms for extension.
26371 @value{GDBN} also provides the ability to automatically load
26372 extensions when it reads a file for debugging. This allows the
26373 user to automatically customize @value{GDBN} for the program
26374 being debugged.
26375
26376 @menu
26377 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of @value{GDBN} Commands
26378 * Python:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Python
26379 * Guile:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Guile
26380 * Auto-loading extensions:: Automatically loading extensions
26381 * Multiple Extension Languages:: Working with multiple extension languages
26382 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
26383 @end menu
26384
26385 To facilitate the use of extension languages, @value{GDBN} is capable
26386 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
26387 can recognize which extension language is being used by looking at
26388 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
26389 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
26390 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
26391
26392 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
26393 setting:
26394
26395 @table @code
26396 @kindex set script-extension
26397 @kindex show script-extension
26398 @item set script-extension off
26399 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
26400
26401 @item set script-extension soft
26402 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
26403 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
26404 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
26405 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
26406
26407 @item set script-extension strict
26408 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
26409 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
26410 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
26411
26412 @item show script-extension
26413 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
26414
26415 @end table
26416
26417 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT_DIR
26418 This setting is not used for files in the system-wide gdbinit directory.
26419 Files in that directory must have an extension matching their language,
26420 or have a @file{.gdb} extension to be interpreted as regular @value{GDBN}
26421 commands. @xref{Startup}.
26422 @end ifset
26423
26424 @node Sequences
26425 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
26426
26427 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
26428 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
26429 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
26430 files.
26431
26432 @menu
26433 * Define:: How to define your own commands
26434 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
26435 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
26436 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
26437 * Auto-loading sequences:: Controlling auto-loaded command files
26438 @end menu
26439
26440 @node Define
26441 @subsection User-defined Commands
26442
26443 @cindex user-defined command
26444 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
26445 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
26446 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
26447 @code{define} command. User commands may accept an unlimited number of arguments
26448 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
26449 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$argN}. A trivial example:
26450
26451 @smallexample
26452 define adder
26453 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
26454 end
26455 @end smallexample
26456
26457 @noindent
26458 To execute the command use:
26459
26460 @smallexample
26461 adder 1 2 3
26462 @end smallexample
26463
26464 @noindent
26465 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
26466 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
26467 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
26468 functions calls.
26469
26470 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
26471 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
26472 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
26473 been passed.
26474
26475 @smallexample
26476 define adder
26477 if $argc == 2
26478 print $arg0 + $arg1
26479 end
26480 if $argc == 3
26481 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
26482 end
26483 end
26484 @end smallexample
26485
26486 Combining with the @code{eval} command (@pxref{eval}) makes it easier
26487 to process a variable number of arguments:
26488
26489 @smallexample
26490 define adder
26491 set $i = 0
26492 set $sum = 0
26493 while $i < $argc
26494 eval "set $sum = $sum + $arg%d", $i
26495 set $i = $i + 1
26496 end
26497 print $sum
26498 end
26499 @end smallexample
26500
26501 @table @code
26502
26503 @kindex define
26504 @item define @var{commandname}
26505 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
26506 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
26507 The argument @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
26508 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
26509 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
26510 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
26511
26512 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
26513 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
26514 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
26515
26516 @kindex document
26517 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
26518 @item document @var{commandname}
26519 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
26520 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
26521 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
26522 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
26523 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
26524 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
26525
26526 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
26527 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
26528 does not change the documentation.
26529
26530 @kindex dont-repeat
26531 @cindex don't repeat command
26532 @item dont-repeat
26533 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
26534 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
26535 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
26536
26537 @kindex help user-defined
26538 @item help user-defined
26539 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
26540 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
26541 included (if any).
26542
26543 @kindex show user
26544 @item show user
26545 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
26546 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
26547 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
26548 definitions for all user-defined commands.
26549 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
26550
26551 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
26552 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
26553 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
26554 @item show max-user-call-depth
26555 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
26556 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
26557 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
26558 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
26559 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
26560 @end table
26561
26562 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
26563 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
26564
26565 When user-defined commands are executed, the
26566 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
26567 stops execution of the user-defined command.
26568
26569 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
26570 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
26571 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
26572 messages when used in a user-defined command.
26573
26574 @node Hooks
26575 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
26576 @cindex command hooks
26577 @cindex hooks, for commands
26578 @cindex hooks, pre-command
26579
26580 @kindex hook
26581 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
26582 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
26583 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
26584 before that command.
26585
26586 @cindex hooks, post-command
26587 @kindex hookpost
26588 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
26589 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
26590 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
26591 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
26592 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
26593
26594 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
26595 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
26596
26597 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
26598 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
26599
26600 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
26601 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
26602 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
26603 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
26604 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
26605
26606 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
26607 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
26608 you could define:
26609
26610 @smallexample
26611 define hook-stop
26612 handle SIGALRM nopass
26613 end
26614
26615 define hook-run
26616 handle SIGALRM pass
26617 end
26618
26619 define hook-continue
26620 handle SIGALRM pass
26621 end
26622 @end smallexample
26623
26624 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
26625 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
26626 you could define:
26627
26628 @smallexample
26629 define hook-echo
26630 echo <<<---
26631 end
26632
26633 define hookpost-echo
26634 echo --->>>\n
26635 end
26636
26637 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
26638 <<<---Hello World--->>>
26639 (@value{GDBP})
26640
26641 @end smallexample
26642
26643 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
26644 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
26645 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
26646 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
26647 @c or not?
26648 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
26649 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
26650 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
26651
26652 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
26653 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
26654 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
26655
26656 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
26657 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
26658
26659 @node Command Files
26660 @subsection Command Files
26661
26662 @cindex command files
26663 @cindex scripting commands
26664 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
26665 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
26666 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
26667 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
26668 terminal.
26669
26670 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
26671 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
26672 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
26673 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
26674 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
26675
26676 @table @code
26677 @kindex source
26678 @cindex execute commands from a file
26679 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
26680 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
26681 @end table
26682
26683 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
26684 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
26685 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
26686 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
26687 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
26688
26689 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
26690 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
26691 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
26692 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
26693 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
26694 is not relevant to scripts.
26695
26696 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
26697 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
26698 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
26699 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
26700 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
26701 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
26702 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
26703 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
26704 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
26705 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
26706 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
26707 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
26708 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
26709 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
26710
26711 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
26712 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
26713 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
26714
26715 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
26716 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
26717 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
26718 when called from command files.
26719
26720 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
26721 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
26722 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
26723 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
26724 the next command.
26725
26726 @smallexample
26727 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
26728 @end smallexample
26729
26730 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
26731 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
26732 would be directed to @file{log}.
26733
26734 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
26735 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
26736 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
26737 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
26738 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
26739 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
26740 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
26741 conditionally, etc.
26742
26743 @table @code
26744 @kindex if
26745 @kindex else
26746 @item if
26747 @itemx else
26748 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
26749 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
26750 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
26751 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
26752 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
26753 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
26754 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
26755
26756 @kindex while
26757 @item while
26758 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
26759 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
26760 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
26761 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
26762 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
26763 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
26764
26765 @kindex loop_break
26766 @item loop_break
26767 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
26768 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
26769 line.
26770
26771 @kindex loop_continue
26772 @item loop_continue
26773 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
26774 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
26775 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
26776 the controlling expression.
26777
26778 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
26779 @item end
26780 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
26781 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
26782 @end table
26783
26784
26785 @node Output
26786 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
26787
26788 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
26789 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
26790 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
26791 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
26792 want.
26793
26794 @table @code
26795 @kindex echo
26796 @item echo @var{text}
26797 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
26798 @c because it is not in ANSI.
26799 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
26800 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
26801 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
26802 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
26803 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
26804 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
26805 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
26806 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
26807 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
26808
26809 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
26810 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
26811
26812 @smallexample
26813 echo This is some text\n\
26814 which is continued\n\
26815 onto several lines.\n
26816 @end smallexample
26817
26818 produces the same output as
26819
26820 @smallexample
26821 echo This is some text\n
26822 echo which is continued\n
26823 echo onto several lines.\n
26824 @end smallexample
26825
26826 @kindex output
26827 @item output @var{expression}
26828 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
26829 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
26830 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
26831 on expressions.
26832
26833 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
26834 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
26835 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
26836 Formats}, for more information.
26837
26838 @kindex printf
26839 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
26840 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
26841 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
26842 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
26843 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
26844 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
26845 executing the code below:
26846
26847 @smallexample
26848 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
26849 @end smallexample
26850
26851 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
26852 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
26853 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
26854 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
26855 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
26856 printed.
26857
26858 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
26859
26860 @smallexample
26861 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
26862 @end smallexample
26863
26864 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
26865 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
26866 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
26867
26868 @itemize @bullet
26869 @item
26870 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
26871
26872 @item
26873 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
26874 width.
26875
26876 @item
26877 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
26878 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
26879
26880 @item
26881 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
26882 supported.
26883
26884 @item
26885 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
26886
26887 @item
26888 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
26889 @end itemize
26890
26891 @noindent
26892 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
26893 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
26894 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
26895 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
26896
26897 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
26898 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
26899 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
26900 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
26901 supported.
26902
26903 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
26904 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
26905 together with a floating point specifier.
26906 letters:
26907
26908 @itemize @bullet
26909 @item
26910 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
26911
26912 @item
26913 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
26914
26915 @item
26916 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
26917 @end itemize
26918
26919 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
26920 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
26921 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
26922
26923 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
26924 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
26925
26926 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
26927 @smallexample
26928 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
26929 @end smallexample
26930
26931 @anchor{eval}
26932 @kindex eval
26933 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
26934 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
26935 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
26936
26937 @end table
26938
26939 @node Auto-loading sequences
26940 @subsection Controlling auto-loading native @value{GDBN} scripts
26941 @cindex native script auto-loading
26942
26943 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
26944 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
26945 @value{GDBN} will look for the command file @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}.
26946 @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
26947
26948 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
26949 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
26950
26951 @table @code
26952 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
26953 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
26954 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
26955 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
26956
26957 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
26958 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
26959 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
26960 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
26961 disabled.
26962
26963 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
26964 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
26965 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
26966 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
26967 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
26968 auto-loaded.
26969 @end table
26970
26971 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
26972 matching names are printed.
26973
26974 @c Python docs live in a separate file.
26975 @include python.texi
26976
26977 @c Guile docs live in a separate file.
26978 @include guile.texi
26979
26980 @node Auto-loading extensions
26981 @section Auto-loading extensions
26982 @cindex auto-loading extensions
26983
26984 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for automatically loading extensions
26985 when a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
26986 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library):
26987 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} and the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}
26988 section of modern file formats like ELF.
26989
26990 @menu
26991 * objfile-gdb.ext file: objfile-gdbdotext file. The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
26992 * .debug_gdb_scripts section: dotdebug_gdb_scripts section. The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26993 * Which flavor to choose?::
26994 @end menu
26995
26996 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
26997 debugging commands and features.
26998
26999 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
27000 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
27001 See the @samp{auto-loading} section of each extension language
27002 for more information.
27003 For @value{GDBN} command files see @ref{Auto-loading sequences}.
27004 For Python files see @ref{Python Auto-loading}.
27005
27006 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
27007 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27008
27009 @node objfile-gdbdotext file
27010 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
27011 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
27012 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
27013 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
27014
27015 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for a file named
27016 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
27017 where @var{objfile} is the object file's name and
27018 where @var{ext} is the file extension for the extension language:
27019
27020 @table @code
27021 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
27022 GDB's own command language
27023 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
27024 Python
27025 @item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
27026 Guile
27027 @end table
27028
27029 @var{script-name} is formed by ensuring that the file name of @var{objfile}
27030 is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving @code{.} and @code{..}
27031 components, and appending the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} suffix.
27032 If this file exists and is readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a
27033 script in the specified extension language.
27034
27035 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
27036 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
27037
27038 Note that loading of these files requires an accordingly configured
27039 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27040
27041 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
27042 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
27043 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
27044 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
27045 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
27046 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
27047
27048 @table @code
27049 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
27050 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
27051 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
27052 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
27053 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
27054 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
27055
27056 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
27057 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
27058
27059 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
27060 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
27061 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
27062 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
27063
27064 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
27065 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
27066 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
27067 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
27068 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
27069 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
27070 platform.
27071
27072 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
27073 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
27074 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
27075
27076 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
27077 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
27078 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
27079 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
27080
27081 @anchor{add-auto-load-scripts-directory}
27082 @kindex add-auto-load-scripts-directory
27083 @item add-auto-load-scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@dots{}@r{]}
27084 Add an entry (or list of entries) to the list of auto-loaded scripts locations.
27085 Multiple entries may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use.
27086 @end table
27087
27088 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
27089 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
27090 @var{objfile} is opened.
27091 So your @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
27092 is evaluated more than once.
27093
27094 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
27095 @subsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27096 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27097
27098 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
27099 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
27100 it will look for a special section named @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
27101 If this section exists, its contents is a list of null-terminated entries
27102 specifying scripts to load. Each entry begins with a non-null prefix byte that
27103 specifies the kind of entry, typically the extension language and whether the
27104 script is in a file or inlined in @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
27105
27106 The following entries are supported:
27107
27108 @table @code
27109 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_FILE = 1
27110 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_FILE = 3
27111 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT = 4
27112 @item SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_SCHEME_TEXT = 6
27113 @end table
27114
27115 @subsubsection Script File Entries
27116
27117 If the entry specifies a file, @value{GDBN} will look for the file first
27118 in the current directory and then along the source search path
27119 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
27120 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
27121 directory is not relevant to scripts.
27122
27123 File entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
27124 for example, this GCC macro for Python scripts.
27125
27126 @example
27127 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
27128 #define DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT(script_name) \
27129 asm("\
27130 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
27131 .byte 1 /* Python */\n\
27132 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
27133 .popsection \n\
27134 ");
27135 @end example
27136
27137 @noindent
27138 For Guile scripts, replace @code{.byte 1} with @code{.byte 3}.
27139 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
27140
27141 @example
27142 DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
27143 @end example
27144
27145 The script name may include directories if desired.
27146
27147 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
27148 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27149
27150 If the macro invocation is put in a header, any application or library
27151 using this header will get a reference to the specified script,
27152 and with the use of @code{"MS"} attributes on the section, the linker
27153 will remove duplicates.
27154
27155 @subsubsection Script Text Entries
27156
27157 Script text entries allow to put the executable script in the entry
27158 itself instead of loading it from a file.
27159 The first line of the entry, everything after the prefix byte and up to
27160 the first newline (@code{0xa}) character, is the script name, and must not
27161 contain any kind of space character, e.g., spaces or tabs.
27162 The rest of the entry, up to the trailing null byte, is the script to
27163 execute in the specified language. The name needs to be unique among
27164 all script names, as @value{GDBN} executes each script only once based
27165 on its name.
27166
27167 Here is an example from file @file{py-section-script.c} in the @value{GDBN}
27168 testsuite.
27169
27170 @example
27171 #include "symcat.h"
27172 #include "gdb/section-scripts.h"
27173 asm(
27174 ".pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n"
27175 ".byte " XSTRING (SECTION_SCRIPT_ID_PYTHON_TEXT) "\n"
27176 ".ascii \"gdb.inlined-script\\n\"\n"
27177 ".ascii \"class test_cmd (gdb.Command):\\n\"\n"
27178 ".ascii \" def __init__ (self):\\n\"\n"
27179 ".ascii \" super (test_cmd, self).__init__ ("
27180 "\\\"test-cmd\\\", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)\\n\"\n"
27181 ".ascii \" def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):\\n\"\n"
27182 ".ascii \" print (\\\"test-cmd output, arg = %s\\\" % arg)\\n\"\n"
27183 ".ascii \"test_cmd ()\\n\"\n"
27184 ".byte 0\n"
27185 ".popsection\n"
27186 );
27187 @end example
27188
27189 Loading of inlined scripts requires a properly configured
27190 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27191 The path to specify in @code{auto-load safe-path} is the path of the file
27192 containing the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
27193
27194 @node Which flavor to choose?
27195 @subsection Which flavor to choose?
27196
27197 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading extensions, it might not always
27198 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
27199
27200 @noindent
27201 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way:
27202
27203 @itemize @bullet
27204 @item
27205 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
27206
27207 @item
27208 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
27209
27210 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
27211 in the source search path.
27212 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
27213 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
27214
27215 @item
27216 Doesn't require source code additions.
27217 @end itemize
27218
27219 @noindent
27220 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
27221
27222 @itemize @bullet
27223 @item
27224 Works with static linking.
27225
27226 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way require an objfile to
27227 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
27228 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
27229 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's
27230 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script.
27231
27232 @item
27233 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
27234
27235 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
27236 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script to.
27237
27238 @item
27239 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
27240
27241 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
27242 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
27243 @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
27244 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
27245 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
27246 top of the source tree to the source search path.
27247 @end itemize
27248
27249 @node Multiple Extension Languages
27250 @section Multiple Extension Languages
27251
27252 The Guile and Python extension languages do not share any state,
27253 and generally do not interfere with each other.
27254 There are some things to be aware of, however.
27255
27256 @subsection Python comes first
27257
27258 Python was @value{GDBN}'s first extension language, and to avoid breaking
27259 existing behaviour Python comes first. This is generally solved by the
27260 ``first one wins'' principle. @value{GDBN} maintains a list of enabled
27261 extension languages, and when it makes a call to an extension language,
27262 (say to pretty-print a value), it tries each in turn until an extension
27263 language indicates it has performed the request (e.g., has returned the
27264 pretty-printed form of a value).
27265 This extends to errors while performing such requests: If an error happens
27266 while, for example, trying to pretty-print an object then the error is
27267 reported and any following extension languages are not tried.
27268
27269 @node Aliases
27270 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
27271 @cindex aliases for commands
27272
27273 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
27274 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
27275 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
27276 that involves less typing.
27277
27278 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
27279 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
27280 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
27281
27282 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
27283 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
27284 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
27285
27286 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
27287
27288 @table @code
27289
27290 @kindex alias
27291 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
27292
27293 @end table
27294
27295 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
27296 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
27297 underscores.
27298
27299 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
27300 that is being aliased.
27301
27302 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
27303 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
27304 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
27305
27306 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
27307 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
27308
27309 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
27310 of a command so that there is less to type.
27311 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
27312 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
27313 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
27314 The following will accomplish this.
27315
27316 @smallexample
27317 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
27318 @end smallexample
27319
27320 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
27321 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
27322 for it with the @samp{document} command.
27323 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
27324
27325 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
27326 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
27327 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
27328 of a command.
27329
27330 @smallexample
27331 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
27332 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
27333 (gdb) set p elms 20
27334 (gdb) show p elms
27335 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
27336 @end smallexample
27337
27338 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
27339 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
27340 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
27341
27342 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
27343 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
27344
27345 @smallexample
27346 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
27347 @end smallexample
27348
27349 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
27350 alias for a more complex command.
27351 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
27352
27353 @smallexample
27354 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
27355 (gdb) spe 20
27356 @end smallexample
27357
27358 @node Interpreters
27359 @chapter Command Interpreters
27360 @cindex command interpreters
27361
27362 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
27363 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
27364 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
27365
27366 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
27367 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
27368 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
27369 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
27370
27371 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
27372 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
27373 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
27374 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
27375
27376 @table @code
27377 @item console
27378 @cindex console interpreter
27379 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
27380 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
27381 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
27382
27383 @item mi
27384 @cindex mi interpreter
27385 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi3}). Used primarily
27386 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
27387 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
27388 Interface}.
27389
27390 @item mi3
27391 @cindex mi3 interpreter
27392 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface introduced in @value{GDBN} 9.1.
27393
27394 @item mi2
27395 @cindex mi2 interpreter
27396 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface introduced in @value{GDBN} 6.0.
27397
27398 @item mi1
27399 @cindex mi1 interpreter
27400 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface introduced in @value{GDBN} 5.1.
27401
27402 @end table
27403
27404 @cindex invoke another interpreter
27405
27406 @kindex interpreter-exec
27407 You may execute commands in any interpreter from the current
27408 interpreter using the appropriate command. If you are running the
27409 console interpreter, simply use the @code{interpreter-exec} command:
27410
27411 @smallexample
27412 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
27413 @end smallexample
27414
27415 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
27416 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
27417
27418 Note that @code{interpreter-exec} only changes the interpreter for the
27419 duration of the specified command. It does not change the interpreter
27420 permanently.
27421
27422 @cindex start a new independent interpreter
27423
27424 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, it is
27425 possible to run an independent interpreter on a specified input/output
27426 device (usually a tty).
27427
27428 For example, consider a debugger GUI or IDE that wants to provide a
27429 @value{GDBN} console view. It may do so by embedding a terminal
27430 emulator widget in its GUI, starting @value{GDBN} in the traditional
27431 command-line mode with stdin/stdout/stderr redirected to that
27432 terminal, and then creating an MI interpreter running on a specified
27433 input/output device. The console interpreter created by @value{GDBN}
27434 at startup handles commands the user types in the terminal widget,
27435 while the GUI controls and synchronizes state with @value{GDBN} using
27436 the separate MI interpreter.
27437
27438 To start a new secondary @dfn{user interface} running MI, use the
27439 @code{new-ui} command:
27440
27441 @kindex new-ui
27442 @cindex new user interface
27443 @smallexample
27444 new-ui @var{interpreter} @var{tty}
27445 @end smallexample
27446
27447 The @var{interpreter} parameter specifies the interpreter to run.
27448 This accepts the same values as the @code{interpreter-exec} command.
27449 For example, @samp{console}, @samp{mi}, @samp{mi2}, etc. The
27450 @var{tty} parameter specifies the name of the bidirectional file the
27451 interpreter uses for input/output, usually the name of a
27452 pseudoterminal slave on Unix systems. For example:
27453
27454 @smallexample
27455 (@value{GDBP}) new-ui mi /dev/pts/9
27456 @end smallexample
27457
27458 @noindent
27459 runs an MI interpreter on @file{/dev/pts/9}.
27460
27461 @node TUI
27462 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
27463 @cindex TUI
27464 @cindex Text User Interface
27465
27466 @menu
27467 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
27468 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
27469 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
27470 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
27471 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
27472 @end menu
27473
27474 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
27475 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
27476 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
27477 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
27478 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
27479 is available.
27480
27481 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
27482 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
27483 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
27484 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @command{tui
27485 enable} or @kbd{C-x C-a}. @xref{TUI Commands, ,TUI Commands}, and
27486 @ref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
27487
27488 @node TUI Overview
27489 @section TUI Overview
27490
27491 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
27492
27493 @table @emph
27494 @item command
27495 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
27496 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
27497 managed using readline.
27498
27499 @item source
27500 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
27501 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
27502
27503 @item assembly
27504 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
27505
27506 @item register
27507 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
27508 when their values change.
27509 @end table
27510
27511 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
27512 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
27513 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
27514 indicates the breakpoint type:
27515
27516 @table @code
27517 @item B
27518 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27519
27520 @item b
27521 Breakpoint which was never hit.
27522
27523 @item H
27524 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27525
27526 @item h
27527 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
27528 @end table
27529
27530 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
27531
27532 @table @code
27533 @item +
27534 Breakpoint is enabled.
27535
27536 @item -
27537 Breakpoint is disabled.
27538 @end table
27539
27540 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
27541 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
27542 changes.
27543
27544 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
27545 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
27546 layouts:
27547
27548 @itemize @bullet
27549 @item
27550 source only,
27551
27552 @item
27553 assembly only,
27554
27555 @item
27556 source and assembly,
27557
27558 @item
27559 source and registers, or
27560
27561 @item
27562 assembly and registers.
27563 @end itemize
27564
27565 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
27566
27567 @table @emph
27568 @item target
27569 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
27570 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
27571
27572 @item process
27573 Gives the current process or thread number.
27574 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
27575
27576 @item function
27577 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
27578 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
27579 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
27580 the string @code{??} is displayed.
27581
27582 @item line
27583 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
27584 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
27585
27586 @item pc
27587 Indicates the current program counter address.
27588 @end table
27589
27590 @node TUI Keys
27591 @section TUI Key Bindings
27592 @cindex TUI key bindings
27593
27594 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
27595 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
27596 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
27597 @end ifset
27598 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
27599 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
27600 @end ifclear
27601 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
27602 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
27603
27604 @table @kbd
27605 @kindex C-x C-a
27606 @item C-x C-a
27607 @kindex C-x a
27608 @itemx C-x a
27609 @kindex C-x A
27610 @itemx C-x A
27611 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
27612 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
27613 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
27614 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
27615 The screen is then refreshed.
27616
27617 @kindex C-x 1
27618 @item C-x 1
27619 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
27620 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
27621 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
27622
27623 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
27624
27625 @kindex C-x 2
27626 @item C-x 2
27627 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
27628 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
27629 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
27630 previous layout and the new one.
27631
27632 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
27633
27634 @kindex C-x o
27635 @item C-x o
27636 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
27637 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
27638 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
27639
27640 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
27641
27642 @kindex C-x s
27643 @item C-x s
27644 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
27645 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
27646 @end table
27647
27648 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
27649
27650 @table @asis
27651 @kindex PgUp
27652 @item @key{PgUp}
27653 Scroll the active window one page up.
27654
27655 @kindex PgDn
27656 @item @key{PgDn}
27657 Scroll the active window one page down.
27658
27659 @kindex Up
27660 @item @key{Up}
27661 Scroll the active window one line up.
27662
27663 @kindex Down
27664 @item @key{Down}
27665 Scroll the active window one line down.
27666
27667 @kindex Left
27668 @item @key{Left}
27669 Scroll the active window one column left.
27670
27671 @kindex Right
27672 @item @key{Right}
27673 Scroll the active window one column right.
27674
27675 @kindex C-L
27676 @item @kbd{C-L}
27677 Refresh the screen.
27678 @end table
27679
27680 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
27681 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
27682 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
27683 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
27684 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
27685
27686 @node TUI Single Key Mode
27687 @section TUI Single Key Mode
27688 @cindex TUI single key mode
27689
27690 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
27691 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
27692 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
27693
27694 @table @kbd
27695 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27696 @item c
27697 continue
27698
27699 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27700 @item d
27701 down
27702
27703 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27704 @item f
27705 finish
27706
27707 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27708 @item n
27709 next
27710
27711 @kindex o @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27712 @item o
27713 nexti. The shortcut letter @samp{o} stands for ``step Over''.
27714
27715 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27716 @item q
27717 exit the SingleKey mode.
27718
27719 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27720 @item r
27721 run
27722
27723 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27724 @item s
27725 step
27726
27727 @kindex i @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27728 @item i
27729 stepi. The shortcut letter @samp{i} stands for ``step Into''.
27730
27731 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27732 @item u
27733 up
27734
27735 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27736 @item v
27737 info locals
27738
27739 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27740 @item w
27741 where
27742 @end table
27743
27744 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
27745 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
27746 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
27747 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
27748 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
27749 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
27750
27751 @cindex SingleKey keymap name
27752 If @value{GDBN} was built with Readline 8.0 or later, the TUI
27753 SingleKey keymap will be named @samp{SingleKey}. This can be used in
27754 @file{.inputrc} to add additional bindings to this keymap.
27755
27756 @node TUI Commands
27757 @section TUI-specific Commands
27758 @cindex TUI commands
27759
27760 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
27761 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
27762 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
27763 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
27764
27765 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
27766 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
27767 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
27768 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
27769 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
27770
27771 @table @code
27772 @item tui enable
27773 @kindex tui enable
27774 Activate TUI mode. The last active TUI window layout will be used if
27775 TUI mode has previously been used in the current debugging session,
27776 otherwise a default layout is used.
27777
27778 @item tui disable
27779 @kindex tui disable
27780 Disable TUI mode, returning to the console interpreter.
27781
27782 @item info win
27783 @kindex info win
27784 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
27785
27786 @item layout @var{name}
27787 @kindex layout
27788 Changes which TUI windows are displayed. In each layout the command
27789 window is always displayed, the @var{name} parameter controls which
27790 additional windows are displayed, and can be any of the following:
27791
27792 @table @code
27793 @item next
27794 Display the next layout.
27795
27796 @item prev
27797 Display the previous layout.
27798
27799 @item src
27800 Display the source and command windows.
27801
27802 @item asm
27803 Display the assembly and command windows.
27804
27805 @item split
27806 Display the source, assembly, and command windows.
27807
27808 @item regs
27809 When in @code{src} layout display the register, source, and command
27810 windows. When in @code{asm} or @code{split} layout display the
27811 register, assembler, and command windows.
27812 @end table
27813
27814 @item focus @var{name}
27815 @kindex focus
27816 Changes which TUI window is currently active for scrolling. The
27817 @var{name} parameter can be any of the following:
27818
27819 @table @code
27820 @item next
27821 Make the next window active for scrolling.
27822
27823 @item prev
27824 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
27825
27826 @item src
27827 Make the source window active for scrolling.
27828
27829 @item asm
27830 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
27831
27832 @item regs
27833 Make the register window active for scrolling.
27834
27835 @item cmd
27836 Make the command window active for scrolling.
27837 @end table
27838
27839 @item refresh
27840 @kindex refresh
27841 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
27842
27843 @item tui reg @var{group}
27844 @kindex tui reg
27845 Changes the register group displayed in the tui register window to
27846 @var{group}. If the register window is not currently displayed this
27847 command will cause the register window to be displayed. The list of
27848 register groups, as well as their order is target specific. The
27849 following groups are available on most targets:
27850 @table @code
27851 @item next
27852 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
27853 through all of the available register groups.
27854
27855 @item prev
27856 Repeatedly selecting this group will cause the display to cycle
27857 through all of the available register groups in the reverse order to
27858 @var{next}.
27859
27860 @item general
27861 Display the general registers.
27862 @item float
27863 Display the floating point registers.
27864 @item system
27865 Display the system registers.
27866 @item vector
27867 Display the vector registers.
27868 @item all
27869 Display all registers.
27870 @end table
27871
27872 @item update
27873 @kindex update
27874 Update the source window and the current execution point.
27875
27876 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
27877 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
27878 @kindex winheight
27879 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
27880 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
27881 decrease it. The @var{name} parameter can be one of @code{src} (the
27882 source window), @code{cmd} (the command window), @code{asm} (the
27883 disassembly window), or @code{regs} (the register display window).
27884 @end table
27885
27886 @node TUI Configuration
27887 @section TUI Configuration Variables
27888 @cindex TUI configuration variables
27889
27890 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
27891
27892 @table @code
27893 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
27894 @kindex set tui border-kind
27895 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
27896 The possible values are the following:
27897 @table @code
27898 @item space
27899 Use a space character to draw the border.
27900
27901 @item ascii
27902 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
27903
27904 @item acs
27905 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
27906 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
27907 @end table
27908
27909 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
27910 @kindex set tui border-mode
27911 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
27912 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
27913 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
27914 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
27915 @table @code
27916 @item normal
27917 Use normal attributes to display the border.
27918
27919 @item standout
27920 Use standout mode.
27921
27922 @item reverse
27923 Use reverse video mode.
27924
27925 @item half
27926 Use half bright mode.
27927
27928 @item half-standout
27929 Use half bright and standout mode.
27930
27931 @item bold
27932 Use extra bright or bold mode.
27933
27934 @item bold-standout
27935 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
27936 @end table
27937
27938 @item set tui tab-width @var{nchars}
27939 @kindex set tui tab-width
27940 @kindex tabset
27941 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters. This
27942 setting affects the display of TAB characters in the source and
27943 assembly windows.
27944 @end table
27945
27946 @node Emacs
27947 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
27948
27949 @cindex Emacs
27950 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
27951 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
27952 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
27953 @value{GDBN}.
27954
27955 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
27956 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
27957 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
27958 created Emacs buffer.
27959 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
27960
27961 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
27962 things:
27963
27964 @itemize @bullet
27965 @item
27966 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
27967 the GUD buffer.
27968
27969 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
27970 and output done by the program you are debugging.
27971
27972 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
27973 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
27974 in this way.
27975
27976 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
27977 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
27978 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
27979 stop.
27980
27981 @item
27982 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
27983
27984 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
27985 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
27986 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
27987 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
27988 and the source.
27989
27990 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
27991 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
27992 @end itemize
27993
27994 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
27995 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
27996 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
27997 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
27998
27999 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
28000 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
28001 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
28002 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
28003 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
28004 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
28005 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
28006 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
28007 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
28008
28009 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
28010 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
28011 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
28012 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
28013
28014 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
28015 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
28016 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
28017 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
28018 one you want.
28019
28020 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
28021 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
28022
28023 @table @kbd
28024 @item C-h m
28025 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
28026
28027 @item C-c C-s
28028 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
28029 update the display window to show the current file and location.
28030
28031 @item C-c C-n
28032 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
28033 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
28034 to show the current file and location.
28035
28036 @item C-c C-i
28037 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
28038 display window accordingly.
28039
28040 @item C-c C-f
28041 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
28042 @code{finish} command.
28043
28044 @item C-c C-r
28045 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
28046 command.
28047
28048 @item C-c <
28049 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
28050 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
28051 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
28052
28053 @item C-c >
28054 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
28055 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
28056 @end table
28057
28058 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
28059 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
28060
28061 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
28062 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
28063 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
28064 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
28065 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
28066 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
28067 speedbar displays watch expressions.
28068
28069 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
28070 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
28071 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
28072 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
28073 frame.
28074
28075 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
28076 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
28077 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
28078 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
28079 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
28080 to correspond properly with the code.
28081
28082 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
28083 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
28084 Emacs Manual}).
28085
28086 @node GDB/MI
28087 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
28088
28089 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
28090
28091 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
28092 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
28093 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
28094 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
28095 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
28096 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
28097
28098 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
28099 in the form of a reference manual.
28100
28101 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
28102 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
28103 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
28104
28105 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
28106
28107 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
28108 This chapter uses the following notation:
28109
28110 @itemize @bullet
28111 @item
28112 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
28113
28114 @item
28115 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
28116 it may or may not be given.
28117
28118 @item
28119 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
28120 may repeat zero or more times.
28121
28122 @item
28123 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
28124 may repeat one or more times.
28125
28126 @item
28127 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
28128 @end itemize
28129
28130 @ignore
28131 @heading Dependencies
28132 @end ignore
28133
28134 @menu
28135 * GDB/MI General Design::
28136 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
28137 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
28138 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
28139 * GDB/MI Output Records::
28140 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
28141 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
28142 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
28143 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
28144 * GDB/MI Program Context::
28145 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
28146 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
28147 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
28148 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
28149 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
28150 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
28151 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
28152 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
28153 * GDB/MI File Commands::
28154 @ignore
28155 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
28156 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
28157 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
28158 @end ignore
28159 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
28160 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
28161 * GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands::
28162 * GDB/MI Support Commands::
28163 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
28164 @end menu
28165
28166 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28167 @node GDB/MI General Design
28168 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
28169 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
28170
28171 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
28172 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
28173 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
28174 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
28175 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
28176 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
28177 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
28178 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
28179 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
28180 a command and reported as part of that command response.
28181
28182 The important examples of notifications are:
28183 @itemize @bullet
28184
28185 @item
28186 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
28187 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
28188 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
28189 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
28190 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
28191 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
28192 command itself was successfully executed.
28193
28194 @item
28195 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
28196 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
28197 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
28198 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
28199 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
28200 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
28201
28202 @item
28203 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
28204 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
28205 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
28206 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
28207 orthogonal frontend design.
28208
28209 @end itemize
28210
28211 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
28212 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
28213 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
28214 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
28215 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
28216 the user interface.
28217
28218
28219 @menu
28220 * Context management::
28221 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
28222 * Thread groups::
28223 @end menu
28224
28225 @node Context management
28226 @subsection Context management
28227
28228 @subsubsection Threads and Frames
28229
28230 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
28231 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
28232 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
28233 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
28234 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
28235 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
28236 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
28237 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
28238 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
28239
28240 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
28241 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
28242 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
28243 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
28244 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
28245 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
28246 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
28247 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
28248 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
28249 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} global
28250 identifier for thread and frame to operate on.
28251
28252 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
28253 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
28254 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
28255 current thread or frame be changed. For example, when stopping on a
28256 breakpoint it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is
28257 hit. For another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} or
28258 @samp{frame} commands via the frontend, it is desirable to change the
28259 frontend's selection to the one specified by user. @value{GDBN}
28260 communicates the suggestion to change current thread and frame using the
28261 @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
28262
28263 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
28264 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
28265 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
28266 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
28267 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
28268 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
28269 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
28270 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
28271 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
28272 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
28273 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
28274 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
28275 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
28276 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
28277 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
28278 @samp{--frame} options.
28279
28280 @subsubsection Language
28281
28282 The execution of several commands depends on which language is selected.
28283 By default, the current language (@pxref{show language}) is used.
28284 But for commands known to be language-sensitive, it is recommended
28285 to use the @samp{--language} option. This option takes one argument,
28286 which is the name of the language to use while executing the command.
28287 For instance:
28288
28289 @smallexample
28290 -data-evaluate-expression --language c "sizeof (void*)"
28291 ^done,value="4"
28292 (gdb)
28293 @end smallexample
28294
28295 The valid language names are the same names accepted by the
28296 @samp{set language} command (@pxref{Manually}), excluding @samp{auto},
28297 @samp{local} or @samp{unknown}.
28298
28299 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
28300 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
28301
28302 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
28303 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
28304 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
28305 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
28306 @code{-gdb-set mi-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
28307 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
28308 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
28309 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
28310 @code{-list-target-features} command.
28311
28312 @table @code
28313 @item -gdb-set mi-async on
28314 @item -gdb-set mi-async off
28315 Set whether MI is in asynchronous mode.
28316
28317 When @code{off}, which is the default, MI execution commands (e.g.,
28318 @code{-exec-continue}) are foreground commands, and @value{GDBN} waits
28319 for the program to stop before processing further commands.
28320
28321 When @code{on}, MI execution commands are background execution
28322 commands (e.g., @code{-exec-continue} becomes the equivalent of the
28323 @code{c&} CLI command), and so @value{GDBN} is capable of processing
28324 MI commands even while the target is running.
28325
28326 @item -gdb-show mi-async
28327 Show whether MI asynchronous mode is enabled.
28328 @end table
28329
28330 Note: In @value{GDBN} version 7.7 and earlier, this option was called
28331 @code{target-async} instead of @code{mi-async}, and it had the effect
28332 of both putting MI in asynchronous mode and making CLI background
28333 commands possible. CLI background commands are now always possible
28334 ``out of the box'' if the target supports them. The old spelling is
28335 kept as a deprecated alias for backwards compatibility.
28336
28337 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
28338 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
28339 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
28340 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
28341 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
28342 are running.
28343
28344 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
28345 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
28346 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
28347 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
28348 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
28349 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
28350 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
28351 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
28352 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
28353 @samp{--thread} option).
28354
28355 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
28356 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
28357 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
28358 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
28359
28360 @node Thread groups
28361 @subsection Thread groups
28362 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
28363 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
28364 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
28365 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
28366 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
28367
28368 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
28369 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
28370 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
28371 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
28372 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
28373 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
28374 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
28375 into processes.
28376
28377 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
28378 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
28379 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
28380 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
28381 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
28382 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
28383 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
28384 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
28385 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
28386 the members of specific thread group.
28387
28388 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
28389 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
28390 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
28391 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
28392 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
28393 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
28394 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
28395 after attaching to that thread group.
28396
28397 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
28398 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
28399 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
28400 such thread groups.
28401
28402 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28403 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
28404 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
28405
28406 @menu
28407 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
28408 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
28409 @end menu
28410
28411 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
28412 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
28413
28414 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
28415 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
28416 @table @code
28417 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
28418 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
28419
28420 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
28421 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
28422 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
28423
28424 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
28425 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
28426 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
28427
28428 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28429 "any sequence of digits"
28430
28431 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
28432 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
28433
28434 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
28435 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
28436
28437 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
28438 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
28439
28440 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
28441 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
28442 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
28443
28444 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
28445 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
28446
28447 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28448 @code{CR | CR-LF}
28449 @end table
28450
28451 @noindent
28452 Notes:
28453
28454 @itemize @bullet
28455 @item
28456 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
28457 output is described below.
28458
28459 @item
28460 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
28461 finishes.
28462
28463 @item
28464 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
28465 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
28466 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
28467 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
28468 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
28469 @end itemize
28470
28471 Pragmatics:
28472
28473 @itemize @bullet
28474 @item
28475 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
28476
28477 @item
28478 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
28479 @end itemize
28480
28481 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
28482 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
28483
28484 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
28485 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
28486 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
28487 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
28488 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
28489 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
28490
28491 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
28492 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
28493 @var{token}.
28494
28495 @table @code
28496 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
28497 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
28498
28499 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
28500 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
28501
28502 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
28503 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
28504
28505 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
28506 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
28507
28508 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
28509 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output nl}}
28510
28511 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
28512 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output nl}}
28513
28514 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
28515 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output nl}}
28516
28517 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
28518 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )*}
28519
28520 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
28521 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
28522
28523 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
28524 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
28525 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
28526
28527 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
28528 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
28529
28530 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
28531 @code{ @var{string} }
28532
28533 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
28534 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
28535
28536 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
28537 @code{@var{c-string}}
28538
28539 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
28540 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
28541
28542 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
28543 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
28544 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
28545
28546 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
28547 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
28548
28549 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
28550 @code{"~" @var{c-string nl}}
28551
28552 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
28553 @code{"@@" @var{c-string nl}}
28554
28555 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
28556 @code{"&" @var{c-string nl}}
28557
28558 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28559 @code{CR | CR-LF}
28560
28561 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28562 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
28563 @end table
28564
28565 @noindent
28566 Notes:
28567
28568 @itemize @bullet
28569 @item
28570 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
28571
28572 @item
28573 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
28574 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
28575 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
28576 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
28577 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
28578 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
28579 prior command.
28580
28581 @item
28582 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28583 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
28584 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
28585 prefixed by @samp{+}.
28586
28587 @item
28588 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28589 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
28590 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
28591 @samp{*}.
28592
28593 @item
28594 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28595 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
28596 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
28597 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
28598
28599 @item
28600 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28601 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
28602 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
28603 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
28604
28605 @item
28606 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28607 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
28608 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
28609
28610 @item
28611 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28612 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
28613 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
28614 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
28615
28616 @item
28617 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28618 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
28619 @var{values}.
28620
28621
28622 @end itemize
28623
28624 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
28625 details about the various output records.
28626
28627 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28628 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
28629 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
28630
28631 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
28632 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
28633
28634 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
28635 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
28636 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
28637 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
28638 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
28639 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
28640
28641 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
28642 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
28643 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
28644
28645 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28646 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
28647 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
28648 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
28649
28650 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
28651 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
28652
28653 Since @sc{gdb/mi} is used by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}, changes
28654 to the MI interface may break existing usage. This section describes how the
28655 protocol changes and how to request previous version of the protocol when it
28656 does.
28657
28658 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
28659 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
28660 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
28661 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
28662
28663 @itemize @bullet
28664 @item
28665 New MI commands may be added.
28666
28667 @item
28668 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
28669
28670 @item
28671 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
28672 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
28673
28674 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
28675 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
28676
28677 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
28678 @c resolve inconsistencies.
28679 @end itemize
28680
28681 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
28682 will be increased by one. The new versions of the MI protocol are not compatible
28683 with the old versions. Old versions of MI remain available, allowing front ends
28684 to keep using them until they are modified to use the latest MI version.
28685
28686 Since @code{--interpreter=mi} always points to the latest MI version, it is
28687 recommended that front ends request a specific version of MI when launching
28688 @value{GDBN} (e.g. @code{--interpreter=mi2}) to make sure they get an
28689 interpreter with the MI version they expect.
28690
28691 The following table gives a summary of the the released versions of the MI
28692 interface: the version number, the version of GDB in which it first appeared
28693 and the breaking changes compared to the previous version.
28694
28695 @multitable @columnfractions .05 .05 .9
28696 @headitem MI version @tab GDB version @tab Breaking changes
28697
28698 @item
28699 @center 1
28700 @tab
28701 @center 5.1
28702 @tab
28703 None
28704
28705 @item
28706 @center 2
28707 @tab
28708 @center 6.0
28709 @tab
28710
28711 @itemize
28712 @item
28713 The @code{-environment-pwd}, @code{-environment-directory} and
28714 @code{-environment-path} commands now returns values using the MI output
28715 syntax, rather than CLI output syntax.
28716
28717 @item
28718 @code{-var-list-children}'s @code{children} result field is now a list, rather
28719 than a tuple.
28720
28721 @item
28722 @code{-var-update}'s @code{changelist} result field is now a list, rather than
28723 a tuple.
28724 @end itemize
28725
28726 @item
28727 @center 3
28728 @tab
28729 @center 9.1
28730 @tab
28731
28732 @itemize
28733 @item
28734 The output of information about multi-location breakpoints has changed in the
28735 responses to the @code{-break-insert} and @code{-break-info} commands, as well
28736 as in the @code{=breakpoint-created} and @code{=breakpoint-modified} events.
28737 The multiple locations are now placed in a @code{locations} field, whose value
28738 is a list.
28739 @end itemize
28740
28741 @end multitable
28742
28743 If your front end cannot yet migrate to a more recent version of the
28744 MI protocol, you can nevertheless selectively enable specific features
28745 available in those recent MI versions, using the following commands:
28746
28747 @table @code
28748
28749 @item -fix-multi-location-breakpoint-output
28750 Use the output for multi-location breakpoints which was introduced by
28751 MI 3, even when using MI versions 2 or 1. This command has no
28752 effect when using MI version 3 or later.
28753
28754 @end table
28755
28756 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
28757 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
28758 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
28759 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
28760 @cindex mailing lists
28761
28762 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28763 @node GDB/MI Output Records
28764 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
28765
28766 @menu
28767 * GDB/MI Result Records::
28768 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
28769 * GDB/MI Async Records::
28770 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
28771 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
28772 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
28773 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
28774 @end menu
28775
28776 @node GDB/MI Result Records
28777 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
28778
28779 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28780 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
28781 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
28782 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
28783
28784 @table @code
28785 @findex ^done
28786 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
28787 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
28788 values.
28789
28790 @item "^running"
28791 @findex ^running
28792 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
28793 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
28794 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
28795 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
28796 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
28797 which threads are resumed.
28798
28799 @item "^connected"
28800 @findex ^connected
28801 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
28802
28803 @item "^error" "," "msg=" @var{c-string} [ "," "code=" @var{c-string} ]
28804 @findex ^error
28805 The operation failed. The @code{msg=@var{c-string}} variable contains
28806 the corresponding error message.
28807
28808 If present, the @code{code=@var{c-string}} variable provides an error
28809 code on which consumers can rely on to detect the corresponding
28810 error condition. At present, only one error code is defined:
28811
28812 @table @samp
28813 @item "undefined-command"
28814 Indicates that the command causing the error does not exist.
28815 @end table
28816
28817 @item "^exit"
28818 @findex ^exit
28819 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
28820
28821 @end table
28822
28823 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
28824 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
28825
28826 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
28827 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28828 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
28829 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
28830 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
28831
28832 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
28833 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
28834 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
28835 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
28836 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
28837
28838 @table @code
28839 @item "~" @var{string-output}
28840 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
28841 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
28842
28843 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
28844 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
28845 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
28846 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
28847
28848 @item "&" @var{string-output}
28849 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
28850 internals.
28851 @end table
28852
28853 @node GDB/MI Async Records
28854 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
28855
28856 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28857 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
28858 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
28859 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
28860 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
28861 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
28862
28863 The following is the list of possible async records:
28864
28865 @table @code
28866
28867 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
28868 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field can be the global
28869 thread ID of the the thread that is now running, and it can be
28870 @samp{all} if all threads are running. The frontend should assume
28871 that no interaction with a running thread is possible after this
28872 notification is produced. The frontend should not assume that this
28873 notification is output only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may
28874 emit this notification several times, either for different threads,
28875 because it cannot resume all threads together, or even for a single
28876 thread, if the thread must be stepped though some code before letting
28877 it run freely.
28878
28879 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
28880 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
28881 following values:
28882
28883 @table @code
28884 @item breakpoint-hit
28885 A breakpoint was reached.
28886 @item watchpoint-trigger
28887 A watchpoint was triggered.
28888 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
28889 A read watchpoint was triggered.
28890 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
28891 An access watchpoint was triggered.
28892 @item function-finished
28893 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28894 @item location-reached
28895 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28896 @item watchpoint-scope
28897 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
28898 @item end-stepping-range
28899 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
28900 similar CLI command was accomplished.
28901 @item exited-signalled
28902 The inferior exited because of a signal.
28903 @item exited
28904 The inferior exited.
28905 @item exited-normally
28906 The inferior exited normally.
28907 @item signal-received
28908 A signal was received by the inferior.
28909 @item solib-event
28910 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
28911 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
28912 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
28913 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
28914 @item fork
28915 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
28916 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28917 @item vfork
28918 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
28919 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28920 @item syscall-entry
28921 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
28922 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28923 @item syscall-return
28924 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
28925 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28926 @item exec
28927 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
28928 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28929 @end table
28930
28931 The @var{id} field identifies the global thread ID of the thread
28932 that directly caused the stop -- for example by hitting a breakpoint.
28933 Depending on whether all-stop
28934 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
28935 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
28936 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
28937 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
28938 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
28939 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
28940 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
28941 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
28942 if such information is not available.
28943
28944 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
28945 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
28946 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
28947 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
28948 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
28949 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
28950 cannot be used in any way.
28951
28952 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
28953 A thread group became associated with a running program,
28954 either because the program was just started or the thread group
28955 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
28956 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
28957 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
28958
28959 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
28960 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
28961 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
28962 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
28963 thread group. The @var{code} field is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
28964 only when the inferior exited with some code.
28965
28966 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
28967 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
28968 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
28969 contains the global @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
28970 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
28971
28972 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"[,frame="@var{frame}"]
28973 Informs that the selected thread or frame were changed. This notification
28974 is not emitted as result of the @code{-thread-select} or
28975 @code{-stack-select-frame} commands, but is emitted whenever an MI command
28976 that is not documented to change the selected thread and frame actually
28977 changes them. In particular, invoking, directly or indirectly
28978 (via user-defined command), the CLI @code{thread} or @code{frame} commands,
28979 will generate this notification. Changing the thread or frame from another
28980 user interface (see @ref{Interpreters}) will also generate this notification.
28981
28982 The @var{frame} field is only present if the newly selected thread is
28983 stopped. See @ref{GDB/MI Frame Information} for the format of its value.
28984
28985 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
28986 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
28987 that thread.
28988
28989 @item =library-loaded,...
28990 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
28991 notification has 5 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
28992 @var{host-name}, @var{symbols-loaded} and @var{ranges}. The @var{id} field is an
28993 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
28994 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
28995 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
28996 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
28997 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
28998 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
28999 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
29000 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
29001 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
29002 thread groups. The @var{ranges} field specifies the ranges of addresses belonging
29003 to this library.
29004
29005 @item =library-unloaded,...
29006 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
29007 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
29008 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
29009 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
29010 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
29011 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
29012 thread groups.
29013
29014 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
29015 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
29016 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
29017 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
29018 frame is @var{tpnum}.
29019
29020 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
29021 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
29022 initial value @var{initial}.
29023
29024 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
29025 @itemx =tsv-deleted
29026 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
29027 trace state variables are deleted.
29028
29029 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
29030 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
29031 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
29032 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
29033 value of trace state variable is known.
29034
29035 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
29036 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
29037 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
29038 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
29039 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
29040 user.
29041
29042 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
29043 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
29044 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
29045
29046 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
29047 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
29048
29049 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}",method="@var{method}"[,format="@var{format}"]
29050 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
29051 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
29052 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
29053 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
29054
29055 The @var{method} field indicates the method used to record execution. If the
29056 method in use supports multiple recording formats, @var{format} will be present
29057 and contain the currently used format. @xref{Process Record and Replay},
29058 for existing method and format values.
29059
29060 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
29061 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
29062 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
29063 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
29064 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
29065 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
29066
29067 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
29068 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
29069 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
29070 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
29071 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
29072 executable code.
29073 @end table
29074
29075 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
29076 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
29077
29078 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
29079 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
29080 following fields:
29081
29082 @table @code
29083 @item number
29084 The breakpoint number.
29085
29086 @item type
29087 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
29088 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
29089
29090 @item catch-type
29091 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
29092 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
29093
29094 @item disp
29095 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
29096 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
29097 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
29098
29099 @item enabled
29100 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
29101 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
29102 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
29103
29104 @item addr
29105 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
29106 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
29107 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
29108 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
29109 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
29110
29111 @item addr_flags
29112 Optional field containing any flags related to the address. These flags are
29113 architecture-dependent; see @ref{Architectures} for their meaning for a
29114 particular CPU.
29115
29116 @item func
29117 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
29118 If not known, this field is not present.
29119
29120 @item filename
29121 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
29122 If not known, this field is not present.
29123
29124 @item fullname
29125 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
29126 known. If not known, this field is not present.
29127
29128 @item line
29129 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
29130 If not known, this field is not present.
29131
29132 @item at
29133 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
29134 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
29135 by a symbol name.
29136
29137 @item pending
29138 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
29139 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
29140
29141 @item evaluated-by
29142 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
29143 @samp{target}.
29144
29145 @item thread
29146 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
29147 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
29148
29149 @item task
29150 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
29151 field will hold the task identifier.
29152
29153 @item cond
29154 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
29155
29156 @item ignore
29157 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
29158
29159 @item enable
29160 The enable count of the breakpoint.
29161
29162 @item traceframe-usage
29163 FIXME.
29164
29165 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
29166 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
29167
29168 @item mask
29169 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
29170
29171 @item pass
29172 A tracepoint's pass count.
29173
29174 @item original-location
29175 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
29176 This field is optional.
29177
29178 @item times
29179 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
29180
29181 @item installed
29182 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
29183 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
29184 is not.
29185
29186 @item what
29187 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
29188
29189 @item locations
29190 This field is present if the breakpoint has multiple locations. It is also
29191 exceptionally present if the breakpoint is enabled and has a single, disabled
29192 location.
29193
29194 The value is a list of locations. The format of a location is decribed below.
29195
29196 @end table
29197
29198 A location in a multi-location breakpoint is represented as a tuple with the
29199 following fields:
29200
29201 @table @code
29202
29203 @item number
29204 The location number as a dotted pair, like @samp{1.2}. The first digit is the
29205 number of the parent breakpoint. The second digit is the number of the
29206 location within that breakpoint.
29207
29208 @item enabled
29209 This indicates whether the location is enabled, in which case the
29210 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
29211 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
29212
29213 @item addr
29214 The address of this location as an hexidecimal number.
29215
29216 @item addr_flags
29217 Optional field containing any flags related to the address. These flags are
29218 architecture-dependent; see @ref{Architectures} for their meaning for a
29219 particular CPU.
29220
29221 @item func
29222 If known, the function in which the location appears.
29223 If not known, this field is not present.
29224
29225 @item file
29226 The name of the source file which contains this location, if known.
29227 If not known, this field is not present.
29228
29229 @item fullname
29230 The full file name of the source file which contains this location, if
29231 known. If not known, this field is not present.
29232
29233 @item line
29234 The line number at which this location appears, if known.
29235 If not known, this field is not present.
29236
29237 @item thread-groups
29238 The thread groups this location is in.
29239
29240 @end table
29241
29242 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
29243 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
29244
29245 @smallexample
29246 -> -break-insert main
29247 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29248 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29249 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
29250 times="0"@}
29251 <- (gdb)
29252 @end smallexample
29253
29254 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
29255 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
29256
29257 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
29258 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
29259 fields:
29260
29261 @table @code
29262 @item level
29263 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
29264 zero. This field is always present.
29265
29266 @item func
29267 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
29268 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
29269
29270 @item addr
29271 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
29272
29273 @item addr_flags
29274 Optional field containing any flags related to the address. These flags are
29275 architecture-dependent; see @ref{Architectures} for their meaning for a
29276 particular CPU.
29277
29278 @item file
29279 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
29280 address. This field may be absent.
29281
29282 @item line
29283 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
29284 may be absent.
29285
29286 @item from
29287 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
29288 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
29289
29290 @end table
29291
29292 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
29293 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
29294
29295 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
29296 uses a tuple with the following fields. The fields are always present unless
29297 stated otherwise.
29298
29299 @table @code
29300 @item id
29301 The global numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}.
29302
29303 @item target-id
29304 The target-specific string identifying the thread.
29305
29306 @item details
29307 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
29308 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
29309 frontend. This field is optional.
29310
29311 @item name
29312 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
29313 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
29314 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
29315 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
29316 field is omitted.
29317
29318 @item state
29319 The execution state of the thread, either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running},
29320 depending on whether the thread is presently running.
29321
29322 @item frame
29323 The stack frame currently executing in the thread. This field is only present
29324 if the thread is stopped. Its format is documented in
29325 @ref{GDB/MI Frame Information}.
29326
29327 @item core
29328 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
29329 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
29330 @end table
29331
29332 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
29333 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
29334
29335 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
29336 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
29337 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
29338 the @code{exception-name} field. Also, for exceptions that were raised
29339 with an exception message, @value{GDBN} provides that message via
29340 the @code{exception-message} field.
29341
29342 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29343 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
29344 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
29345 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
29346
29347 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
29348 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
29349 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
29350 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
29351
29352 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
29353 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
29354
29355 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
29356
29357 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
29358 information of the breakpoint.
29359
29360 @smallexample
29361 -> -break-insert main
29362 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29363 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29364 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
29365 times="0"@}
29366 <- (gdb)
29367 @end smallexample
29368
29369 @subheading Program Execution
29370
29371 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
29372 reason that execution stopped.
29373
29374 @smallexample
29375 -> -exec-run
29376 <- ^running
29377 <- (gdb)
29378 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
29379 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
29380 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
29381 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",
29382 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
29383 <- (gdb)
29384 -> -exec-continue
29385 <- ^running
29386 <- (gdb)
29387 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29388 <- (gdb)
29389 @end smallexample
29390
29391 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
29392
29393 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
29394
29395 @smallexample
29396 -> (gdb)
29397 <- -gdb-exit
29398 <- ^exit
29399 @end smallexample
29400
29401 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
29402 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
29403 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
29404 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
29405 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
29406 fails to exit in reasonable time.
29407
29408 @subheading A Bad Command
29409
29410 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
29411
29412 @smallexample
29413 -> -rubbish
29414 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
29415 <- (gdb)
29416 @end smallexample
29417
29418
29419 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29420 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
29421 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
29422
29423 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
29424 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
29425
29426 @subheading Motivation
29427
29428 The motivation for this collection of commands.
29429
29430 @subheading Introduction
29431
29432 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
29433
29434 @subheading Commands
29435
29436 For each command in the block, the following is described:
29437
29438 @subsubheading Synopsis
29439
29440 @smallexample
29441 -command @var{args}@dots{}
29442 @end smallexample
29443
29444 @subsubheading Result
29445
29446 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29447
29448 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
29449
29450 @subsubheading Example
29451
29452 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
29453 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
29454
29455
29456 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29457 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
29458 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
29459
29460 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
29461 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
29462 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
29463 breakpoints.
29464
29465 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
29466 @findex -break-after
29467
29468 @subsubheading Synopsis
29469
29470 @smallexample
29471 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
29472 @end smallexample
29473
29474 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
29475 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
29476 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
29477 @samp{-break-list} command below.
29478
29479 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29480
29481 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
29482
29483 @subsubheading Example
29484
29485 @smallexample
29486 (gdb)
29487 -break-insert main
29488 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29489 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29490 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29491 times="0"@}
29492 (gdb)
29493 -break-after 1 3
29494 ~
29495 ^done
29496 (gdb)
29497 -break-list
29498 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29499 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29500 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29501 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29502 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29503 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29504 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29505 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29506 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29507 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29508 (gdb)
29509 @end smallexample
29510
29511 @ignore
29512 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
29513 @findex -break-catch
29514 @end ignore
29515
29516 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
29517 @findex -break-commands
29518
29519 @subsubheading Synopsis
29520
29521 @smallexample
29522 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
29523 @end smallexample
29524
29525 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
29526 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
29527 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
29528 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
29529 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
29530 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
29531
29532 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29533
29534 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
29535
29536 @subsubheading Example
29537
29538 @smallexample
29539 (gdb)
29540 -break-insert main
29541 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29542 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29543 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29544 times="0"@}
29545 (gdb)
29546 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
29547 ^done
29548 (gdb)
29549 @end smallexample
29550
29551 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
29552 @findex -break-condition
29553
29554 @subsubheading Synopsis
29555
29556 @smallexample
29557 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
29558 @end smallexample
29559
29560 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
29561 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
29562 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
29563 command below).
29564
29565 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29566
29567 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
29568
29569 @subsubheading Example
29570
29571 @smallexample
29572 (gdb)
29573 -break-condition 1 1
29574 ^done
29575 (gdb)
29576 -break-list
29577 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29578 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29579 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29580 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29581 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29582 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29583 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29584 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29585 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29586 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29587 (gdb)
29588 @end smallexample
29589
29590 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
29591 @findex -break-delete
29592
29593 @subsubheading Synopsis
29594
29595 @smallexample
29596 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29597 @end smallexample
29598
29599 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
29600 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
29601
29602 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29603
29604 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
29605
29606 @subsubheading Example
29607
29608 @smallexample
29609 (gdb)
29610 -break-delete 1
29611 ^done
29612 (gdb)
29613 -break-list
29614 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29615 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29616 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29617 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29618 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29619 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29620 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29621 body=[]@}
29622 (gdb)
29623 @end smallexample
29624
29625 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
29626 @findex -break-disable
29627
29628 @subsubheading Synopsis
29629
29630 @smallexample
29631 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29632 @end smallexample
29633
29634 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
29635 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
29636
29637 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29638
29639 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
29640
29641 @subsubheading Example
29642
29643 @smallexample
29644 (gdb)
29645 -break-disable 2
29646 ^done
29647 (gdb)
29648 -break-list
29649 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29650 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29651 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29652 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29653 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29654 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29655 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29656 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
29657 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29658 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29659 (gdb)
29660 @end smallexample
29661
29662 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
29663 @findex -break-enable
29664
29665 @subsubheading Synopsis
29666
29667 @smallexample
29668 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29669 @end smallexample
29670
29671 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
29672
29673 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29674
29675 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
29676
29677 @subsubheading Example
29678
29679 @smallexample
29680 (gdb)
29681 -break-enable 2
29682 ^done
29683 (gdb)
29684 -break-list
29685 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29686 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29687 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29688 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29689 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29690 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29691 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29692 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29693 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29694 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29695 (gdb)
29696 @end smallexample
29697
29698 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
29699 @findex -break-info
29700
29701 @subsubheading Synopsis
29702
29703 @smallexample
29704 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
29705 @end smallexample
29706
29707 @c REDUNDANT???
29708 Get information about a single breakpoint.
29709
29710 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
29711 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
29712 table.
29713
29714 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29715
29716 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
29717
29718 @subsubheading Example
29719 N.A.
29720
29721 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
29722 @findex -break-insert
29723 @anchor{-break-insert}
29724
29725 @subsubheading Synopsis
29726
29727 @smallexample
29728 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
29729 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29730 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
29731 @end smallexample
29732
29733 @noindent
29734 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
29735
29736 @table @var
29737 @item linespec location
29738 A linespec location. @xref{Linespec Locations}.
29739
29740 @item explicit location
29741 An explicit location. @sc{gdb/mi} explicit locations are
29742 analogous to the CLI's explicit locations using the option names
29743 listed below. @xref{Explicit Locations}.
29744
29745 @table @samp
29746 @item --source @var{filename}
29747 The source file name of the location. This option requires the use
29748 of either @samp{--function} or @samp{--line}.
29749
29750 @item --function @var{function}
29751 The name of a function or method.
29752
29753 @item --label @var{label}
29754 The name of a label.
29755
29756 @item --line @var{lineoffset}
29757 An absolute or relative line offset from the start of the location.
29758 @end table
29759
29760 @item address location
29761 An address location, *@var{address}. @xref{Address Locations}.
29762 @end table
29763
29764 @noindent
29765 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
29766
29767 @table @samp
29768 @item -t
29769 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
29770 @item -h
29771 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
29772 @item -f
29773 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
29774 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
29775 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
29776 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
29777 cannot be parsed.
29778 @item -d
29779 Create a disabled breakpoint.
29780 @item -a
29781 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
29782 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
29783 @item -c @var{condition}
29784 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29785 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
29786 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
29787 @item -p @var{thread-id}
29788 Restrict the breakpoint to the thread with the specified global
29789 @var{thread-id}.
29790 @end table
29791
29792 @subsubheading Result
29793
29794 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
29795 resulting breakpoint.
29796
29797 Note: this format is open to change.
29798 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
29799
29800 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29801
29802 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
29803 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
29804
29805 @subsubheading Example
29806
29807 @smallexample
29808 (gdb)
29809 -break-insert main
29810 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
29811 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29812 times="0"@}
29813 (gdb)
29814 -break-insert -t foo
29815 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
29816 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29817 times="0"@}
29818 (gdb)
29819 -break-list
29820 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29821 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29822 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29823 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29824 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29825 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29826 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29827 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29828 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
29829 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29830 times="0"@},
29831 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
29832 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
29833 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29834 times="0"@}]@}
29835 (gdb)
29836 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
29837 @c ~int foo(int, int);
29838 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
29839 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29840 @c times="0"@}
29841 @c (gdb)
29842 @end smallexample
29843
29844 @subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
29845 @findex -dprintf-insert
29846
29847 @subsubheading Synopsis
29848
29849 @smallexample
29850 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
29851 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29852 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
29853 [ @var{argument} ]
29854 @end smallexample
29855
29856 @noindent
29857 If supplied, @var{location} may be specified the same way as for
29858 the @code{-break-insert} command. @xref{-break-insert}.
29859
29860 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
29861
29862 @table @samp
29863 @item -t
29864 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
29865 @item -f
29866 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
29867 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
29868 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
29869 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
29870 cannot be parsed.
29871 @item -d
29872 Create a disabled breakpoint.
29873 @item -c @var{condition}
29874 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29875 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
29876 Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
29877 to @var{ignore-count}.
29878 @item -p @var{thread-id}
29879 Restrict the breakpoint to the thread with the specified global
29880 @var{thread-id}.
29881 @end table
29882
29883 @subsubheading Result
29884
29885 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
29886 resulting breakpoint.
29887
29888 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
29889
29890 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29891
29892 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
29893
29894 @subsubheading Example
29895
29896 @smallexample
29897 (gdb)
29898 4-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
29899 4^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29900 addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
29901 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
29902 times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
29903 original-location="foo"@}
29904 (gdb)
29905 5-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
29906 5^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29907 addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
29908 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
29909 times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
29910 original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
29911 (gdb)
29912 @end smallexample
29913
29914 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
29915 @findex -break-list
29916
29917 @subsubheading Synopsis
29918
29919 @smallexample
29920 -break-list
29921 @end smallexample
29922
29923 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
29924
29925 @table @samp
29926 @item Number
29927 number of the breakpoint
29928 @item Type
29929 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
29930 @item Disposition
29931 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
29932 or @samp{nokeep}
29933 @item Enabled
29934 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
29935 @item Address
29936 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
29937 @item What
29938 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
29939 name, line number
29940 @item Thread-groups
29941 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
29942 @item Times
29943 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
29944 @end table
29945
29946 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
29947 @code{body} field is an empty list.
29948
29949 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29950
29951 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
29952
29953 @subsubheading Example
29954
29955 @smallexample
29956 (gdb)
29957 -break-list
29958 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29959 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29960 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29961 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29962 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29963 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29964 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29965 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29966 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29967 times="0"@},
29968 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29969 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29970 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29971 (gdb)
29972 @end smallexample
29973
29974 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
29975
29976 @smallexample
29977 (gdb)
29978 -break-list
29979 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29980 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29981 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29982 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29983 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29984 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29985 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29986 body=[]@}
29987 (gdb)
29988 @end smallexample
29989
29990 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
29991 @findex -break-passcount
29992
29993 @subsubheading Synopsis
29994
29995 @smallexample
29996 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
29997 @end smallexample
29998
29999 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
30000 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
30001 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
30002 command @samp{passcount}.
30003
30004 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
30005 @findex -break-watch
30006
30007 @subsubheading Synopsis
30008
30009 @smallexample
30010 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
30011 @end smallexample
30012
30013 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
30014 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
30015 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
30016 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
30017 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
30018 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
30019 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
30020 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
30021
30022 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
30023 breakpoints inserted.
30024
30025 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30026
30027 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
30028 @samp{rwatch}.
30029
30030 @subsubheading Example
30031
30032 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
30033
30034 @smallexample
30035 (gdb)
30036 -break-watch x
30037 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
30038 (gdb)
30039 -exec-continue
30040 ^running
30041 (gdb)
30042 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
30043 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
30044 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
30045 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30046 (gdb)
30047 @end smallexample
30048
30049 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
30050 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
30051 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
30052
30053 @smallexample
30054 (gdb)
30055 -break-watch C
30056 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
30057 (gdb)
30058 -exec-continue
30059 ^running
30060 (gdb)
30061 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
30062 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
30063 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30064 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30065 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13",
30066 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30067 (gdb)
30068 -exec-continue
30069 ^running
30070 (gdb)
30071 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
30072 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
30073 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30074 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30075 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18",
30076 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30077 (gdb)
30078 @end smallexample
30079
30080 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
30081 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
30082 deleted.
30083
30084 @smallexample
30085 (gdb)
30086 -break-watch C
30087 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
30088 (gdb)
30089 -break-list
30090 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
30091 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30092 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30093 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30094 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30095 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30096 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30097 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30098 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30099 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30100 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
30101 times="1"@},
30102 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
30103 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
30104 (gdb)
30105 -exec-continue
30106 ^running
30107 (gdb)
30108 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
30109 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
30110 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30111 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30112 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13",
30113 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30114 (gdb)
30115 -break-list
30116 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
30117 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30118 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30119 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30120 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30121 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30122 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30123 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30124 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30125 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30126 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
30127 times="1"@},
30128 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
30129 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
30130 (gdb)
30131 -exec-continue
30132 ^running
30133 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
30134 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
30135 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30136 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30137 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18",
30138 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30139 (gdb)
30140 -break-list
30141 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
30142 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30143 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30144 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30145 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30146 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30147 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30148 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30149 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30150 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30151 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
30152 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
30153 (gdb)
30154 @end smallexample
30155
30156
30157 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30158 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
30159 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
30160
30161 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
30162 catchpoints.
30163
30164 @menu
30165 * Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
30166 * Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
30167 * C++ Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
30168 @end menu
30169
30170 @node Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
30171 @subsection Shared Library @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
30172
30173 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
30174 @findex -catch-load
30175
30176 @subsubheading Synopsis
30177
30178 @smallexample
30179 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
30180 @end smallexample
30181
30182 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
30183 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
30184 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
30185 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
30186 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
30187
30188
30189 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30190
30191 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
30192
30193 @subsubheading Example
30194
30195 @smallexample
30196 -catch-load -t foo.so
30197 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
30198 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
30199 (gdb)
30200 @end smallexample
30201
30202
30203 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
30204 @findex -catch-unload
30205
30206 @subsubheading Synopsis
30207
30208 @smallexample
30209 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
30210 @end smallexample
30211
30212 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
30213 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
30214 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
30215 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
30216 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
30217
30218 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30219
30220 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
30221
30222 @subsubheading Example
30223
30224 @smallexample
30225 -catch-unload -d bar.so
30226 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
30227 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
30228 (gdb)
30229 @end smallexample
30230
30231 @node Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
30232 @subsection Ada Exception @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
30233
30234 The following @sc{gdb/mi} commands can be used to create catchpoints
30235 that stop the execution when Ada exceptions are being raised.
30236
30237 @subheading The @code{-catch-assert} Command
30238 @findex -catch-assert
30239
30240 @subsubheading Synopsis
30241
30242 @smallexample
30243 -catch-assert [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -t ]
30244 @end smallexample
30245
30246 Add a catchpoint for failed Ada assertions.
30247
30248 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
30249
30250 @table @samp
30251 @item -c @var{condition}
30252 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
30253 @item -d
30254 Create a disabled catchpoint.
30255 @item -t
30256 Create a temporary catchpoint.
30257 @end table
30258
30259 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30260
30261 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch assert}.
30262
30263 @subsubheading Example
30264
30265 @smallexample
30266 -catch-assert
30267 ^done,bkptno="5",bkpt=@{number="5",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
30268 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404888",what="failed Ada assertions",
30269 thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",
30270 original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_assert_failure"@}
30271 (gdb)
30272 @end smallexample
30273
30274 @subheading The @code{-catch-exception} Command
30275 @findex -catch-exception
30276
30277 @subsubheading Synopsis
30278
30279 @smallexample
30280 -catch-exception [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
30281 [ -t ] [ -u ]
30282 @end smallexample
30283
30284 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are raised.
30285 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
30286 gets raised. But it is also possible, by using some of the
30287 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
30288 catchpoints.
30289
30290 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
30291
30292 @table @samp
30293 @item -c @var{condition}
30294 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
30295 @item -d
30296 Create a disabled catchpoint.
30297 @item -e @var{exception-name}
30298 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is raised. This option cannot
30299 be used combined with @samp{-u}.
30300 @item -t
30301 Create a temporary catchpoint.
30302 @item -u
30303 Stop only when an unhandled exception gets raised. This option
30304 cannot be used combined with @samp{-e}.
30305 @end table
30306
30307 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30308
30309 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch exception}
30310 and @samp{catch exception unhandled}.
30311
30312 @subsubheading Example
30313
30314 @smallexample
30315 -catch-exception -e Program_Error
30316 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
30317 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404874",
30318 what="`Program_Error' Ada exception", thread-groups=["i1"],
30319 times="0",original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_exception"@}
30320 (gdb)
30321 @end smallexample
30322
30323 @subheading The @code{-catch-handlers} Command
30324 @findex -catch-handlers
30325
30326 @subsubheading Synopsis
30327
30328 @smallexample
30329 -catch-handlers [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
30330 [ -t ]
30331 @end smallexample
30332
30333 Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are handled.
30334 By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
30335 gets handled. But it is also possible, by using some of the
30336 optional parameters described below, to create more selective
30337 catchpoints.
30338
30339 The possible optional parameters for this command are:
30340
30341 @table @samp
30342 @item -c @var{condition}
30343 Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
30344 @item -d
30345 Create a disabled catchpoint.
30346 @item -e @var{exception-name}
30347 Only stop when @var{exception-name} is handled.
30348 @item -t
30349 Create a temporary catchpoint.
30350 @end table
30351
30352 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30353
30354 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch handlers}.
30355
30356 @subsubheading Example
30357
30358 @smallexample
30359 -catch-handlers -e Constraint_Error
30360 ^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
30361 enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000402f68",
30362 what="`Constraint_Error' Ada exception handlers",thread-groups=["i1"],
30363 times="0",original-location="__gnat_begin_handler"@}
30364 (gdb)
30365 @end smallexample
30366
30367 @node C++ Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
30368 @subsection C@t{++} Exception @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
30369
30370 The following @sc{gdb/mi} commands can be used to create catchpoints
30371 that stop the execution when C@t{++} exceptions are being throw, rethrown,
30372 or caught.
30373
30374 @subheading The @code{-catch-throw} Command
30375 @findex -catch-throw
30376
30377 @subsubheading Synopsis
30378
30379 @smallexample
30380 -catch-throw [ -t ] [ -r @var{regexp}]
30381 @end smallexample
30382
30383 Stop when the debuggee throws a C@t{++} exception. If @var{regexp} is
30384 given, then only exceptions whose type matches the regular expression
30385 will be caught.
30386
30387 If @samp{-t} is given, then the catchpoint is enabled only for one
30388 stop, the catchpoint is automatically deleted after stopping once for
30389 the event.
30390
30391 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30392
30393 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch throw}
30394 and @samp{tcatch throw} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
30395
30396 @subsubheading Example
30397
30398 @smallexample
30399 -catch-throw -r exception_type
30400 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30401 what="exception throw",catch-type="throw",
30402 thread-groups=["i1"],
30403 regexp="exception_type",times="0"@}
30404 (gdb)
30405 -exec-run
30406 ^running
30407 (gdb)
30408 ~"\n"
30409 ~"Catchpoint 1 (exception thrown), 0x00007ffff7ae00ed
30410 in __cxa_throw () from /lib64/libstdc++.so.6\n"
30411 *stopped,bkptno="1",reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",
30412 frame=@{addr="0x00007ffff7ae00ed",func="__cxa_throw",
30413 args=[],from="/lib64/libstdc++.so.6",arch="i386:x86-64"@},
30414 thread-id="1",stopped-threads="all",core="6"
30415 (gdb)
30416 @end smallexample
30417
30418 @subheading The @code{-catch-rethrow} Command
30419 @findex -catch-rethrow
30420
30421 @subsubheading Synopsis
30422
30423 @smallexample
30424 -catch-rethrow [ -t ] [ -r @var{regexp}]
30425 @end smallexample
30426
30427 Stop when a C@t{++} exception is re-thrown. If @var{regexp} is given,
30428 then only exceptions whose type matches the regular expression will be
30429 caught.
30430
30431 If @samp{-t} is given, then the catchpoint is enabled only for one
30432 stop, the catchpoint is automatically deleted after the first event is
30433 caught.
30434
30435 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30436
30437 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch rethrow}
30438 and @samp{tcatch rethrow} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
30439
30440 @subsubheading Example
30441
30442 @smallexample
30443 -catch-rethrow -r exception_type
30444 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30445 what="exception rethrow",catch-type="rethrow",
30446 thread-groups=["i1"],
30447 regexp="exception_type",times="0"@}
30448 (gdb)
30449 -exec-run
30450 ^running
30451 (gdb)
30452 ~"\n"
30453 ~"Catchpoint 1 (exception rethrown), 0x00007ffff7ae00ed
30454 in __cxa_rethrow () from /lib64/libstdc++.so.6\n"
30455 *stopped,bkptno="1",reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",
30456 frame=@{addr="0x00007ffff7ae00ed",func="__cxa_rethrow",
30457 args=[],from="/lib64/libstdc++.so.6",arch="i386:x86-64"@},
30458 thread-id="1",stopped-threads="all",core="6"
30459 (gdb)
30460 @end smallexample
30461
30462 @subheading The @code{-catch-catch} Command
30463 @findex -catch-catch
30464
30465 @subsubheading Synopsis
30466
30467 @smallexample
30468 -catch-catch [ -t ] [ -r @var{regexp}]
30469 @end smallexample
30470
30471 Stop when the debuggee catches a C@t{++} exception. If @var{regexp}
30472 is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the regular
30473 expression will be caught.
30474
30475 If @samp{-t} is given, then the catchpoint is enabled only for one
30476 stop, the catchpoint is automatically deleted after the first event is
30477 caught.
30478
30479 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30480
30481 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch catch}
30482 and @samp{tcatch catch} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
30483
30484 @subsubheading Example
30485
30486 @smallexample
30487 -catch-catch -r exception_type
30488 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30489 what="exception catch",catch-type="catch",
30490 thread-groups=["i1"],
30491 regexp="exception_type",times="0"@}
30492 (gdb)
30493 -exec-run
30494 ^running
30495 (gdb)
30496 ~"\n"
30497 ~"Catchpoint 1 (exception caught), 0x00007ffff7ae00ed
30498 in __cxa_begin_catch () from /lib64/libstdc++.so.6\n"
30499 *stopped,bkptno="1",reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",
30500 frame=@{addr="0x00007ffff7ae00ed",func="__cxa_begin_catch",
30501 args=[],from="/lib64/libstdc++.so.6",arch="i386:x86-64"@},
30502 thread-id="1",stopped-threads="all",core="6"
30503 (gdb)
30504 @end smallexample
30505
30506 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30507 @node GDB/MI Program Context
30508 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
30509
30510 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
30511 @findex -exec-arguments
30512
30513
30514 @subsubheading Synopsis
30515
30516 @smallexample
30517 -exec-arguments @var{args}
30518 @end smallexample
30519
30520 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
30521 @samp{-exec-run}.
30522
30523 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30524
30525 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
30526
30527 @subsubheading Example
30528
30529 @smallexample
30530 (gdb)
30531 -exec-arguments -v word
30532 ^done
30533 (gdb)
30534 @end smallexample
30535
30536
30537 @ignore
30538 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
30539 @findex -exec-show-arguments
30540
30541 @subsubheading Synopsis
30542
30543 @smallexample
30544 -exec-show-arguments
30545 @end smallexample
30546
30547 Print the arguments of the program.
30548
30549 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30550
30551 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
30552
30553 @subsubheading Example
30554 N.A.
30555 @end ignore
30556
30557
30558 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
30559 @findex -environment-cd
30560
30561 @subsubheading Synopsis
30562
30563 @smallexample
30564 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
30565 @end smallexample
30566
30567 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
30568
30569 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30570
30571 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
30572
30573 @subsubheading Example
30574
30575 @smallexample
30576 (gdb)
30577 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30578 ^done
30579 (gdb)
30580 @end smallexample
30581
30582
30583 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
30584 @findex -environment-directory
30585
30586 @subsubheading Synopsis
30587
30588 @smallexample
30589 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30590 @end smallexample
30591
30592 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
30593 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
30594 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
30595 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30596 occurs as normal.
30597 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30598 multiple directories in a single command
30599 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30600 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30601 If blanks are needed as
30602 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30603 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30604 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30605 character must not be used
30606 in any directory name.
30607 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
30608
30609 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30610
30611 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
30612
30613 @subsubheading Example
30614
30615 @smallexample
30616 (gdb)
30617 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30618 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30619 (gdb)
30620 -environment-directory ""
30621 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30622 (gdb)
30623 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
30624 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
30625 (gdb)
30626 -environment-directory -r
30627 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
30628 (gdb)
30629 @end smallexample
30630
30631
30632 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
30633 @findex -environment-path
30634
30635 @subsubheading Synopsis
30636
30637 @smallexample
30638 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30639 @end smallexample
30640
30641 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
30642 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
30643 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
30644 supplied in addition to the
30645 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30646 occurs as normal.
30647 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30648 multiple directories in a single command
30649 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30650 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30651 If blanks are needed as
30652 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30653 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30654 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30655 character must not be used
30656 in any directory name.
30657 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
30658
30659
30660 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30661
30662 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
30663
30664 @subsubheading Example
30665
30666 @smallexample
30667 (gdb)
30668 -environment-path
30669 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
30670 (gdb)
30671 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
30672 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
30673 (gdb)
30674 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
30675 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
30676 (gdb)
30677 @end smallexample
30678
30679
30680 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
30681 @findex -environment-pwd
30682
30683 @subsubheading Synopsis
30684
30685 @smallexample
30686 -environment-pwd
30687 @end smallexample
30688
30689 Show the current working directory.
30690
30691 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30692
30693 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
30694
30695 @subsubheading Example
30696
30697 @smallexample
30698 (gdb)
30699 -environment-pwd
30700 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
30701 (gdb)
30702 @end smallexample
30703
30704 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30705 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
30706 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
30707
30708
30709 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
30710 @findex -thread-info
30711
30712 @subsubheading Synopsis
30713
30714 @smallexample
30715 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
30716 @end smallexample
30717
30718 Reports information about either a specific thread, if the
30719 @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all threads.
30720 @var{thread-id} is the thread's global thread ID. When printing
30721 information about all threads, also reports the global ID of the
30722 current thread.
30723
30724 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30725
30726 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
30727 about all threads.
30728
30729 @subsubheading Result
30730
30731 The result contains the following attributes:
30732
30733 @table @samp
30734 @item threads
30735 A list of threads. The format of the elements of the list is described in
30736 @ref{GDB/MI Thread Information}.
30737
30738 @item current-thread-id
30739 The global id of the currently selected thread. This field is omitted if there
30740 is no selected thread (for example, when the selected inferior is not running,
30741 and therefore has no threads) or if a @var{thread-id} argument was passed to
30742 the command.
30743
30744 @end table
30745
30746 @subsubheading Example
30747
30748 @smallexample
30749 -thread-info
30750 ^done,threads=[
30751 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30752 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
30753 args=[]@},state="running"@},
30754 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30755 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
30756 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30757 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158",arch="i386:x86_64"@},
30758 state="running"@}],
30759 current-thread-id="1"
30760 (gdb)
30761 @end smallexample
30762
30763 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
30764 @findex -thread-list-ids
30765
30766 @subsubheading Synopsis
30767
30768 @smallexample
30769 -thread-list-ids
30770 @end smallexample
30771
30772 Produces a list of the currently known global @value{GDBN} thread ids.
30773 At the end of the list it also prints the total number of such
30774 threads.
30775
30776 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
30777 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
30778
30779 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30780
30781 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
30782
30783 @subsubheading Example
30784
30785 @smallexample
30786 (gdb)
30787 -thread-list-ids
30788 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30789 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
30790 (gdb)
30791 @end smallexample
30792
30793
30794 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
30795 @findex -thread-select
30796
30797 @subsubheading Synopsis
30798
30799 @smallexample
30800 -thread-select @var{thread-id}
30801 @end smallexample
30802
30803 Make thread with global thread number @var{thread-id} the current
30804 thread. It prints the number of the new current thread, and the
30805 topmost frame for that thread.
30806
30807 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
30808 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
30809
30810 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30811
30812 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
30813
30814 @subsubheading Example
30815
30816 @smallexample
30817 (gdb)
30818 -exec-next
30819 ^running
30820 (gdb)
30821 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
30822 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
30823 (gdb)
30824 -thread-list-ids
30825 ^done,
30826 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30827 number-of-threads="3"
30828 (gdb)
30829 -thread-select 3
30830 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
30831 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
30832 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
30833 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30834 (gdb)
30835 @end smallexample
30836
30837 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30838 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
30839 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
30840
30841 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
30842 @findex -ada-task-info
30843
30844 @subsubheading Synopsis
30845
30846 @smallexample
30847 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
30848 @end smallexample
30849
30850 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
30851 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
30852
30853 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30854
30855 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
30856 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
30857
30858 @subsubheading Result
30859
30860 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
30861 defined for each Ada task:
30862
30863 @table @samp
30864 @item current
30865 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
30866
30867 @item id
30868 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
30869
30870 @item task-id
30871 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
30872
30873 @item thread-id
30874 The global thread identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada
30875 task.
30876
30877 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
30878 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
30879 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
30880
30881 @item parent-id
30882 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
30883 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
30884
30885 @item priority
30886 The base priority of the task.
30887
30888 @item state
30889 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
30890 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
30891
30892 @item name
30893 The name of the task.
30894
30895 @end table
30896
30897 @subsubheading Example
30898
30899 @smallexample
30900 -ada-task-info
30901 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
30902 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
30903 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
30904 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
30905 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
30906 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
30907 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
30908 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
30909 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
30910 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
30911 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
30912 (gdb)
30913 @end smallexample
30914
30915 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30916 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
30917 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
30918
30919 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
30920 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
30921 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
30922 other cases.
30923
30924 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
30925 @findex -exec-continue
30926
30927 @subsubheading Synopsis
30928
30929 @smallexample
30930 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
30931 @end smallexample
30932
30933 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
30934 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
30935 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
30936 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
30937 @itemize @bullet
30938 @item
30939 breakpoints or watchpoints
30940 @item
30941 signals or exceptions
30942 @item
30943 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
30944 @item
30945 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
30946 @end itemize
30947 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
30948 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
30949 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
30950 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
30951 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
30952 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
30953
30954 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30955
30956 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
30957
30958 @subsubheading Example
30959
30960 @smallexample
30961 -exec-continue
30962 ^running
30963 (gdb)
30964 @@Hello world
30965 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
30966 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
30967 line="13",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
30968 (gdb)
30969 @end smallexample
30970
30971
30972 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
30973 @findex -exec-finish
30974
30975 @subsubheading Synopsis
30976
30977 @smallexample
30978 -exec-finish [--reverse]
30979 @end smallexample
30980
30981 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
30982 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
30983 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
30984 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
30985 function was called.
30986
30987 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30988
30989 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
30990
30991 @subsubheading Example
30992
30993 Function returning @code{void}.
30994
30995 @smallexample
30996 -exec-finish
30997 ^running
30998 (gdb)
30999 @@hello from foo
31000 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
31001 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
31002 (gdb)
31003 @end smallexample
31004
31005 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
31006 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
31007 value itself.
31008
31009 @smallexample
31010 -exec-finish
31011 ^running
31012 (gdb)
31013 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
31014 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
31015 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31016 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31017 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
31018 (gdb)
31019 @end smallexample
31020
31021
31022 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
31023 @findex -exec-interrupt
31024
31025 @subsubheading Synopsis
31026
31027 @smallexample
31028 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
31029 @end smallexample
31030
31031 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
31032 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
31033 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
31034 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
31035 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
31036
31037 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
31038 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
31039 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
31040 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
31041
31042 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
31043 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
31044 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
31045 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
31046
31047 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31048
31049 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
31050
31051 @subsubheading Example
31052
31053 @smallexample
31054 (gdb)
31055 111-exec-continue
31056 111^running
31057
31058 (gdb)
31059 222-exec-interrupt
31060 222^done
31061 (gdb)
31062 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
31063 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
31064 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
31065 (gdb)
31066
31067 (gdb)
31068 -exec-interrupt
31069 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
31070 (gdb)
31071 @end smallexample
31072
31073 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
31074 @findex -exec-jump
31075
31076 @subsubheading Synopsis
31077
31078 @smallexample
31079 -exec-jump @var{location}
31080 @end smallexample
31081
31082 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
31083 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
31084 different forms of @var{location}.
31085
31086 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31087
31088 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
31089
31090 @subsubheading Example
31091
31092 @smallexample
31093 -exec-jump foo.c:10
31094 *running,thread-id="all"
31095 ^running
31096 @end smallexample
31097
31098
31099 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
31100 @findex -exec-next
31101
31102 @subsubheading Synopsis
31103
31104 @smallexample
31105 -exec-next [--reverse]
31106 @end smallexample
31107
31108 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
31109 of the next source line is reached.
31110
31111 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
31112 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
31113 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
31114 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
31115 source line where the function was called.
31116
31117
31118 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31119
31120 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
31121
31122 @subsubheading Example
31123
31124 @smallexample
31125 -exec-next
31126 ^running
31127 (gdb)
31128 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
31129 (gdb)
31130 @end smallexample
31131
31132
31133 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
31134 @findex -exec-next-instruction
31135
31136 @subsubheading Synopsis
31137
31138 @smallexample
31139 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
31140 @end smallexample
31141
31142 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
31143 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
31144 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
31145 printed as well.
31146
31147 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
31148 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
31149 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
31150 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
31151 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
31152
31153 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31154
31155 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
31156
31157 @subsubheading Example
31158
31159 @smallexample
31160 (gdb)
31161 -exec-next-instruction
31162 ^running
31163
31164 (gdb)
31165 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31166 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
31167 (gdb)
31168 @end smallexample
31169
31170
31171 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
31172 @findex -exec-return
31173
31174 @subsubheading Synopsis
31175
31176 @smallexample
31177 -exec-return
31178 @end smallexample
31179
31180 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
31181 Displays the new current frame.
31182
31183 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31184
31185 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
31186
31187 @subsubheading Example
31188
31189 @smallexample
31190 (gdb)
31191 200-break-insert callee4
31192 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
31193 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
31194 (gdb)
31195 000-exec-run
31196 000^running
31197 (gdb)
31198 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
31199 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
31200 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31201 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
31202 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
31203 (gdb)
31204 205-break-delete
31205 205^done
31206 (gdb)
31207 111-exec-return
31208 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
31209 args=[@{name="strarg",
31210 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
31211 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31212 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18",
31213 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
31214 (gdb)
31215 @end smallexample
31216
31217
31218 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
31219 @findex -exec-run
31220
31221 @subsubheading Synopsis
31222
31223 @smallexample
31224 -exec-run [ --all | --thread-group N ] [ --start ]
31225 @end smallexample
31226
31227 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
31228 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
31229 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
31230 the program has exited exceptionally.
31231
31232 When neither the @samp{--all} nor the @samp{--thread-group} option
31233 is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
31234 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
31235 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
31236 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
31237
31238 Using the @samp{--start} option instructs the debugger to stop
31239 the execution at the start of the inferior's main subprogram,
31240 following the same behavior as the @code{start} command
31241 (@pxref{Starting}).
31242
31243 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31244
31245 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
31246
31247 @subsubheading Examples
31248
31249 @smallexample
31250 (gdb)
31251 -break-insert main
31252 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
31253 (gdb)
31254 -exec-run
31255 ^running
31256 (gdb)
31257 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
31258 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
31259 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
31260 (gdb)
31261 @end smallexample
31262
31263 @noindent
31264 Program exited normally:
31265
31266 @smallexample
31267 (gdb)
31268 -exec-run
31269 ^running
31270 (gdb)
31271 x = 55
31272 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
31273 (gdb)
31274 @end smallexample
31275
31276 @noindent
31277 Program exited exceptionally:
31278
31279 @smallexample
31280 (gdb)
31281 -exec-run
31282 ^running
31283 (gdb)
31284 x = 55
31285 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
31286 (gdb)
31287 @end smallexample
31288
31289 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
31290 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
31291
31292 @smallexample
31293 (gdb)
31294 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
31295 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
31296 @end smallexample
31297
31298
31299 @c @subheading -exec-signal
31300
31301
31302 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
31303 @findex -exec-step
31304
31305 @subsubheading Synopsis
31306
31307 @smallexample
31308 -exec-step [--reverse]
31309 @end smallexample
31310
31311 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
31312 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
31313 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
31314 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
31315 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
31316 previously executed source line.
31317
31318 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31319
31320 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
31321
31322 @subsubheading Example
31323
31324 Stepping into a function:
31325
31326 @smallexample
31327 -exec-step
31328 ^running
31329 (gdb)
31330 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31331 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
31332 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
31333 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
31334 (gdb)
31335 @end smallexample
31336
31337 Regular stepping:
31338
31339 @smallexample
31340 -exec-step
31341 ^running
31342 (gdb)
31343 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
31344 (gdb)
31345 @end smallexample
31346
31347
31348 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
31349 @findex -exec-step-instruction
31350
31351 @subsubheading Synopsis
31352
31353 @smallexample
31354 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
31355 @end smallexample
31356
31357 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
31358 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
31359 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
31360 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
31361 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
31362 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
31363 as well.
31364
31365 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31366
31367 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
31368
31369 @subsubheading Example
31370
31371 @smallexample
31372 (gdb)
31373 -exec-step-instruction
31374 ^running
31375
31376 (gdb)
31377 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31378 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
31379 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
31380 (gdb)
31381 -exec-step-instruction
31382 ^running
31383
31384 (gdb)
31385 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31386 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
31387 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
31388 (gdb)
31389 @end smallexample
31390
31391
31392 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
31393 @findex -exec-until
31394
31395 @subsubheading Synopsis
31396
31397 @smallexample
31398 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
31399 @end smallexample
31400
31401 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
31402 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
31403 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
31404 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
31405
31406 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31407
31408 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
31409
31410 @subsubheading Example
31411
31412 @smallexample
31413 (gdb)
31414 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
31415 ^running
31416 (gdb)
31417 x = 55
31418 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
31419 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6",
31420 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
31421 (gdb)
31422 @end smallexample
31423
31424 @ignore
31425 @subheading -file-clear
31426 Is this going away????
31427 @end ignore
31428
31429 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31430 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
31431 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
31432
31433 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
31434 @findex -enable-frame-filters
31435
31436 @smallexample
31437 -enable-frame-filters
31438 @end smallexample
31439
31440 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
31441 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
31442 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
31443 request that this functionality be enabled.
31444
31445 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
31446
31447 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
31448 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
31449
31450 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
31451 @findex -stack-info-frame
31452
31453 @subsubheading Synopsis
31454
31455 @smallexample
31456 -stack-info-frame
31457 @end smallexample
31458
31459 Get info on the selected frame.
31460
31461 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31462
31463 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
31464 (without arguments).
31465
31466 @subsubheading Example
31467
31468 @smallexample
31469 (gdb)
31470 -stack-info-frame
31471 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31472 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31473 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17",
31474 arch="i386:x86_64"@}
31475 (gdb)
31476 @end smallexample
31477
31478 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
31479 @findex -stack-info-depth
31480
31481 @subsubheading Synopsis
31482
31483 @smallexample
31484 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
31485 @end smallexample
31486
31487 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
31488 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
31489
31490 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31491
31492 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
31493
31494 @subsubheading Example
31495
31496 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
31497
31498 @smallexample
31499 (gdb)
31500 -stack-info-depth
31501 ^done,depth="12"
31502 (gdb)
31503 -stack-info-depth 4
31504 ^done,depth="4"
31505 (gdb)
31506 -stack-info-depth 12
31507 ^done,depth="12"
31508 (gdb)
31509 -stack-info-depth 11
31510 ^done,depth="11"
31511 (gdb)
31512 -stack-info-depth 13
31513 ^done,depth="12"
31514 (gdb)
31515 @end smallexample
31516
31517 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
31518 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
31519 @findex -stack-list-arguments
31520
31521 @subsubheading Synopsis
31522
31523 @smallexample
31524 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
31525 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31526 @end smallexample
31527
31528 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
31529 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
31530 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
31531 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
31532 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
31533 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
31534 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
31535 which case only existing frames will be returned.
31536
31537 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31538 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31539 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31540 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31541 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31542 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31543
31544 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, arguments that
31545 are not available are not listed. Partially available arguments
31546 are still displayed, however.
31547
31548 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
31549 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31550
31551 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31552
31553 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
31554 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
31555 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
31556
31557 @subsubheading Example
31558
31559 @smallexample
31560 (gdb)
31561 -stack-list-frames
31562 ^done,
31563 stack=[
31564 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
31565 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31566 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
31567 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31568 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31569 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31570 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17",
31571 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31572 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
31573 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31574 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22",
31575 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31576 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
31577 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31578 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27",
31579 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31580 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
31581 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31582 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32",
31583 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
31584 (gdb)
31585 -stack-list-arguments 0
31586 ^done,
31587 stack-args=[
31588 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31589 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
31590 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
31591 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
31592 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31593 (gdb)
31594 -stack-list-arguments 1
31595 ^done,
31596 stack-args=[
31597 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31598 frame=@{level="1",
31599 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31600 frame=@{level="2",args=[
31601 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31602 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31603 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
31604 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31605 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
31606 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
31607 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31608 (gdb)
31609 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
31610 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
31611 (gdb)
31612 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
31613 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
31614 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31615 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
31616 (gdb)
31617 @end smallexample
31618
31619 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
31620
31621
31622 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
31623 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
31624 @findex -stack-list-frames
31625
31626 @subsubheading Synopsis
31627
31628 @smallexample
31629 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31630 @end smallexample
31631
31632 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
31633 following info:
31634
31635 @table @samp
31636 @item @var{level}
31637 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
31638 @item @var{addr}
31639 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
31640 @item @var{func}
31641 Function name.
31642 @item @var{file}
31643 File name of the source file where the function lives.
31644 @item @var{fullname}
31645 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
31646 @item @var{line}
31647 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
31648 @item @var{from}
31649 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
31650 if the frame's function is not known.
31651 @item @var{arch}
31652 Frame's architecture.
31653 @end table
31654
31655 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
31656 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
31657 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
31658 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
31659 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
31660 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
31661 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
31662 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31663 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31664
31665 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31666
31667 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
31668
31669 @subsubheading Example
31670
31671 Full stack backtrace:
31672
31673 @smallexample
31674 (gdb)
31675 -stack-list-frames
31676 ^done,stack=
31677 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
31678 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11",
31679 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31680 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31681 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31682 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31683 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31684 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31685 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31686 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31687 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31688 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31689 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31690 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31691 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31692 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31693 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31694 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31695 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31696 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31697 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31698 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31699 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31700 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31701 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31702 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31703 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31704 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31705 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31706 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31707 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31708 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31709 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31710 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
31711 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4",
31712 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
31713 (gdb)
31714 @end smallexample
31715
31716 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
31717
31718 @smallexample
31719 (gdb)
31720 -stack-list-frames 3 5
31721 ^done,stack=
31722 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31723 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31724 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31725 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31726 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31727 arch="i386:x86_64"@},
31728 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31729 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31730 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
31731 (gdb)
31732 @end smallexample
31733
31734 Show a single frame:
31735
31736 @smallexample
31737 (gdb)
31738 -stack-list-frames 3 3
31739 ^done,stack=
31740 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31741 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14",
31742 arch="i386:x86_64"@}]
31743 (gdb)
31744 @end smallexample
31745
31746
31747 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
31748 @findex -stack-list-locals
31749 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
31750
31751 @subsubheading Synopsis
31752
31753 @smallexample
31754 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
31755 @end smallexample
31756
31757 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
31758 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31759 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31760 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31761 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31762 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
31763 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
31764 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
31765 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31766 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31767
31768 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
31769 that are not available are not listed. Partially available local
31770 variables are still displayed, however.
31771
31772 This command is deprecated in favor of the
31773 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31774
31775 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31776
31777 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
31778
31779 @subsubheading Example
31780
31781 @smallexample
31782 (gdb)
31783 -stack-list-locals 0
31784 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
31785 (gdb)
31786 -stack-list-locals --all-values
31787 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
31788 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
31789 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
31790 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
31791 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
31792 (gdb)
31793 @end smallexample
31794
31795 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
31796 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
31797 @findex -stack-list-variables
31798
31799 @subsubheading Synopsis
31800
31801 @smallexample
31802 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
31803 @end smallexample
31804
31805 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
31806 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31807 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31808 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31809 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31810 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31811 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31812
31813 If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
31814 and arguments that are not available are not listed. Partially
31815 available arguments and local variables are still displayed, however.
31816
31817 @subsubheading Example
31818
31819 @smallexample
31820 (gdb)
31821 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
31822 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
31823 (gdb)
31824 @end smallexample
31825
31826
31827 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
31828 @findex -stack-select-frame
31829
31830 @subsubheading Synopsis
31831
31832 @smallexample
31833 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
31834 @end smallexample
31835
31836 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
31837 the stack.
31838
31839 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
31840 option to every command.
31841
31842 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31843
31844 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
31845 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
31846
31847 @subsubheading Example
31848
31849 @smallexample
31850 (gdb)
31851 -stack-select-frame 2
31852 ^done
31853 (gdb)
31854 @end smallexample
31855
31856 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31857 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
31858 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
31859
31860 @ignore
31861
31862 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31863
31864 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
31865 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
31866 used by @code{Insight}.
31867
31868 The two main reasons for that are:
31869
31870 @enumerate 1
31871 @item
31872 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
31873
31874 @item
31875 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
31876 now).
31877 @end enumerate
31878
31879 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
31880 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
31881 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
31882 hints about their use.
31883
31884 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
31885 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
31886 least, the following operations:
31887
31888 @itemize @bullet
31889 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
31890 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
31891 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
31892 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
31893 @end itemize
31894
31895 @end ignore
31896
31897 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
31898
31899 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31900
31901 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
31902 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
31903 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
31904 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
31905 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
31906 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
31907 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
31908 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
31909 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
31910 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
31911 object, or to change display format.
31912
31913 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
31914 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
31915 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
31916 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
31917 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
31918 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
31919 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
31920 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
31921 child will be created.
31922
31923 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
31924 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
31925 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
31926 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
31927 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
31928
31929 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
31930 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
31931 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
31932 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
31933 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
31934 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
31935 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
31936 variables that frontend has created.
31937
31938 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
31939 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
31940 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
31941 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
31942 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
31943 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
31944 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
31945 implicitly updated.
31946
31947 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
31948 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
31949 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
31950 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
31951 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
31952 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
31953 frame. Consider this example:
31954
31955 @smallexample
31956 void do_work(...)
31957 @{
31958 struct work_state state;
31959
31960 if (...)
31961 do_work(...);
31962 @}
31963 @end smallexample
31964
31965 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
31966 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
31967 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
31968 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
31969 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
31970
31971 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
31972 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
31973 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
31974 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
31975 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
31976 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
31977
31978 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
31979 access this functionality:
31980
31981 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
31982 @item @strong{Operation}
31983 @tab @strong{Description}
31984
31985 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
31986 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
31987 @item @code{-var-create}
31988 @tab create a variable object
31989 @item @code{-var-delete}
31990 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
31991 @item @code{-var-set-format}
31992 @tab set the display format of this variable
31993 @item @code{-var-show-format}
31994 @tab show the display format of this variable
31995 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
31996 @tab tells how many children this object has
31997 @item @code{-var-list-children}
31998 @tab return a list of the object's children
31999 @item @code{-var-info-type}
32000 @tab show the type of this variable object
32001 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
32002 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
32003 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
32004 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
32005 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
32006 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
32007 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
32008 @tab get the value of this variable
32009 @item @code{-var-assign}
32010 @tab set the value of this variable
32011 @item @code{-var-update}
32012 @tab update the variable and its children
32013 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
32014 @tab set frozeness attribute
32015 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
32016 @tab set range of children to display on update
32017 @end multitable
32018
32019 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
32020 how it can be used.
32021
32022 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
32023
32024 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
32025 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
32026
32027 @smallexample
32028 -enable-pretty-printing
32029 @end smallexample
32030
32031 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
32032 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
32033 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
32034 request that this functionality be enabled.
32035
32036 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
32037
32038 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
32039 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
32040
32041 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
32042 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
32043
32044 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
32045 @findex -var-create
32046
32047 @subsubheading Synopsis
32048
32049 @smallexample
32050 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
32051 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
32052 @end smallexample
32053
32054 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
32055 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
32056 register.
32057
32058 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
32059 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
32060 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
32061 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
32062 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
32063
32064 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
32065 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
32066 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
32067 object must be created.
32068
32069 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
32070 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
32071
32072 @itemize @bullet
32073 @item
32074 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
32075
32076 @item
32077 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
32078
32079 @item
32080 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
32081 @end itemize
32082
32083 @cindex dynamic varobj
32084 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
32085 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
32086 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
32087 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
32088 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
32089 compatibility for existing clients.
32090
32091 @subsubheading Result
32092
32093 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
32094 are:
32095
32096 @table @samp
32097 @item name
32098 The name of the varobj.
32099
32100 @item numchild
32101 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
32102 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
32103 @samp{has_more} attribute.
32104
32105 @item value
32106 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
32107 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
32108 will not be interesting.
32109
32110 @item type
32111 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
32112 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
32113 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
32114 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
32115 @emph{declared} one.
32116
32117 @item thread-id
32118 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
32119 thread's global identifier.
32120
32121 @item has_more
32122 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
32123 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
32124
32125 @item dynamic
32126 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
32127 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
32128 then this attribute will not be present.
32129
32130 @item displayhint
32131 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
32132 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
32133 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
32134 @end table
32135
32136 Typical output will look like this:
32137
32138 @smallexample
32139 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
32140 has_more="@var{has_more}"
32141 @end smallexample
32142
32143
32144 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
32145 @findex -var-delete
32146
32147 @subsubheading Synopsis
32148
32149 @smallexample
32150 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
32151 @end smallexample
32152
32153 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
32154 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
32155
32156 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
32157
32158
32159 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
32160 @findex -var-set-format
32161
32162 @subsubheading Synopsis
32163
32164 @smallexample
32165 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
32166 @end smallexample
32167
32168 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
32169 @var{format-spec}.
32170
32171 @anchor{-var-set-format}
32172 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
32173
32174 @smallexample
32175 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
32176 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural | zero-hexadecimal@}
32177 @end smallexample
32178
32179 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
32180 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
32181 for pointers, etc.).
32182
32183 The zero-hexadecimal format has a representation similar to hexadecimal
32184 but with padding zeroes to the left of the value. For example, a 32-bit
32185 hexadecimal value of 0x1234 would be represented as 0x00001234 in the
32186 zero-hexadecimal format.
32187
32188 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
32189 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
32190
32191 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
32192 @findex -var-show-format
32193
32194 @subsubheading Synopsis
32195
32196 @smallexample
32197 -var-show-format @var{name}
32198 @end smallexample
32199
32200 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
32201
32202 @smallexample
32203 @var{format} @expansion{}
32204 @var{format-spec}
32205 @end smallexample
32206
32207
32208 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
32209 @findex -var-info-num-children
32210
32211 @subsubheading Synopsis
32212
32213 @smallexample
32214 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
32215 @end smallexample
32216
32217 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
32218
32219 @smallexample
32220 numchild=@var{n}
32221 @end smallexample
32222
32223 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
32224 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
32225 be available.
32226
32227
32228 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
32229 @findex -var-list-children
32230
32231 @subsubheading Synopsis
32232
32233 @smallexample
32234 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
32235 @end smallexample
32236 @anchor{-var-list-children}
32237
32238 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
32239 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
32240 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
32241 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
32242 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
32243 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
32244 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
32245 and unions.
32246
32247 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
32248 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
32249 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
32250 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
32251 reported.
32252
32253 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
32254 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
32255 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
32256 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
32257 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
32258 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
32259 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
32260 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
32261 the visible items.
32262
32263 For each child the following results are returned:
32264
32265 @table @var
32266
32267 @item name
32268 Name of the variable object created for this child.
32269
32270 @item exp
32271 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
32272 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
32273
32274 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
32275 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
32276
32277 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
32278 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
32279 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
32280 type and value are not present.
32281
32282 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
32283 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
32284 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
32285
32286 @item numchild
32287 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
32288 0.
32289
32290 @item type
32291 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
32292 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
32293 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
32294 @emph{declared} one.
32295
32296 @item value
32297 If values were requested, this is the value.
32298
32299 @item thread-id
32300 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the
32301 thread's global thread id. Otherwise this result is not present.
32302
32303 @item frozen
32304 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
32305
32306 @item displayhint
32307 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
32308 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
32309 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
32310
32311 @item dynamic
32312 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
32313 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
32314 then this attribute will not be present.
32315
32316 @end table
32317
32318 The result may have its own attributes:
32319
32320 @table @samp
32321 @item displayhint
32322 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
32323 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
32324 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
32325
32326 @item has_more
32327 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
32328 remaining after the end of the selected range.
32329 @end table
32330
32331 @subsubheading Example
32332
32333 @smallexample
32334 (gdb)
32335 -var-list-children n
32336 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
32337 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
32338 (gdb)
32339 -var-list-children --all-values n
32340 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
32341 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
32342 @end smallexample
32343
32344
32345 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
32346 @findex -var-info-type
32347
32348 @subsubheading Synopsis
32349
32350 @smallexample
32351 -var-info-type @var{name}
32352 @end smallexample
32353
32354 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
32355 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
32356 @value{GDBN} CLI:
32357
32358 @smallexample
32359 type=@var{typename}
32360 @end smallexample
32361
32362
32363 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
32364 @findex -var-info-expression
32365
32366 @subsubheading Synopsis
32367
32368 @smallexample
32369 -var-info-expression @var{name}
32370 @end smallexample
32371
32372 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
32373 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
32374 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
32375
32376 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
32377 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
32378
32379 @smallexample
32380 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
32381 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
32382 @end smallexample
32383
32384 @noindent
32385 Here, the value of @code{lang} is the language name, which can be
32386 found in @ref{Supported Languages}.
32387
32388 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
32389 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
32390 is of limited use.
32391
32392 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
32393 @findex -var-info-path-expression
32394
32395 @subsubheading Synopsis
32396
32397 @smallexample
32398 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
32399 @end smallexample
32400
32401 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
32402 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
32403 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
32404 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
32405 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
32406 watchpoint from a variable object.
32407
32408 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
32409 and will give an error when invoked on one.
32410
32411 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
32412 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
32413 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
32414 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
32415 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
32416 @smallexample
32417 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
32418 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
32419 @end smallexample
32420
32421 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
32422 @findex -var-show-attributes
32423
32424 @subsubheading Synopsis
32425
32426 @smallexample
32427 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
32428 @end smallexample
32429
32430 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
32431
32432 @smallexample
32433 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
32434 @end smallexample
32435
32436 @noindent
32437 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
32438
32439 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
32440 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
32441
32442 @subsubheading Synopsis
32443
32444 @smallexample
32445 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
32446 @end smallexample
32447
32448 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
32449 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
32450 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
32451 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
32452 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
32453 the current display format will be used. The current display format
32454 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
32455
32456 @smallexample
32457 value=@var{value}
32458 @end smallexample
32459
32460 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
32461 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
32462
32463 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
32464 @findex -var-assign
32465
32466 @subsubheading Synopsis
32467
32468 @smallexample
32469 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
32470 @end smallexample
32471
32472 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
32473 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
32474 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
32475 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
32476
32477 @subsubheading Example
32478
32479 @smallexample
32480 (gdb)
32481 -var-assign var1 3
32482 ^done,value="3"
32483 (gdb)
32484 -var-update *
32485 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
32486 (gdb)
32487 @end smallexample
32488
32489 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
32490 @findex -var-update
32491
32492 @subsubheading Synopsis
32493
32494 @smallexample
32495 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
32496 @end smallexample
32497
32498 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
32499 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
32500 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
32501 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
32502 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
32503 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
32504 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
32505 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
32506 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
32507 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
32508 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
32509 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
32510 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
32511
32512 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
32513 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
32514 diagnostic.
32515
32516 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
32517 only the selected range of children will be reported.
32518
32519 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
32520 @samp{changelist}.
32521
32522 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
32523
32524 @table @samp
32525 @item name
32526 The name of the varobj.
32527
32528 @item value
32529 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
32530 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
32531
32532 @item in_scope
32533 @anchor{-var-update}
32534 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
32535
32536 @table @code
32537 @item "true"
32538 The variable object's current value is valid.
32539
32540 @item "false"
32541 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
32542 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
32543 scope.
32544
32545 @item "invalid"
32546 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
32547 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
32548 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
32549 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
32550 objects.
32551 @end table
32552
32553 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
32554 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
32555
32556 @item type_changed
32557 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
32558 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
32559 be @samp{false}.
32560
32561 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
32562 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
32563 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
32564 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
32565 unset.
32566
32567 @item new_type
32568 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
32569 hold the new type.
32570
32571 @item new_num_children
32572 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
32573 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
32574
32575 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
32576 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
32577 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
32578 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
32579 children which may be available.
32580
32581 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
32582 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
32583 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
32584 only happen at the end of the update range).
32585
32586 @item displayhint
32587 The display hint, if any.
32588
32589 @item has_more
32590 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
32591 available outside the varobj's update range.
32592
32593 @item dynamic
32594 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
32595 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
32596 then this attribute will not be present.
32597
32598 @item new_children
32599 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
32600 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
32601 be listed in this attribute.
32602 @end table
32603
32604 @subsubheading Example
32605
32606 @smallexample
32607 (gdb)
32608 -var-assign var1 3
32609 ^done,value="3"
32610 (gdb)
32611 -var-update --all-values var1
32612 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
32613 type_changed="false"@}]
32614 (gdb)
32615 @end smallexample
32616
32617 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
32618 @findex -var-set-frozen
32619 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
32620
32621 @subsubheading Synopsis
32622
32623 @smallexample
32624 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
32625 @end smallexample
32626
32627 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
32628 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
32629 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
32630 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
32631 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
32632 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
32633 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
32634 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
32635 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
32636 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
32637 @code{-var-update} does.
32638
32639 @subsubheading Example
32640
32641 @smallexample
32642 (gdb)
32643 -var-set-frozen V 1
32644 ^done
32645 (gdb)
32646 @end smallexample
32647
32648 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
32649 @findex -var-set-update-range
32650 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
32651
32652 @subsubheading Synopsis
32653
32654 @smallexample
32655 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
32656 @end smallexample
32657
32658 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
32659 @code{-var-update}.
32660
32661 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
32662 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
32663 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
32664 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
32665
32666 @subsubheading Example
32667
32668 @smallexample
32669 (gdb)
32670 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
32671 ^done
32672 @end smallexample
32673
32674 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
32675 @findex -var-set-visualizer
32676 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
32677
32678 @subsubheading Synopsis
32679
32680 @smallexample
32681 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
32682 @end smallexample
32683
32684 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
32685
32686 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
32687 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
32688
32689 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
32690 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
32691 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
32692 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
32693 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
32694 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
32695 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
32696
32697 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
32698 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
32699 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
32700 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
32701
32702 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
32703 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Support Commands})
32704 can be used to check this.
32705
32706 @subsubheading Example
32707
32708 Resetting the visualizer:
32709
32710 @smallexample
32711 (gdb)
32712 -var-set-visualizer V None
32713 ^done
32714 @end smallexample
32715
32716 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
32717
32718 @smallexample
32719 (gdb)
32720 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
32721 ^done
32722 @end smallexample
32723
32724 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
32725 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
32726
32727 @smallexample
32728 (gdb)
32729 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
32730 ^done
32731 @end smallexample
32732
32733 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32734 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
32735 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
32736
32737 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
32738 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
32739 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
32740 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
32741
32742 For details about what an addressable memory unit is,
32743 @pxref{addressable memory unit}.
32744
32745 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
32746 @c @subheading -data-assign
32747 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
32748 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
32749 @c set variable
32750 @c @subsubheading Example
32751 @c N.A.
32752
32753 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
32754 @findex -data-disassemble
32755
32756 @subsubheading Synopsis
32757
32758 @smallexample
32759 -data-disassemble
32760 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
32761 | [ -a @var{addr} ]
32762 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
32763 -- @var{mode}
32764 @end smallexample
32765
32766 @noindent
32767 Where:
32768
32769 @table @samp
32770 @item @var{start-addr}
32771 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
32772 @item @var{end-addr}
32773 is the end address
32774 @item @var{addr}
32775 is an address anywhere within (or the name of) the function to
32776 disassemble. If an address is specified, the whole function
32777 surrounding that address will be disassembled. If a name is
32778 specified, the whole function with that name will be disassembled.
32779 @item @var{filename}
32780 is the name of the file to disassemble
32781 @item @var{linenum}
32782 is the line number to disassemble around
32783 @item @var{lines}
32784 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
32785 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
32786 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
32787 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
32788 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
32789 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
32790 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
32791 are displayed.
32792 @item @var{mode}
32793 is one of:
32794 @itemize @bullet
32795 @item 0 disassembly only
32796 @item 1 mixed source and disassembly (deprecated)
32797 @item 2 disassembly with raw opcodes
32798 @item 3 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes (deprecated)
32799 @item 4 mixed source and disassembly
32800 @item 5 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes
32801 @end itemize
32802
32803 Modes 1 and 3 are deprecated. The output is ``source centric''
32804 which hasn't proved useful in practice.
32805 @xref{Machine Code}, for a discussion of the difference between
32806 @code{/m} and @code{/s} output of the @code{disassemble} command.
32807 @end table
32808
32809 @subsubheading Result
32810
32811 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
32812 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
32813 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
32814
32815 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
32816 following fields:
32817
32818 @table @code
32819 @item address
32820 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
32821
32822 @item func-name
32823 The name of the function this instruction is within.
32824
32825 @item offset
32826 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
32827
32828 @item inst
32829 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
32830
32831 @item opcodes
32832 This field is only present for modes 2, 3 and 5. This contains the raw opcode
32833 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
32834
32835 @end table
32836
32837 For modes 1, 3, 4 and 5 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
32838 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
32839
32840 @table @code
32841 @item line
32842 The line number within @samp{file}.
32843
32844 @item file
32845 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
32846 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
32847 used.
32848
32849 @item fullname
32850 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
32851 using the source file search path
32852 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
32853 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
32854
32855 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
32856 present in the debug information.
32857
32858 @item line_asm_insn
32859 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
32860 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
32861 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
32862 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
32863 @samp{opcodes}.
32864
32865 @end table
32866
32867 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
32868 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
32869 adjust its format.
32870
32871 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32872
32873 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
32874
32875 @subsubheading Example
32876
32877 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
32878
32879 @smallexample
32880 (gdb)
32881 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
32882 ^done,
32883 asm_insns=[
32884 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32885 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32886 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32887 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32888 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
32889 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
32890 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
32891 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32892 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
32893 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
32894 (gdb)
32895 @end smallexample
32896
32897 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
32898 @code{main}.
32899
32900 @smallexample
32901 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
32902 ^done,asm_insns=[
32903 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32904 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32905 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32906 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32907 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32908 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32909 [@dots{}]
32910 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
32911 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
32912 (gdb)
32913 @end smallexample
32914
32915 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
32916
32917 @smallexample
32918 (gdb)
32919 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
32920 ^done,asm_insns=[
32921 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32922 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32923 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32924 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32925 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32926 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
32927 (gdb)
32928 @end smallexample
32929
32930 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
32931
32932 @smallexample
32933 (gdb)
32934 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
32935 ^done,asm_insns=[
32936 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
32937 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32938 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32939 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
32940 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
32941 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
32942 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32943 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32944 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
32945 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32946 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32947 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
32948 (gdb)
32949 @end smallexample
32950
32951
32952 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
32953 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
32954
32955 @subsubheading Synopsis
32956
32957 @smallexample
32958 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
32959 @end smallexample
32960
32961 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
32962 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
32963 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
32964
32965 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32966
32967 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
32968 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
32969 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
32970
32971 @subsubheading Example
32972
32973 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
32974 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
32975 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
32976 output.
32977
32978 @smallexample
32979 211-data-evaluate-expression A
32980 211^done,value="1"
32981 (gdb)
32982 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
32983 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
32984 (gdb)
32985 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
32986 411^done,value="4"
32987 (gdb)
32988 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
32989 511^done,value="4"
32990 (gdb)
32991 @end smallexample
32992
32993
32994 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
32995 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
32996
32997 @subsubheading Synopsis
32998
32999 @smallexample
33000 -data-list-changed-registers
33001 @end smallexample
33002
33003 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
33004
33005 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33006
33007 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
33008 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
33009
33010 @subsubheading Example
33011
33012 On a PPC MBX board:
33013
33014 @smallexample
33015 (gdb)
33016 -exec-continue
33017 ^running
33018
33019 (gdb)
33020 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
33021 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
33022 line="5",arch="powerpc"@}
33023 (gdb)
33024 -data-list-changed-registers
33025 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
33026 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
33027 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
33028 (gdb)
33029 @end smallexample
33030
33031
33032 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
33033 @findex -data-list-register-names
33034
33035 @subsubheading Synopsis
33036
33037 @smallexample
33038 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
33039 @end smallexample
33040
33041 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
33042 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
33043 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
33044 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
33045 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
33046 include empty register names.
33047
33048 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33049
33050 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
33051 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
33052 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
33053
33054 @subsubheading Example
33055
33056 For the PPC MBX board:
33057 @smallexample
33058 (gdb)
33059 -data-list-register-names
33060 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
33061 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
33062 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
33063 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
33064 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
33065 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
33066 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
33067 (gdb)
33068 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
33069 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
33070 (gdb)
33071 @end smallexample
33072
33073 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
33074 @findex -data-list-register-values
33075
33076 @subsubheading Synopsis
33077
33078 @smallexample
33079 -data-list-register-values
33080 [ @code{--skip-unavailable} ] @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
33081 @end smallexample
33082
33083 Display the registers' contents. The format according to which the
33084 registers' contents are to be returned is given by @var{fmt}, followed
33085 by an optional list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A
33086 missing list of numbers indicates that the contents of all the
33087 registers must be returned. The @code{--skip-unavailable} option
33088 indicates that only the available registers are to be returned.
33089
33090 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
33091
33092 @table @code
33093 @item x
33094 Hexadecimal
33095 @item o
33096 Octal
33097 @item t
33098 Binary
33099 @item d
33100 Decimal
33101 @item r
33102 Raw
33103 @item N
33104 Natural
33105 @end table
33106
33107 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33108
33109 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
33110 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
33111
33112 @subsubheading Example
33113
33114 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
33115 don't appear in the actual output):
33116
33117 @smallexample
33118 (gdb)
33119 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
33120 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
33121 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
33122 (gdb)
33123 -data-list-register-values x
33124 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
33125 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
33126 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
33127 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
33128 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
33129 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
33130 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
33131 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
33132 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
33133 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
33134 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
33135 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
33136 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
33137 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
33138 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
33139 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
33140 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
33141 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
33142 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
33143 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
33144 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
33145 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
33146 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
33147 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
33148 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
33149 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
33150 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
33151 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
33152 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
33153 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
33154 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
33155 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
33156 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
33157 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
33158 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
33159 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
33160 (gdb)
33161 @end smallexample
33162
33163
33164 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
33165 @findex -data-read-memory
33166
33167 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
33168
33169 @subsubheading Synopsis
33170
33171 @smallexample
33172 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
33173 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
33174 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
33175 @end smallexample
33176
33177 @noindent
33178 where:
33179
33180 @table @samp
33181 @item @var{address}
33182 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
33183 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
33184 quoted using the C convention.
33185
33186 @item @var{word-format}
33187 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
33188 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
33189 ,Output Formats}).
33190
33191 @item @var{word-size}
33192 The size of each memory word in bytes.
33193
33194 @item @var{nr-rows}
33195 The number of rows in the output table.
33196
33197 @item @var{nr-cols}
33198 The number of columns in the output table.
33199
33200 @item @var{aschar}
33201 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
33202 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
33203 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
33204 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
33205
33206 @item @var{byte-offset}
33207 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
33208 @end table
33209
33210 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
33211 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
33212 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
33213 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
33214 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
33215 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
33216 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
33217 @samp{addr}.
33218
33219 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
33220 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
33221 @samp{prev-page}.
33222
33223 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33224
33225 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
33226 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
33227
33228 @subsubheading Example
33229
33230 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
33231 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
33232 word. Display each word in hex.
33233
33234 @smallexample
33235 (gdb)
33236 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
33237 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
33238 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
33239 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
33240 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
33241 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
33242 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
33243 (gdb)
33244 @end smallexample
33245
33246 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
33247 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
33248
33249 @smallexample
33250 (gdb)
33251 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
33252 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
33253 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
33254 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
33255 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
33256 (gdb)
33257 @end smallexample
33258
33259 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
33260 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
33261 used as the non-printable character.
33262
33263 @smallexample
33264 (gdb)
33265 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
33266 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
33267 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
33268 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
33269 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
33270 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
33271 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
33272 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
33273 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
33274 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
33275 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
33276 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
33277 (gdb)
33278 @end smallexample
33279
33280 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
33281 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
33282
33283 @subsubheading Synopsis
33284
33285 @smallexample
33286 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{offset} ]
33287 @var{address} @var{count}
33288 @end smallexample
33289
33290 @noindent
33291 where:
33292
33293 @table @samp
33294 @item @var{address}
33295 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
33296 to be read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
33297 quoted using the C convention.
33298
33299 @item @var{count}
33300 The number of addressable memory units to read. This should be an integer
33301 literal.
33302
33303 @item @var{offset}
33304 The offset relative to @var{address} at which to start reading. This
33305 should be an integer literal. This option is provided so that a frontend
33306 is not required to first evaluate address and then perform address
33307 arithmetics itself.
33308
33309 @end table
33310
33311 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
33312 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
33313 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
33314 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
33315 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
33316 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
33317
33318 In general, every single memory unit in the region may be readable or not,
33319 and the only way to read every readable unit is to try a read at
33320 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
33321 attempt to read all accessible memory units at either beginning or the end
33322 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
33323 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
33324 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
33325 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
33326
33327 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
33328 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
33329 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
33330 and has the following fields:
33331
33332 @table @code
33333 @item begin
33334 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
33335
33336 @item end
33337 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
33338
33339 @item offset
33340 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
33341 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
33342
33343 @item contents
33344 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
33345
33346 @end table
33347
33348
33349
33350 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33351
33352 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
33353
33354 @subsubheading Example
33355
33356 @smallexample
33357 (gdb)
33358 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
33359 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
33360 end="0xbffff15e",
33361 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
33362 (gdb)
33363 @end smallexample
33364
33365
33366 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
33367 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
33368
33369 @subsubheading Synopsis
33370
33371 @smallexample
33372 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
33373 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
33374 @end smallexample
33375
33376 @noindent
33377 where:
33378
33379 @table @samp
33380 @item @var{address}
33381 An expression specifying the address of the first addressable memory unit
33382 to be written. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should
33383 be quoted using the C convention.
33384
33385 @item @var{contents}
33386 The hex-encoded data to write. It is an error if @var{contents} does
33387 not represent an integral number of addressable memory units.
33388
33389 @item @var{count}
33390 Optional argument indicating the number of addressable memory units to be
33391 written. If @var{count} is greater than @var{contents}' length,
33392 @value{GDBN} will repeatedly write @var{contents} until it fills
33393 @var{count} memory units.
33394
33395 @end table
33396
33397 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33398
33399 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33400
33401 @subsubheading Example
33402
33403 @smallexample
33404 (gdb)
33405 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
33406 ^done
33407 (gdb)
33408 @end smallexample
33409
33410 @smallexample
33411 (gdb)
33412 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
33413 ^done
33414 (gdb)
33415 @end smallexample
33416
33417 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33418 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
33419 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
33420
33421 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
33422 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
33423
33424 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
33425 @findex -trace-find
33426
33427 @subsubheading Synopsis
33428
33429 @smallexample
33430 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
33431 @end smallexample
33432
33433 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
33434 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
33435 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
33436
33437 @table @samp
33438
33439 @item none
33440 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
33441
33442 @item frame-number
33443 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
33444 that index.
33445
33446 @item tracepoint-number
33447 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
33448 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
33449
33450 @item pc
33451 An address is required as parameter. Finds
33452 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
33453 address.
33454
33455 @item pc-inside-range
33456 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
33457 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
33458 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
33459
33460 @item pc-outside-range
33461 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
33462 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
33463 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
33464
33465 @item line
33466 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
33467 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
33468 the specified location.
33469
33470 @end table
33471
33472 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
33473 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
33474
33475 @table @samp
33476 @item found
33477 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
33478 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
33479
33480 @item traceframe
33481 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
33482 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
33483
33484 @item tracepoint
33485 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
33486 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
33487
33488 @item frame
33489 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
33490 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
33491 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
33492
33493 @end table
33494
33495 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33496
33497 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
33498
33499 @subheading -trace-define-variable
33500 @findex -trace-define-variable
33501
33502 @subsubheading Synopsis
33503
33504 @smallexample
33505 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
33506 @end smallexample
33507
33508 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
33509 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
33510 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
33511 with the @samp{$} character.
33512
33513 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33514
33515 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
33516
33517 @subheading The @code{-trace-frame-collected} Command
33518 @findex -trace-frame-collected
33519
33520 @subsubheading Synopsis
33521
33522 @smallexample
33523 -trace-frame-collected
33524 [--var-print-values @var{var_pval}]
33525 [--comp-print-values @var{comp_pval}]
33526 [--registers-format @var{regformat}]
33527 [--memory-contents]
33528 @end smallexample
33529
33530 This command returns the set of collected objects, register names,
33531 trace state variable names, memory ranges and computed expressions
33532 that have been collected at a particular trace frame. The optional
33533 parameters to the command affect the output format in different ways.
33534 See the output description table below for more details.
33535
33536 The reported names can be used in the normal manner to create
33537 varobjs and inspect the objects themselves. The items returned by
33538 this command are categorized so that it is clear which is a variable,
33539 which is a register, which is a trace state variable, which is a
33540 memory range and which is a computed expression.
33541
33542 For instance, if the actions were
33543 @smallexample
33544 collect myVar, myArray[myIndex], myObj.field, myPtr->field, myCount + 2
33545 collect *(int*)0xaf02bef0@@40
33546 @end smallexample
33547
33548 @noindent
33549 the object collected in its entirety would be @code{myVar}. The
33550 object @code{myArray} would be partially collected, because only the
33551 element at index @code{myIndex} would be collected. The remaining
33552 objects would be computed expressions.
33553
33554 An example output would be:
33555
33556 @smallexample
33557 (gdb)
33558 -trace-frame-collected
33559 ^done,
33560 explicit-variables=[@{name="myVar",value="1"@}],
33561 computed-expressions=[@{name="myArray[myIndex]",value="0"@},
33562 @{name="myObj.field",value="0"@},
33563 @{name="myPtr->field",value="1"@},
33564 @{name="myCount + 2",value="3"@},
33565 @{name="$tvar1 + 1",value="43970027"@}],
33566 registers=[@{number="0",value="0x7fe2c6e79ec8"@},
33567 @{number="1",value="0x0"@},
33568 @{number="2",value="0x4"@},
33569 ...
33570 @{number="125",value="0x0"@}],
33571 tvars=[@{name="$tvar1",current="43970026"@}],
33572 memory=[@{address="0x0000000000602264",length="4"@},
33573 @{address="0x0000000000615bc0",length="4"@}]
33574 (gdb)
33575 @end smallexample
33576
33577 Where:
33578
33579 @table @code
33580 @item explicit-variables
33581 The set of objects that have been collected in their entirety (as
33582 opposed to collecting just a few elements of an array or a few struct
33583 members). For each object, its name and value are printed.
33584 The @code{--var-print-values} option affects how or whether the value
33585 field is output. If @var{var_pval} is 0, then print only the names;
33586 if it is 1, print also their values; and if it is 2, print the name,
33587 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for
33588 arrays, structures and unions.
33589
33590 @item computed-expressions
33591 The set of computed expressions that have been collected at the
33592 current trace frame. The @code{--comp-print-values} option affects
33593 this set like the @code{--var-print-values} option affects the
33594 @code{explicit-variables} set. See above.
33595
33596 @item registers
33597 The registers that have been collected at the current trace frame.
33598 For each register collected, the name and current value are returned.
33599 The value is formatted according to the @code{--registers-format}
33600 option. See the @command{-data-list-register-values} command for a
33601 list of the allowed formats. The default is @samp{x}.
33602
33603 @item tvars
33604 The trace state variables that have been collected at the current
33605 trace frame. For each trace state variable collected, the name and
33606 current value are returned.
33607
33608 @item memory
33609 The set of memory ranges that have been collected at the current trace
33610 frame. Its content is a list of tuples. Each tuple represents a
33611 collected memory range and has the following fields:
33612
33613 @table @code
33614 @item address
33615 The start address of the memory range, as hexadecimal literal.
33616
33617 @item length
33618 The length of the memory range, as decimal literal.
33619
33620 @item contents
33621 The contents of the memory block, in hex. This field is only present
33622 if the @code{--memory-contents} option is specified.
33623
33624 @end table
33625
33626 @end table
33627
33628 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33629
33630 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33631
33632 @subsubheading Example
33633
33634 @subheading -trace-list-variables
33635 @findex -trace-list-variables
33636
33637 @subsubheading Synopsis
33638
33639 @smallexample
33640 -trace-list-variables
33641 @end smallexample
33642
33643 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
33644 table has the following fields:
33645
33646 @table @samp
33647 @item name
33648 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
33649
33650 @item initial
33651 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
33652 field is always present.
33653
33654 @item current
33655 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
33656 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
33657 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
33658 presently running.
33659
33660 @end table
33661
33662 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33663
33664 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
33665
33666 @subsubheading Example
33667
33668 @smallexample
33669 (gdb)
33670 -trace-list-variables
33671 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
33672 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
33673 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
33674 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
33675 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
33676 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
33677 (gdb)
33678 @end smallexample
33679
33680 @subheading -trace-save
33681 @findex -trace-save
33682
33683 @subsubheading Synopsis
33684
33685 @smallexample
33686 -trace-save [ -r ] [ -ctf ] @var{filename}
33687 @end smallexample
33688
33689 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
33690 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
33691 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
33692 to perform the save.
33693
33694 By default, this command will save the trace in the tfile format. You can
33695 supply the optional @samp{-ctf} argument to save it the CTF format. See
33696 @ref{Trace Files} for more information about CTF.
33697
33698 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33699
33700 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
33701
33702
33703 @subheading -trace-start
33704 @findex -trace-start
33705
33706 @subsubheading Synopsis
33707
33708 @smallexample
33709 -trace-start
33710 @end smallexample
33711
33712 Starts a tracing experiment. The result of this command does not
33713 have any fields.
33714
33715 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33716
33717 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
33718
33719 @subheading -trace-status
33720 @findex -trace-status
33721
33722 @subsubheading Synopsis
33723
33724 @smallexample
33725 -trace-status
33726 @end smallexample
33727
33728 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
33729 the following fields:
33730
33731 @table @samp
33732
33733 @item supported
33734 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
33735 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
33736 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
33737 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
33738 started. This field is always present.
33739
33740 @item running
33741 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
33742 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
33743 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33744
33745 @item stop-reason
33746 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
33747 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
33748 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
33749 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
33750 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
33751 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
33752 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
33753 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
33754 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33755
33756 @item stopping-tracepoint
33757 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
33758 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
33759 @samp{passcount}.
33760
33761 @item frames
33762 @itemx frames-created
33763 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
33764 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
33765 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
33766 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
33767
33768 @item buffer-size
33769 @itemx buffer-free
33770 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
33771 remaining space. These fields are optional.
33772
33773 @item circular
33774 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
33775 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
33776 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
33777 and may fill up.
33778
33779 @item disconnected
33780 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
33781 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
33782 that the trace run will stop.
33783
33784 @item trace-file
33785 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
33786 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
33787
33788 @end table
33789
33790 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33791
33792 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
33793
33794 @subheading -trace-stop
33795 @findex -trace-stop
33796
33797 @subsubheading Synopsis
33798
33799 @smallexample
33800 -trace-stop
33801 @end smallexample
33802
33803 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
33804 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
33805 @samp{running} fields are not output.
33806
33807 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33808
33809 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
33810
33811
33812 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33813 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
33814 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
33815
33816
33817 @ignore
33818 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
33819 @findex -symbol-info-address
33820
33821 @subsubheading Synopsis
33822
33823 @smallexample
33824 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
33825 @end smallexample
33826
33827 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
33828
33829 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33830
33831 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
33832
33833 @subsubheading Example
33834 N.A.
33835
33836
33837 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
33838 @findex -symbol-info-file
33839
33840 @subsubheading Synopsis
33841
33842 @smallexample
33843 -symbol-info-file
33844 @end smallexample
33845
33846 Show the file for the symbol.
33847
33848 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33849
33850 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
33851 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
33852
33853 @subsubheading Example
33854 N.A.
33855
33856
33857 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
33858 @findex -symbol-info-function
33859
33860 @subsubheading Synopsis
33861
33862 @smallexample
33863 -symbol-info-function
33864 @end smallexample
33865
33866 Show which function the symbol lives in.
33867
33868 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33869
33870 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
33871
33872 @subsubheading Example
33873 N.A.
33874
33875
33876 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
33877 @findex -symbol-info-line
33878
33879 @subsubheading Synopsis
33880
33881 @smallexample
33882 -symbol-info-line
33883 @end smallexample
33884
33885 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
33886
33887 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33888
33889 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
33890 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
33891
33892 @subsubheading Example
33893 N.A.
33894
33895
33896 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
33897 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
33898
33899 @subsubheading Synopsis
33900
33901 @smallexample
33902 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
33903 @end smallexample
33904
33905 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
33906
33907 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33908
33909 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
33910
33911 @subsubheading Example
33912 N.A.
33913
33914
33915 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
33916 @findex -symbol-list-functions
33917
33918 @subsubheading Synopsis
33919
33920 @smallexample
33921 -symbol-list-functions
33922 @end smallexample
33923
33924 List the functions in the executable.
33925
33926 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33927
33928 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
33929 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33930
33931 @subsubheading Example
33932 N.A.
33933 @end ignore
33934
33935
33936 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
33937 @findex -symbol-list-lines
33938
33939 @subsubheading Synopsis
33940
33941 @smallexample
33942 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
33943 @end smallexample
33944
33945 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
33946 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
33947 ascending PC order.
33948
33949 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33950
33951 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33952
33953 @subsubheading Example
33954 @smallexample
33955 (gdb)
33956 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
33957 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
33958 (gdb)
33959 @end smallexample
33960
33961
33962 @ignore
33963 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
33964 @findex -symbol-list-types
33965
33966 @subsubheading Synopsis
33967
33968 @smallexample
33969 -symbol-list-types
33970 @end smallexample
33971
33972 List all the type names.
33973
33974 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33975
33976 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
33977 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33978
33979 @subsubheading Example
33980 N.A.
33981
33982
33983 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
33984 @findex -symbol-list-variables
33985
33986 @subsubheading Synopsis
33987
33988 @smallexample
33989 -symbol-list-variables
33990 @end smallexample
33991
33992 List all the global and static variable names.
33993
33994 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33995
33996 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33997
33998 @subsubheading Example
33999 N.A.
34000
34001
34002 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
34003 @findex -symbol-locate
34004
34005 @subsubheading Synopsis
34006
34007 @smallexample
34008 -symbol-locate
34009 @end smallexample
34010
34011 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34012
34013 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
34014
34015 @subsubheading Example
34016 N.A.
34017
34018
34019 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
34020 @findex -symbol-type
34021
34022 @subsubheading Synopsis
34023
34024 @smallexample
34025 -symbol-type @var{variable}
34026 @end smallexample
34027
34028 Show type of @var{variable}.
34029
34030 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34031
34032 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
34033 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
34034
34035 @subsubheading Example
34036 N.A.
34037 @end ignore
34038
34039
34040 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34041 @node GDB/MI File Commands
34042 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
34043
34044 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
34045 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
34046
34047 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
34048 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
34049
34050 @subsubheading Synopsis
34051
34052 @smallexample
34053 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
34054 @end smallexample
34055
34056 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
34057 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
34058 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
34059 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
34060 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
34061 notification.
34062
34063 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34064
34065 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
34066
34067 @subsubheading Example
34068
34069 @smallexample
34070 (gdb)
34071 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
34072 ^done
34073 (gdb)
34074 @end smallexample
34075
34076
34077 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
34078 @findex -file-exec-file
34079
34080 @subsubheading Synopsis
34081
34082 @smallexample
34083 -file-exec-file @var{file}
34084 @end smallexample
34085
34086 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
34087 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
34088 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
34089 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
34090 notification.
34091
34092 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34093
34094 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
34095
34096 @subsubheading Example
34097
34098 @smallexample
34099 (gdb)
34100 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
34101 ^done
34102 (gdb)
34103 @end smallexample
34104
34105
34106 @ignore
34107 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
34108 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
34109
34110 @subsubheading Synopsis
34111
34112 @smallexample
34113 -file-list-exec-sections
34114 @end smallexample
34115
34116 List the sections of the current executable file.
34117
34118 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34119
34120 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
34121 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
34122 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
34123
34124 @subsubheading Example
34125 N.A.
34126 @end ignore
34127
34128
34129 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
34130 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
34131
34132 @subsubheading Synopsis
34133
34134 @smallexample
34135 -file-list-exec-source-file
34136 @end smallexample
34137
34138 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
34139 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
34140 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
34141 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
34142
34143 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34144
34145 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
34146
34147 @subsubheading Example
34148
34149 @smallexample
34150 (gdb)
34151 123-file-list-exec-source-file
34152 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
34153 (gdb)
34154 @end smallexample
34155
34156
34157 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
34158 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
34159
34160 @subsubheading Synopsis
34161
34162 @smallexample
34163 -file-list-exec-source-files
34164 @end smallexample
34165
34166 List the source files for the current executable.
34167
34168 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
34169 name) of a source file.
34170
34171 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34172
34173 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
34174 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
34175
34176 @subsubheading Example
34177 @smallexample
34178 (gdb)
34179 -file-list-exec-source-files
34180 ^done,files=[
34181 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
34182 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
34183 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
34184 (gdb)
34185 @end smallexample
34186
34187 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
34188 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
34189
34190 @subsubheading Synopsis
34191
34192 @smallexample
34193 -file-list-shared-libraries [ @var{regexp} ]
34194 @end smallexample
34195
34196 List the shared libraries in the program.
34197 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those libraries whose
34198 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
34199
34200 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34201
34202 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}. The fields
34203 have a similar meaning to the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
34204 The @code{ranges} field specifies the multiple segments belonging to this
34205 library. Each range has the following fields:
34206
34207 @table @samp
34208 @item from
34209 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the segment.
34210 @item to
34211 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the segment.
34212 @end table
34213
34214 @subsubheading Example
34215 @smallexample
34216 (gdb)
34217 -file-list-exec-source-files
34218 ^done,shared-libraries=[
34219 @{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"@}]@},
34220 @{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"@}]@}]
34221 (gdb)
34222 @end smallexample
34223
34224
34225 @ignore
34226 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
34227 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
34228
34229 @subsubheading Synopsis
34230
34231 @smallexample
34232 -file-list-symbol-files
34233 @end smallexample
34234
34235 List symbol files.
34236
34237 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34238
34239 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
34240
34241 @subsubheading Example
34242 N.A.
34243 @end ignore
34244
34245
34246 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
34247 @findex -file-symbol-file
34248
34249 @subsubheading Synopsis
34250
34251 @smallexample
34252 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
34253 @end smallexample
34254
34255 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
34256 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
34257 produced, except for a completion notification.
34258
34259 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34260
34261 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
34262
34263 @subsubheading Example
34264
34265 @smallexample
34266 (gdb)
34267 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
34268 ^done
34269 (gdb)
34270 @end smallexample
34271
34272 @ignore
34273 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34274 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
34275 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
34276
34277 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
34278
34279 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
34280
34281 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
34282
34283 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
34284
34285 @c @subheading -overlay-map
34286
34287 @c @subheading -overlay-off
34288
34289 @c @subheading -overlay-on
34290
34291 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
34292
34293 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34294 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
34295 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
34296
34297 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
34298
34299 @c @subheading -signal-handle
34300
34301 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
34302
34303 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
34304 @end ignore
34305
34306
34307 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34308 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
34309 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
34310
34311
34312 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
34313 @findex -target-attach
34314
34315 @subsubheading Synopsis
34316
34317 @smallexample
34318 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
34319 @end smallexample
34320
34321 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
34322 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
34323 group, the id previously returned by
34324 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
34325
34326 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34327
34328 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
34329
34330 @subsubheading Example
34331 @smallexample
34332 (gdb)
34333 -target-attach 34
34334 =thread-created,id="1"
34335 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
34336 ^done
34337 (gdb)
34338 @end smallexample
34339
34340 @ignore
34341 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
34342 @findex -target-compare-sections
34343
34344 @subsubheading Synopsis
34345
34346 @smallexample
34347 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
34348 @end smallexample
34349
34350 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
34351 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
34352
34353 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34354
34355 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
34356
34357 @subsubheading Example
34358 N.A.
34359 @end ignore
34360
34361
34362 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
34363 @findex -target-detach
34364
34365 @subsubheading Synopsis
34366
34367 @smallexample
34368 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
34369 @end smallexample
34370
34371 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
34372 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
34373 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
34374
34375 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34376
34377 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
34378
34379 @subsubheading Example
34380
34381 @smallexample
34382 (gdb)
34383 -target-detach
34384 ^done
34385 (gdb)
34386 @end smallexample
34387
34388
34389 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
34390 @findex -target-disconnect
34391
34392 @subsubheading Synopsis
34393
34394 @smallexample
34395 -target-disconnect
34396 @end smallexample
34397
34398 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
34399 generally not resumed.
34400
34401 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34402
34403 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
34404
34405 @subsubheading Example
34406
34407 @smallexample
34408 (gdb)
34409 -target-disconnect
34410 ^done
34411 (gdb)
34412 @end smallexample
34413
34414
34415 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
34416 @findex -target-download
34417
34418 @subsubheading Synopsis
34419
34420 @smallexample
34421 -target-download
34422 @end smallexample
34423
34424 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
34425 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
34426
34427 @table @samp
34428 @item section
34429 The name of the section.
34430 @item section-sent
34431 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
34432 @item section-size
34433 The size of the section.
34434 @item total-sent
34435 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
34436 @item total-size
34437 The size of the overall executable to download.
34438 @end table
34439
34440 @noindent
34441 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
34442 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
34443
34444 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
34445 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
34446
34447 @table @samp
34448 @item section
34449 The name of the section.
34450 @item section-size
34451 The size of the section.
34452 @item total-size
34453 The size of the overall executable to download.
34454 @end table
34455
34456 @noindent
34457 At the end, a summary is printed.
34458
34459 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34460
34461 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
34462
34463 @subsubheading Example
34464
34465 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
34466 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
34467
34468 @smallexample
34469 (gdb)
34470 -target-download
34471 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
34472 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
34473 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
34474 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
34475 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
34476 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
34477 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
34478 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
34479 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
34480 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
34481 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
34482 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
34483 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
34484 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
34485 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
34486 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
34487 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
34488 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
34489 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
34490 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
34491 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
34492 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
34493 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
34494 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
34495 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
34496 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
34497 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
34498 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
34499 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
34500 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
34501 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
34502 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
34503 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
34504 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
34505 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
34506 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
34507 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
34508 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
34509 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
34510 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
34511 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
34512 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
34513 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
34514 write-rate="429"
34515 (gdb)
34516 @end smallexample
34517
34518
34519 @ignore
34520 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
34521 @findex -target-exec-status
34522
34523 @subsubheading Synopsis
34524
34525 @smallexample
34526 -target-exec-status
34527 @end smallexample
34528
34529 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
34530 not, for instance).
34531
34532 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34533
34534 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
34535
34536 @subsubheading Example
34537 N.A.
34538
34539
34540 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
34541 @findex -target-list-available-targets
34542
34543 @subsubheading Synopsis
34544
34545 @smallexample
34546 -target-list-available-targets
34547 @end smallexample
34548
34549 List the possible targets to connect to.
34550
34551 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34552
34553 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
34554
34555 @subsubheading Example
34556 N.A.
34557
34558
34559 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
34560 @findex -target-list-current-targets
34561
34562 @subsubheading Synopsis
34563
34564 @smallexample
34565 -target-list-current-targets
34566 @end smallexample
34567
34568 Describe the current target.
34569
34570 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34571
34572 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
34573 other things).
34574
34575 @subsubheading Example
34576 N.A.
34577
34578
34579 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
34580 @findex -target-list-parameters
34581
34582 @subsubheading Synopsis
34583
34584 @smallexample
34585 -target-list-parameters
34586 @end smallexample
34587
34588 @c ????
34589 @end ignore
34590
34591 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34592
34593 No equivalent.
34594
34595 @subsubheading Example
34596 N.A.
34597
34598 @subheading The @code{-target-flash-erase} Command
34599 @findex -target-flash-erase
34600
34601 @subsubheading Synopsis
34602
34603 @smallexample
34604 -target-flash-erase
34605 @end smallexample
34606
34607 Erases all known flash memory regions on the target.
34608
34609 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{flash-erase}.
34610
34611 The output is a list of flash regions that have been erased, with starting
34612 addresses and memory region sizes.
34613
34614 @smallexample
34615 (gdb)
34616 -target-flash-erase
34617 ^done,erased-regions=@{address="0x0",size="0x40000"@}
34618 (gdb)
34619 @end smallexample
34620
34621 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
34622 @findex -target-select
34623
34624 @subsubheading Synopsis
34625
34626 @smallexample
34627 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
34628 @end smallexample
34629
34630 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
34631
34632 @table @samp
34633 @item @var{type}
34634 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
34635 @item @var{parameters}
34636 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
34637 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
34638 @end table
34639
34640 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
34641 which the target program is, in the following form:
34642
34643 @smallexample
34644 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
34645 args=[@var{arg list}]
34646 @end smallexample
34647
34648 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34649
34650 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
34651
34652 @subsubheading Example
34653
34654 @smallexample
34655 (gdb)
34656 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
34657 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
34658 (gdb)
34659 @end smallexample
34660
34661 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34662 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
34663 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
34664
34665
34666 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
34667 @findex -target-file-put
34668
34669 @subsubheading Synopsis
34670
34671 @smallexample
34672 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
34673 @end smallexample
34674
34675 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
34676 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
34677
34678 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34679
34680 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
34681
34682 @subsubheading Example
34683
34684 @smallexample
34685 (gdb)
34686 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
34687 ^done
34688 (gdb)
34689 @end smallexample
34690
34691
34692 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
34693 @findex -target-file-get
34694
34695 @subsubheading Synopsis
34696
34697 @smallexample
34698 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
34699 @end smallexample
34700
34701 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
34702 on the host system.
34703
34704 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34705
34706 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
34707
34708 @subsubheading Example
34709
34710 @smallexample
34711 (gdb)
34712 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
34713 ^done
34714 (gdb)
34715 @end smallexample
34716
34717
34718 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
34719 @findex -target-file-delete
34720
34721 @subsubheading Synopsis
34722
34723 @smallexample
34724 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
34725 @end smallexample
34726
34727 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
34728
34729 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34730
34731 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
34732
34733 @subsubheading Example
34734
34735 @smallexample
34736 (gdb)
34737 -target-file-delete remotefile
34738 ^done
34739 (gdb)
34740 @end smallexample
34741
34742
34743 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34744 @node GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands
34745 @section Ada Exceptions @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
34746
34747 @subheading The @code{-info-ada-exceptions} Command
34748 @findex -info-ada-exceptions
34749
34750 @subsubheading Synopsis
34751
34752 @smallexample
34753 -info-ada-exceptions [ @var{regexp}]
34754 @end smallexample
34755
34756 List all Ada exceptions defined within the program being debugged.
34757 With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those exceptions whose
34758 names match @var{regexp} are listed.
34759
34760 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34761
34762 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info exceptions}.
34763
34764 @subsubheading Result
34765
34766 The result is a table of Ada exceptions. The following columns are
34767 defined for each exception:
34768
34769 @table @samp
34770 @item name
34771 The name of the exception.
34772
34773 @item address
34774 The address of the exception.
34775
34776 @end table
34777
34778 @subsubheading Example
34779
34780 @smallexample
34781 -info-ada-exceptions aint
34782 ^done,ada-exceptions=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="2",
34783 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
34784 @{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="address",colhdr="Address"@}],
34785 body=[@{name="constraint_error",address="0x0000000000613da0"@},
34786 @{name="const.aint_global_e",address="0x0000000000613b00"@}]@}
34787 @end smallexample
34788
34789 @subheading Catching Ada Exceptions
34790
34791 The commands describing how to ask @value{GDBN} to stop when a program
34792 raises an exception are described at @ref{Ada Exception GDB/MI
34793 Catchpoint Commands}.
34794
34795
34796 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34797 @node GDB/MI Support Commands
34798 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Support Commands
34799
34800 Since new commands and features get regularly added to @sc{gdb/mi},
34801 some commands are available to help front-ends query the debugger
34802 about support for these capabilities. Similarly, it is also possible
34803 to query @value{GDBN} about target support of certain features.
34804
34805 @subheading The @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} Command
34806 @cindex @code{-info-gdb-mi-command}
34807 @findex -info-gdb-mi-command
34808
34809 @subsubheading Synopsis
34810
34811 @smallexample
34812 -info-gdb-mi-command @var{cmd_name}
34813 @end smallexample
34814
34815 Query support for the @sc{gdb/mi} command named @var{cmd_name}.
34816
34817 Note that the dash (@code{-}) starting all @sc{gdb/mi} commands
34818 is technically not part of the command name (@pxref{GDB/MI Input
34819 Syntax}), and thus should be omitted in @var{cmd_name}. However,
34820 for ease of use, this command also accepts the form with the leading
34821 dash.
34822
34823 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34824
34825 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
34826
34827 @subsubheading Result
34828
34829 The result is a tuple. There is currently only one field:
34830
34831 @table @samp
34832 @item exists
34833 This field is equal to @code{"true"} if the @sc{gdb/mi} command exists,
34834 @code{"false"} otherwise.
34835
34836 @end table
34837
34838 @subsubheading Example
34839
34840 Here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command does not exist:
34841
34842 @smallexample
34843 -info-gdb-mi-command unsupported-command
34844 ^done,command=@{exists="false"@}
34845 @end smallexample
34846
34847 @noindent
34848 And here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command is known
34849 to the debugger:
34850
34851 @smallexample
34852 -info-gdb-mi-command symbol-list-lines
34853 ^done,command=@{exists="true"@}
34854 @end smallexample
34855
34856 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
34857 @findex -list-features
34858 @cindex supported @sc{gdb/mi} features, list
34859
34860 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
34861 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
34862 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
34863 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
34864 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
34865 startup.
34866
34867 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
34868 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
34869 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
34870 is given below.
34871
34872 Example output:
34873
34874 @smallexample
34875 (gdb) -list-features
34876 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
34877 @end smallexample
34878
34879 The current list of features is:
34880
34881 @ftable @samp
34882 @item frozen-varobjs
34883 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
34884 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
34885 of @code{-varobj-create}.
34886 @item pending-breakpoints
34887 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
34888 command.
34889 @item python
34890 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
34891 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
34892 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
34893 @item thread-info
34894 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
34895 @item data-read-memory-bytes
34896 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
34897 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
34898 @item breakpoint-notifications
34899 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
34900 CLI will be announced via async records.
34901 @item ada-task-info
34902 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
34903 @item language-option
34904 Indicates that all @sc{gdb/mi} commands accept the @option{--language}
34905 option (@pxref{Context management}).
34906 @item info-gdb-mi-command
34907 Indicates support for the @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} command.
34908 @item undefined-command-error-code
34909 Indicates support for the "undefined-command" error code in error result
34910 records, produced when trying to execute an undefined @sc{gdb/mi} command
34911 (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}).
34912 @item exec-run-start-option
34913 Indicates that the @code{-exec-run} command supports the @option{--start}
34914 option (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}).
34915 @item data-disassemble-a-option
34916 Indicates that the @code{-data-disassemble} command supports the @option{-a}
34917 option (@pxref{GDB/MI Data Manipulation}).
34918 @end ftable
34919
34920 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
34921 @findex -list-target-features
34922
34923 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
34924 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
34925 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
34926 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
34927 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
34928 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
34929 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
34930 Example output:
34931
34932 @smallexample
34933 (gdb) -list-target-features
34934 ^done,result=["async"]
34935 @end smallexample
34936
34937 The current list of features is:
34938
34939 @table @samp
34940 @item async
34941 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
34942 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
34943 while the target is running.
34944
34945 @item reverse
34946 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
34947 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34948
34949 @end table
34950
34951 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34952 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
34953 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
34954
34955 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
34956
34957 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
34958 @findex -gdb-exit
34959
34960 @subsubheading Synopsis
34961
34962 @smallexample
34963 -gdb-exit
34964 @end smallexample
34965
34966 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
34967
34968 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34969
34970 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
34971
34972 @subsubheading Example
34973
34974 @smallexample
34975 (gdb)
34976 -gdb-exit
34977 ^exit
34978 @end smallexample
34979
34980
34981 @ignore
34982 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
34983 @findex -exec-abort
34984
34985 @subsubheading Synopsis
34986
34987 @smallexample
34988 -exec-abort
34989 @end smallexample
34990
34991 Kill the inferior running program.
34992
34993 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34994
34995 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
34996
34997 @subsubheading Example
34998 N.A.
34999 @end ignore
35000
35001
35002 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
35003 @findex -gdb-set
35004
35005 @subsubheading Synopsis
35006
35007 @smallexample
35008 -gdb-set
35009 @end smallexample
35010
35011 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
35012 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
35013
35014 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
35015
35016 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
35017
35018 @subsubheading Example
35019
35020 @smallexample
35021 (gdb)
35022 -gdb-set $foo=3
35023 ^done
35024 (gdb)
35025 @end smallexample
35026
35027
35028 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
35029 @findex -gdb-show
35030
35031 @subsubheading Synopsis
35032
35033 @smallexample
35034 -gdb-show
35035 @end smallexample
35036
35037 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
35038
35039 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
35040
35041 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
35042
35043 @subsubheading Example
35044
35045 @smallexample
35046 (gdb)
35047 -gdb-show annotate
35048 ^done,value="0"
35049 (gdb)
35050 @end smallexample
35051
35052 @c @subheading -gdb-source
35053
35054
35055 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
35056 @findex -gdb-version
35057
35058 @subsubheading Synopsis
35059
35060 @smallexample
35061 -gdb-version
35062 @end smallexample
35063
35064 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
35065
35066 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
35067
35068 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
35069 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
35070
35071 @subsubheading Example
35072
35073 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
35074 @c box in TeX.
35075 @smallexample
35076 (gdb)
35077 -gdb-version
35078 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
35079 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
35080 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
35081 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
35082 ~ certain conditions.
35083 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
35084 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
35085 ~ details.
35086 ~This GDB was configured as
35087 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
35088 ^done
35089 (gdb)
35090 @end smallexample
35091
35092 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
35093 @findex -list-thread-groups
35094
35095 @subheading Synopsis
35096
35097 @smallexample
35098 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
35099 @end smallexample
35100
35101 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
35102 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
35103 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
35104 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
35105 top-level thread groups.
35106
35107 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
35108 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
35109 available on the target.
35110
35111 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
35112 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
35113 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
35114 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
35115 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
35116 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
35117 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
35118 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
35119
35120 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
35121 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
35122 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
35123 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
35124 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
35125 @samp{threads} field.
35126
35127 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
35128 the following caveats:
35129
35130 @itemize @bullet
35131 @item
35132 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
35133 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
35134 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
35135
35136 @item
35137 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
35138 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
35139 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
35140 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
35141 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
35142 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
35143
35144 @end itemize
35145
35146 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
35147 have the following fields:
35148
35149 @table @code
35150 @item id
35151 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
35152 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
35153 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
35154
35155 @item type
35156 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
35157 valid type.
35158
35159 @item pid
35160 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
35161 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
35162
35163 @item exit-code
35164 The exit code of this group's last exited thread, formatted in octal.
35165 This field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process} and
35166 only if the process is not running.
35167
35168 @item num_children
35169 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
35170 absent for an available thread group.
35171
35172 @item threads
35173 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
35174 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
35175 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
35176
35177 @item cores
35178 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
35179 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
35180 such information is not available.
35181
35182 @item executable
35183 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
35184 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
35185 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
35186
35187 @end table
35188
35189 @subheading Example
35190
35191 @smallexample
35192 @value{GDBP}
35193 -list-thread-groups
35194 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
35195 -list-thread-groups 17
35196 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
35197 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
35198 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
35199 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
35200 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158",arch="i386:x86_64"@},state="running"@}]]
35201 -list-thread-groups --available
35202 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
35203 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
35204 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
35205 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
35206 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
35207 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
35208 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
35209 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
35210 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
35211 @end smallexample
35212
35213 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
35214 @findex -info-os
35215
35216 @subsubheading Synopsis
35217
35218 @smallexample
35219 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
35220 @end smallexample
35221
35222 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
35223 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
35224 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
35225 of data of that type.
35226
35227 The types of information available depend on the target operating
35228 system.
35229
35230 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
35231
35232 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
35233
35234 @subsubheading Example
35235
35236 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
35237 like this:
35238
35239 @smallexample
35240 @value{GDBP}
35241 -info-os
35242 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="10",nr_cols="3",
35243 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
35244 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
35245 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
35246 body=[item=@{col0="cpus",col1="Listing of all cpus/cores on the system",
35247 col2="CPUs"@},
35248 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
35249 col2="File descriptors"@},
35250 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
35251 col2="Kernel modules"@},
35252 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
35253 col2="Message queues"@},
35254 item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
35255 col2="Processes"@},
35256 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
35257 col2="Process groups"@},
35258 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
35259 col2="Semaphores"@},
35260 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
35261 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
35262 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
35263 col2="Sockets"@},
35264 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
35265 col2="Threads"@}]
35266 @value{GDBP}
35267 -info-os processes
35268 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
35269 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
35270 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
35271 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
35272 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
35273 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
35274 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
35275 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
35276 ...
35277 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
35278 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
35279 (gdb)
35280 @end smallexample
35281
35282 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
35283 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
35284 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
35285 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
35286 @code{info os} omits it.)
35287
35288 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
35289 @findex -add-inferior
35290
35291 @subheading Synopsis
35292
35293 @smallexample
35294 -add-inferior
35295 @end smallexample
35296
35297 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
35298 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
35299 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
35300 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
35301 field, @samp{inferior}, whose value is the identifier of the
35302 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
35303
35304 @subheading Example
35305
35306 @smallexample
35307 @value{GDBP}
35308 -add-inferior
35309 ^done,inferior="i3"
35310 @end smallexample
35311
35312 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
35313 @findex -interpreter-exec
35314
35315 @subheading Synopsis
35316
35317 @smallexample
35318 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
35319 @end smallexample
35320 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
35321
35322 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
35323
35324 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
35325
35326 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
35327
35328 @subheading Example
35329
35330 @smallexample
35331 (gdb)
35332 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
35333 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
35334 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
35335 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
35336 ^done
35337 (gdb)
35338 @end smallexample
35339
35340 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
35341 @findex -inferior-tty-set
35342
35343 @subheading Synopsis
35344
35345 @smallexample
35346 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
35347 @end smallexample
35348
35349 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
35350
35351 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
35352
35353 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
35354
35355 @subheading Example
35356
35357 @smallexample
35358 (gdb)
35359 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
35360 ^done
35361 (gdb)
35362 @end smallexample
35363
35364 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
35365 @findex -inferior-tty-show
35366
35367 @subheading Synopsis
35368
35369 @smallexample
35370 -inferior-tty-show
35371 @end smallexample
35372
35373 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
35374
35375 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
35376
35377 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
35378
35379 @subheading Example
35380
35381 @smallexample
35382 (gdb)
35383 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
35384 ^done
35385 (gdb)
35386 -inferior-tty-show
35387 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
35388 (gdb)
35389 @end smallexample
35390
35391 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
35392 @findex -enable-timings
35393
35394 @subheading Synopsis
35395
35396 @smallexample
35397 -enable-timings [yes | no]
35398 @end smallexample
35399
35400 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
35401 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
35402 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
35403 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
35404
35405 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
35406
35407 No equivalent.
35408
35409 @subheading Example
35410
35411 @smallexample
35412 (gdb)
35413 -enable-timings
35414 ^done
35415 (gdb)
35416 -break-insert main
35417 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
35418 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
35419 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
35420 times="0"@},
35421 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
35422 (gdb)
35423 -enable-timings no
35424 ^done
35425 (gdb)
35426 -exec-run
35427 ^running
35428 (gdb)
35429 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
35430 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
35431 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
35432 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",arch="i386:x86_64"@}
35433 (gdb)
35434 @end smallexample
35435
35436 @subheading The @code{-complete} Command
35437 @findex -complete
35438
35439 @subheading Synopsis
35440
35441 @smallexample
35442 -complete @var{command}
35443 @end smallexample
35444
35445 Show a list of completions for partially typed CLI @var{command}.
35446
35447 This command is intended for @sc{gdb/mi} frontends that cannot use two separate
35448 CLI and MI channels --- for example: because of lack of PTYs like on Windows or
35449 because @value{GDBN} is used remotely via a SSH connection.
35450
35451 @subheading Result
35452
35453 The result consists of two or three fields:
35454
35455 @table @samp
35456 @item completion
35457 This field contains the completed @var{command}. If @var{command}
35458 has no known completions, this field is omitted.
35459
35460 @item matches
35461 This field contains a (possibly empty) array of matches. It is always present.
35462
35463 @item max_completions_reached
35464 This field contains @code{1} if number of known completions is above
35465 @code{max-completions} limit (@pxref{Completion}), otherwise it contains
35466 @code{0}. It is always present.
35467
35468 @end table
35469
35470 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
35471
35472 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{complete}.
35473
35474 @subheading Example
35475
35476 @smallexample
35477 (gdb)
35478 -complete br
35479 ^done,completion="break",
35480 matches=["break","break-range"],
35481 max_completions_reached="0"
35482 (gdb)
35483 -complete "b ma"
35484 ^done,completion="b ma",
35485 matches=["b madvise","b main"],max_completions_reached="0"
35486 (gdb)
35487 -complete "b push_b"
35488 ^done,completion="b push_back(",
35489 matches=[
35490 "b A::push_back(void*)",
35491 "b std::string::push_back(char)",
35492 "b std::vector<int, std::allocator<int> >::push_back(int&&)"],
35493 max_completions_reached="0"
35494 (gdb)
35495 -complete "nonexist"
35496 ^done,matches=[],max_completions_reached="0"
35497 (gdb)
35498
35499 @end smallexample
35500
35501 @node Annotations
35502 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
35503
35504 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
35505 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
35506 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
35507 relatively high level.
35508
35509 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
35510 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
35511
35512 @ignore
35513 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
35514 @end ignore
35515
35516 @menu
35517 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
35518 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
35519 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
35520 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
35521 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
35522 * Annotations for Running::
35523 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
35524 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
35525 @end menu
35526
35527 @node Annotations Overview
35528 @section What is an Annotation?
35529 @cindex annotations
35530
35531 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
35532 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
35533 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
35534 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
35535 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
35536 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
35537 cannot contain newline characters.
35538
35539 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
35540 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
35541 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
35542 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
35543 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
35544 means those three characters as output.
35545
35546 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
35547 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
35548 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
35549 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
35550 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
35551 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
35552 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
35553 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
35554 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
35555
35556 @table @code
35557 @kindex set annotate
35558 @item set annotate @var{level}
35559 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
35560 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
35561
35562 @item show annotate
35563 @kindex show annotate
35564 Show the current annotation level.
35565 @end table
35566
35567 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
35568
35569 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
35570
35571 @smallexample
35572 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
35573 GNU gdb 6.0
35574 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
35575 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
35576 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
35577 under certain conditions.
35578 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
35579 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
35580 for details.
35581 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
35582
35583 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
35584 (@value{GDBP})
35585 ^Z^Zprompt
35586 @kbd{quit}
35587
35588 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
35589 $
35590 @end smallexample
35591
35592 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
35593 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
35594 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
35595 output from @value{GDBN}.
35596
35597 @node Server Prefix
35598 @section The Server Prefix
35599 @cindex server prefix
35600
35601 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
35602 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
35603 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
35604 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
35605 a transparent manner.
35606
35607 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
35608 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
35609 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
35610 @code{print} command.
35611
35612 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
35613 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
35614
35615 @node Prompting
35616 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
35617
35618 @cindex annotations for prompts
35619 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
35620 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
35621 over, etc.
35622
35623 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
35624 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
35625 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
35626 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
35627 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
35628 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
35629 features the following annotations:
35630
35631 @smallexample
35632 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
35633 ^Z^Zprompt
35634 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
35635 @end smallexample
35636
35637 The input types are
35638
35639 @table @code
35640 @findex pre-prompt annotation
35641 @findex prompt annotation
35642 @findex post-prompt annotation
35643 @item prompt
35644 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
35645
35646 @findex pre-commands annotation
35647 @findex commands annotation
35648 @findex post-commands annotation
35649 @item commands
35650 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
35651 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
35652
35653 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
35654 @findex overload-choice annotation
35655 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
35656 @item overload-choice
35657 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
35658
35659 @findex pre-query annotation
35660 @findex query annotation
35661 @findex post-query annotation
35662 @item query
35663 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
35664
35665 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
35666 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
35667 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
35668 @item prompt-for-continue
35669 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
35670 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
35671 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
35672 presence of annotations.
35673 @end table
35674
35675 @node Errors
35676 @section Errors
35677 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
35678
35679 @findex quit annotation
35680 @smallexample
35681 ^Z^Zquit
35682 @end smallexample
35683
35684 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
35685
35686 @findex error annotation
35687 @smallexample
35688 ^Z^Zerror
35689 @end smallexample
35690
35691 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
35692
35693 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
35694 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
35695 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
35696 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
35697 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
35698 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
35699 to the top level.
35700
35701 @findex error-begin annotation
35702 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
35703
35704 @smallexample
35705 ^Z^Zerror-begin
35706 @end smallexample
35707
35708 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
35709 message.
35710
35711 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
35712 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
35713 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
35714
35715 @node Invalidation
35716 @section Invalidation Notices
35717
35718 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
35719 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
35720 changed.
35721
35722 @table @code
35723 @findex frames-invalid annotation
35724 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
35725
35726 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
35727 have changed.
35728
35729 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
35730 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
35731
35732 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
35733 deleted a breakpoint.
35734 @end table
35735
35736 @node Annotations for Running
35737 @section Running the Program
35738 @cindex annotations for running programs
35739
35740 @findex starting annotation
35741 @findex stopping annotation
35742 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
35743 @code{step} or @code{continue},
35744
35745 @smallexample
35746 ^Z^Zstarting
35747 @end smallexample
35748
35749 is output. When the program stops,
35750
35751 @smallexample
35752 ^Z^Zstopped
35753 @end smallexample
35754
35755 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
35756 annotations describe how the program stopped.
35757
35758 @table @code
35759 @findex exited annotation
35760 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
35761 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
35762 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
35763
35764 @findex signalled annotation
35765 @findex signal-name annotation
35766 @findex signal-name-end annotation
35767 @findex signal-string annotation
35768 @findex signal-string-end annotation
35769 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
35770 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
35771 annotation continues:
35772
35773 @smallexample
35774 @var{intro-text}
35775 ^Z^Zsignal-name
35776 @var{name}
35777 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
35778 @var{middle-text}
35779 ^Z^Zsignal-string
35780 @var{string}
35781 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
35782 @var{end-text}
35783 @end smallexample
35784
35785 @noindent
35786 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
35787 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
35788 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}. The arguments
35789 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
35790 user's benefit and have no particular format.
35791
35792 @findex signal annotation
35793 @item ^Z^Zsignal
35794 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
35795 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
35796 terminated with it.
35797
35798 @findex breakpoint annotation
35799 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
35800 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
35801
35802 @findex watchpoint annotation
35803 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
35804 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
35805 @end table
35806
35807 @node Source Annotations
35808 @section Displaying Source
35809 @cindex annotations for source display
35810
35811 @findex source annotation
35812 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
35813
35814 @smallexample
35815 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
35816 @end smallexample
35817
35818 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
35819 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
35820 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
35821 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
35822 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
35823 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
35824 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
35825 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
35826 source which is being displayed. The @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
35827 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
35828 depend on the language).
35829
35830 @node JIT Interface
35831 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
35832 @cindex just-in-time compilation
35833 @cindex JIT compilation interface
35834
35835 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
35836 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
35837 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
35838 performance while maintaining platform independence.
35839
35840 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
35841 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
35842 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
35843 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
35844 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
35845 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
35846
35847 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
35848 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
35849 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
35850 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
35851 LLVM JIT.
35852
35853 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
35854 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
35855 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
35856 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
35857 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
35858 out about additional code.
35859
35860 @menu
35861 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
35862 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
35863 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
35864 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
35865 @end menu
35866
35867 @node Declarations
35868 @section JIT Declarations
35869
35870 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
35871 implement the interface:
35872
35873 @smallexample
35874 typedef enum
35875 @{
35876 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
35877 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
35878 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
35879 @} jit_actions_t;
35880
35881 struct jit_code_entry
35882 @{
35883 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
35884 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
35885 const char *symfile_addr;
35886 uint64_t symfile_size;
35887 @};
35888
35889 struct jit_descriptor
35890 @{
35891 uint32_t version;
35892 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
35893 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
35894 uint32_t action_flag;
35895 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
35896 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
35897 @};
35898
35899 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
35900 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
35901
35902 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
35903 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
35904 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
35905 @end smallexample
35906
35907 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
35908 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
35909 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
35910
35911 @node Registering Code
35912 @section Registering Code
35913
35914 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
35915
35916 @itemize @bullet
35917 @item
35918 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
35919 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
35920
35921 @item
35922 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
35923 file.
35924
35925 @item
35926 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
35927
35928 @item
35929 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
35930
35931 @item
35932 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
35933 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35934 @end itemize
35935
35936 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
35937 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
35938 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
35939 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
35940
35941 @node Unregistering Code
35942 @section Unregistering Code
35943
35944 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
35945
35946 @itemize @bullet
35947 @item
35948 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
35949
35950 @item
35951 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
35952
35953 @item
35954 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
35955 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35956 @end itemize
35957
35958 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
35959 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
35960
35961 @node Custom Debug Info
35962 @section Custom Debug Info
35963 @cindex custom JIT debug info
35964 @cindex JIT debug info reader
35965
35966 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
35967 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
35968 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
35969 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
35970 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
35971 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
35972 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
35973 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
35974 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
35975
35976 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
35977 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
35978 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
35979 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
35980 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
35981 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
35982 compiler.
35983
35984 @menu
35985 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
35986 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
35987 @end menu
35988
35989 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35990 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35991 @kindex jit-reader-load
35992 @kindex jit-reader-unload
35993
35994 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
35995 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
35996
35997 @table @code
35998 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
35999 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}, which is a shared
36000 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
36001 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
36002 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
36003 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
36004 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
36005
36006 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
36007 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
36008 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
36009 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
36010 @code{jit-reader-load}.
36011
36012 @item jit-reader-unload
36013 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
36014
36015 @end table
36016
36017 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
36018 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
36019 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
36020
36021 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
36022 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
36023
36024 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
36025 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
36026 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
36027 the system include directory.
36028
36029 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
36030 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
36031 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
36032
36033 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
36034 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
36035
36036 @findex gdb_init_reader
36037 @smallexample
36038 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
36039 @end smallexample
36040
36041 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
36042
36043 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
36044 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
36045 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
36046 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
36047 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
36048 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
36049
36050 @smallexample
36051 struct gdb_reader_funcs
36052 @{
36053 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
36054 int reader_version;
36055
36056 /* For use by the reader. */
36057 void *priv_data;
36058
36059 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
36060 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
36061 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
36062 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
36063 @};
36064 @end smallexample
36065
36066 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
36067 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
36068
36069 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
36070 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
36071 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
36072 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
36073 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
36074 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
36075 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
36076 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
36077 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
36078 target's address space.
36079
36080 @node In-Process Agent
36081 @chapter In-Process Agent
36082 @cindex debugging agent
36083 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
36084 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
36085 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
36086 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
36087 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
36088 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
36089 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
36090 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
36091 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
36092 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
36093 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
36094 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
36095 behavior without interrupting it.
36096
36097 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
36098 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
36099 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
36100 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
36101 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
36102 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
36103 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
36104 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
36105 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
36106
36107 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
36108 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
36109 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
36110 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
36111
36112 @anchor{Control Agent}
36113 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
36114 debugging with the following commands:
36115
36116 @table @code
36117 @kindex set agent on
36118 @item set agent on
36119 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
36120 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
36121 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
36122 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
36123 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
36124 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
36125
36126 @kindex set agent off
36127 @item set agent off
36128 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
36129 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
36130
36131 @kindex show agent
36132 @item show agent
36133 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
36134 the in-process agent.
36135 @end table
36136
36137 @menu
36138 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
36139 @end menu
36140
36141 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
36142 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
36143 @cindex in-process agent protocol
36144
36145 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
36146 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
36147 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
36148 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
36149 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
36150 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
36151 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
36152 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
36153 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
36154
36155 @menu
36156 * IPA Protocol Objects::
36157 * IPA Protocol Commands::
36158 @end menu
36159
36160 @node IPA Protocol Objects
36161 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
36162 @cindex ipa protocol objects
36163
36164 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
36165 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
36166
36167 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
36168 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
36169 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
36170 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
36171
36172 @enumerate
36173 @item
36174 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
36175 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
36176 @item
36177 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
36178 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
36179 the other one.
36180 @end enumerate
36181
36182 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
36183
36184 @enumerate
36185 @item
36186 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
36187 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
36188 @anchor{agent expression object}
36189 @item
36190 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
36191 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
36192 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
36193 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
36194 @item
36195 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
36196 @anchor{tracepoint object}
36197
36198 @end enumerate
36199
36200 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
36201 object:
36202
36203 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
36204 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
36205 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
36206 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
36207 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
36208 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
36209 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
36210 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
36211 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
36212 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
36213 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
36214 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
36215 memory address for collecting.
36216 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
36217 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
36218 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
36219 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
36220 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
36221 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
36222 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
36223 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
36224 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
36225 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
36226 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
36227 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
36228 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
36229 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
36230 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
36231 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
36232 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
36233 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
36234 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
36235 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
36236 @ref{agent expression object}
36237 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
36238 @ref{agent expression object}
36239 @item actions @tab variable
36240 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
36241 @end multitable
36242
36243 @node IPA Protocol Commands
36244 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
36245 @cindex ipa protocol commands
36246
36247 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
36248 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
36249
36250 @table @samp
36251
36252 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
36253 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
36254 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
36255 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
36256 in IPA finally.
36257
36258 Replies:
36259 @table @samp
36260 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
36261 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
36262 The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
36263 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
36264 The @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
36265 The @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
36266 @item E @var{NN}
36267 for an error
36268
36269 @end table
36270
36271 @item close
36272 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
36273 is about to kill inferiors.
36274
36275 @item qTfSTM
36276 @xref{qTfSTM}.
36277 @item qTsSTM
36278 @xref{qTsSTM}.
36279 @item qTSTMat
36280 @xref{qTSTMat}.
36281 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
36282 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
36283
36284 Replies:
36285 @table @samp
36286 @item E @var{NN}
36287 for an error
36288 @end table
36289 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
36290 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
36291 @end table
36292
36293 @node GDB Bugs
36294 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
36295 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
36296 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
36297
36298 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
36299
36300 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
36301 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
36302 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
36303 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
36304
36305 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
36306 information that enables us to fix the bug.
36307
36308 @menu
36309 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
36310 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
36311 @end menu
36312
36313 @node Bug Criteria
36314 @section Have You Found a Bug?
36315 @cindex bug criteria
36316
36317 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
36318
36319 @itemize @bullet
36320 @cindex fatal signal
36321 @cindex debugger crash
36322 @cindex crash of debugger
36323 @item
36324 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
36325 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
36326
36327 @cindex error on valid input
36328 @item
36329 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
36330 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
36331 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
36332
36333 @cindex invalid input
36334 @item
36335 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
36336 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
36337 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
36338 for traditional practice''.
36339
36340 @item
36341 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
36342 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
36343 @end itemize
36344
36345 @node Bug Reporting
36346 @section How to Report Bugs
36347 @cindex bug reports
36348 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
36349
36350 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
36351 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
36352 contact that organization first.
36353
36354 You can find contact information for many support companies and
36355 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
36356 distribution.
36357 @c should add a web page ref...
36358
36359 @ifset BUGURL
36360 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
36361 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
36362 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
36363 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
36364 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
36365 be used.
36366
36367 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
36368 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
36369 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
36370 @samp{bug-gdb}.
36371
36372 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
36373 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
36374 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
36375 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
36376 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
36377 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
36378 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
36379 bug reports to the mailing list.
36380 @end ifset
36381 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
36382 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
36383 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
36384 @end ifclear
36385 @end ifset
36386
36387 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
36388 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
36389 fact or leave it out, state it!
36390
36391 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
36392 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
36393 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
36394 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
36395 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
36396 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
36397 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
36398 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
36399 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
36400
36401 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
36402 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
36403 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
36404 self-contained.
36405
36406 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
36407 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
36408 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
36409 bugs properly.
36410
36411 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
36412
36413 @itemize @bullet
36414 @item
36415 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
36416 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
36417 version}.
36418
36419 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
36420 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
36421
36422 @item
36423 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
36424 version number.
36425
36426 @item
36427 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
36428 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
36429 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
36430 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
36431
36432 @item
36433 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
36434 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
36435
36436 @item
36437 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
36438 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
36439 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
36440 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
36441 those compilers.
36442
36443 @item
36444 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
36445 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
36446 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
36447 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
36448
36449 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
36450 and then we might not encounter the bug.
36451
36452 @item
36453 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
36454 reproduce the bug.
36455
36456 @item
36457 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
36458 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
36459
36460 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
36461 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
36462 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
36463 a chance to make a mistake.
36464
36465 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
36466 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
36467 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
36468 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
36469 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
36470 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
36471 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
36472 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
36473
36474 @pindex script
36475 @cindex recording a session script
36476 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
36477 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
36478 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
36479 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
36480
36481 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
36482 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
36483
36484 @item
36485 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
36486 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
36487 it by context, not by line number.
36488
36489 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
36490 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
36491
36492 @end itemize
36493
36494 Here are some things that are not necessary:
36495
36496 @itemize @bullet
36497 @item
36498 A description of the envelope of the bug.
36499
36500 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
36501 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
36502 changes will not affect it.
36503
36504 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
36505 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
36506 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
36507 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
36508
36509 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
36510 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
36511 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
36512 less time, and so on.
36513
36514 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
36515 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
36516
36517 @item
36518 A patch for the bug.
36519
36520 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
36521 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
36522 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
36523 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
36524
36525 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
36526 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
36527 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
36528 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
36529
36530 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
36531 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
36532 help us to understand.
36533
36534 @item
36535 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
36536
36537 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
36538 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
36539 @end itemize
36540
36541 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
36542 @c and consists of the two following files:
36543 @c rluser.texi
36544 @c hsuser.texi
36545 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
36546 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
36547 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
36548 @include rluser.texi
36549 @include hsuser.texi
36550 @end ifclear
36551
36552 @node In Memoriam
36553 @appendix In Memoriam
36554
36555 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
36556 contributors:
36557
36558 @table @code
36559 @item Fred Fish
36560 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
36561 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
36562 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
36563
36564 @item Michael Snyder
36565 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
36566 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
36567 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
36568 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
36569 @end table
36570
36571 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
36572 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
36573
36574 @node Formatting Documentation
36575 @appendix Formatting Documentation
36576
36577 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
36578 @cindex reference card
36579 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
36580 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
36581 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
36582 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
36583 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
36584 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
36585
36586 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
36587 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
36588
36589 @smallexample
36590 make refcard.dvi
36591 @end smallexample
36592
36593 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
36594 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
36595 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
36596 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
36597 your @sc{dvi} output program.
36598
36599 @cindex documentation
36600
36601 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
36602 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
36603 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
36604 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
36605 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
36606 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
36607
36608 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
36609 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
36610 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
36611 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
36612 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
36613 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
36614 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
36615 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
36616
36617 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
36618 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
36619 @code{makeinfo}.
36620
36621 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
36622 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
36623 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
36624
36625 @smallexample
36626 cd gdb
36627 make gdb.info
36628 @end smallexample
36629
36630 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
36631 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
36632 Texinfo definitions file.
36633
36634 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
36635 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
36636 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
36637 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
36638 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
36639 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
36640 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
36641
36642 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
36643 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
36644 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
36645 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
36646 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
36647 directory.
36648
36649 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
36650 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
36651 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
36652 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
36653
36654 @smallexample
36655 make gdb.dvi
36656 @end smallexample
36657
36658 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
36659
36660 @node Installing GDB
36661 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
36662 @cindex installation
36663
36664 @menu
36665 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
36666 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
36667 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
36668 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
36669 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
36670 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
36671 @end menu
36672
36673 @node Requirements
36674 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
36675 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
36676
36677 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
36678 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
36679
36680 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
36681 @table @asis
36682 @item C@t{++}11 compiler
36683 @value{GDBN} is written in C@t{++}11. It should be buildable with any
36684 recent C@t{++}11 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
36685
36686 @item GNU make
36687 @value{GDBN}'s build system relies on features only found in the GNU
36688 make program. Other variants of @code{make} will not work.
36689 @end table
36690
36691 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
36692 @table @asis
36693 @item Expat
36694 @anchor{Expat}
36695 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
36696 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
36697 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
36698 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
36699 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
36700 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
36701
36702 Expat is used for:
36703
36704 @itemize @bullet
36705 @item
36706 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
36707 @item
36708 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
36709 @item
36710 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
36711 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
36712 @item
36713 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
36714 @item
36715 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
36716 @item
36717 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format},
36718 @pxref{Branch Trace Configuration Format})
36719 @end itemize
36720
36721 @item Guile
36722 @value{GDBN} can be scripted using GNU Guile. @xref{Guile}. By
36723 default, @value{GDBN} will be compiled if the Guile libraries are
36724 installed and are found by @file{configure}. You can use the
36725 @code{--with-guile} option to request Guile, and pass either the Guile
36726 version number or the file name of the relevant @code{pkg-config}
36727 program to choose a particular version of Guile.
36728
36729 @item iconv
36730 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
36731 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
36732 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
36733 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
36734
36735 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
36736 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to
36737 find it. This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies
36738 the directory that contains the @code{iconv} program. This program is
36739 run in order to make a list of the available character sets.
36740
36741 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If
36742 Libiconv is installed in a standard place, @value{GDBN} will
36743 automatically use it if it is needed. If you have previously
36744 installed Libiconv in a non-standard place, you can use the
36745 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to @file{configure}.
36746
36747 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
36748 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
36749 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
36750 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
36751 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
36752 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
36753 Libiconv, unpack it inside the top-level directory of the @value{GDBN}
36754 source tree, and then rename the directory holding the Libiconv source
36755 code to @samp{libiconv}.
36756
36757 @item lzma
36758 @value{GDBN} can support debugging sections that are compressed with
36759 the LZMA library. @xref{MiniDebugInfo}. If this library is not
36760 included with your operating system, you can find it in the xz package
36761 at @url{http://tukaani.org/xz/}. If the LZMA library is available in
36762 the usual place, then the @file{configure} script will use it
36763 automatically. If it is installed in an unusual path, you can use the
36764 @option{--with-lzma-prefix} option to specify its location.
36765
36766 @item MPFR
36767 @anchor{MPFR}
36768 @value{GDBN} can use the GNU MPFR multiple-precision floating-point
36769 library. This library may be included with your operating system
36770 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
36771 @url{http://www.mpfr.org}. The @file{configure} script will search
36772 for this library in several standard locations; if it is installed
36773 in an unusual path, you can use the @option{--with-libmpfr-prefix}
36774 option to specify its location.
36775
36776 GNU MPFR is used to emulate target floating-point arithmetic during
36777 expression evaluation when the target uses different floating-point
36778 formats than the host. If GNU MPFR it is not available, @value{GDBN}
36779 will fall back to using host floating-point arithmetic.
36780
36781 @item Python
36782 @value{GDBN} can be scripted using Python language. @xref{Python}.
36783 By default, @value{GDBN} will be compiled if the Python libraries are
36784 installed and are found by @file{configure}. You can use the
36785 @code{--with-python} option to request Python, and pass either the
36786 file name of the relevant @code{python} executable, or the name of the
36787 directory in which Python is installed, to choose a particular
36788 installation of Python.
36789
36790 @item zlib
36791 @cindex compressed debug sections
36792 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
36793 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
36794 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
36795 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
36796 information in such binaries.
36797
36798 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
36799 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
36800 @url{http://zlib.net}.
36801 @end table
36802
36803 @node Running Configure
36804 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
36805 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
36806 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
36807 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
36808 build the @code{gdb} program.
36809 @iftex
36810 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
36811 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
36812 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
36813 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
36814 @end iftex
36815
36816 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
36817 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
36818 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
36819
36820 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
36821 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
36822
36823 @table @code
36824 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
36825 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
36826
36827 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
36828 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
36829
36830 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
36831 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
36832
36833 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
36834 @sc{gnu} include files
36835
36836 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
36837 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
36838
36839 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
36840 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
36841
36842 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
36843 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
36844 @end table
36845
36846 There may be other subdirectories as well.
36847
36848 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
36849 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
36850 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
36851
36852 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
36853 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
36854 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
36855 argument.
36856
36857 For example:
36858
36859 @smallexample
36860 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36861 ./configure
36862 make
36863 @end smallexample
36864
36865 Running @samp{configure} and then running @code{make} builds the
36866 included supporting libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured
36867 source files, and the binaries, are left in the corresponding source
36868 directories.
36869
36870 @need 750
36871 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
36872 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
36873 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
36874
36875 @smallexample
36876 sh configure
36877 @end smallexample
36878
36879 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
36880 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
36881 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
36882 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
36883 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
36884 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
36885 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
36886 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
36887 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36888
36889 You can install @code{@value{GDBN}} anywhere. The best way to do this
36890 is to pass the @code{--prefix} option to @code{configure}, and then
36891 install it with @code{make install}.
36892
36893 @node Separate Objdir
36894 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
36895
36896 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
36897 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
36898 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
36899 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
36900 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
36901 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
36902 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
36903 program specified there.
36904
36905 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
36906 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
36907 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
36908 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
36909 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
36910 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
36911
36912 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
36913 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
36914
36915 @smallexample
36916 @group
36917 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36918 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
36919 cd ../gdb-sun4
36920 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure
36921 make
36922 @end group
36923 @end smallexample
36924
36925 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
36926 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
36927 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
36928 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
36929 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
36930 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
36931
36932 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
36933 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
36934 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
36935 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
36936 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36937
36938 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
36939 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
36940 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
36941 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
36942 You specify a cross-debugging target by
36943 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
36944
36945 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
36946 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
36947 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
36948
36949 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
36950 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
36951 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
36952 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
36953 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
36954
36955 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
36956 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
36957 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
36958 with each other.
36959
36960 @node Config Names
36961 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
36962
36963 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
36964 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
36965 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
36966 of information in the following pattern:
36967
36968 @smallexample
36969 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
36970 @end smallexample
36971
36972 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
36973 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
36974 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
36975
36976 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
36977 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
36978 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
36979 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
36980 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
36981 abbreviations---for example:
36982
36983 @smallexample
36984 % sh config.sub i386-linux
36985 i386-pc-linux-gnu
36986 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
36987 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
36988 % sh config.sub hp9k700
36989 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
36990 % sh config.sub sun4
36991 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
36992 % sh config.sub sun3
36993 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
36994 % sh config.sub i986v
36995 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
36996 @end smallexample
36997
36998 @noindent
36999 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
37000 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
37001
37002 @node Configure Options
37003 @section @file{configure} Options
37004
37005 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
37006 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure}
37007 also has several other options not listed here. @inforef{Running
37008 configure scripts,,autoconf.info}, for a full
37009 explanation of @file{configure}.
37010
37011 @smallexample
37012 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
37013 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
37014 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
37015 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
37016 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
37017 @end smallexample
37018
37019 @noindent
37020 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
37021 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
37022 @samp{--}.
37023
37024 @table @code
37025 @item --help
37026 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
37027
37028 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
37029 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
37030 @file{@var{dir}}.
37031
37032 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
37033 Configure the source to install programs under directory
37034 @file{@var{dir}}.
37035
37036 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
37037 @need 2000
37038 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
37039 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
37040 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
37041 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
37042 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
37043 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
37044 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
37045 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
37046 @var{dirname}.
37047
37048 @item --target=@var{target}
37049 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
37050 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
37051 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
37052
37053 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available
37054 targets. Also see the @code{--enable-targets} option, below.
37055 @end table
37056
37057 There are many other options that are specific to @value{GDBN}. This
37058 lists just the most common ones; there are some very specialized
37059 options not described here.
37060
37061 @table @code
37062 @item --enable-targets=@r{[}@var{target}@r{]}@dots{}
37063 @itemx --enable-targets=all
37064 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the
37065 specified list of targets. The special value @samp{all} configures
37066 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs running on any target it supports.
37067
37068 @item --with-gdb-datadir=@var{path}
37069 Set the @value{GDBN}-specific data directory. @value{GDBN} will look
37070 here for certain supporting files or scripts. This defaults to the
37071 @file{gdb} subdirectory of @samp{datadi} (which can be set using
37072 @code{--datadir}).
37073
37074 @item --with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}
37075 Sets up the default source path substitution rule so that directory
37076 names recorded in debug information will be automatically adjusted for
37077 any directory under @var{dir}. @var{dir} should be a subdirectory of
37078 @value{GDBN}'s configured prefix, the one mentioned in the
37079 @code{--prefix} or @code{--exec-prefix} options to configure. This
37080 option is useful if GDB is supposed to be moved to a different place
37081 after it is built.
37082
37083 @item --enable-64-bit-bfd
37084 Enable 64-bit support in BFD on 32-bit hosts.
37085
37086 @item --disable-gdbmi
37087 Build @value{GDBN} without the GDB/MI machine interface
37088 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
37089
37090 @item --enable-tui
37091 Build @value{GDBN} with the text-mode full-screen user interface
37092 (TUI). Requires a curses library (ncurses and cursesX are also
37093 supported).
37094
37095 @item --with-curses
37096 Use the curses library instead of the termcap library, for text-mode
37097 terminal operations.
37098
37099 @item --with-libunwind-ia64
37100 Use the libunwind library for unwinding function call stack on ia64
37101 target platforms. See http://www.nongnu.org/libunwind/index.html for
37102 details.
37103
37104 @item --with-system-readline
37105 Use the readline library installed on the host, rather than the
37106 library supplied as part of @value{GDBN}. Readline 7 or newer is
37107 required; this is enforced by the build system.
37108
37109 @item --with-system-zlib
37110 Use the zlib library installed on the host, rather than the library
37111 supplied as part of @value{GDBN}.
37112
37113 @item --with-expat
37114 Build @value{GDBN} with Expat, a library for XML parsing. (Done by
37115 default if libexpat is installed and found at configure time.) This
37116 library is used to read XML files supplied with @value{GDBN}. If it
37117 is unavailable, some features, such as remote protocol memory maps,
37118 target descriptions, and shared library lists, that are based on XML
37119 files, will not be available in @value{GDBN}. If your host does not
37120 have libexpat installed, you can get the latest version from
37121 `http://expat.sourceforge.net'.
37122
37123 @item --with-libiconv-prefix@r{[}=@var{dir}@r{]}
37124
37125 Build @value{GDBN} with GNU libiconv, a character set encoding
37126 conversion library. This is not done by default, as on GNU systems
37127 the @code{iconv} that is built in to the C library is sufficient. If
37128 your host does not have a working @code{iconv}, you can get the latest
37129 version of GNU iconv from `https://www.gnu.org/software/libiconv/'.
37130
37131 @value{GDBN}'s build system also supports building GNU libiconv as
37132 part of the overall build. @xref{Requirements}.
37133
37134 @item --with-lzma
37135 Build @value{GDBN} with LZMA, a compression library. (Done by default
37136 if liblzma is installed and found at configure time.) LZMA is used by
37137 @value{GDBN}'s "mini debuginfo" feature, which is only useful on
37138 platforms using the ELF object file format. If your host does not
37139 have liblzma installed, you can get the latest version from
37140 `https://tukaani.org/xz/'.
37141
37142 @item --with-mpfr
37143 Build @value{GDBN} with GNU MPFR, a library for multiple-precision
37144 floating-point computation with correct rounding. (Done by default if
37145 GNU MPFR is installed and found at configure time.) This library is
37146 used to emulate target floating-point arithmetic during expression
37147 evaluation when the target uses different floating-point formats than
37148 the host. If GNU MPFR is not available, @value{GDBN} will fall back
37149 to using host floating-point arithmetic. If your host does not have
37150 GNU MPFR installed, you can get the latest version from
37151 `http://www.mpfr.org'.
37152
37153 @item --with-python@r{[}=@var{python}@r{]}
37154 Build @value{GDBN} with Python scripting support. (Done by default if
37155 libpython is present and found at configure time.) Python makes
37156 @value{GDBN} scripting much more powerful than the restricted CLI
37157 scripting language. If your host does not have Python installed, you
37158 can find it on `http://www.python.org/download/'. The oldest version
37159 of Python supported by GDB is 2.6. The optional argument @var{python}
37160 is used to find the Python headers and libraries. It can be either
37161 the name of a Python executable, or the name of the directory in which
37162 Python is installed.
37163
37164 @item --with-guile[=GUILE]'
37165 Build @value{GDBN} with GNU Guile scripting support. (Done by default
37166 if libguile is present and found at configure time.) If your host
37167 does not have Guile installed, you can find it at
37168 `https://www.gnu.org/software/guile/'. The optional argument GUILE
37169 can be a version number, which will cause @code{configure} to try to
37170 use that version of Guile; or the file name of a @code{pkg-config}
37171 executable, which will be queried to find the information needed to
37172 compile and link against Guile.
37173
37174 @item --without-included-regex
37175 Don't use the regex library included with @value{GDBN} (as part of the
37176 libiberty library). This is the default on hosts with version 2 of
37177 the GNU C library.
37178
37179 @item --with-sysroot=@var{dir}
37180 Use @var{dir} as the default system root directory for libraries whose
37181 file names begin with @file{/lib}' or @file{/usr/lib'}. (The value of
37182 @var{dir} can be modified at run time by using the @command{set
37183 sysroot} command.) If @var{dir} is under the @value{GDBN} configured
37184 prefix (set with @code{--prefix} or @code{--exec-prefix options}, the
37185 default system root will be automatically adjusted if and when
37186 @value{GDBN} is moved to a different location.
37187
37188 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
37189 Configure @value{GDBN} to automatically load a system-wide init file.
37190 @var{file} should be an absolute file name. If @var{file} is in a
37191 directory under the configured prefix, and @value{GDBN} is moved to
37192 another location after being built, the location of the system-wide
37193 init file will be adjusted accordingly.
37194
37195 @item --with-system-gdbinit-dir=@var{directory}
37196 Configure @value{GDBN} to automatically load init files from a
37197 system-wide directory. @var{directory} should be an absolute directory
37198 name. If @var{directory} is in a directory under the configured
37199 prefix, and @value{GDBN} is moved to another location after being
37200 built, the location of the system-wide init directory will be
37201 adjusted accordingly.
37202
37203 @item --enable-build-warnings
37204 When building the @value{GDBN} sources, ask the compiler to warn about
37205 any code which looks even vaguely suspicious. It passes many
37206 different warning flags, depending on the exact version of the
37207 compiler you are using.
37208
37209 @item --enable-werror
37210 Treat compiler warnings as werrors. It adds the @code{-Werror} flag
37211 to the compiler, which will fail the compilation if the compiler
37212 outputs any warning messages.
37213
37214 @item --enable-ubsan
37215 Enable the GCC undefined behavior sanitizer. This is disabled by
37216 default, but passing @code{--enable-ubsan=yes} or
37217 @code{--enable-ubsan=auto} to @code{configure} will enable it. The
37218 undefined behavior sanitizer checks for C@t{++} undefined behavior.
37219 It has a performance cost, so if you are looking at @value{GDBN}'s
37220 performance, you should disable it. The undefined behavior sanitizer
37221 was first introduced in GCC 4.9.
37222 @end table
37223
37224 @node System-wide configuration
37225 @section System-wide configuration and settings
37226 @cindex system-wide init file
37227
37228 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file and a
37229 system-wide init file directory; this file and files in that directory
37230 (if they have a recognized file extension) will be read and executed at
37231 startup (@pxref{Startup, , What @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
37232
37233 Here are the corresponding configure options:
37234
37235 @table @code
37236 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
37237 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
37238 @var{file}.
37239 @item --with-system-gdbinit-dir=@var{directory}
37240 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file directory
37241 is @var{directory}.
37242 @end table
37243
37244 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
37245 they may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
37246
37247 @itemize @bullet
37248 @item
37249 If the default location of this init file/directory contains @file{$prefix},
37250 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
37251 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
37252 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
37253 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
37254 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
37255
37256 @item
37257 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
37258 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
37259 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
37260 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
37261 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
37262 @end itemize
37263
37264 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
37265 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
37266 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
37267 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
37268 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
37269 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
37270 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
37271 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
37272 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
37273 reread.
37274
37275 This applies similarly to the system-wide directory specified in
37276 @option{--with-system-gdbinit-dir}.
37277
37278 Any supported scripting language can be used for these init files, as long
37279 as the file extension matches the scripting language. To be interpreted
37280 as regular @value{GDBN} commands, the files needs to have a @file{.gdb}
37281 extension.
37282
37283 @menu
37284 * System-wide Configuration Scripts:: Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
37285 @end menu
37286
37287 @node System-wide Configuration Scripts
37288 @subsection Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
37289 @cindex system-wide configuration scripts
37290
37291 The @file{system-gdbinit} directory, located inside the data-directory
37292 (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure time) contains
37293 a number of scripts which can be used as system-wide init files. To
37294 automatically source those scripts at startup, @value{GDBN} should be
37295 configured with @option{--with-system-gdbinit}. Otherwise, any user
37296 should be able to source them by hand as needed.
37297
37298 The following scripts are currently available:
37299 @itemize @bullet
37300
37301 @item @file{elinos.py}
37302 @pindex elinos.py
37303 @cindex ELinOS system-wide configuration script
37304 This script is useful when debugging a program on an ELinOS target.
37305 It takes advantage of the environment variables defined in a standard
37306 ELinOS environment in order to determine the location of the system
37307 shared libraries, and then sets the @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
37308 and @samp{solib-search-path} variables appropriately.
37309
37310 @item @file{wrs-linux.py}
37311 @pindex wrs-linux.py
37312 @cindex Wind River Linux system-wide configuration script
37313 This script is useful when debugging a program on a target running
37314 Wind River Linux. It expects the @env{ENV_PREFIX} to be set to
37315 the host-side sysroot used by the target system.
37316
37317 @end itemize
37318
37319 @node Maintenance Commands
37320 @appendix Maintenance Commands
37321 @cindex maintenance commands
37322 @cindex internal commands
37323
37324 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
37325 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
37326 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
37327 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
37328 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
37329
37330 @table @code
37331 @kindex maint agent
37332 @kindex maint agent-eval
37333 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
37334 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
37335 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
37336 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
37337 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
37338 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
37339 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
37340 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
37341 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
37342 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
37343 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
37344 addition and return the sum.
37345 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
37346 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
37347
37348 @kindex maint agent-printf
37349 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
37350 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
37351 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
37352 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
37353 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
37354
37355 @kindex maint info breakpoints
37356 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
37357 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
37358 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
37359 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
37360 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
37361 is shown:
37362
37363 @table @code
37364 @item breakpoint
37365 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
37366
37367 @item watchpoint
37368 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
37369
37370 @item longjmp
37371 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
37372 @code{longjmp} calls.
37373
37374 @item longjmp resume
37375 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
37376
37377 @item until
37378 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
37379
37380 @item finish
37381 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
37382
37383 @item shlib events
37384 Shared library events.
37385
37386 @end table
37387
37388 @kindex maint info btrace
37389 @item maint info btrace
37390 Pint information about raw branch tracing data.
37391
37392 @kindex maint btrace packet-history
37393 @item maint btrace packet-history
37394 Print the raw branch trace packets that are used to compute the
37395 execution history for the @samp{record btrace} command. Both the
37396 information and the format in which it is printed depend on the btrace
37397 recording format.
37398
37399 @table @code
37400 @item bts
37401 For the BTS recording format, print a list of blocks of sequential
37402 code. For each block, the following information is printed:
37403
37404 @table @asis
37405 @item Block number
37406 Newer blocks have higher numbers. The oldest block has number zero.
37407 @item Lowest @samp{PC}
37408 @item Highest @samp{PC}
37409 @end table
37410
37411 @item pt
37412 For the Intel Processor Trace recording format, print a list of
37413 Intel Processor Trace packets. For each packet, the following
37414 information is printed:
37415
37416 @table @asis
37417 @item Packet number
37418 Newer packets have higher numbers. The oldest packet has number zero.
37419 @item Trace offset
37420 The packet's offset in the trace stream.
37421 @item Packet opcode and payload
37422 @end table
37423 @end table
37424
37425 @kindex maint btrace clear-packet-history
37426 @item maint btrace clear-packet-history
37427 Discards the cached packet history printed by the @samp{maint btrace
37428 packet-history} command. The history will be computed again when
37429 needed.
37430
37431 @kindex maint btrace clear
37432 @item maint btrace clear
37433 Discard the branch trace data. The data will be fetched anew and the
37434 branch trace will be recomputed when needed.
37435
37436 This implicitly truncates the branch trace to a single branch trace
37437 buffer. When updating branch trace incrementally, the branch trace
37438 available to @value{GDBN} may be bigger than a single branch trace
37439 buffer.
37440
37441 @kindex maint set btrace pt skip-pad
37442 @item maint set btrace pt skip-pad
37443 @kindex maint show btrace pt skip-pad
37444 @item maint show btrace pt skip-pad
37445 Control whether @value{GDBN} will skip PAD packets when computing the
37446 packet history.
37447
37448 @kindex set displaced-stepping
37449 @kindex show displaced-stepping
37450 @cindex displaced stepping support
37451 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
37452 @item set displaced-stepping
37453 @itemx show displaced-stepping
37454 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
37455 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
37456 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
37457 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
37458 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
37459
37460 @table @code
37461 @item set displaced-stepping on
37462 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
37463 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
37464
37465 @item set displaced-stepping off
37466 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
37467 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
37468
37469 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
37470 @item set displaced-stepping auto
37471 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
37472 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
37473 architecture supports displaced stepping.
37474 @end table
37475
37476 @kindex maint check-psymtabs
37477 @item maint check-psymtabs
37478 Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
37479 Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
37480
37481 @kindex maint check-symtabs
37482 @item maint check-symtabs
37483 Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
37484
37485 @kindex maint expand-symtabs
37486 @item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
37487 Expand symbol tables.
37488 If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
37489 names matching @var{regexp}.
37490
37491 @kindex maint set catch-demangler-crashes
37492 @kindex maint show catch-demangler-crashes
37493 @cindex demangler crashes
37494 @item maint set catch-demangler-crashes [on|off]
37495 @itemx maint show catch-demangler-crashes
37496 Control whether @value{GDBN} should attempt to catch crashes in the
37497 symbol name demangler. The default is to attempt to catch crashes.
37498 If enabled, the first time a crash is caught, a core file is created,
37499 the offending symbol is displayed and the user is presented with the
37500 option to terminate the current session.
37501
37502 @kindex maint cplus first_component
37503 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
37504 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
37505
37506 @kindex maint cplus namespace
37507 @item maint cplus namespace
37508 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
37509
37510 @kindex maint deprecate
37511 @kindex maint undeprecate
37512 @cindex deprecated commands
37513 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
37514 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
37515 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
37516 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
37517 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
37518 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
37519 the replacement as part of the warning.
37520
37521 @kindex maint dump-me
37522 @item maint dump-me
37523 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
37524 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
37525 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
37526 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
37527
37528 @kindex maint internal-error
37529 @kindex maint internal-warning
37530 @kindex maint demangler-warning
37531 @cindex demangler crashes
37532 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
37533 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
37534 @itemx maint demangler-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
37535
37536 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error},
37537 @code{internal_warning} or @code{demangler_warning} and hence behave
37538 as though an internal problem has been detected. In addition to
37539 reporting the internal problem, these functions give the user the
37540 opportunity to either quit @value{GDBN} or (for @code{internal_error}
37541 and @code{internal_warning}) create a core file of the current
37542 @value{GDBN} session.
37543
37544 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
37545 used as the text of the error or warning message.
37546
37547 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
37548
37549 @smallexample
37550 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
37551 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
37552 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
37553 debugging may prove unreliable.
37554 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
37555 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
37556 (@value{GDBP})
37557 @end smallexample
37558
37559 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
37560 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
37561 @cindex demangler crashes
37562
37563 @kindex maint set internal-error
37564 @kindex maint show internal-error
37565 @kindex maint set internal-warning
37566 @kindex maint show internal-warning
37567 @kindex maint set demangler-warning
37568 @kindex maint show demangler-warning
37569 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
37570 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
37571 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
37572 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
37573 @itemx maint set demangler-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
37574 @itemx maint show demangler-warning @var{action}
37575 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
37576 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
37577 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
37578 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
37579 described in the table below.
37580
37581 @table @samp
37582 @item quit
37583 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
37584 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
37585
37586 @item corefile
37587 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
37588 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do. Note
37589 that there is no @code{corefile} option for @code{demangler-warning}:
37590 demangler warnings always create a core file and this cannot be
37591 disabled.
37592 @end table
37593
37594 @kindex maint packet
37595 @item maint packet @var{text}
37596 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
37597 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
37598 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
37599 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
37600 checksum.
37601
37602 @kindex maint print architecture
37603 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37604 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
37605 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
37606
37607 @kindex maint print c-tdesc @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37608 @item maint print c-tdesc
37609 Print the target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
37610 a C source file. By default, the target description is for the current
37611 target, but if the optional argument @var{file} is provided, that file
37612 is used to produce the description. The @var{file} should be an XML
37613 document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description Format}.
37614 The created source file is built into @value{GDBN} when @value{GDBN} is
37615 built again. This command is used by developers after they add or
37616 modify XML target descriptions.
37617
37618 @kindex maint check xml-descriptions
37619 @item maint check xml-descriptions @var{dir}
37620 Check that the target descriptions dynamically created by @value{GDBN}
37621 equal the descriptions created from XML files found in @var{dir}.
37622
37623 @anchor{maint check libthread-db}
37624 @kindex maint check libthread-db
37625 @item maint check libthread-db
37626 Run integrity checks on the current inferior's thread debugging
37627 library. This exercises all @code{libthread_db} functionality used by
37628 @value{GDBN} on GNU/Linux systems, and by extension also exercises the
37629 @code{proc_service} functions provided by @value{GDBN} that
37630 @code{libthread_db} uses. Note that parts of the test may be skipped
37631 on some platforms when debugging core files.
37632
37633 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
37634 @item maint print dummy-frames
37635 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
37636
37637 @smallexample
37638 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
37639 @dots{}
37640 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
37641 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
37642 58 return (a + b);
37643 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
37644 @dots{}
37645 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
37646 0xa8206d8: id=@{stack=0xbfffe734,code=0xbfffe73f,!special@}, ptid=process 9353
37647 (@value{GDBP})
37648 @end smallexample
37649
37650 Takes an optional file parameter.
37651
37652 @kindex maint print registers
37653 @kindex maint print raw-registers
37654 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
37655 @kindex maint print register-groups
37656 @kindex maint print remote-registers
37657 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37658 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37659 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37660 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37661 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37662 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
37663
37664 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
37665 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
37666 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
37667 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
37668 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
37669 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
37670 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
37671 and offsets in the `G' packets.
37672
37673 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
37674 write the information.
37675
37676 @kindex maint print reggroups
37677 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
37678 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
37679 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
37680 information.
37681
37682 The register groups info looks like this:
37683
37684 @smallexample
37685 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
37686 Group Type
37687 general user
37688 float user
37689 all user
37690 vector user
37691 system user
37692 save internal
37693 restore internal
37694 @end smallexample
37695
37696 @kindex flushregs
37697 @item flushregs
37698 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
37699
37700 @kindex maint print objfiles
37701 @cindex info for known object files
37702 @item maint print objfiles @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
37703 Print a dump of all known object files.
37704 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print object files whose names
37705 match @var{regexp}. For each object file, this command prints its name,
37706 address in memory, and all of its psymtabs and symtabs.
37707
37708 @kindex maint print user-registers
37709 @cindex user registers
37710 @item maint print user-registers
37711 List all currently available @dfn{user registers}. User registers
37712 typically provide alternate names for actual hardware registers. They
37713 include the four ``standard'' registers @code{$fp}, @code{$pc},
37714 @code{$sp}, and @code{$ps}. @xref{standard registers}. User
37715 registers can be used in expressions in the same way as the canonical
37716 register names, but only the latter are listed by the @code{info
37717 registers} and @code{maint print registers} commands.
37718
37719 @kindex maint print section-scripts
37720 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
37721 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
37722 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
37723 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
37724 matching @var{regexp}.
37725 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
37726 and the full path if known.
37727 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
37728
37729 @kindex maint print statistics
37730 @cindex bcache statistics
37731 @item maint print statistics
37732 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
37733 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
37734 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
37735 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
37736 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
37737 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
37738 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
37739 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
37740 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
37741 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
37742 lengths.
37743
37744 @kindex maint print target-stack
37745 @cindex target stack description
37746 @item maint print target-stack
37747 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
37748 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
37749 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
37750 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
37751 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
37752 address.
37753
37754 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
37755 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
37756
37757 @kindex maint print type
37758 @cindex type chain of a data type
37759 @item maint print type @var{expr}
37760 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
37761 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
37762 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
37763 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
37764 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
37765
37766 @kindex maint selftest
37767 @cindex self tests
37768 @item maint selftest @r{[}@var{filter}@r{]}
37769 Run any self tests that were compiled in to @value{GDBN}. This will
37770 print a message showing how many tests were run, and how many failed.
37771 If a @var{filter} is passed, only the tests with @var{filter} in their
37772 name will by ran.
37773
37774 @kindex maint info selftests
37775 @cindex self tests
37776 @item maint info selftests
37777 List the selftests compiled in to @value{GDBN}.
37778
37779 @kindex maint set dwarf always-disassemble
37780 @kindex maint show dwarf always-disassemble
37781 @item maint set dwarf always-disassemble
37782 @item maint show dwarf always-disassemble
37783 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
37784 information.
37785
37786 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
37787 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
37788 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
37789 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
37790 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
37791 always see the disassembly form.
37792
37793 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
37794
37795 @smallexample
37796 (gdb) info addr argc
37797 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
37798 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
37799 @end smallexample
37800
37801 For more information on these expressions, see
37802 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
37803
37804 @kindex maint set dwarf max-cache-age
37805 @kindex maint show dwarf max-cache-age
37806 @item maint set dwarf max-cache-age
37807 @itemx maint show dwarf max-cache-age
37808 Control the DWARF compilation unit cache.
37809
37810 @cindex DWARF compilation units cache
37811 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
37812 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF
37813 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
37814 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
37815 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
37816 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
37817 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
37818 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
37819
37820 @kindex maint set dwarf unwinders
37821 @kindex maint show dwarf unwinders
37822 @item maint set dwarf unwinders
37823 @itemx maint show dwarf unwinders
37824 Control use of the DWARF frame unwinders.
37825
37826 @cindex DWARF frame unwinders
37827 Many targets that support DWARF debugging use @value{GDBN}'s DWARF
37828 frame unwinders to build the backtrace. Many of these targets will
37829 also have a second mechanism for building the backtrace for use in
37830 cases where DWARF information is not available, this second mechanism
37831 is often an analysis of a function's prologue.
37832
37833 In order to extend testing coverage of the second level stack
37834 unwinding mechanisms it is helpful to be able to disable the DWARF
37835 stack unwinders, this can be done with this switch.
37836
37837 In normal use of @value{GDBN} disabling the DWARF unwinders is not
37838 advisable, there are cases that are better handled through DWARF than
37839 prologue analysis, and the debug experience is likely to be better
37840 with the DWARF frame unwinders enabled.
37841
37842 If DWARF frame unwinders are not supported for a particular target
37843 architecture, then enabling this flag does not cause them to be used.
37844 @kindex maint set profile
37845 @kindex maint show profile
37846 @cindex profiling GDB
37847 @item maint set profile
37848 @itemx maint show profile
37849 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
37850
37851 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
37852 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
37853 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
37854 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
37855 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
37856 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
37857 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
37858
37859 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
37860 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
37861
37862 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
37863 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
37864 @cindex hardware debug registers
37865 @item maint set show-debug-regs
37866 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
37867 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
37868 registers. Use @code{on} to enable, @code{off} to disable. If
37869 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
37870 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
37871 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
37872
37873 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
37874 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
37875 @item maint set show-all-tib
37876 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
37877 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
37878 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
37879 command.
37880
37881 @kindex maint set target-async
37882 @kindex maint show target-async
37883 @item maint set target-async
37884 @itemx maint show target-async
37885 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets operate in synchronous or
37886 asynchronous mode (@pxref{Background Execution}). Normally the
37887 default is asynchronous, if it is available; but this can be changed
37888 to more easily debug problems occurring only in synchronous mode.
37889
37890 @kindex maint set target-non-stop @var{mode} [on|off|auto]
37891 @kindex maint show target-non-stop
37892 @item maint set target-non-stop
37893 @itemx maint show target-non-stop
37894
37895 This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets always operate in non-stop
37896 mode even if @code{set non-stop} is @code{off} (@pxref{Non-Stop
37897 Mode}). The default is @code{auto}, meaning non-stop mode is enabled
37898 if supported by the target.
37899
37900 @table @code
37901 @item maint set target-non-stop auto
37902 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} controls the target in
37903 non-stop mode if the target supports it.
37904
37905 @item maint set target-non-stop on
37906 @value{GDBN} controls the target in non-stop mode even if the target
37907 does not indicate support.
37908
37909 @item maint set target-non-stop off
37910 @value{GDBN} does not control the target in non-stop mode even if the
37911 target supports it.
37912 @end table
37913
37914 @kindex maint set per-command
37915 @kindex maint show per-command
37916 @item maint set per-command
37917 @itemx maint show per-command
37918 @cindex resources used by commands
37919
37920 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
37921 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
37922
37923 @table @code
37924 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
37925 @itemx maint show per-command space
37926 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
37927 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
37928 took, following the command's own output.
37929 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
37930 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
37931
37932 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
37933 @itemx maint show per-command time
37934 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
37935 for each command.
37936 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
37937 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
37938 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
37939 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
37940 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
37941 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
37942 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
37943 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
37944 spent by the program been debugged.
37945 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
37946 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
37947
37948 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
37949 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
37950 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
37951 for each command.
37952 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
37953
37954 @enumerate a
37955 @item
37956 number of symbol tables
37957 @item
37958 number of primary symbol tables
37959 @item
37960 number of blocks in the blockvector
37961 @end enumerate
37962 @end table
37963
37964 @kindex maint set check-libthread-db
37965 @kindex maint show check-libthread-db
37966 @item maint set check-libthread-db [on|off]
37967 @itemx maint show check-libthread-db
37968 Control whether @value{GDBN} should run integrity checks on inferior
37969 specific thread debugging libraries as they are loaded. The default
37970 is not to perform such checks. If any check fails @value{GDBN} will
37971 unload the library and continue searching for a suitable candidate as
37972 described in @ref{set libthread-db-search-path}. For more information
37973 about the tests, see @ref{maint check libthread-db}.
37974
37975 @kindex maint space
37976 @cindex memory used by commands
37977 @item maint space @var{value}
37978 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
37979 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
37980
37981 @kindex maint time
37982 @cindex time of command execution
37983 @item maint time @var{value}
37984 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
37985 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
37986
37987 @kindex maint translate-address
37988 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
37989 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
37990 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
37991 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
37992 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
37993 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
37994 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
37995
37996 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
37997 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
37998 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
37999
38000 @kindex maint test-options
38001 @item maint test-options require-delimiter
38002 @itemx maint test-options unknown-is-error
38003 @itemx maint test-options unknown-is-operand
38004 These commands are used by the testsuite to validate the command
38005 options framework. The @code{require-delimiter} variant requires a
38006 double-dash delimiter to indicate end of options. The
38007 @code{unknown-is-error} and @code{unknown-is-operand} do not. The
38008 @code{unknown-is-error} variant throws an error on unknown option,
38009 while @code{unknown-is-operand} treats unknown options as the start of
38010 the command's operands. When run, the commands output the result of
38011 the processed options. When completed, the commands store the
38012 internal result of completion in a variable exposed by the @code{maint
38013 show test-options-completion-result} command.
38014
38015 @kindex maint show test-options-completion-result
38016 @item maint show test-options-completion-result
38017 Shows the result of completing the @code{maint test-options}
38018 subcommands. This is used by the testsuite to validate completion
38019 support in the command options framework.
38020
38021 @kindex maint set test-settings
38022 @kindex maint show test-settings
38023 @item maint set test-settings @var{kind}
38024 @itemx maint show test-settings @var{kind}
38025 These are representative commands for each @var{kind} of setting type
38026 @value{GDBN} supports. They are used by the testsuite for exercising
38027 the settings infrastructure.
38028
38029 @kindex maint with
38030 @item maint with @var{setting} [@var{value}] [-- @var{command}]
38031 Like the @code{with} command, but works with @code{maintenance set}
38032 variables. This is used by the testsuite to exercise the @code{with}
38033 command's infrastructure.
38034
38035 @end table
38036
38037 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
38038 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
38039
38040 @table @code
38041 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
38042 @kindex set watchdog
38043 @cindex watchdog timer
38044 @cindex timeout for commands
38045 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
38046 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
38047 reports and error and the command is aborted.
38048
38049 @item show watchdog
38050 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
38051 @end table
38052
38053 @node Remote Protocol
38054 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
38055
38056 @menu
38057 * Overview::
38058 * Packets::
38059 * Stop Reply Packets::
38060 * General Query Packets::
38061 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
38062 * Tracepoint Packets::
38063 * Host I/O Packets::
38064 * Interrupts::
38065 * Notification Packets::
38066 * Remote Non-Stop::
38067 * Packet Acknowledgment::
38068 * Examples::
38069 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
38070 * Library List Format::
38071 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
38072 * Memory Map Format::
38073 * Thread List Format::
38074 * Traceframe Info Format::
38075 * Branch Trace Format::
38076 * Branch Trace Configuration Format::
38077 @end menu
38078
38079 @node Overview
38080 @section Overview
38081
38082 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
38083 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
38084 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
38085 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
38086
38087 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
38088 transmitted and received data, respectively.
38089
38090 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
38091 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
38092 @cindex remote serial protocol
38093 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
38094 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
38095 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
38096 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
38097 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
38098
38099 @smallexample
38100 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
38101 @end smallexample
38102 @noindent
38103
38104 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
38105 @noindent
38106 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
38107 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
38108 eight bit unsigned checksum).
38109
38110 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
38111 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
38112
38113 @smallexample
38114 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
38115 @end smallexample
38116
38117 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
38118 @noindent
38119 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
38120 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
38121 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
38122
38123 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
38124 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
38125 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
38126 retransmission):
38127
38128 @smallexample
38129 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
38130 <- @code{+}
38131 @end smallexample
38132 @noindent
38133
38134 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
38135 once a connection is established.
38136 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
38137
38138 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
38139 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
38140 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
38141 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
38142 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
38143 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
38144 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
38145
38146 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
38147 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
38148 exceptions).
38149
38150 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
38151 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
38152 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
38153 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
38154
38155 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
38156 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
38157 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
38158
38159 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
38160 @anchor{Binary Data}
38161 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
38162 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
38163 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
38164 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
38165 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
38166 binary data.
38167
38168 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
38169 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
38170 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
38171 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
38172 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
38173 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
38174 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
38175 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
38176 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
38177 (described next).
38178
38179 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
38180 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
38181 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
38182 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
38183 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
38184 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
38185 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
38186 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
38187 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
38188 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
38189 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
38190 3}} more times.
38191
38192 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
38193 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
38194 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
38195 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
38196 @samp{0*"00}.
38197
38198 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
38199 error number. That number is not well defined.
38200
38201 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
38202 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
38203 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
38204 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
38205 on that response.
38206
38207 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
38208 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
38209 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
38210 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
38211 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
38212 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
38213
38214 @node Packets
38215 @section Packets
38216
38217 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
38218 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
38219 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
38220 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
38221
38222 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
38223 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
38224 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
38225 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
38226 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
38227 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
38228 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
38229 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
38230 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
38231 @var{baz}.
38232
38233 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
38234 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
38235 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
38236 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
38237 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
38238 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
38239 pick any thread.
38240
38241 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
38242 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
38243 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
38244 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
38245 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
38246 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
38247 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
38248 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
38249 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
38250 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
38251 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
38252 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
38253 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
38254
38255 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
38256 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
38257 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
38258 more information.
38259
38260 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
38261 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
38262
38263 Here are the packet descriptions.
38264
38265 @table @samp
38266
38267 @item !
38268 @cindex @samp{!} packet
38269 @anchor{extended mode}
38270 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
38271 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
38272 debugged.
38273
38274 Reply:
38275 @table @samp
38276 @item OK
38277 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
38278 @end table
38279
38280 @item ?
38281 @cindex @samp{?} packet
38282 @anchor{? packet}
38283 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
38284 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
38285 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
38286
38287 Reply:
38288 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38289
38290 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
38291 @cindex @samp{A} packet
38292 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
38293 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
38294 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
38295
38296 Reply:
38297 @table @samp
38298 @item OK
38299 The arguments were set.
38300 @item E @var{NN}
38301 An error occurred.
38302 @end table
38303
38304 @item b @var{baud}
38305 @cindex @samp{b} packet
38306 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
38307 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
38308
38309 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
38310 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
38311 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
38312
38313 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
38314 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
38315 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
38316 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
38317 of view, nothing actually happened.}
38318
38319 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
38320 @cindex @samp{B} packet
38321 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
38322 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
38323
38324 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
38325 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
38326
38327 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
38328 @anchor{bc}
38329 @item bc
38330 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
38331 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
38332
38333 Reply:
38334 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38335
38336 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
38337 @anchor{bs}
38338 @item bs
38339 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
38340 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
38341
38342 Reply:
38343 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38344
38345 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
38346 @cindex @samp{c} packet
38347 Continue at @var{addr}, which is the address to resume. If @var{addr}
38348 is omitted, resume at current address.
38349
38350 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
38351 packet}.
38352
38353 Reply:
38354 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38355
38356 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
38357 @cindex @samp{C} packet
38358 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
38359 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
38360
38361 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
38362 packet}.
38363
38364 Reply:
38365 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38366
38367 @item d
38368 @cindex @samp{d} packet
38369 Toggle debug flag.
38370
38371 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
38372 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
38373
38374 @item D
38375 @itemx D;@var{pid}
38376 @cindex @samp{D} packet
38377 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
38378 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
38379 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
38380
38381 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
38382 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
38383 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
38384 big-endian hex string.
38385
38386 Reply:
38387 @table @samp
38388 @item OK
38389 for success
38390 @item E @var{NN}
38391 for an error
38392 @end table
38393
38394 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
38395 @cindex @samp{F} packet
38396 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
38397 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
38398 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
38399
38400 @item g
38401 @anchor{read registers packet}
38402 @cindex @samp{g} packet
38403 Read general registers.
38404
38405 Reply:
38406 @table @samp
38407 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
38408 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
38409 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
38410 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
38411 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
38412 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}.
38413
38414 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
38415 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
38416 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
38417 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
38418 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
38419 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
38420 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
38421 have been collected, and both have zero value:
38422
38423 @smallexample
38424 -> @code{g}
38425 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
38426 @end smallexample
38427
38428 @item E @var{NN}
38429 for an error.
38430 @end table
38431
38432 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
38433 @cindex @samp{G} packet
38434 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
38435 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
38436
38437 Reply:
38438 @table @samp
38439 @item OK
38440 for success
38441 @item E @var{NN}
38442 for an error
38443 @end table
38444
38445 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
38446 @cindex @samp{H} packet
38447 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
38448 @samp{G}, et.al.). Depending on the operation to be performed, @var{op}
38449 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
38450 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
38451 option), and @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
38452 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
38453 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
38454
38455 Reply:
38456 @table @samp
38457 @item OK
38458 for success
38459 @item E @var{NN}
38460 for an error
38461 @end table
38462
38463 @c FIXME: JTC:
38464 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
38465 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
38466 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
38467 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
38468 @c described. For example:
38469 @c
38470 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
38471 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
38472 @c otherwise returns current registers.
38473 @c
38474 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
38475 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
38476 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
38477
38478 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
38479 @anchor{cycle step packet}
38480 @cindex @samp{i} packet
38481 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
38482 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
38483 step starting at that address.
38484
38485 @item I
38486 @cindex @samp{I} packet
38487 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
38488 step packet}.
38489
38490 @item k
38491 @cindex @samp{k} packet
38492 Kill request.
38493
38494 The exact effect of this packet is not specified.
38495
38496 For a bare-metal target, it may power cycle or reset the target
38497 system. For that reason, the @samp{k} packet has no reply.
38498
38499 For a single-process target, it may kill that process if possible.
38500
38501 A multiple-process target may choose to kill just one process, or all
38502 that are under @value{GDBN}'s control. For more precise control, use
38503 the vKill packet (@pxref{vKill packet}).
38504
38505 If the target system immediately closes the connection in response to
38506 @samp{k}, @value{GDBN} does not consider the lack of packet
38507 acknowledgment to be an error, and assumes the kill was successful.
38508
38509 If connected using @kbd{target extended-remote}, and the target does
38510 not close the connection in response to a kill request, @value{GDBN}
38511 probes the target state as if a new connection was opened
38512 (@pxref{? packet}).
38513
38514 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
38515 @cindex @samp{m} packet
38516 Read @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
38517 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to
38518 any particular boundary.
38519
38520 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
38521 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
38522 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
38523 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
38524 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
38525 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
38526 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
38527 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
38528
38529 Reply:
38530 @table @samp
38531 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
38532 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
38533 The reply may contain fewer addressable memory units than requested if the
38534 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
38535 @item E @var{NN}
38536 @var{NN} is errno
38537 @end table
38538
38539 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
38540 @cindex @samp{M} packet
38541 Write @var{length} addressable memory units starting at address @var{addr}
38542 (@pxref{addressable memory unit}). The data is given by @var{XX@dots{}}; each
38543 byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal number.
38544
38545 Reply:
38546 @table @samp
38547 @item OK
38548 for success
38549 @item E @var{NN}
38550 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
38551 written).
38552 @end table
38553
38554 @item p @var{n}
38555 @cindex @samp{p} packet
38556 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
38557 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
38558 register value is encoded.
38559
38560 Reply:
38561 @table @samp
38562 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
38563 the register's value
38564 @item E @var{NN}
38565 for an error
38566 @item @w{}
38567 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
38568 @end table
38569
38570 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
38571 @anchor{write register packet}
38572 @cindex @samp{P} packet
38573 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
38574 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
38575 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
38576
38577 Reply:
38578 @table @samp
38579 @item OK
38580 for success
38581 @item E @var{NN}
38582 for an error
38583 @end table
38584
38585 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
38586 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
38587 @cindex @samp{q} packet
38588 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
38589 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
38590 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
38591
38592 @item r
38593 @cindex @samp{r} packet
38594 Reset the entire system.
38595
38596 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
38597
38598 @item R @var{XX}
38599 @cindex @samp{R} packet
38600 Restart the program being debugged. The @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
38601 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
38602
38603 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
38604
38605 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
38606 @cindex @samp{s} packet
38607 Single step, resuming at @var{addr}. If
38608 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
38609
38610 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
38611 packet}.
38612
38613 Reply:
38614 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38615
38616 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
38617 @anchor{step with signal packet}
38618 @cindex @samp{S} packet
38619 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
38620 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
38621
38622 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
38623 packet}.
38624
38625 Reply:
38626 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38627
38628 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
38629 @cindex @samp{t} packet
38630 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
38631 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}, both of which are are 4 byte long.
38632 There must be at least 3 digits in @var{addr}.
38633
38634 @item T @var{thread-id}
38635 @cindex @samp{T} packet
38636 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
38637
38638 Reply:
38639 @table @samp
38640 @item OK
38641 thread is still alive
38642 @item E @var{NN}
38643 thread is dead
38644 @end table
38645
38646 @item v
38647 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
38648 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
38649
38650 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
38651 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
38652 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
38653 The process ID is a
38654 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
38655 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
38656 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
38657
38658 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
38659 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
38660 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
38661 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
38662 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
38663 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
38664 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
38665 @c stopping or restarting threads.
38666
38667 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
38668
38669 Reply:
38670 @table @samp
38671 @item E @var{nn}
38672 for an error
38673 @item @r{Any stop packet}
38674 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
38675 @item OK
38676 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
38677 @end table
38678
38679 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
38680 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
38681 @anchor{vCont packet}
38682 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
38683
38684 For each inferior thread, the leftmost action with a matching
38685 @var{thread-id} is applied. Threads that don't match any action
38686 remain in their current state. Thread IDs are specified using the
38687 syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}. If multiprocess
38688 extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}) are supported, actions
38689 can be specified to match all threads in a process by using the
38690 @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the @var{thread-id}. An action with no
38691 @var{thread-id} matches all threads. Specifying no actions is an
38692 error.
38693
38694 Currently supported actions are:
38695
38696 @table @samp
38697 @item c
38698 Continue.
38699 @item C @var{sig}
38700 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
38701 @item s
38702 Step.
38703 @item S @var{sig}
38704 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
38705 @item t
38706 Stop.
38707 @item r @var{start},@var{end}
38708 Step once, and then keep stepping as long as the thread stops at
38709 addresses between @var{start} (inclusive) and @var{end} (exclusive).
38710 The remote stub reports a stop reply when either the thread goes out
38711 of the range or is stopped due to an unrelated reason, such as hitting
38712 a breakpoint. @xref{range stepping}.
38713
38714 If the range is empty (@var{start} == @var{end}), then the action
38715 becomes equivalent to the @samp{s} action. In other words,
38716 single-step once, and report the stop (even if the stepped instruction
38717 jumps to @var{start}).
38718
38719 (A stop reply may be sent at any point even if the PC is still within
38720 the stepping range; for example, it is valid to implement this packet
38721 in a degenerate way as a single instruction step operation.)
38722
38723 @end table
38724
38725 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
38726 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
38727 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
38728
38729 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
38730 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
38731 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
38732 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
38733 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
38734 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
38735 as an implementation detail.
38736
38737 The server must ignore @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, @samp{S}, and
38738 @samp{r} actions for threads that are already running. Conversely,
38739 the server must ignore @samp{t} actions for threads that are already
38740 stopped.
38741
38742 @emph{Note:} In non-stop mode, a thread is considered running until
38743 @value{GDBN} acknowleges an asynchronous stop notification for it with
38744 the @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}).
38745
38746 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
38747 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}).
38748
38749 Reply:
38750 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
38751
38752 @item vCont?
38753 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
38754 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
38755
38756 Reply:
38757 @table @samp
38758 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
38759 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
38760 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
38761 @item @w{}
38762 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
38763 @end table
38764
38765 @anchor{vCtrlC packet}
38766 @item vCtrlC
38767 @cindex @samp{vCtrlC} packet
38768 Interrupt remote target as if a control-C was pressed on the remote
38769 terminal. This is the equivalent to reacting to the @code{^C}
38770 (@samp{\003}, the control-C character) character in all-stop mode
38771 while the target is running, except this works in non-stop mode.
38772 @xref{interrupting remote targets}, for more info on the all-stop
38773 variant.
38774
38775 Reply:
38776 @table @samp
38777 @item E @var{nn}
38778 for an error
38779 @item OK
38780 for success
38781 @end table
38782
38783 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
38784 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
38785 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
38786 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
38787
38788 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
38789 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
38790 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
38791 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
38792 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
38793 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
38794 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
38795 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
38796 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
38797 packet is received.
38798
38799 Reply:
38800 @table @samp
38801 @item OK
38802 for success
38803 @item E @var{NN}
38804 for an error
38805 @end table
38806
38807 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
38808 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
38809 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
38810 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
38811 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
38812 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
38813 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
38814 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
38815 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
38816 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
38817 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
38818 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
38819
38820
38821 Reply:
38822 @table @samp
38823 @item OK
38824 for success
38825 @item E.memtype
38826 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
38827 @item E @var{NN}
38828 for an error
38829 @end table
38830
38831 @item vFlashDone
38832 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
38833 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
38834 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
38835 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
38836 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
38837 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
38838 request is completed.
38839
38840 @item vKill;@var{pid}
38841 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
38842 @anchor{vKill packet}
38843 Kill the process with the specified process ID @var{pid}, which is a
38844 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
38845 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
38846 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
38847
38848 Reply:
38849 @table @samp
38850 @item E @var{nn}
38851 for an error
38852 @item OK
38853 for success
38854 @end table
38855
38856 @item vMustReplyEmpty
38857 @cindex @samp{vMustReplyEmpty} packet
38858 The correct reply to an unknown @samp{v} packet is to return the empty
38859 string, however, some older versions of @command{gdbserver} would
38860 incorrectly return @samp{OK} for unknown @samp{v} packets.
38861
38862 The @samp{vMustReplyEmpty} is used as a feature test to check how
38863 @command{gdbserver} handles unknown packets, it is important that this
38864 packet be handled in the same way as other unknown @samp{v} packets.
38865 If this packet is handled differently to other unknown @samp{v}
38866 packets then it is possile that @value{GDBN} may run into problems in
38867 other areas, specifically around use of @samp{vFile:setfs:}.
38868
38869 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
38870 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
38871 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
38872 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
38873 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
38874 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
38875 state.
38876
38877 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
38878
38879 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
38880
38881 Reply:
38882 @table @samp
38883 @item E @var{nn}
38884 for an error
38885 @item @r{Any stop packet}
38886 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
38887 @end table
38888
38889 @item vStopped
38890 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
38891 @xref{Notification Packets}.
38892
38893 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
38894 @anchor{X packet}
38895 @cindex @samp{X} packet
38896 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
38897 Memory is specified by its address @var{addr} and number of addressable memory
38898 units @var{length} (@pxref{addressable memory unit});
38899 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
38900
38901 Reply:
38902 @table @samp
38903 @item OK
38904 for success
38905 @item E @var{NN}
38906 for an error
38907 @end table
38908
38909 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
38910 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
38911 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
38912 @cindex @samp{z} packet
38913 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
38914 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
38915 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
38916
38917 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
38918 separately.
38919
38920 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
38921 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
38922 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
38923 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
38924 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
38925 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
38926
38927 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38928 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
38929 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
38930 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
38931 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a software breakpoint at address
38932 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
38933
38934 A software breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
38935 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
38936 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of the
38937 breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm} and
38938 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
38939 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind}
38940 (@pxref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}); if no
38941 architecture-specific value is being used, it should be @samp{0}.
38942 @var{kind} is hex-encoded. @var{cond_list} is an optional list of
38943 conditional expressions in bytecode form that should be evaluated on
38944 the target's side. These are the conditions that should be taken into
38945 consideration when deciding if the breakpoint trigger should be
38946 reported back to @value{GDBN}.
38947
38948 See also the @samp{swbreak} stop reason (@pxref{swbreak stop reason})
38949 for how to best report a software breakpoint event to @value{GDBN}.
38950
38951 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
38952 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
38953
38954 @table @samp
38955
38956 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
38957 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
38958 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
38959
38960 @end table
38961
38962 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
38963 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
38964 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
38965 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
38966 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
38967 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
38968 separators. Each expression has the following form:
38969
38970 @table @samp
38971
38972 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
38973 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
38974 actual commands expression in bytecode form.
38975
38976 @end table
38977
38978 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
38979 code that contains software breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
38980 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
38981 target, is not defined.}
38982
38983 Reply:
38984 @table @samp
38985 @item OK
38986 success
38987 @item @w{}
38988 not supported
38989 @item E @var{NN}
38990 for an error
38991 @end table
38992
38993 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
38994 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
38995 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
38996 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
38997 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
38998 address @var{addr}.
38999
39000 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
39001 dependent on being able to modify the target's memory. The
39002 @var{kind}, @var{cond_list}, and @var{cmd_list} arguments have the
39003 same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
39004
39005 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
39006 movement.}
39007
39008 Reply:
39009 @table @samp
39010 @item OK
39011 success
39012 @item @w{}
39013 not supported
39014 @item E @var{NN}
39015 for an error
39016 @end table
39017
39018 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
39019 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
39020 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
39021 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
39022 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
39023 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
39024
39025 Reply:
39026 @table @samp
39027 @item OK
39028 success
39029 @item @w{}
39030 not supported
39031 @item E @var{NN}
39032 for an error
39033 @end table
39034
39035 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
39036 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
39037 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
39038 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
39039 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
39040 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
39041
39042 Reply:
39043 @table @samp
39044 @item OK
39045 success
39046 @item @w{}
39047 not supported
39048 @item E @var{NN}
39049 for an error
39050 @end table
39051
39052 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
39053 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
39054 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
39055 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
39056 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
39057 The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
39058
39059 Reply:
39060 @table @samp
39061 @item OK
39062 success
39063 @item @w{}
39064 not supported
39065 @item E @var{NN}
39066 for an error
39067 @end table
39068
39069 @end table
39070
39071 @node Stop Reply Packets
39072 @section Stop Reply Packets
39073 @cindex stop reply packets
39074
39075 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
39076 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
39077 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
39078 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
39079 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
39080 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
39081 @value{GDBN} source code.
39082
39083 In non-stop mode, the server will simply reply @samp{OK} to commands
39084 such as @samp{vCont}; any stop will be the subject of a future
39085 notification. @xref{Remote Non-Stop}.
39086
39087 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
39088 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
39089 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
39090 components.
39091
39092 @table @samp
39093
39094 @item S @var{AA}
39095 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
39096 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
39097 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
39098
39099 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
39100 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
39101 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
39102 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
39103 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
39104 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
39105 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
39106 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
39107
39108 @itemize @bullet
39109 @item
39110 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
39111 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. The data @var{r} is a
39112 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
39113 two-digit hex number.
39114
39115 @item
39116 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
39117 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
39118
39119 @item
39120 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
39121 the core on which the stop event was detected.
39122
39123 @item
39124 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
39125 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
39126 reasons are listed below. The @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
39127 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
39128
39129 @item
39130 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
39131 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
39132 future.
39133 @end itemize
39134
39135 The currently defined stop reasons are:
39136
39137 @table @samp
39138 @item watch
39139 @itemx rwatch
39140 @itemx awatch
39141 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
39142 hex.
39143
39144 @item syscall_entry
39145 @itemx syscall_return
39146 The packet indicates a syscall entry or return, and @var{r} is the
39147 syscall number, in hex.
39148
39149 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
39150 @item library
39151 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
39152 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
39153 list of loaded libraries. The @var{r} part is ignored.
39154
39155 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
39156 @item replaylog
39157 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
39158 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
39159 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
39160 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
39161 for more information.
39162
39163 @item swbreak
39164 @anchor{swbreak stop reason}
39165 The packet indicates a software breakpoint instruction was executed,
39166 irrespective of whether it was @value{GDBN} that planted the
39167 breakpoint or the breakpoint is hardcoded in the program. The @var{r}
39168 part must be left empty.
39169
39170 On some architectures, such as x86, at the architecture level, when a
39171 breakpoint instruction executes the program counter points at the
39172 breakpoint address plus an offset. On such targets, the stub is
39173 responsible for adjusting the PC to point back at the breakpoint
39174 address.
39175
39176 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
39177 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
39178 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
39179 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
39180 indicating support.
39181
39182 This packet is required for correct non-stop mode operation.
39183
39184 @item hwbreak
39185 The packet indicates the target stopped for a hardware breakpoint.
39186 The @var{r} part must be left empty.
39187
39188 The same remarks about @samp{qSupported} and non-stop mode above
39189 apply.
39190
39191 @cindex fork events, remote reply
39192 @item fork
39193 The packet indicates that @code{fork} was called, and @var{r}
39194 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
39195 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
39196 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
39197 fork events.
39198
39199 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
39200 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
39201 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
39202 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
39203 indicating support.
39204
39205 @cindex vfork events, remote reply
39206 @item vfork
39207 The packet indicates that @code{vfork} was called, and @var{r}
39208 is the thread ID of the new child process. Refer to
39209 @ref{thread-id syntax} for the format of the @var{thread-id}
39210 field. This packet is only applicable to targets that support
39211 vfork events.
39212
39213 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
39214 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
39215 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
39216 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
39217 indicating support.
39218
39219 @cindex vforkdone events, remote reply
39220 @item vforkdone
39221 The packet indicates that a child process created by a vfork
39222 has either called @code{exec} or terminated, so that the
39223 address spaces of the parent and child process are no longer
39224 shared. The @var{r} part is ignored. This packet is only
39225 applicable to targets that support vforkdone events.
39226
39227 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
39228 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
39229 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
39230 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
39231 indicating support.
39232
39233 @cindex exec events, remote reply
39234 @item exec
39235 The packet indicates that @code{execve} was called, and @var{r}
39236 is the absolute pathname of the file that was executed, in hex.
39237 This packet is only applicable to targets that support exec events.
39238
39239 This packet should not be sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions
39240 did not support it. @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an
39241 appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The
39242 remote stub must also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature
39243 indicating support.
39244
39245 @cindex thread create event, remote reply
39246 @anchor{thread create event}
39247 @item create
39248 The packet indicates that the thread was just created. The new thread
39249 is stopped until @value{GDBN} sets it running with a resumption packet
39250 (@pxref{vCont packet}). This packet should not be sent by default;
39251 @value{GDBN} requests it with the @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See
39252 also the @samp{w} (@pxref{thread exit event}) remote reply below. The
39253 @var{r} part is ignored.
39254
39255 @end table
39256
39257 @item W @var{AA}
39258 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
39259 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
39260 applicable to certain targets.
39261
39262 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
39263 exited process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
39264 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
39265 extensions}. Both @var{AA} and @var{pid} are formatted as big-endian
39266 hex strings.
39267
39268 @item X @var{AA}
39269 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
39270 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
39271
39272 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
39273 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
39274 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
39275 extensions}. Both @var{AA} and @var{pid} are formatted as big-endian
39276 hex strings.
39277
39278 @anchor{thread exit event}
39279 @cindex thread exit event, remote reply
39280 @item w @var{AA} ; @var{tid}
39281
39282 The thread exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This response
39283 should not be sent by default; @value{GDBN} requests it with the
39284 @ref{QThreadEvents} packet. See also @ref{thread create event} above.
39285 @var{AA} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
39286
39287 @item N
39288 There are no resumed threads left in the target. In other words, even
39289 though the process is alive, the last resumed thread has exited. For
39290 example, say the target process has two threads: thread 1 and thread
39291 2. The client leaves thread 1 stopped, and resumes thread 2, which
39292 subsequently exits. At this point, even though the process is still
39293 alive, and thus no @samp{W} stop reply is sent, no thread is actually
39294 executing either. The @samp{N} stop reply thus informs the client
39295 that it can stop waiting for stop replies. This packet should not be
39296 sent by default; older @value{GDBN} versions did not support it.
39297 @value{GDBN} requests it, by supplying an appropriate
39298 @samp{qSupported} feature (@pxref{qSupported}). The remote stub must
39299 also supply the appropriate @samp{qSupported} feature indicating
39300 support.
39301
39302 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
39303 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
39304 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
39305 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
39306 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
39307
39308 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
39309 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
39310 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
39311 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
39312 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
39313 system calls.
39314
39315 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
39316 this very system call.
39317
39318 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
39319 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
39320 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
39321 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
39322 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
39323 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
39324
39325 @end table
39326
39327 @node General Query Packets
39328 @section General Query Packets
39329 @cindex remote query requests
39330
39331 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
39332 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
39333 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
39334 sending information to and from the stub.
39335
39336 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
39337 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
39338 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
39339 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
39340 conventions:
39341
39342 @itemize @bullet
39343 @item
39344 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
39345 @item
39346 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
39347 letter.
39348 @item
39349 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
39350 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
39351 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
39352 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
39353 @end itemize
39354
39355 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
39356 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
39357 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
39358 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
39359 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
39360 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
39361 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
39362 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
39363 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
39364 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
39365 packet.}.
39366
39367 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
39368 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
39369 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
39370 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
39371 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
39372
39373 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
39374
39375 @table @samp
39376
39377 @item QAgent:1
39378 @itemx QAgent:0
39379 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
39380 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
39381
39382 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
39383 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
39384 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
39385 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
39386 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
39387 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
39388 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
39389 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
39390 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
39391 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
39392 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
39393
39394 @item qC
39395 @cindex current thread, remote request
39396 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
39397 Return the current thread ID.
39398
39399 Reply:
39400 @table @samp
39401 @item QC @var{thread-id}
39402 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
39403 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
39404 @item @r{(anything else)}
39405 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
39406 @end table
39407
39408 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
39409 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
39410 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
39411 @anchor{qCRC packet}
39412 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
39413 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
39414 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
39415 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
39416
39417 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
39418 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
39419 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
39420 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
39421 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
39422 detect trailing zeros.
39423
39424 Reply:
39425 @table @samp
39426 @item E @var{NN}
39427 An error (such as memory fault)
39428 @item C @var{crc32}
39429 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
39430 @end table
39431
39432 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
39433 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
39434 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
39435 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
39436 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
39437 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
39438 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
39439 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
39440 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
39441 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
39442 randomization.
39443
39444 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
39445
39446 Reply:
39447 @table @samp
39448 @item OK
39449 The request succeeded.
39450
39451 @item E @var{nn}
39452 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39453
39454 @item @w{}
39455 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
39456 by the stub.
39457 @end table
39458
39459 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39460 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39461 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
39462 address space randomization.
39463
39464 @item QStartupWithShell:@var{value}
39465 @cindex startup with shell, remote request
39466 @cindex @samp{QStartupWithShell} packet
39467 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to start the inferior using a
39468 shell program. This is the default behavior on both @value{GDBN} and
39469 @command{gdbserver} (@pxref{set startup-with-shell}). This packet is
39470 used to inform @command{gdbserver} whether it should start the
39471 inferior using a shell or not.
39472
39473 If @var{value} is @samp{0}, @command{gdbserver} will not use a shell
39474 to start the inferior. If @var{value} is @samp{1},
39475 @command{gdbserver} will use a shell to start the inferior. All other
39476 values are considered an error.
39477
39478 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
39479 mode}).
39480
39481 Reply:
39482 @table @samp
39483 @item OK
39484 The request succeeded.
39485
39486 @item E @var{nn}
39487 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39488 @end table
39489
39490 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39491 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39492 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
39493 actually support starting the inferior using a shell.
39494
39495 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set startup-with-shell}
39496 command; @pxref{set startup-with-shell}.
39497
39498 @item QEnvironmentHexEncoded:@var{hex-value}
39499 @anchor{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
39500 @cindex set environment variable, remote request
39501 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentHexEncoded} packet
39502 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to set environment variables that
39503 will be passed to the inferior during the startup process. This
39504 packet is used to inform @command{gdbserver} of an environment
39505 variable that has been defined by the user on @value{GDBN} (@pxref{set
39506 environment}).
39507
39508 The packet is composed by @var{hex-value}, an hex encoded
39509 representation of the @var{name=value} format representing an
39510 environment variable. The name of the environment variable is
39511 represented by @var{name}, and the value to be assigned to the
39512 environment variable is represented by @var{value}. If the variable
39513 has no value (i.e., the value is @code{null}), then @var{value} will
39514 not be present.
39515
39516 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
39517 mode}).
39518
39519 Reply:
39520 @table @samp
39521 @item OK
39522 The request succeeded.
39523 @end table
39524
39525 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39526 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39527 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
39528 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
39529 inferior.
39530
39531 This packet is related to the @code{set environment} command;
39532 @pxref{set environment}.
39533
39534 @item QEnvironmentUnset:@var{hex-value}
39535 @anchor{QEnvironmentUnset}
39536 @cindex unset environment variable, remote request
39537 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentUnset} packet
39538 On UNIX-like targets, it is possible to unset environment variables
39539 before starting the inferior in the remote target. This packet is
39540 used to inform @command{gdbserver} of an environment variable that has
39541 been unset by the user on @value{GDBN} (@pxref{unset environment}).
39542
39543 The packet is composed by @var{hex-value}, an hex encoded
39544 representation of the name of the environment variable to be unset.
39545
39546 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
39547 mode}).
39548
39549 Reply:
39550 @table @samp
39551 @item OK
39552 The request succeeded.
39553 @end table
39554
39555 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39556 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39557 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
39558 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
39559 inferior.
39560
39561 This packet is related to the @code{unset environment} command;
39562 @pxref{unset environment}.
39563
39564 @item QEnvironmentReset
39565 @anchor{QEnvironmentReset}
39566 @cindex reset environment, remote request
39567 @cindex @samp{QEnvironmentReset} packet
39568 On UNIX-like targets, this packet is used to reset the state of
39569 environment variables in the remote target before starting the
39570 inferior. In this context, reset means unsetting all environment
39571 variables that were previously set by the user (i.e., were not
39572 initially present in the environment). It is sent to
39573 @command{gdbserver} before the @samp{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}
39574 (@pxref{QEnvironmentHexEncoded}) and the @samp{QEnvironmentUnset}
39575 (@pxref{QEnvironmentUnset}) packets.
39576
39577 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
39578 mode}).
39579
39580 Reply:
39581 @table @samp
39582 @item OK
39583 The request succeeded.
39584 @end table
39585
39586 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39587 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39588 (@pxref{qSupported}). This should only be done on targets that
39589 actually support passing environment variables to the starting
39590 inferior.
39591
39592 @item QSetWorkingDir:@r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
39593 @anchor{QSetWorkingDir packet}
39594 @cindex set working directory, remote request
39595 @cindex @samp{QSetWorkingDir} packet
39596 This packet is used to inform the remote server of the intended
39597 current working directory for programs that are going to be executed.
39598
39599 The packet is composed by @var{directory}, an hex encoded
39600 representation of the directory that the remote inferior will use as
39601 its current working directory. If @var{directory} is an empty string,
39602 the remote server should reset the inferior's current working
39603 directory to its original, empty value.
39604
39605 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended
39606 mode}).
39607
39608 Reply:
39609 @table @samp
39610 @item OK
39611 The request succeeded.
39612 @end table
39613
39614 @item qfThreadInfo
39615 @itemx qsThreadInfo
39616 @cindex list active threads, remote request
39617 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
39618 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
39619 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
39620 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
39621 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
39622 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
39623 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
39624 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
39625
39626 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
39627
39628 Reply:
39629 @table @samp
39630 @item m @var{thread-id}
39631 A single thread ID
39632 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
39633 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
39634 @item l
39635 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
39636 @end table
39637
39638 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
39639 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
39640 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
39641 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
39642 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
39643 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
39644 fields.
39645
39646 @emph{Note: @value{GDBN} will send the @code{qfThreadInfo} query during the
39647 initial connection with the remote target, and the very first thread ID
39648 mentioned in the reply will be stopped by @value{GDBN} in a subsequent
39649 message. Therefore, the stub should ensure that the first thread ID in
39650 the @code{qfThreadInfo} reply is suitable for being stopped by @value{GDBN}.}
39651
39652 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
39653 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
39654 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
39655 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
39656 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
39657
39658 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
39659 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
39660
39661 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
39662 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
39663 information associated with the variable.)
39664
39665 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
39666 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
39667 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
39668 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
39669 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
39670 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
39671
39672 Reply:
39673 @table @samp
39674 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
39675 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
39676 local storage requested.
39677
39678 @item E @var{nn}
39679 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39680
39681 @item @w{}
39682 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
39683 @end table
39684
39685 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
39686 @cindex get thread information block address
39687 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
39688 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
39689
39690 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
39691
39692 Reply:
39693 @table @samp
39694 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
39695 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
39696 thread information block.
39697
39698 @item E @var{nn}
39699 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
39700 address could not be retrieved.
39701
39702 @item @w{}
39703 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
39704 @end table
39705
39706 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
39707 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
39708 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
39709 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
39710 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
39711 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
39712 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
39713
39714 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
39715
39716 Reply:
39717 @table @samp
39718 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
39719 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
39720 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
39721 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
39722 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
39723 is a sequence of thread IDs, @var{threadid} (eight hex
39724 digits), from the target. See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
39725 @end table
39726
39727 @item qOffsets
39728 @cindex section offsets, remote request
39729 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
39730 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
39731 image.
39732
39733 Reply:
39734 @table @samp
39735 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
39736 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
39737 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
39738 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
39739 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
39740 segments by the supplied offsets.
39741
39742 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
39743 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
39744 to the @code{Bss} section.}
39745
39746 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
39747 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
39748 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
39749 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
39750 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
39751 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
39752 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
39753 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
39754 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
39755 @end table
39756
39757 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
39758 @cindex thread information, remote request
39759 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
39760 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
39761 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
39762 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
39763
39764 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
39765 (see below).
39766
39767 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
39768
39769 @item QNonStop:1
39770 @itemx QNonStop:0
39771 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
39772 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
39773 @anchor{QNonStop}
39774 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
39775 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
39776
39777 Reply:
39778 @table @samp
39779 @item OK
39780 The request succeeded.
39781
39782 @item E @var{nn}
39783 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39784
39785 @item @w{}
39786 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
39787 the stub.
39788 @end table
39789
39790 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39791 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39792 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
39793 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
39794
39795 @item QCatchSyscalls:1 @r{[};@var{sysno}@r{]}@dots{}
39796 @itemx QCatchSyscalls:0
39797 @cindex catch syscalls from inferior, remote request
39798 @cindex @samp{QCatchSyscalls} packet
39799 @anchor{QCatchSyscalls}
39800 Enable (@samp{QCatchSyscalls:1}) or disable (@samp{QCatchSyscalls:0})
39801 catching syscalls from the inferior process.
39802
39803 For @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1}, each listed syscall @var{sysno} (encoded
39804 in hex) should be reported to @value{GDBN}. If no syscall @var{sysno}
39805 is listed, every system call should be reported.
39806
39807 Note that if a syscall not in the list is reported, @value{GDBN} will
39808 still filter the event according to its own list from all corresponding
39809 @code{catch syscall} commands. However, it is more efficient to only
39810 report the requested syscalls.
39811
39812 Multiple @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1} packets do not combine; any earlier
39813 @samp{QCatchSyscalls:1} list is completely replaced by the new list.
39814
39815 If the inferior process execs, the state of @samp{QCatchSyscalls} is
39816 kept for the new process too. On targets where exec may affect syscall
39817 numbers, for example with exec between 32 and 64-bit processes, the
39818 client should send a new packet with the new syscall list.
39819
39820 Reply:
39821 @table @samp
39822 @item OK
39823 The request succeeded.
39824
39825 @item E @var{nn}
39826 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
39827
39828 @item @w{}
39829 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QCatchSyscalls} is not supported by
39830 the stub.
39831 @end table
39832
39833 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote catch-syscalls}
39834 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote catch-syscalls}).
39835 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39836 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39837
39838 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
39839 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
39840 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
39841 @anchor{QPassSignals}
39842 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
39843 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
39844 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
39845 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
39846 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
39847 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
39848 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
39849 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
39850 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
39851
39852 Reply:
39853 @table @samp
39854 @item OK
39855 The request succeeded.
39856
39857 @item E @var{nn}
39858 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39859
39860 @item @w{}
39861 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
39862 the stub.
39863 @end table
39864
39865 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
39866 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
39867 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39868 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39869
39870 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
39871 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
39872 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
39873 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
39874 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
39875 Others should be silently discarded.
39876
39877 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
39878 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
39879 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
39880 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
39881 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
39882 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
39883 signals.
39884
39885 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
39886 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
39887
39888 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
39889 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
39890 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
39891 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
39892 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
39893
39894 Reply:
39895 @table @samp
39896 @item OK
39897 The request succeeded.
39898
39899 @item E @var{nn}
39900 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39901
39902 @item @w{}
39903 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
39904 by the stub.
39905 @end table
39906
39907 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
39908 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
39909 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39910 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39911
39912 @anchor{QThreadEvents}
39913 @item QThreadEvents:1
39914 @itemx QThreadEvents:0
39915 @cindex thread create/exit events, remote request
39916 @cindex @samp{QThreadEvents} packet
39917
39918 Enable (@samp{QThreadEvents:1}) or disable (@samp{QThreadEvents:0})
39919 reporting of thread create and exit events. @xref{thread create
39920 event}, for the reply specifications. For example, this is used in
39921 non-stop mode when @value{GDBN} stops a set of threads and
39922 synchronously waits for the their corresponding stop replies. Without
39923 exit events, if one of the threads exits, @value{GDBN} would hang
39924 forever not knowing that it should no longer expect a stop for that
39925 same thread. @value{GDBN} does not enable this feature unless the
39926 stub reports that it supports it by including @samp{QThreadEvents+} in
39927 its @samp{qSupported} reply.
39928
39929 Reply:
39930 @table @samp
39931 @item OK
39932 The request succeeded.
39933
39934 @item E @var{nn}
39935 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
39936
39937 @item @w{}
39938 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QThreadEvents} is not supported by
39939 the stub.
39940 @end table
39941
39942 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote thread-events}
39943 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote thread-events}).
39944
39945 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
39946 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
39947 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
39948 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
39949 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
39950 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
39951 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
39952 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
39953 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
39954
39955 Reply:
39956 @table @samp
39957 @item OK
39958 A command response with no output.
39959 @item @var{OUTPUT}
39960 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
39961 @item E @var{NN}
39962 Indicate a badly formed request.
39963 @item @w{}
39964 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
39965 @end table
39966
39967 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
39968 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
39969 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
39970 packets.)
39971
39972 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
39973 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
39974 @ifnotinfo
39975 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
39976 @end ifnotinfo
39977 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
39978 @anchor{qSearch memory}
39979 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
39980 Both @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex;
39981 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, also hex encoded.
39982
39983 Reply:
39984 @table @samp
39985 @item 0
39986 The pattern was not found.
39987 @item 1,address
39988 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
39989 @item E @var{NN}
39990 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
39991 @item @w{}
39992 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
39993 @end table
39994
39995 @item QStartNoAckMode
39996 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
39997 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
39998 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
39999 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
40000
40001 Reply:
40002 @table @samp
40003 @item OK
40004 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
40005 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
40006 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
40007 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
40008 @item @w{}
40009 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
40010 @end table
40011
40012 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
40013 @cindex supported packets, remote query
40014 @cindex features of the remote protocol
40015 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
40016 @anchor{qSupported}
40017 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
40018 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
40019 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
40020 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
40021 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
40022 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
40023 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
40024 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
40025 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
40026 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
40027 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
40028 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
40029 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
40030 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
40031
40032 Reply:
40033 @table @samp
40034 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
40035 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
40036 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
40037 possible forms).
40038 @item @w{}
40039 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
40040 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
40041 @end table
40042
40043 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
40044 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
40045 are:
40046
40047 @table @samp
40048 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
40049 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
40050 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
40051 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
40052 @item @var{name}+
40053 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
40054 need an associated value.
40055 @item @var{name}-
40056 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
40057 @item @var{name}?
40058 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
40059 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
40060 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
40061 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
40062 @end table
40063
40064 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
40065 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
40066 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
40067 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
40068 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
40069
40070 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
40071 are defined:
40072
40073 @table @samp
40074 @item multiprocess
40075 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
40076 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
40077 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
40078 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
40079 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
40080
40081 @item xmlRegisters
40082 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
40083 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
40084 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
40085 description.
40086
40087 @item qRelocInsn
40088 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
40089 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
40090 instruction reply packet}).
40091
40092 @item swbreak
40093 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the swbreak stop
40094 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
40095
40096 @item hwbreak
40097 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the hwbreak stop
40098 reason in stop replies. @xref{swbreak stop reason}, for details.
40099
40100 @item fork-events
40101 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports fork event
40102 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
40103 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
40104 including @samp{fork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
40105
40106 @item vfork-events
40107 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports vfork event
40108 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
40109 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
40110 including @samp{vfork-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
40111
40112 @item exec-events
40113 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports exec event
40114 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
40115 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
40116 including @samp{exec-events+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
40117
40118 @item vContSupported
40119 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} wants to know the
40120 supported actions in the reply to @samp{vCont?} packet.
40121 @end table
40122
40123 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
40124 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
40125 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
40126 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
40127 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
40128 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
40129 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
40130 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
40131 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
40132 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
40133 all the features it supports.
40134
40135 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
40136 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
40137
40138 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
40139 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
40140 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
40141 form response.
40142
40143 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
40144 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
40145 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
40146 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
40147
40148 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
40149 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
40150 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
40151 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
40152 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
40153
40154 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
40155
40156 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
40157 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
40158 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
40159 @item Feature Name
40160 @tab Value Required
40161 @tab Default
40162 @tab Probe Allowed
40163
40164 @item @samp{PacketSize}
40165 @tab Yes
40166 @tab @samp{-}
40167 @tab No
40168
40169 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
40170 @tab No
40171 @tab @samp{-}
40172 @tab Yes
40173
40174 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
40175 @tab No
40176 @tab @samp{-}
40177 @tab Yes
40178
40179 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
40180 @tab No
40181 @tab @samp{-}
40182 @tab Yes
40183
40184 @item @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read}
40185 @tab No
40186 @tab @samp{-}
40187 @tab Yes
40188
40189 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
40190 @tab No
40191 @tab @samp{-}
40192 @tab Yes
40193
40194 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
40195 @tab No
40196 @tab @samp{-}
40197 @tab Yes
40198
40199 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read}
40200 @tab No
40201 @tab @samp{-}
40202 @tab Yes
40203
40204 @item @samp{augmented-libraries-svr4-read}
40205 @tab No
40206 @tab @samp{-}
40207 @tab No
40208
40209 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
40210 @tab No
40211 @tab @samp{-}
40212 @tab Yes
40213
40214 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
40215 @tab No
40216 @tab @samp{-}
40217 @tab Yes
40218
40219 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
40220 @tab No
40221 @tab @samp{-}
40222 @tab Yes
40223
40224 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
40225 @tab No
40226 @tab @samp{-}
40227 @tab Yes
40228
40229 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
40230 @tab No
40231 @tab @samp{-}
40232 @tab Yes
40233
40234 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
40235 @tab No
40236 @tab @samp{-}
40237 @tab Yes
40238
40239 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
40240 @tab No
40241 @tab @samp{-}
40242 @tab Yes
40243
40244 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
40245 @tab No
40246 @tab @samp{-}
40247 @tab Yes
40248
40249 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
40250 @tab Yes
40251 @tab @samp{-}
40252 @tab Yes
40253
40254 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
40255 @tab Yes
40256 @tab @samp{-}
40257 @tab Yes
40258
40259 @item @samp{Qbtrace:pt}
40260 @tab Yes
40261 @tab @samp{-}
40262 @tab Yes
40263
40264 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size}
40265 @tab Yes
40266 @tab @samp{-}
40267 @tab Yes
40268
40269 @item @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size}
40270 @tab Yes
40271 @tab @samp{-}
40272 @tab Yes
40273
40274 @item @samp{QNonStop}
40275 @tab No
40276 @tab @samp{-}
40277 @tab Yes
40278
40279 @item @samp{QCatchSyscalls}
40280 @tab No
40281 @tab @samp{-}
40282 @tab Yes
40283
40284 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
40285 @tab No
40286 @tab @samp{-}
40287 @tab Yes
40288
40289 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
40290 @tab No
40291 @tab @samp{-}
40292 @tab Yes
40293
40294 @item @samp{multiprocess}
40295 @tab No
40296 @tab @samp{-}
40297 @tab No
40298
40299 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
40300 @tab No
40301 @tab @samp{-}
40302 @tab No
40303
40304 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
40305 @tab No
40306 @tab @samp{-}
40307 @tab No
40308
40309 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
40310 @tab No
40311 @tab @samp{-}
40312 @tab No
40313
40314 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
40315 @tab No
40316 @tab @samp{-}
40317 @tab No
40318
40319 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
40320 @tab No
40321 @tab @samp{-}
40322 @tab No
40323
40324 @item @samp{QAgent}
40325 @tab No
40326 @tab @samp{-}
40327 @tab No
40328
40329 @item @samp{QAllow}
40330 @tab No
40331 @tab @samp{-}
40332 @tab No
40333
40334 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
40335 @tab No
40336 @tab @samp{-}
40337 @tab No
40338
40339 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
40340 @tab No
40341 @tab @samp{-}
40342 @tab No
40343
40344 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
40345 @tab No
40346 @tab @samp{-}
40347 @tab No
40348
40349 @item @samp{tracenz}
40350 @tab No
40351 @tab @samp{-}
40352 @tab No
40353
40354 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
40355 @tab No
40356 @tab @samp{-}
40357 @tab No
40358
40359 @item @samp{swbreak}
40360 @tab No
40361 @tab @samp{-}
40362 @tab No
40363
40364 @item @samp{hwbreak}
40365 @tab No
40366 @tab @samp{-}
40367 @tab No
40368
40369 @item @samp{fork-events}
40370 @tab No
40371 @tab @samp{-}
40372 @tab No
40373
40374 @item @samp{vfork-events}
40375 @tab No
40376 @tab @samp{-}
40377 @tab No
40378
40379 @item @samp{exec-events}
40380 @tab No
40381 @tab @samp{-}
40382 @tab No
40383
40384 @item @samp{QThreadEvents}
40385 @tab No
40386 @tab @samp{-}
40387 @tab No
40388
40389 @item @samp{no-resumed}
40390 @tab No
40391 @tab @samp{-}
40392 @tab No
40393
40394 @end multitable
40395
40396 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
40397
40398 @table @samp
40399 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
40400 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
40401 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
40402 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
40403 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
40404 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
40405 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
40406 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
40407 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
40408 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
40409
40410 @item qXfer:auxv:read
40411 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
40412 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
40413
40414 @item qXfer:btrace:read
40415 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
40416 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
40417
40418 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read
40419 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
40420 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}).
40421
40422 @item qXfer:exec-file:read
40423 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:exec-file:read} packet
40424 (@pxref{qXfer executable filename read}).
40425
40426 @item qXfer:features:read
40427 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
40428 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
40429
40430 @item qXfer:libraries:read
40431 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
40432 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
40433
40434 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
40435 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
40436 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
40437
40438 @item augmented-libraries-svr4-read
40439 The remote stub understands the augmented form of the
40440 @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
40441 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
40442
40443 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
40444 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
40445 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
40446
40447 @item qXfer:sdata:read
40448 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
40449 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
40450
40451 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
40452 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
40453 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
40454
40455 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
40456 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
40457 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
40458
40459 @item qXfer:threads:read
40460 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
40461 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
40462
40463 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
40464 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
40465 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
40466
40467 @item qXfer:uib:read
40468 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
40469 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
40470
40471 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
40472 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
40473 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
40474
40475 @item QNonStop
40476 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
40477 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
40478
40479 @item QCatchSyscalls
40480 The remote stub understands the @samp{QCatchSyscalls} packet
40481 (@pxref{QCatchSyscalls}).
40482
40483 @item QPassSignals
40484 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
40485 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
40486
40487 @item QStartNoAckMode
40488 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
40489 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
40490
40491 @item multiprocess
40492 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
40493 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
40494 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
40495 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
40496 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
40497 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
40498 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
40499 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
40500 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
40501 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
40502 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
40503
40504 @item qXfer:osdata:read
40505 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
40506 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
40507
40508 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
40509 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
40510 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
40511 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
40512
40513 @item ConditionalTracepoints
40514 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
40515 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
40516
40517 @item ReverseContinue
40518 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
40519 (@pxref{bc}).
40520
40521 @item ReverseStep
40522 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
40523 (@pxref{bs}).
40524
40525 @item TracepointSource
40526 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
40527 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
40528
40529 @item QAgent
40530 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
40531
40532 @item QAllow
40533 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
40534
40535 @item QDisableRandomization
40536 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
40537
40538 @item StaticTracepoint
40539 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
40540 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
40541
40542 @item InstallInTrace
40543 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
40544 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
40545
40546 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
40547 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
40548 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
40549 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
40550
40551 @item QTBuffer:size
40552 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
40553 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
40554
40555 @item tracenz
40556 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
40557 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
40558 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
40559
40560 @item BreakpointCommands
40561 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
40562 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
40563 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
40564
40565 @item Qbtrace:off
40566 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
40567
40568 @item Qbtrace:bts
40569 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
40570
40571 @item Qbtrace:pt
40572 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:pt} packet.
40573
40574 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size
40575 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:bts:size} packet.
40576
40577 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size
40578 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace-conf:pt:size} packet.
40579
40580 @item swbreak
40581 The remote stub reports the @samp{swbreak} stop reason for memory
40582 breakpoints.
40583
40584 @item hwbreak
40585 The remote stub reports the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason for hardware
40586 breakpoints.
40587
40588 @item fork-events
40589 The remote stub reports the @samp{fork} stop reason for fork events.
40590
40591 @item vfork-events
40592 The remote stub reports the @samp{vfork} stop reason for vfork events
40593 and vforkdone events.
40594
40595 @item exec-events
40596 The remote stub reports the @samp{exec} stop reason for exec events.
40597
40598 @item vContSupported
40599 The remote stub reports the supported actions in the reply to
40600 @samp{vCont?} packet.
40601
40602 @item QThreadEvents
40603 The remote stub understands the @samp{QThreadEvents} packet.
40604
40605 @item no-resumed
40606 The remote stub reports the @samp{N} stop reply.
40607
40608 @end table
40609
40610 @item qSymbol::
40611 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
40612 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
40613 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
40614 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
40615
40616 Reply:
40617 @table @samp
40618 @item OK
40619 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
40620 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
40621 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
40622 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
40623 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
40624 below.
40625 @end table
40626
40627 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
40628 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
40629
40630 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
40631 target has previously requested.
40632
40633 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
40634 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
40635 will be empty.
40636
40637 Reply:
40638 @table @samp
40639 @item OK
40640 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
40641 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
40642 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
40643 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
40644 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
40645 @end table
40646
40647 @item qTBuffer
40648 @itemx QTBuffer
40649 @itemx QTDisconnected
40650 @itemx QTDP
40651 @itemx QTDPsrc
40652 @itemx QTDV
40653 @itemx qTfP
40654 @itemx qTfV
40655 @itemx QTFrame
40656 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
40657
40658 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
40659
40660 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
40661 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
40662 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
40663 Obtain from the target OS a printable string description of thread
40664 attributes for the thread @var{thread-id}; see @ref{thread-id syntax},
40665 for the forms of @var{thread-id}. This
40666 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
40667 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
40668 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
40669 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
40670 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
40671
40672 Reply:
40673 @table @samp
40674 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
40675 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
40676 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
40677 the thread's attributes.
40678 @end table
40679
40680 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
40681 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
40682 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
40683 packets.)
40684
40685 @item QTNotes
40686 @itemx qTP
40687 @itemx QTSave
40688 @itemx qTsP
40689 @itemx qTsV
40690 @itemx QTStart
40691 @itemx QTStop
40692 @itemx QTEnable
40693 @itemx QTDisable
40694 @itemx QTinit
40695 @itemx QTro
40696 @itemx qTStatus
40697 @itemx qTV
40698 @itemx qTfSTM
40699 @itemx qTsSTM
40700 @itemx qTSTMat
40701 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
40702
40703 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40704 @cindex read special object, remote request
40705 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
40706 @anchor{qXfer read}
40707 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
40708 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
40709 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
40710 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
40711 additional details about what data to access.
40712
40713 Reply:
40714 @table @samp
40715 @item m @var{data}
40716 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
40717 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
40718 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
40719 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
40720 It is possible for @var{data} to have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
40721 request.
40722
40723 @item l @var{data}
40724 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
40725 There is no more data to be read. It is possible for @var{data} to
40726 have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the request.
40727
40728 @item l
40729 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
40730 There is no more data to be read.
40731
40732 @item E00
40733 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
40734
40735 @item E @var{nn}
40736 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
40737 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
40738
40739 @item @w{}
40740 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
40741 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
40742 @end table
40743
40744 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All the
40745 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
40746 formats, listed above.
40747
40748 @table @samp
40749 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40750 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
40751 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
40752 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
40753
40754 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40755 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40756
40757 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40758 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
40759
40760 Return a description of the current branch trace.
40761 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
40762 packet may have one of the following values:
40763
40764 @table @code
40765 @item all
40766 Returns all available branch trace.
40767
40768 @item new
40769 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
40770 the last read request.
40771
40772 @item delta
40773 Returns the new branch trace since the last read request. Adds a new
40774 block to the end of the trace that begins at zero and ends at the source
40775 location of the first branch in the trace buffer. This extra block is
40776 used to stitch traces together.
40777
40778 If the trace buffer overflowed, returns an error indicating the overflow.
40779 @end table
40780
40781 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
40782 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40783
40784 @item qXfer:btrace-conf:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40785 @anchor{qXfer btrace-conf read}
40786
40787 Return a description of the current branch trace configuration.
40788 @xref{Branch Trace Configuration Format}.
40789
40790 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
40791 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40792
40793 @item qXfer:exec-file:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40794 @anchor{qXfer executable filename read}
40795 Return the full absolute name of the file that was executed to create
40796 a process running on the remote system. The annex specifies the
40797 numeric process ID of the process to query, encoded as a hexadecimal
40798 number. If the annex part is empty the remote stub should return the
40799 filename corresponding to the currently executing process.
40800
40801 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40802 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40803
40804 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40805 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
40806 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
40807 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
40808 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
40809
40810 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40811 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40812
40813 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40814 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
40815 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
40816 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
40817 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
40818
40819 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
40820 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
40821 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
40822
40823 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40824 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40825
40826 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40827 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
40828 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
40829 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
40830 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty unless the remote
40831 stub indicated it supports the augmented form of this packet
40832 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
40833 (@pxref{qXfer read}, @ref{qSupported}).
40834
40835 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
40836 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
40837
40838 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40839 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40840
40841 If the remote stub indicates it supports the augmented form of this
40842 packet then the annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet may
40843 contain a semicolon-separated list of @samp{@var{name}=@var{value}}
40844 arguments. The currently supported arguments are:
40845
40846 @table @code
40847 @item start=@var{address}
40848 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
40849 link_map} to start reading the library list from. If unset or zero
40850 then the first @samp{struct link_map} in the library list will be
40851 chosen as the starting point.
40852
40853 @item prev=@var{address}
40854 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
40855 link_map} immediately preceding the @samp{struct link_map}
40856 specified by the @samp{start} argument. If unset or zero then
40857 the remote stub will expect that no @samp{struct link_map}
40858 exists prior to the starting point.
40859
40860 @end table
40861
40862 Arguments that are not understood by the remote stub will be silently
40863 ignored.
40864
40865 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40866 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
40867 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
40868 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
40869 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
40870
40871 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40872 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40873
40874 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40875 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
40876
40877 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
40878 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
40879 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
40880 Action Lists}.
40881
40882 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40883 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
40884 (@pxref{qSupported}).
40885
40886 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40887 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
40888 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
40889 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
40890 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
40891
40892 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40893 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
40894 (@pxref{qSupported}).
40895
40896 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40897 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
40898 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
40899 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
40900 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
40901
40902 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40903 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40904
40905 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40906 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
40907
40908 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
40909 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
40910 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
40911
40912 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40913 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40914
40915 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40916 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
40917
40918 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
40919 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
40920
40921 This packet is not probed by default.
40922
40923 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
40924 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
40925 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
40926 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
40927 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
40928
40929 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40930 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40931
40932 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
40933 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
40934 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
40935 @xref{Operating System Information}.
40936
40937 @end table
40938
40939 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
40940 @cindex write data into object, remote request
40941 @anchor{qXfer write}
40942 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
40943 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
40944 into the data. The binary-encoded data (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be
40945 written is given by @var{data}@dots{}. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
40946 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
40947 to access.
40948
40949 Reply:
40950 @table @samp
40951 @item @var{nn}
40952 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
40953 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
40954
40955 @item E00
40956 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
40957
40958 @item E @var{nn}
40959 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
40960 The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
40961
40962 @item @w{}
40963 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
40964 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
40965 @end table
40966
40967 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All the
40968 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
40969 formats, listed above.
40970
40971 @table @samp
40972 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
40973 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
40974 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
40975 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
40976 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
40977
40978 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
40979 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
40980 (@pxref{qSupported}).
40981 @end table
40982
40983 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
40984 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
40985 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
40986 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
40987 must respond with an empty packet.
40988
40989 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
40990 @cindex query attached, remote request
40991 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
40992 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
40993 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
40994 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
40995 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
40996 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
40997 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
40998
40999 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
41000 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
41001 the @code{quit} command.
41002
41003 Reply:
41004 @table @samp
41005 @item 1
41006 The remote server attached to an existing process.
41007 @item 0
41008 The remote server created a new process.
41009 @item E @var{NN}
41010 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
41011 @end table
41012
41013 @item Qbtrace:bts
41014 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Branch Trace Store.
41015
41016 Reply:
41017 @table @samp
41018 @item OK
41019 Branch tracing has been enabled.
41020 @item E.errtext
41021 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
41022 @end table
41023
41024 @item Qbtrace:pt
41025 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using Intel Processor Trace.
41026
41027 Reply:
41028 @table @samp
41029 @item OK
41030 Branch tracing has been enabled.
41031 @item E.errtext
41032 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
41033 @end table
41034
41035 @item Qbtrace:off
41036 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
41037
41038 Reply:
41039 @table @samp
41040 @item OK
41041 Branch tracing has been disabled.
41042 @item E.errtext
41043 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
41044 @end table
41045
41046 @item Qbtrace-conf:bts:size=@var{value}
41047 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
41048 btrace recording method in bts format.
41049
41050 Reply:
41051 @table @samp
41052 @item OK
41053 The ring buffer size has been set.
41054 @item E.errtext
41055 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
41056 @end table
41057
41058 @item Qbtrace-conf:pt:size=@var{value}
41059 Set the requested ring buffer size for new threads that use the
41060 btrace recording method in pt format.
41061
41062 Reply:
41063 @table @samp
41064 @item OK
41065 The ring buffer size has been set.
41066 @item E.errtext
41067 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
41068 @end table
41069
41070 @end table
41071
41072 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
41073 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
41074
41075 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
41076 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
41077 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
41078
41079 @menu
41080 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
41081 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
41082 @end menu
41083
41084 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
41085 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
41086
41087 @menu
41088 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
41089 @end menu
41090
41091 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
41092 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
41093 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
41094
41095 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
41096
41097 @table @r
41098
41099 @item 2
41100 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
41101
41102 @item 3
41103 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
41104
41105 @item 4
41106 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
41107
41108 @end table
41109
41110 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
41111 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
41112
41113 @menu
41114 * MIPS Register packet Format::
41115 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
41116 @end menu
41117
41118 @node MIPS Register packet Format
41119 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
41120 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
41121
41122 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
41123 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
41124 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
41125 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
41126 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
41127 most-significant -- least-significant.
41128
41129 @table @r
41130
41131 @item MIPS32
41132 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
41133 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
41134 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
41135
41136 @item MIPS64
41137 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
41138 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
41139 as @code{MIPS32}.
41140
41141 @end table
41142
41143 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
41144 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
41145 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
41146
41147 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
41148
41149 @table @r
41150
41151 @item 2
41152 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
41153
41154 @item 3
41155 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
41156
41157 @item 4
41158 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
41159
41160 @item 5
41161 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
41162
41163 @end table
41164
41165 @node Tracepoint Packets
41166 @section Tracepoint Packets
41167 @cindex tracepoint packets
41168 @cindex packets, tracepoint
41169
41170 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
41171 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
41172
41173 @table @samp
41174
41175 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
41176 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
41177 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
41178 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
41179 the tracepoint is disabled. The @var{step} gives the tracepoint's step
41180 count, and @var{pass} gives its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
41181 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
41182 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
41183 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
41184 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
41185 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
41186 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
41187 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
41188 actions.
41189
41190 Replies:
41191 @table @samp
41192 @item OK
41193 The packet was understood and carried out.
41194 @item qRelocInsn
41195 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
41196 @item @w{}
41197 The packet was not recognized.
41198 @end table
41199
41200 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
41201 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. The @var{n} and
41202 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
41203 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
41204 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
41205 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
41206 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
41207
41208 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
41209 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
41210 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
41211 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
41212 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
41213 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
41214 tracepoint actions.
41215
41216 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
41217 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
41218 following forms:
41219
41220 @table @samp
41221
41222 @item R @var{mask}
41223 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask},
41224 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
41225 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
41226 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
41227 not fit in a 32-bit word.
41228
41229 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
41230 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
41231 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
41232 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
41233 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
41234 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
41235 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
41236
41237 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
41238 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
41239 it directs. The agent expression @var{expr} is as described in
41240 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
41241 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
41242 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
41243 packet).
41244
41245 @end table
41246
41247 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
41248 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
41249 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
41250 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
41251 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
41252 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
41253 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
41254 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
41255
41256 Replies:
41257 @table @samp
41258 @item OK
41259 The packet was understood and carried out.
41260 @item qRelocInsn
41261 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
41262 @item @w{}
41263 The packet was not recognized.
41264 @end table
41265
41266 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
41267 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
41268 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
41269 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
41270 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. The @var{type}
41271 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
41272 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
41273 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
41274
41275 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
41276 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
41277 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
41278 fit in a single packet.
41279 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
41280 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
41281
41282 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
41283 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
41284 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
41285 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
41286
41287 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
41288 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
41289 query packets.
41290
41291 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
41292 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
41293 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
41294 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
41295 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
41296 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
41297 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
41298 be found.
41299
41300 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}:@var{builtin}:@var{name}
41301 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
41302 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
41303 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
41304 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
41305 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
41306 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
41307 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
41308 mentioned in expressions. The value @var{builtin} should be 1 (one)
41309 if the trace state variable is builtin and 0 (zero) if it is not builtin.
41310 @value{GDBN} only sets @var{builtin} to 1 if a previous @samp{qTfV} or
41311 @samp{qTsV} packet had it set. The contents of @var{name} is the
41312 hex-encoded name (without the leading @samp{$}) of the trace state
41313 variable.
41314
41315 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
41316 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
41317 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
41318 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
41319 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
41320
41321 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
41322 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
41323 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
41324 one of the following forms:
41325
41326 @table @samp
41327 @item F @var{f}
41328 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
41329 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
41330 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
41331
41332 @item T @var{t}
41333 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
41334 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
41335
41336 @end table
41337
41338 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
41339 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
41340 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
41341 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
41342
41343 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
41344 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
41345 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
41346 is a hexadecimal number.
41347
41348 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
41349 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
41350 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
41351 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
41352 numbers.
41353
41354 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
41355 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
41356 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
41357
41358 @item qTMinFTPILen
41359 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
41360 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
41361 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
41362 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
41363 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
41364 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
41365 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
41366 arrange for that.
41367
41368 Replies:
41369
41370 @table @samp
41371 @item 0
41372 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
41373 @item @var{length}
41374 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length}
41375 is a hexadecimal number greater or equal to 1. A reply
41376 of 1 means that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction
41377 regardless of size.
41378 @item E
41379 An error has occurred.
41380 @item @w{}
41381 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
41382 @end table
41383
41384 @item QTStart
41385 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
41386 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
41387 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
41388 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
41389 instruction reply packet}).
41390
41391 @item QTStop
41392 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
41393 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
41394
41395 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
41396 @anchor{QTEnable}
41397 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
41398 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
41399 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
41400 of data from it will resume.
41401
41402 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
41403 @anchor{QTDisable}
41404 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
41405 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
41406 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
41407 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
41408
41409 @item QTinit
41410 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
41411 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
41412
41413 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
41414 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
41415 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
41416 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
41417 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
41418
41419 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
41420 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
41421 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
41422 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
41423
41424 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
41425 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
41426 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
41427 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
41428 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
41429 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
41430
41431 @item qTStatus
41432 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
41433 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
41434
41435 The reply has the form:
41436
41437 @table @samp
41438
41439 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
41440 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
41441 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
41442 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
41443
41444 @end table
41445
41446 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
41447 explanations as one of the optional fields:
41448
41449 @table @samp
41450
41451 @item tnotrun:0
41452 No trace has been run yet.
41453
41454 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
41455 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
41456 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
41457 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
41458 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
41459
41460 @item tfull:0
41461 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
41462
41463 @item tdisconnected:0
41464 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
41465
41466 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
41467 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
41468
41469 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
41470 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
41471 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
41472 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression); it
41473 is hex encoded.
41474
41475 @item tunknown:0
41476 The trace stopped for some other reason.
41477
41478 @end table
41479
41480 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
41481 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
41482 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
41483 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
41484 trace.
41485
41486 @table @samp
41487
41488 @item tframes:@var{n}
41489 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
41490
41491 @item tcreated:@var{n}
41492 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
41493 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
41494
41495 @item tsize:@var{n}
41496 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
41497
41498 @item tfree:@var{n}
41499 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
41500
41501 @item circular:@var{n}
41502 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
41503 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
41504 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
41505 and may fill up.
41506
41507 @item disconn:@var{n}
41508 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
41509 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
41510 that the trace run will stop.
41511
41512 @end table
41513
41514 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
41515 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
41516 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
41517 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
41518 address @var{addr}.
41519
41520 Replies:
41521 @table @samp
41522 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
41523 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
41524 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
41525 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
41526 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
41527
41528 @end table
41529
41530 @item qTV:@var{var}
41531 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
41532 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
41533 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
41534
41535 Replies:
41536 @table @samp
41537 @item V@var{value}
41538 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
41539 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
41540 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
41541 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
41542 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
41543 program is running.
41544
41545 @item U
41546 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
41547 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
41548 was not collected.
41549 @end table
41550
41551 @item qTfP
41552 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
41553 @itemx qTsP
41554 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
41555 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
41556 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
41557 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
41558 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
41559 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
41560
41561 @item qTfV
41562 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
41563 @itemx qTsV
41564 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
41565 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
41566 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
41567 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
41568 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
41569 trace state variables.
41570
41571 @item qTfSTM
41572 @itemx qTsSTM
41573 @anchor{qTfSTM}
41574 @anchor{qTsSTM}
41575 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
41576 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
41577 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
41578 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
41579 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
41580 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
41581
41582 Reply:
41583 @table @samp
41584 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
41585 A single marker
41586 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
41587 a comma-separated list of markers
41588 @item l
41589 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
41590 @item E @var{nn}
41591 An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
41592 @item @w{}
41593 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
41594 stub.
41595 @end table
41596
41597 The @var{address} is encoded in hex;
41598 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
41599
41600 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
41601 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
41602 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
41603 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
41604 @dfn{last}).
41605
41606 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
41607 @anchor{qTSTMat}
41608 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
41609 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
41610 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
41611 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
41612 tracepoint markers.
41613
41614 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
41615 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
41616 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
41617 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. The @var{filename} is encoded
41618 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
41619 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
41620
41621 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
41622 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
41623 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
41624 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
41625 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
41626 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
41627 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
41628 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
41629 available.
41630
41631 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
41632 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
41633 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
41634
41635 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
41636 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
41637 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
41638 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
41639 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
41640 use whatever size it prefers.
41641
41642 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
41643 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
41644 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
41645 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
41646 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
41647
41648 @end table
41649
41650 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
41651 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
41652 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
41653 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
41654 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
41655 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
41656 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
41657 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
41658 it had executed in the original location.
41659
41660 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
41661 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
41662 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
41663 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
41664 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
41665 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
41666 format of the request is:
41667
41668 @table @samp
41669 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
41670
41671 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
41672 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
41673 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
41674 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
41675 memory starting at @var{to}.
41676 @end table
41677
41678 Replies:
41679 @table @samp
41680 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
41681 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. The @var{adjusted_size} is
41682 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
41683 @item E @var{NN}
41684 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
41685 relocating the instruction.
41686 @end table
41687
41688 @node Host I/O Packets
41689 @section Host I/O Packets
41690 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
41691 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
41692
41693 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
41694 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
41695 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
41696 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
41697 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
41698 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
41699 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
41700 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
41701 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
41702 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
41703
41704 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
41705 its arguments. They have this format:
41706
41707 @table @samp
41708
41709 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
41710 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
41711 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
41712 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
41713 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
41714 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
41715 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
41716 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
41717 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
41718
41719 @end table
41720
41721 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
41722
41723 @table @samp
41724
41725 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
41726 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
41727 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
41728 @var{errno} will be included in the result specifying a
41729 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
41730 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
41731 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
41732 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
41733 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
41734 @var{attachment}.
41735
41736 @item @w{}
41737 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
41738
41739 @end table
41740
41741 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
41742
41743 @table @samp
41744 @item vFile:open: @var{filename}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
41745 Open a file at @var{filename} and return a file descriptor for it, or
41746 return -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string,
41747 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
41748 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
41749 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
41750 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
41751
41752 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
41753 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
41754 -1 if an error occurs.
41755
41756 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
41757 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
41758 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
41759 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
41760 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
41761 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
41762 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
41763 @var{count} was zero.
41764
41765 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
41766 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
41767 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
41768 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
41769 some characters were escaped.
41770
41771 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
41772 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
41773 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
41774 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
41775 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
41776 packet is used. @samp{vFile:pwrite} returns the number of bytes written,
41777 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
41778 error occurred.
41779
41780 @item vFile:fstat: @var{fd}
41781 Get information about the open file corresponding to @var{fd}.
41782 On success the information is returned as a binary attachment
41783 and the return value is the size of this attachment in bytes.
41784 If an error occurs the return value is -1. The format of the
41785 returned binary attachment is as described in @ref{struct stat}.
41786
41787 @item vFile:unlink: @var{filename}
41788 Delete the file at @var{filename} on the target. Return 0,
41789 or -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string.
41790
41791 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
41792 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
41793 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
41794
41795 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
41796 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
41797 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
41798 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
41799 some characters were escaped.
41800
41801 @item vFile:setfs: @var{pid}
41802 Select the filesystem on which @code{vFile} operations with
41803 @var{filename} arguments will operate. This is required for
41804 @value{GDBN} to be able to access files on remote targets where
41805 the remote stub does not share a common filesystem with the
41806 inferior(s).
41807
41808 If @var{pid} is nonzero, select the filesystem as seen by process
41809 @var{pid}. If @var{pid} is zero, select the filesystem as seen by
41810 the remote stub. Return 0 on success, or -1 if an error occurs.
41811 If @code{vFile:setfs:} indicates success, the selected filesystem
41812 remains selected until the next successful @code{vFile:setfs:}
41813 operation.
41814
41815 @end table
41816
41817 @node Interrupts
41818 @section Interrupts
41819 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
41820 @anchor{interrupting remote targets}
41821
41822 In all-stop mode, when a program on the remote target is running,
41823 @value{GDBN} may attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C},
41824 @code{BREAK} or a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}, control of which
41825 is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
41826
41827 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
41828 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
41829 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
41830 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
41831 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
41832
41833 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
41834 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
41835 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
41836 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
41837 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
41838 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
41839 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
41840 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
41841
41842 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
41843 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
41844 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
41845
41846 In non-stop mode, because packet resumptions are asynchronous
41847 (@pxref{vCont packet}), @value{GDBN} is always free to send a remote
41848 command to the remote stub, even when the target is running. For that
41849 reason, @value{GDBN} instead sends a regular packet (@pxref{vCtrlC
41850 packet}) with the usual packet framing instead of the single byte
41851 @code{0x03}.
41852
41853 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
41854 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
41855 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
41856 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
41857 currently-executing threads and processes.
41858 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
41859 running program, it should send one of the stop
41860 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
41861 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
41862 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
41863 Interrupts received while the
41864 program is stopped are queued and the program will be interrupted when
41865 it is resumed next time.
41866
41867 @node Notification Packets
41868 @section Notification Packets
41869 @cindex notification packets
41870 @cindex packets, notification
41871
41872 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
41873 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
41874 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
41875 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
41876 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
41877 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
41878 is not a problem.
41879
41880 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
41881 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
41882 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
41883 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
41884 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
41885 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
41886 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
41887
41888 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
41889 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
41890
41891 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
41892 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
41893 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
41894 not they understand it.
41895
41896 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
41897 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
41898 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
41899 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
41900 recipients.
41901
41902 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
41903 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
41904 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
41905 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
41906 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
41907
41908 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
41909 @table @samp
41910 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
41911 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
41912 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
41913 carrying the specific information about the notification, and
41914 @var{name} specifying the name of the notification.
41915 @item @var{ack}
41916 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
41917 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
41918 @end table
41919
41920 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
41921 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
41922
41923 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
41924 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
41925 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
41926 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
41927 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
41928 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
41929 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
41930 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
41931 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
41932 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
41933
41934 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
41935 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
41936 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
41937 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
41938 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
41939 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
41940
41941 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
41942 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
41943 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
41944 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
41945 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
41946
41947 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
41948 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
41949 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
41950 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
41951 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
41952 normally.
41953
41954 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
41955 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
41956 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
41957 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
41958 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
41959 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
41960 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
41961 the process shall be repeated.
41962
41963 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
41964 following example:
41965 @smallexample
41966 <- @code{%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
41967 @code{...}
41968 -> @code{vStopped}
41969 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
41970 -> @code{vStopped}
41971 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
41972 -> @code{vStopped}
41973 <- @code{OK}
41974 @end smallexample
41975
41976 The following notifications are defined:
41977 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
41978
41979 @item Notification
41980 @tab Ack
41981 @tab Event
41982 @tab Description
41983
41984 @item Stop
41985 @tab vStopped
41986 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
41987 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
41988 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
41989 @value{GDBN}.
41990 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
41991
41992 @end multitable
41993
41994 @node Remote Non-Stop
41995 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
41996
41997 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
41998 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
41999 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
42000 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
42001
42002 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
42003 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
42004 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
42005 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
42006 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
42007 probe the target state after a mode change.
42008
42009 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
42010 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
42011 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
42012 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
42013 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
42014 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
42015 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
42016 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
42017 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
42018 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
42019 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
42020
42021 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
42022 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
42023 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
42024 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
42025 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
42026 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
42027 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
42028 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
42029 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
42030 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
42031 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
42032 @samp{OK}.
42033
42034 If the stub supports non-stop mode, it should also support the
42035 @samp{swbreak} stop reason if software breakpoints are supported, and
42036 the @samp{hwbreak} stop reason if hardware breakpoints are supported
42037 (@pxref{swbreak stop reason}). This is because given the asynchronous
42038 nature of non-stop mode, between the time a thread hits a breakpoint
42039 and the time the event is finally processed by @value{GDBN}, the
42040 breakpoint may have already been removed from the target. Due to
42041 this, @value{GDBN} needs to be able to tell whether a trap stop was
42042 caused by a delayed breakpoint event, which should be ignored, as
42043 opposed to a random trap signal, which should be reported to the user.
42044 Note the @samp{swbreak} feature implies that the target is responsible
42045 for adjusting the PC when a software breakpoint triggers, if
42046 necessary, such as on the x86 architecture.
42047
42048 @node Packet Acknowledgment
42049 @section Packet Acknowledgment
42050
42051 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
42052 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
42053 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
42054 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
42055 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
42056 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
42057 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
42058
42059 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
42060 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
42061 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
42062 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
42063 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
42064
42065 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
42066 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
42067 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
42068 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
42069
42070 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
42071 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
42072 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
42073 @pxref{qSupported}.
42074 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
42075 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
42076 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
42077 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
42078 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
42079 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
42080 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
42081
42082 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
42083 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
42084 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
42085 connection.
42086 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
42087 new connection is established,
42088 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
42089 for the current connection, once disabled.
42090
42091 @node Examples
42092 @section Examples
42093
42094 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
42095 does not get any direct output:
42096
42097 @smallexample
42098 -> @code{R00}
42099 <- @code{+}
42100 @emph{target restarts}
42101 -> @code{?}
42102 <- @code{+}
42103 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
42104 -> @code{+}
42105 @end smallexample
42106
42107 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
42108
42109 @smallexample
42110 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
42111 <- @code{+}
42112 -> @code{s}
42113 <- @code{+}
42114 @emph{time passes}
42115 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
42116 -> @code{+}
42117 -> @code{g}
42118 <- @code{+}
42119 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
42120 -> @code{+}
42121 @end smallexample
42122
42123 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
42124 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
42125 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
42126
42127 @menu
42128 * File-I/O Overview::
42129 * Protocol Basics::
42130 * The F Request Packet::
42131 * The F Reply Packet::
42132 * The Ctrl-C Message::
42133 * Console I/O::
42134 * List of Supported Calls::
42135 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
42136 * Constants::
42137 * File-I/O Examples::
42138 @end menu
42139
42140 @node File-I/O Overview
42141 @subsection File-I/O Overview
42142 @cindex file-i/o overview
42143
42144 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
42145 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
42146 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
42147 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
42148 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
42149 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
42150
42151 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
42152 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
42153 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
42154 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
42155 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
42156
42157 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
42158 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
42159 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
42160 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
42161 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
42162 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
42163 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
42164
42165 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
42166 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
42167 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
42168 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
42169 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
42170
42171 @smallexample
42172 (@value{GDBP}) continue
42173 <- target requests 'system call X'
42174 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
42175 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
42176 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
42177 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
42178 @end smallexample
42179
42180 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
42181 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
42182 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
42183 system are not supported by this protocol.
42184
42185 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
42186
42187 @node Protocol Basics
42188 @subsection Protocol Basics
42189 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
42190
42191 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
42192 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
42193 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
42194 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
42195 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
42196 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
42197 to call the appropriate host system call:
42198
42199 @itemize @bullet
42200 @item
42201 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
42202
42203 @item
42204 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
42205 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
42206 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
42207 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
42208
42209 @end itemize
42210
42211 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
42212
42213 @itemize @bullet
42214 @item
42215 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
42216 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
42217 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
42218 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
42219 packet.
42220
42221 @item
42222 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
42223 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
42224
42225 @item
42226 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
42227
42228 @item
42229 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
42230
42231 @item
42232 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
42233 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
42234 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
42235 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
42236 packet.
42237
42238 @end itemize
42239
42240 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
42241 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
42242
42243 @itemize @bullet
42244 @item
42245 Return value.
42246
42247 @item
42248 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
42249
42250 @item
42251 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
42252
42253 @end itemize
42254
42255 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
42256 the latest continue or step action.
42257
42258 @node The F Request Packet
42259 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
42260 @cindex file-i/o request packet
42261 @cindex @code{F} request packet
42262
42263 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
42264
42265 @table @samp
42266 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
42267
42268 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
42269 This is just the name of the function.
42270
42271 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
42272 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
42273 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
42274 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
42275 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
42276 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
42277 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
42278
42279 @end table
42280
42281
42282
42283 @node The F Reply Packet
42284 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
42285 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
42286 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
42287
42288 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
42289
42290 @table @samp
42291
42292 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
42293
42294 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
42295
42296 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
42297 representation.
42298 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
42299
42300 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
42301 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
42302 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
42303
42304 @smallexample
42305 F0,0,C
42306 @end smallexample
42307
42308 @noindent
42309 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
42310
42311 @smallexample
42312 F-1,4,C
42313 @end smallexample
42314
42315 @noindent
42316 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
42317
42318 @end table
42319
42320
42321 @node The Ctrl-C Message
42322 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
42323 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
42324
42325 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
42326 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
42327 the target should behave as if it had
42328 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
42329 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
42330 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
42331 packet.
42332
42333 It's important for the target to know in which
42334 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
42335
42336 @itemize @bullet
42337 @item
42338 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
42339
42340 @item
42341 The system call on the host has been finished.
42342
42343 @end itemize
42344
42345 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
42346 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
42347 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
42348 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
42349 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
42350 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
42351
42352 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
42353 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
42354 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
42355 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
42356 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
42357 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
42358 or the full action has been completed.
42359
42360 @node Console I/O
42361 @subsection Console I/O
42362 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
42363
42364 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
42365 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
42366 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
42367 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
42368 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
42369 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
42370 conditions is met:
42371
42372 @itemize @bullet
42373 @item
42374 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
42375 @code{read}
42376 system call is treated as finished.
42377
42378 @item
42379 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
42380 newline.
42381
42382 @item
42383 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
42384 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
42385
42386 @end itemize
42387
42388 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
42389 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
42390 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
42391 is stopped at the user's request.
42392
42393
42394 @node List of Supported Calls
42395 @subsection List of Supported Calls
42396 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
42397
42398 @menu
42399 * open::
42400 * close::
42401 * read::
42402 * write::
42403 * lseek::
42404 * rename::
42405 * unlink::
42406 * stat/fstat::
42407 * gettimeofday::
42408 * isatty::
42409 * system::
42410 @end menu
42411
42412 @node open
42413 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
42414 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
42415
42416 @table @asis
42417 @item Synopsis:
42418 @smallexample
42419 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
42420 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
42421 @end smallexample
42422
42423 @item Request:
42424 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
42425
42426 @noindent
42427 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
42428
42429 @table @code
42430 @item O_CREAT
42431 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
42432 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
42433 are concerned.
42434
42435 @item O_EXCL
42436 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
42437 an error and open() fails.
42438
42439 @item O_TRUNC
42440 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
42441 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
42442 truncated to zero length.
42443
42444 @item O_APPEND
42445 The file is opened in append mode.
42446
42447 @item O_RDONLY
42448 The file is opened for reading only.
42449
42450 @item O_WRONLY
42451 The file is opened for writing only.
42452
42453 @item O_RDWR
42454 The file is opened for reading and writing.
42455 @end table
42456
42457 @noindent
42458 Other bits are silently ignored.
42459
42460
42461 @noindent
42462 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
42463
42464 @table @code
42465 @item S_IRUSR
42466 User has read permission.
42467
42468 @item S_IWUSR
42469 User has write permission.
42470
42471 @item S_IRGRP
42472 Group has read permission.
42473
42474 @item S_IWGRP
42475 Group has write permission.
42476
42477 @item S_IROTH
42478 Others have read permission.
42479
42480 @item S_IWOTH
42481 Others have write permission.
42482 @end table
42483
42484 @noindent
42485 Other bits are silently ignored.
42486
42487
42488 @item Return value:
42489 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
42490 occurred.
42491
42492 @item Errors:
42493
42494 @table @code
42495 @item EEXIST
42496 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
42497
42498 @item EISDIR
42499 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
42500
42501 @item EACCES
42502 The requested access is not allowed.
42503
42504 @item ENAMETOOLONG
42505 @var{pathname} was too long.
42506
42507 @item ENOENT
42508 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
42509
42510 @item ENODEV
42511 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
42512
42513 @item EROFS
42514 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
42515 write access was requested.
42516
42517 @item EFAULT
42518 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
42519
42520 @item ENOSPC
42521 No space on device to create the file.
42522
42523 @item EMFILE
42524 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
42525
42526 @item ENFILE
42527 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
42528 has been reached.
42529
42530 @item EINTR
42531 The call was interrupted by the user.
42532 @end table
42533
42534 @end table
42535
42536 @node close
42537 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
42538 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
42539
42540 @table @asis
42541 @item Synopsis:
42542 @smallexample
42543 int close(int fd);
42544 @end smallexample
42545
42546 @item Request:
42547 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
42548
42549 @item Return value:
42550 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
42551
42552 @item Errors:
42553
42554 @table @code
42555 @item EBADF
42556 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
42557
42558 @item EINTR
42559 The call was interrupted by the user.
42560 @end table
42561
42562 @end table
42563
42564 @node read
42565 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
42566 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
42567
42568 @table @asis
42569 @item Synopsis:
42570 @smallexample
42571 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
42572 @end smallexample
42573
42574 @item Request:
42575 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
42576
42577 @item Return value:
42578 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
42579 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
42580 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
42581
42582 @item Errors:
42583
42584 @table @code
42585 @item EBADF
42586 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
42587 reading.
42588
42589 @item EFAULT
42590 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
42591
42592 @item EINTR
42593 The call was interrupted by the user.
42594 @end table
42595
42596 @end table
42597
42598 @node write
42599 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
42600 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
42601
42602 @table @asis
42603 @item Synopsis:
42604 @smallexample
42605 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
42606 @end smallexample
42607
42608 @item Request:
42609 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
42610
42611 @item Return value:
42612 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
42613 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
42614 is returned.
42615
42616 @item Errors:
42617
42618 @table @code
42619 @item EBADF
42620 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
42621 writing.
42622
42623 @item EFAULT
42624 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
42625
42626 @item EFBIG
42627 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
42628 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
42629
42630 @item ENOSPC
42631 No space on device to write the data.
42632
42633 @item EINTR
42634 The call was interrupted by the user.
42635 @end table
42636
42637 @end table
42638
42639 @node lseek
42640 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
42641 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
42642
42643 @table @asis
42644 @item Synopsis:
42645 @smallexample
42646 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
42647 @end smallexample
42648
42649 @item Request:
42650 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
42651
42652 @var{flag} is one of:
42653
42654 @table @code
42655 @item SEEK_SET
42656 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
42657
42658 @item SEEK_CUR
42659 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
42660 bytes.
42661
42662 @item SEEK_END
42663 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
42664 bytes.
42665 @end table
42666
42667 @item Return value:
42668 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
42669 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
42670 value of -1 is returned.
42671
42672 @item Errors:
42673
42674 @table @code
42675 @item EBADF
42676 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
42677
42678 @item ESPIPE
42679 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
42680
42681 @item EINVAL
42682 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
42683
42684 @item EINTR
42685 The call was interrupted by the user.
42686 @end table
42687
42688 @end table
42689
42690 @node rename
42691 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
42692 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
42693
42694 @table @asis
42695 @item Synopsis:
42696 @smallexample
42697 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
42698 @end smallexample
42699
42700 @item Request:
42701 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
42702
42703 @item Return value:
42704 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
42705
42706 @item Errors:
42707
42708 @table @code
42709 @item EISDIR
42710 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
42711 directory.
42712
42713 @item EEXIST
42714 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
42715
42716 @item EBUSY
42717 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
42718 process.
42719
42720 @item EINVAL
42721 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
42722 of itself.
42723
42724 @item ENOTDIR
42725 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
42726 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
42727 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
42728
42729 @item EFAULT
42730 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
42731
42732 @item EACCES
42733 No access to the file or the path of the file.
42734
42735 @item ENAMETOOLONG
42736
42737 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
42738
42739 @item ENOENT
42740 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
42741
42742 @item EROFS
42743 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
42744
42745 @item ENOSPC
42746 The device containing the file has no room for the new
42747 directory entry.
42748
42749 @item EINTR
42750 The call was interrupted by the user.
42751 @end table
42752
42753 @end table
42754
42755 @node unlink
42756 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
42757 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
42758
42759 @table @asis
42760 @item Synopsis:
42761 @smallexample
42762 int unlink(const char *pathname);
42763 @end smallexample
42764
42765 @item Request:
42766 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
42767
42768 @item Return value:
42769 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
42770
42771 @item Errors:
42772
42773 @table @code
42774 @item EACCES
42775 No access to the file or the path of the file.
42776
42777 @item EPERM
42778 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
42779
42780 @item EBUSY
42781 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
42782 being used by another process.
42783
42784 @item EFAULT
42785 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
42786
42787 @item ENAMETOOLONG
42788 @var{pathname} was too long.
42789
42790 @item ENOENT
42791 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
42792
42793 @item ENOTDIR
42794 A component of the path is not a directory.
42795
42796 @item EROFS
42797 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
42798
42799 @item EINTR
42800 The call was interrupted by the user.
42801 @end table
42802
42803 @end table
42804
42805 @node stat/fstat
42806 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
42807 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
42808 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
42809
42810 @table @asis
42811 @item Synopsis:
42812 @smallexample
42813 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
42814 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
42815 @end smallexample
42816
42817 @item Request:
42818 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
42819 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
42820
42821 @item Return value:
42822 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
42823
42824 @item Errors:
42825
42826 @table @code
42827 @item EBADF
42828 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
42829
42830 @item ENOENT
42831 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
42832 path is an empty string.
42833
42834 @item ENOTDIR
42835 A component of the path is not a directory.
42836
42837 @item EFAULT
42838 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
42839
42840 @item EACCES
42841 No access to the file or the path of the file.
42842
42843 @item ENAMETOOLONG
42844 @var{pathname} was too long.
42845
42846 @item EINTR
42847 The call was interrupted by the user.
42848 @end table
42849
42850 @end table
42851
42852 @node gettimeofday
42853 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
42854 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
42855
42856 @table @asis
42857 @item Synopsis:
42858 @smallexample
42859 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
42860 @end smallexample
42861
42862 @item Request:
42863 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
42864
42865 @item Return value:
42866 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
42867
42868 @item Errors:
42869
42870 @table @code
42871 @item EINVAL
42872 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
42873
42874 @item EFAULT
42875 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
42876 @end table
42877
42878 @end table
42879
42880 @node isatty
42881 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
42882 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
42883
42884 @table @asis
42885 @item Synopsis:
42886 @smallexample
42887 int isatty(int fd);
42888 @end smallexample
42889
42890 @item Request:
42891 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
42892
42893 @item Return value:
42894 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
42895
42896 @item Errors:
42897
42898 @table @code
42899 @item EINTR
42900 The call was interrupted by the user.
42901 @end table
42902
42903 @end table
42904
42905 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
42906 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
42907 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
42908 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
42909 needed.
42910
42911
42912 @node system
42913 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
42914 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
42915
42916 @table @asis
42917 @item Synopsis:
42918 @smallexample
42919 int system(const char *command);
42920 @end smallexample
42921
42922 @item Request:
42923 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
42924
42925 @item Return value:
42926 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
42927 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
42928 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
42929 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
42930 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
42931 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
42932 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
42933
42934 @item Errors:
42935
42936 @table @code
42937 @item EINTR
42938 The call was interrupted by the user.
42939 @end table
42940
42941 @end table
42942
42943 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
42944 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
42945 the host is simplified before it's returned
42946 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
42947 is discarded, and the return value consists
42948 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
42949
42950 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
42951 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
42952 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
42953
42954 @table @code
42955 @item set remote system-call-allowed
42956 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
42957 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
42958 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
42959
42960 @item show remote system-call-allowed
42961 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
42962 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
42963 protocol.
42964 @end table
42965
42966 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
42967 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
42968 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
42969
42970 @menu
42971 * Integral Datatypes::
42972 * Pointer Values::
42973 * Memory Transfer::
42974 * struct stat::
42975 * struct timeval::
42976 @end menu
42977
42978 @node Integral Datatypes
42979 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
42980 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
42981
42982 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
42983 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
42984 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
42985
42986 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
42987 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
42988
42989 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
42990
42991 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
42992 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
42993
42994 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
42995
42996 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
42997 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
42998 byte order.
42999
43000 @node Pointer Values
43001 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
43002 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
43003
43004 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
43005 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
43006 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
43007 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
43008
43009 @smallexample
43010 @code{1aaf/12}
43011 @end smallexample
43012
43013 @noindent
43014 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
43015 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
43016 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
43017 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
43018
43019 @smallexample
43020 @code{123456/d}
43021 @end smallexample
43022
43023 @node Memory Transfer
43024 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
43025 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
43026
43027 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
43028 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
43029 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
43030 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
43031 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
43032 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
43033 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
43034
43035
43036 @node struct stat
43037 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
43038 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
43039
43040 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
43041 is defined as follows:
43042
43043 @smallexample
43044 struct stat @{
43045 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
43046 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
43047 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
43048 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
43049 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
43050 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
43051 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
43052 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
43053 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
43054 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
43055 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
43056 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
43057 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
43058 @};
43059 @end smallexample
43060
43061 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
43062 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
43063 structure is of size 64 bytes.
43064
43065 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
43066 range of values.
43067
43068 @table @code
43069
43070 @item st_dev
43071 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
43072
43073 @item st_ino
43074 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
43075
43076 @item st_mode
43077 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
43078 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
43079
43080 @item st_uid
43081 @itemx st_gid
43082 @itemx st_rdev
43083 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
43084
43085 @item st_atime
43086 @itemx st_mtime
43087 @itemx st_ctime
43088 These values have a host and file system dependent
43089 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
43090 support exact timing values.
43091 @end table
43092
43093 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
43094 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
43095 continuing.
43096
43097 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
43098 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
43099 get truncated on the target.
43100
43101 @node struct timeval
43102 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
43103 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
43104
43105 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
43106 is defined as follows:
43107
43108 @smallexample
43109 struct timeval @{
43110 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
43111 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
43112 @};
43113 @end smallexample
43114
43115 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
43116 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
43117 structure is of size 8 bytes.
43118
43119 @node Constants
43120 @subsection Constants
43121 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
43122
43123 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
43124 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
43125 values before and after the call as needed.
43126
43127 @menu
43128 * Open Flags::
43129 * mode_t Values::
43130 * Errno Values::
43131 * Lseek Flags::
43132 * Limits::
43133 @end menu
43134
43135 @node Open Flags
43136 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
43137 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
43138
43139 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
43140
43141 @smallexample
43142 O_RDONLY 0x0
43143 O_WRONLY 0x1
43144 O_RDWR 0x2
43145 O_APPEND 0x8
43146 O_CREAT 0x200
43147 O_TRUNC 0x400
43148 O_EXCL 0x800
43149 @end smallexample
43150
43151 @node mode_t Values
43152 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
43153 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
43154
43155 All values are given in octal representation.
43156
43157 @smallexample
43158 S_IFREG 0100000
43159 S_IFDIR 040000
43160 S_IRUSR 0400
43161 S_IWUSR 0200
43162 S_IXUSR 0100
43163 S_IRGRP 040
43164 S_IWGRP 020
43165 S_IXGRP 010
43166 S_IROTH 04
43167 S_IWOTH 02
43168 S_IXOTH 01
43169 @end smallexample
43170
43171 @node Errno Values
43172 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
43173 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
43174
43175 All values are given in decimal representation.
43176
43177 @smallexample
43178 EPERM 1
43179 ENOENT 2
43180 EINTR 4
43181 EBADF 9
43182 EACCES 13
43183 EFAULT 14
43184 EBUSY 16
43185 EEXIST 17
43186 ENODEV 19
43187 ENOTDIR 20
43188 EISDIR 21
43189 EINVAL 22
43190 ENFILE 23
43191 EMFILE 24
43192 EFBIG 27
43193 ENOSPC 28
43194 ESPIPE 29
43195 EROFS 30
43196 ENAMETOOLONG 91
43197 EUNKNOWN 9999
43198 @end smallexample
43199
43200 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
43201 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
43202
43203 @node Lseek Flags
43204 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
43205 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
43206
43207 @smallexample
43208 SEEK_SET 0
43209 SEEK_CUR 1
43210 SEEK_END 2
43211 @end smallexample
43212
43213 @node Limits
43214 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
43215 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
43216
43217 All values are given in decimal representation.
43218
43219 @smallexample
43220 INT_MIN -2147483648
43221 INT_MAX 2147483647
43222 UINT_MAX 4294967295
43223 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
43224 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
43225 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
43226 @end smallexample
43227
43228 @node File-I/O Examples
43229 @subsection File-I/O Examples
43230 @cindex file-i/o examples
43231
43232 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
43233 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
43234
43235 @smallexample
43236 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
43237 @emph{request memory read from target}
43238 -> @code{m1234,6}
43239 <- XXXXXX
43240 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
43241 -> @code{F6}
43242 @end smallexample
43243
43244 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
43245 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
43246
43247 @smallexample
43248 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
43249 @emph{request memory write to target}
43250 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
43251 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
43252 -> @code{F6}
43253 @end smallexample
43254
43255 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
43256 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
43257
43258 @smallexample
43259 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
43260 -> @code{F-1,9}
43261 @end smallexample
43262
43263 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
43264 host is called:
43265
43266 @smallexample
43267 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
43268 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
43269 <- @code{T02}
43270 @end smallexample
43271
43272 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
43273 host is called:
43274
43275 @smallexample
43276 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
43277 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
43278 <- @code{T02}
43279 @end smallexample
43280
43281 @node Library List Format
43282 @section Library List Format
43283 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
43284
43285 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
43286 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
43287 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
43288 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
43289 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
43290 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
43291 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
43292 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
43293 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
43294 are loaded.
43295
43296 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
43297 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
43298 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
43299 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
43300
43301 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
43302 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
43303 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
43304 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
43305 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
43306 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
43307
43308 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43309 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
43310
43311 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
43312 offset, looks like this:
43313
43314 @smallexample
43315 <library-list>
43316 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
43317 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
43318 </library>
43319 </library-list>
43320 @end smallexample
43321
43322 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
43323 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
43324
43325 @smallexample
43326 <library-list>
43327 <library name="sharedlib.o">
43328 <section address="0x10000000"/>
43329 <section address="0x20000000"/>
43330 <section address="0x30000000"/>
43331 </library>
43332 </library-list>
43333 @end smallexample
43334
43335 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
43336
43337 @smallexample
43338 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
43339 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
43340 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
43341 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
43342 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
43343 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
43344 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
43345 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
43346 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
43347 @end smallexample
43348
43349 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
43350 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
43351 section for each library.
43352
43353 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
43354 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
43355 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
43356
43357 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
43358 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
43359 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
43360 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
43361
43362 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
43363 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
43364 target, the following parameters are reported:
43365
43366 @itemize @minus
43367 @item
43368 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
43369 @code{struct link_map}.
43370 @item
43371 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
43372 (Thread Local Storage) access.
43373 @item
43374 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
43375 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
43376 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
43377 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
43378 @item
43379 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
43380 @end itemize
43381
43382 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
43383 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
43384 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
43385
43386 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43387 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
43388
43389 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
43390 looks like this:
43391
43392 @smallexample
43393 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
43394 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
43395 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
43396 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
43397 l_ld="0x152350"/>
43398 </library-list-svr>
43399 @end smallexample
43400
43401 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
43402
43403 @smallexample
43404 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
43405 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
43406 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
43407 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
43408 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
43409 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
43410 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
43411 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
43412 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
43413 @end smallexample
43414
43415 @node Memory Map Format
43416 @section Memory Map Format
43417 @cindex memory map format
43418
43419 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
43420 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
43421 memory map.
43422
43423 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
43424 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
43425 lists memory regions.
43426
43427 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43428 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
43429
43430 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
43431
43432 @smallexample
43433 <?xml version="1.0"?>
43434 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
43435 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
43436 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
43437 <memory-map>
43438 region...
43439 </memory-map>
43440 @end smallexample
43441
43442 Each region can be either:
43443
43444 @itemize
43445
43446 @item
43447 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
43448 bytes from there:
43449
43450 @smallexample
43451 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
43452 @end smallexample
43453
43454
43455 @item
43456 A region of read-only memory:
43457
43458 @smallexample
43459 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
43460 @end smallexample
43461
43462
43463 @item
43464 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
43465 bytes in length:
43466
43467 @smallexample
43468 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
43469 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
43470 </memory>
43471 @end smallexample
43472
43473 @end itemize
43474
43475 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
43476 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
43477 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
43478
43479 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
43480
43481 @smallexample
43482 <!-- ................................................... -->
43483 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
43484 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
43485 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
43486 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
43487 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
43488 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory)*>
43489 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
43490 <!ELEMENT memory (property)*>
43491 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
43492 and its type, or device. -->
43493 <!ATTLIST memory type (ram|rom|flash) #REQUIRED
43494 start CDATA #REQUIRED
43495 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
43496 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
43497 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
43498 <!ATTLIST property name (blocksize) #REQUIRED>
43499 @end smallexample
43500
43501 @node Thread List Format
43502 @section Thread List Format
43503 @cindex thread list format
43504
43505 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
43506 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
43507 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
43508 the following structure:
43509
43510 @smallexample
43511 <?xml version="1.0"?>
43512 <threads>
43513 <thread id="id" core="0" name="name">
43514 ... description ...
43515 </thread>
43516 </threads>
43517 @end smallexample
43518
43519 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
43520 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
43521 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
43522 the thread was last executing on. The @samp{name} attribute, if
43523 present, specifies the human-readable name of the thread. The content
43524 of the of @samp{thread} element is interpreted as human-readable
43525 auxiliary information. The @samp{handle} attribute, if present,
43526 is a hex encoded representation of the thread handle.
43527
43528
43529 @node Traceframe Info Format
43530 @section Traceframe Info Format
43531 @cindex traceframe info format
43532
43533 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
43534 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
43535 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
43536 collected in a traceframe.
43537
43538 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
43539 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
43540
43541 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43542 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
43543
43544 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
43545
43546 @smallexample
43547 <?xml version="1.0"?>
43548 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
43549 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
43550 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
43551 <traceframe-info>
43552 block...
43553 </traceframe-info>
43554 @end smallexample
43555
43556 Each traceframe block can be either:
43557
43558 @itemize
43559
43560 @item
43561 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
43562 @var{length} bytes from there:
43563
43564 @smallexample
43565 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
43566 @end smallexample
43567
43568 @item
43569 A block indicating trace state variable numbered @var{number} has been
43570 collected:
43571
43572 @smallexample
43573 <tvar id="@var{number}"/>
43574 @end smallexample
43575
43576 @end itemize
43577
43578 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
43579
43580 @smallexample
43581 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory | tvar)* >
43582 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
43583
43584 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
43585 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
43586 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
43587 <!ELEMENT tvar>
43588 <!ATTLIST tvar id CDATA #REQUIRED>
43589 @end smallexample
43590
43591 @node Branch Trace Format
43592 @section Branch Trace Format
43593 @cindex branch trace format
43594
43595 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
43596 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
43597 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
43598 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
43599
43600 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
43601 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
43602
43603 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43604 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
43605
43606 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
43607
43608 @smallexample
43609 <?xml version="1.0"?>
43610 <!DOCTYPE btrace
43611 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
43612 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
43613 <btrace>
43614 block...
43615 </btrace>
43616 @end smallexample
43617
43618 @itemize
43619
43620 @item
43621 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
43622 and ending at @var{end}:
43623
43624 @smallexample
43625 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
43626 @end smallexample
43627
43628 @end itemize
43629
43630 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
43631
43632 @smallexample
43633 <!ELEMENT btrace (block* | pt) >
43634 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
43635
43636 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
43637 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
43638 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
43639
43640 <!ELEMENT pt (pt-config?, raw?)>
43641
43642 <!ELEMENT pt-config (cpu?)>
43643
43644 <!ELEMENT cpu EMPTY>
43645 <!ATTLIST cpu vendor CDATA #REQUIRED
43646 family CDATA #REQUIRED
43647 model CDATA #REQUIRED
43648 stepping CDATA #REQUIRED>
43649
43650 <!ELEMENT raw (#PCDATA)>
43651 @end smallexample
43652
43653 @node Branch Trace Configuration Format
43654 @section Branch Trace Configuration Format
43655 @cindex branch trace configuration format
43656
43657 For each inferior thread, @value{GDBN} can obtain the branch trace
43658 configuration using the @samp{qXfer:btrace-conf:read}
43659 (@pxref{qXfer btrace-conf read}) packet.
43660
43661 The configuration describes the branch trace format and configuration
43662 settings for that format. The following information is described:
43663
43664 @table @code
43665 @item bts
43666 This thread uses the @dfn{Branch Trace Store} (@acronym{BTS}) format.
43667 @table @code
43668 @item size
43669 The size of the @acronym{BTS} ring buffer in bytes.
43670 @end table
43671 @item pt
43672 This thread uses the @dfn{Intel Processor Trace} (@acronym{Intel
43673 PT}) format.
43674 @table @code
43675 @item size
43676 The size of the @acronym{Intel PT} ring buffer in bytes.
43677 @end table
43678 @end table
43679
43680 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43681 branch trace configuration discovery. @xref{Expat}.
43682
43683 The formal DTD for the branch trace configuration format is given below:
43684
43685 @smallexample
43686 <!ELEMENT btrace-conf (bts?, pt?)>
43687 <!ATTLIST btrace-conf version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
43688
43689 <!ELEMENT bts EMPTY>
43690 <!ATTLIST bts size CDATA #IMPLIED>
43691
43692 <!ELEMENT pt EMPTY>
43693 <!ATTLIST pt size CDATA #IMPLIED>
43694 @end smallexample
43695
43696 @include agentexpr.texi
43697
43698 @node Target Descriptions
43699 @appendix Target Descriptions
43700 @cindex target descriptions
43701
43702 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
43703 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
43704 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
43705 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
43706 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
43707 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
43708 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
43709
43710 @itemize @bullet
43711 @item
43712 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
43713 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
43714 @item
43715 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
43716 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
43717 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
43718 @item
43719 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
43720 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
43721 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
43722 @end itemize
43723
43724 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
43725 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
43726 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
43727 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
43728 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
43729
43730 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
43731 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
43732
43733 @menu
43734 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
43735 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
43736 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
43737 descriptions.
43738 * Enum Target Types:: How to define enum target types.
43739 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
43740 @end menu
43741
43742 @node Retrieving Descriptions
43743 @section Retrieving Descriptions
43744
43745 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
43746 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
43747 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
43748 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
43749 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
43750 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
43751 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
43752 Format}.
43753
43754 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
43755 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
43756 specify a file are:
43757
43758 @table @code
43759 @cindex set tdesc filename
43760 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
43761 Read the target description from @var{path}.
43762
43763 @cindex unset tdesc filename
43764 @item unset tdesc filename
43765 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
43766 will use the description supplied by the current target.
43767
43768 @cindex show tdesc filename
43769 @item show tdesc filename
43770 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
43771 @end table
43772
43773
43774 @node Target Description Format
43775 @section Target Description Format
43776 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
43777
43778 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
43779 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
43780 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
43781 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
43782 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
43783 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
43784 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
43785
43786 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
43787 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
43788 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
43789 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
43790 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
43791
43792 Here is a simple target description:
43793
43794 @smallexample
43795 <target version="1.0">
43796 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
43797 </target>
43798 @end smallexample
43799
43800 @noindent
43801 This minimal description only says that the target uses
43802 the x86-64 architecture.
43803
43804 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
43805 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
43806 are explained further below.
43807
43808 @smallexample
43809 <?xml version="1.0"?>
43810 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
43811 <target version="1.0">
43812 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
43813 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
43814 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
43815 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
43816 </target>
43817 @end smallexample
43818
43819 @noindent
43820 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
43821 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
43822 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
43823 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
43824 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
43825 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
43826 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
43827 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
43828 the version mismatch.
43829
43830 @subsection Inclusion
43831 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
43832 @cindex XInclude
43833 @ifnotinfo
43834 @cindex <xi:include>
43835 @end ifnotinfo
43836
43837 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
43838 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
43839 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
43840 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
43841 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
43842
43843 @smallexample
43844 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
43845 @end smallexample
43846
43847 @noindent
43848 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
43849 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
43850 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
43851 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
43852 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
43853 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
43854 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
43855 original description.
43856
43857 @subsection Architecture
43858 @cindex <architecture>
43859
43860 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
43861
43862 @smallexample
43863 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
43864 @end smallexample
43865
43866 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
43867 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
43868
43869 @subsection OS ABI
43870 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
43871
43872 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
43873 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
43874
43875 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
43876
43877 @smallexample
43878 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
43879 @end smallexample
43880
43881 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
43882 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
43883
43884 @subsection Compatible Architecture
43885 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
43886
43887 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
43888 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
43889
43890 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
43891
43892 @smallexample
43893 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
43894 @end smallexample
43895
43896 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
43897 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
43898
43899 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
43900 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
43901 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
43902 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
43903 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
43904 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
43905 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
43906
43907 @smallexample
43908 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
43909 <compatible>spu</compatible>
43910 @end smallexample
43911
43912 @subsection Features
43913 @cindex <feature>
43914
43915 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
43916 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
43917 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
43918 has this form:
43919
43920 @smallexample
43921 <feature name="@var{name}">
43922 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
43923 @var{reg}@dots{}
43924 </feature>
43925 @end smallexample
43926
43927 @noindent
43928 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
43929 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
43930 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
43931 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
43932
43933 @subsection Types
43934
43935 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
43936 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
43937 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
43938 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
43939 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite
43940 and enum types.
43941
43942 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
43943 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
43944 Types must be defined before they are used.
43945
43946 @cindex <vector>
43947 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
43948 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
43949 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
43950 @var{count}:
43951
43952 @smallexample
43953 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
43954 @end smallexample
43955
43956 @cindex <union>
43957 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
43958 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
43959 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
43960 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
43961
43962 @smallexample
43963 <union id="@var{id}">
43964 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
43965 @dots{}
43966 </union>
43967 @end smallexample
43968
43969 @cindex <struct>
43970 @cindex <flags>
43971 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
43972 it with either a structure type or a flags type.
43973 A flags type may only contain bitfields.
43974 A structure type may either contain only bitfields or contain no bitfields.
43975 If the value contains only bitfields, its total size in bytes must be
43976 specified.
43977
43978 Non-bitfield values have a @var{name} and @var{type}.
43979
43980 @smallexample
43981 <struct id="@var{id}">
43982 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
43983 @dots{}
43984 </struct>
43985 @end smallexample
43986
43987 Both @var{name} and @var{type} values are required.
43988 No implicit padding is added.
43989
43990 Bitfield values have a @var{name}, @var{start}, @var{end} and @var{type}.
43991
43992 @smallexample
43993 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
43994 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}" type="@var{type}"/>
43995 @dots{}
43996 </struct>
43997 @end smallexample
43998
43999 @smallexample
44000 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
44001 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}" type="@var{type}"/>
44002 @dots{}
44003 </flags>
44004 @end smallexample
44005
44006 The @var{name} value is required.
44007 Bitfield values may be named with the empty string, @samp{""},
44008 in which case the field is ``filler'' and its value is not printed.
44009 Not all bits need to be specified, so ``filler'' fields are optional.
44010
44011 The @var{start} and @var{end} values are required, and @var{type}
44012 is optional.
44013 The field's @var{start} must be less than or equal to its @var{end},
44014 and zero represents the least significant bit.
44015
44016 The default value of @var{type} is @code{bool} for single bit fields,
44017 and an unsigned integer otherwise.
44018
44019 Which to choose? Structures or flags?
44020
44021 Registers defined with @samp{flags} have these advantages over
44022 defining them with @samp{struct}:
44023
44024 @itemize @bullet
44025 @item
44026 Arithmetic may be performed on them as if they were integers.
44027 @item
44028 They are printed in a more readable fashion.
44029 @end itemize
44030
44031 Registers defined with @samp{struct} have one advantage over
44032 defining them with @samp{flags}:
44033
44034 @itemize @bullet
44035 @item
44036 One can fetch individual fields like in @samp{C}.
44037
44038 @smallexample
44039 (gdb) print $my_struct_reg.field3
44040 $1 = 42
44041 @end smallexample
44042
44043 @end itemize
44044
44045 @subsection Registers
44046 @cindex <reg>
44047
44048 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
44049
44050 @smallexample
44051 <reg name="@var{name}"
44052 bitsize="@var{size}"
44053 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
44054 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
44055 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
44056 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
44057 @end smallexample
44058
44059 @noindent
44060 The components are as follows:
44061
44062 @table @var
44063
44064 @item name
44065 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
44066
44067 @item bitsize
44068 The register's size, in bits.
44069
44070 @item regnum
44071 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
44072 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
44073 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
44074 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
44075 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
44076 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
44077 in order of increasing register number.
44078
44079 @item save-restore
44080 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
44081 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
44082 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
44083 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
44084 ABI.
44085
44086 @item type
44087 The type of the register. It may be a predefined type, a type
44088 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
44089 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
44090 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
44091 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
44092 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
44093
44094 @item group
44095 The register group to which this register belongs. It can be one of the
44096 standard register groups @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{vector} or an
44097 arbitrary string. Group names should be limited to alphanumeric characters.
44098 If a group name is made up of multiple words the words may be separated by
44099 hyphens; e.g.@: @code{special-group} or @code{ultra-special-group}. If no
44100 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register in
44101 @code{info registers}.
44102
44103 @end table
44104
44105 @node Predefined Target Types
44106 @section Predefined Target Types
44107 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
44108
44109 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
44110 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
44111 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
44112 types. The currently supported types are:
44113
44114 @table @code
44115
44116 @item bool
44117 Boolean type, occupying a single bit.
44118
44119 @item int8
44120 @itemx int16
44121 @itemx int24
44122 @itemx int32
44123 @itemx int64
44124 @itemx int128
44125 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
44126
44127 @item uint8
44128 @itemx uint16
44129 @itemx uint24
44130 @itemx uint32
44131 @itemx uint64
44132 @itemx uint128
44133 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
44134
44135 @item code_ptr
44136 @itemx data_ptr
44137 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
44138 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
44139 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
44140 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
44141 may be marked as data pointers.
44142
44143 @item ieee_single
44144 Single precision IEEE floating point.
44145
44146 @item ieee_double
44147 Double precision IEEE floating point.
44148
44149 @item arm_fpa_ext
44150 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
44151
44152 @item i387_ext
44153 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
44154
44155 @item i386_eflags
44156 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
44157
44158 @item i386_mxcsr
44159 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
44160
44161 @end table
44162
44163 @node Enum Target Types
44164 @section Enum Target Types
44165 @cindex target descriptions, enum types
44166
44167 Enum target types are useful in @samp{struct} and @samp{flags}
44168 register descriptions. @xref{Target Description Format}.
44169
44170 Enum types have a name, size and a list of name/value pairs.
44171
44172 @smallexample
44173 <enum id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
44174 <evalue name="@var{name}" value="@var{value}"/>
44175 @dots{}
44176 </enum>
44177 @end smallexample
44178
44179 Enums must be defined before they are used.
44180
44181 @smallexample
44182 <enum id="levels_type" size="4">
44183 <evalue name="low" value="0"/>
44184 <evalue name="high" value="1"/>
44185 </enum>
44186 <flags id="flags_type" size="4">
44187 <field name="X" start="0"/>
44188 <field name="LEVEL" start="1" end="1" type="levels_type"/>
44189 </flags>
44190 <reg name="flags" bitsize="32" type="flags_type"/>
44191 @end smallexample
44192
44193 Given that description, a value of 3 for the @samp{flags} register
44194 would be printed as:
44195
44196 @smallexample
44197 (gdb) info register flags
44198 flags 0x3 [ X LEVEL=high ]
44199 @end smallexample
44200
44201 @node Standard Target Features
44202 @section Standard Target Features
44203 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
44204
44205 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
44206 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
44207 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
44208 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
44209 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
44210 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
44211 can recognize them.
44212
44213 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
44214 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
44215 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
44216 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
44217 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
44218 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
44219 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
44220 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
44221
44222 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
44223 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
44224 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
44225
44226 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
44227 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
44228 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
44229 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
44230
44231 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
44232 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
44233 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
44234
44235 @menu
44236 * AArch64 Features::
44237 * ARC Features::
44238 * ARM Features::
44239 * i386 Features::
44240 * MicroBlaze Features::
44241 * MIPS Features::
44242 * M68K Features::
44243 * NDS32 Features::
44244 * Nios II Features::
44245 * OpenRISC 1000 Features::
44246 * PowerPC Features::
44247 * RISC-V Features::
44248 * RX Features::
44249 * S/390 and System z Features::
44250 * Sparc Features::
44251 * TIC6x Features::
44252 @end menu
44253
44254
44255 @node AArch64 Features
44256 @subsection AArch64 Features
44257 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
44258
44259 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
44260 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
44261 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
44262
44263 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
44264 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
44265 and @samp{fpcr}.
44266
44267 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.sve} feature is optional. If present,
44268 it should contain registers @samp{z0} through @samp{z31}, @samp{p0}
44269 through @samp{p15}, @samp{ffr} and @samp{vg}.
44270
44271 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.pauth} feature is optional. If present,
44272 it should contain registers @samp{pauth_dmask} and @samp{pauth_cmask}.
44273
44274 @node ARC Features
44275 @subsection ARC Features
44276 @cindex target descriptions, ARC Features
44277
44278 ARC processors are highly configurable, so even core registers and their number
44279 are not completely predetermined. In addition flags and PC registers which are
44280 important to @value{GDBN} are not ``core'' registers in ARC. It is required
44281 that one of the core registers features is present.
44282 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.aux-minimal} feature is mandatory.
44283
44284 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.v2} feature is required for ARC EM and ARC HS
44285 targets with a normal register file. It should contain registers @samp{r0}
44286 through @samp{r25}, @samp{gp}, @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink},
44287 @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}. This feature may contain register @samp{ilink}
44288 and any of extension core registers @samp{r32} through @samp{r59/acch}.
44289 @samp{ilink} and extension core registers are not available to read/write, when
44290 debugging GNU/Linux applications, thus @samp{ilink} is made optional.
44291
44292 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core-reduced.v2} feature is required for ARC EM and
44293 ARC HS targets with a reduced register file. It should contain registers
44294 @samp{r0} through @samp{r3}, @samp{r10} through @samp{r15}, @samp{gp},
44295 @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink}, @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}.
44296 This feature may contain register @samp{ilink} and any of extension core
44297 registers @samp{r32} through @samp{r59/acch}.
44298
44299 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.arcompact} feature is required for ARCompact
44300 targets with a normal register file. It should contain registers @samp{r0}
44301 through @samp{r25}, @samp{gp}, @samp{fp}, @samp{sp}, @samp{r30}, @samp{blink},
44302 @samp{lp_count} and @samp{pcl}. This feature may contain registers
44303 @samp{ilink1}, @samp{ilink2} and any of extension core registers @samp{r32}
44304 through @samp{r59/acch}. @samp{ilink1} and @samp{ilink2} and extension core
44305 registers are not available when debugging GNU/Linux applications. The only
44306 difference with @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.core.v2} feature is in the names of
44307 @samp{ilink1} and @samp{ilink2} registers and that @samp{r30} is mandatory in
44308 ARC v2, but @samp{ilink2} is optional on ARCompact.
44309
44310 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arc.aux-minimal} feature is required for all ARC
44311 targets. It should contain registers @samp{pc} and @samp{status32}.
44312
44313 @node ARM Features
44314 @subsection ARM Features
44315 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
44316
44317 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
44318 ARM targets.
44319 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
44320 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
44321
44322 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
44323 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
44324 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
44325 and @samp{xpsr}.
44326
44327 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
44328 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
44329
44330 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
44331 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
44332 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
44333 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
44334
44335 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
44336 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
44337 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
44338 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
44339 halves of the double-precision registers.
44340
44341 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
44342 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
44343 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
44344 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
44345 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
44346 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
44347
44348 @node i386 Features
44349 @subsection i386 Features
44350 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
44351
44352 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
44353 targets. It should describe the following registers:
44354
44355 @itemize @minus
44356 @item
44357 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
44358 @item
44359 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
44360 @item
44361 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
44362 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
44363 @item
44364 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
44365 @item
44366 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
44367 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
44368 @end itemize
44369
44370 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
44371
44372 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
44373 describe registers:
44374
44375 @itemize @minus
44376 @item
44377 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
44378 @item
44379 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
44380 @item
44381 @samp{mxcsr}
44382 @end itemize
44383
44384 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
44385 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
44386 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
44387
44388 @itemize @minus
44389 @item
44390 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
44391 @item
44392 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
44393 @end itemize
44394
44395 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.mpx} is an optional feature representing Intel
44396 Memory Protection Extension (MPX). It should describe the following registers:
44397
44398 @itemize @minus
44399 @item
44400 @samp{bnd0raw} through @samp{bnd3raw} for i386 and amd64.
44401 @item
44402 @samp{bndcfgu} and @samp{bndstatus} for i386 and amd64.
44403 @end itemize
44404
44405 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
44406 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
44407
44408 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.segments} feature is optional. It should
44409 describe two system registers: @samp{fs_base} and @samp{gs_base}.
44410
44411 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx512} feature is optional and requires the
44412 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature. It should
44413 describe additional @sc{xmm} registers:
44414
44415 @itemize @minus
44416 @item
44417 @samp{xmm16h} through @samp{xmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
44418 @end itemize
44419
44420 It should describe the upper 128 bits of additional @sc{ymm} registers:
44421
44422 @itemize @minus
44423 @item
44424 @samp{ymm16h} through @samp{ymm31h}, only valid for amd64.
44425 @end itemize
44426
44427 It should
44428 describe the upper 256 bits of @sc{zmm} registers:
44429
44430 @itemize @minus
44431 @item
44432 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm7h} for i386.
44433 @item
44434 @samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm15h} for amd64.
44435 @end itemize
44436
44437 It should
44438 describe the additional @sc{zmm} registers:
44439
44440 @itemize @minus
44441 @item
44442 @samp{zmm16h} through @samp{zmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
44443 @end itemize
44444
44445 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.pkeys} feature is optional. It should
44446 describe a single register, @samp{pkru}. It is a 32-bit register
44447 valid for i386 and amd64.
44448
44449 @node MicroBlaze Features
44450 @subsection MicroBlaze Features
44451 @cindex target descriptions, MicroBlaze features
44452
44453 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.core} feature is required for MicroBlaze
44454 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
44455 @samp{rpc}, @samp{rmsr}, @samp{rear}, @samp{resr}, @samp{rfsr}, @samp{rbtr},
44456 @samp{rpvr}, @samp{rpvr1} through @samp{rpvr11}, @samp{redr}, @samp{rpid},
44457 @samp{rzpr}, @samp{rtlbx}, @samp{rtlbsx}, @samp{rtlblo}, and @samp{rtlbhi}.
44458
44459 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.stack-protect} feature is optional.
44460 If present, it should contain registers @samp{rshr} and @samp{rslr}
44461
44462 @node MIPS Features
44463 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
44464 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
44465
44466 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
44467 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
44468 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
44469 on the target.
44470
44471 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
44472 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
44473 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
44474
44475 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
44476 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
44477 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
44478 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
44479
44480 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
44481 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
44482 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
44483 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
44484
44485 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
44486 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
44487 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
44488
44489 @node M68K Features
44490 @subsection M68K Features
44491 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
44492
44493 @table @code
44494 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
44495 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
44496 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
44497 One of those features must be always present.
44498 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
44499 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
44500 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
44501 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
44502
44503 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
44504 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
44505 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
44506 @samp{fpiaddr}.
44507 @end table
44508
44509 @node NDS32 Features
44510 @subsection NDS32 Features
44511 @cindex target descriptions, NDS32 features
44512
44513 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nds32.core} feature is required for NDS32
44514 targets. It should contain at least registers @samp{r0} through
44515 @samp{r10}, @samp{r15}, @samp{fp}, @samp{gp}, @samp{lp}, @samp{sp},
44516 and @samp{pc}.
44517
44518 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nds32.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
44519 it should contain 64-bit double-precision floating-point registers
44520 @samp{fd0} through @emph{fdN}, which should be @samp{fd3}, @samp{fd7},
44521 @samp{fd15}, or @samp{fd31} based on the FPU configuration implemented.
44522
44523 @emph{Note:} The first sixteen 64-bit double-precision floating-point
44524 registers are overlapped with the thirty-two 32-bit single-precision
44525 floating-point registers. The 32-bit single-precision registers, if
44526 not being listed explicitly, will be synthesized from halves of the
44527 overlapping 64-bit double-precision registers. Listing 32-bit
44528 single-precision registers explicitly is deprecated, and the
44529 support to it could be totally removed some day.
44530
44531 @node Nios II Features
44532 @subsection Nios II Features
44533 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
44534
44535 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
44536 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
44537 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
44538 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
44539 @samp{mpuacc}).
44540
44541 @node OpenRISC 1000 Features
44542 @subsection Openrisc 1000 Features
44543 @cindex target descriptions, OpenRISC 1000 features
44544
44545 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.or1k.group0} feature is required for OpenRISC 1000
44546 targets. It should contain the 32 general purpose registers (@samp{r0}
44547 through @samp{r31}), @samp{ppc}, @samp{npc} and @samp{sr}.
44548
44549 @node PowerPC Features
44550 @subsection PowerPC Features
44551 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
44552
44553 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
44554 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
44555 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
44556 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
44557
44558 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
44559 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
44560
44561 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
44562 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr}, and
44563 @samp{vrsave}. @value{GDBN} will define pseudo-registers @samp{v0}
44564 through @samp{v31} as aliases for the corresponding @samp{vrX}
44565 registers.
44566
44567 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
44568 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN} will
44569 combine these registers with the floating point registers (@samp{f0}
44570 through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0} through
44571 @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0} through
44572 @samp{vs63}, the set of vector-scalar registers for POWER7.
44573 Therefore, this feature requires both @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} and
44574 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec}.
44575
44576 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
44577 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
44578 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
44579 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
44580 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
44581 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
44582 user.
44583
44584 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.ppr} feature is optional. It should
44585 contain the 64-bit register @samp{ppr}.
44586
44587 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.dscr} feature is optional. It should
44588 contain the 64-bit register @samp{dscr}.
44589
44590 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.tar} feature is optional. It should
44591 contain the 64-bit register @samp{tar}.
44592
44593 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.ebb} feature is optional. It should
44594 contain registers @samp{bescr}, @samp{ebbhr} and @samp{ebbrr}, all
44595 64-bit wide.
44596
44597 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.linux.pmu} feature is optional. It should
44598 contain registers @samp{mmcr0}, @samp{mmcr2}, @samp{siar}, @samp{sdar}
44599 and @samp{sier}, all 64-bit wide. This is the subset of the isa 2.07
44600 server PMU registers provided by @sc{gnu}/Linux.
44601
44602 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.spr} feature is optional. It should
44603 contain registers @samp{tfhar}, @samp{texasr} and @samp{tfiar}, all
44604 64-bit wide.
44605
44606 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.core} feature is optional. It should
44607 contain the checkpointed general-purpose registers @samp{cr0} through
44608 @samp{cr31}, as well as the checkpointed registers @samp{clr} and
44609 @samp{cctr}. These registers may all be either 32-bit or 64-bit
44610 depending on the target. It should also contain the checkpointed
44611 registers @samp{ccr} and @samp{cxer}, which should both be 32-bit
44612 wide.
44613
44614 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.fpu} feature is optional. It should
44615 contain the checkpointed 64-bit floating-point registers @samp{cf0}
44616 through @samp{cf31}, as well as the checkpointed 64-bit register
44617 @samp{cfpscr}.
44618
44619 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.altivec} feature is optional. It
44620 should contain the checkpointed altivec registers @samp{cvr0} through
44621 @samp{cvr31}, all 128-bit wide. It should also contain the
44622 checkpointed registers @samp{cvscr} and @samp{cvrsave}, both 32-bit
44623 wide.
44624
44625 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.vsx} feature is optional. It should
44626 contain registers @samp{cvs0h} through @samp{cvs31h}. @value{GDBN}
44627 will combine these registers with the checkpointed floating point
44628 registers (@samp{cf0} through @samp{cf31}) and the checkpointed
44629 altivec registers (@samp{cvr0} through @samp{cvr31}) to present the
44630 128-bit wide checkpointed vector-scalar registers @samp{cvs0} through
44631 @samp{cvs63}. Therefore, this feature requires both
44632 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.altivec} and
44633 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.fpu}.
44634
44635 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.ppr} feature is optional. It should
44636 contain the 64-bit checkpointed register @samp{cppr}.
44637
44638 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.dscr} feature is optional. It should
44639 contain the 64-bit checkpointed register @samp{cdscr}.
44640
44641 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.htm.tar} feature is optional. It should
44642 contain the 64-bit checkpointed register @samp{ctar}.
44643
44644
44645 @node RISC-V Features
44646 @subsection RISC-V Features
44647 @cindex target descriptions, RISC-V Features
44648
44649 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.riscv.cpu} feature is required for RISC-V
44650 targets. It should contain the registers @samp{x0} through
44651 @samp{x31}, and @samp{pc}. Either the architectural names (@samp{x0},
44652 @samp{x1}, etc) can be used, or the ABI names (@samp{zero}, @samp{ra},
44653 etc).
44654
44655 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.riscv.fpu} feature is optional. If present, it
44656 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fflags},
44657 @samp{frm}, and @samp{fcsr}. As with the cpu feature, either the
44658 architectural register names, or the ABI names can be used.
44659
44660 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.riscv.virtual} feature is optional. If present,
44661 it should contain registers that are not backed by real registers on
44662 the target, but are instead virtual, where the register value is
44663 derived from other target state. In many ways these are like
44664 @value{GDBN}s pseudo-registers, except implemented by the target.
44665 Currently the only register expected in this set is the one byte
44666 @samp{priv} register that contains the target's privilege level in the
44667 least significant two bits.
44668
44669 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.riscv.csr} feature is optional. If present, it
44670 should contain all of the target's standard CSRs. Standard CSRs are
44671 those defined in the RISC-V specification documents. There is some
44672 overlap between this feature and the fpu feature; the @samp{fflags},
44673 @samp{frm}, and @samp{fcsr} registers could be in either feature. The
44674 expectation is that these registers will be in the fpu feature if the
44675 target has floating point hardware, but can be moved into the csr
44676 feature if the target has the floating point control registers, but no
44677 other floating point hardware.
44678
44679 @node RX Features
44680 @subsection RX Features
44681 @cindex target descriptions, RX Features
44682
44683 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.rx.core} feature is required for RX
44684 targets. It should contain the registers @samp{r0} through
44685 @samp{r15}, @samp{usp}, @samp{isp}, @samp{psw}, @samp{pc}, @samp{intb},
44686 @samp{bpsw}, @samp{bpc}, @samp{fintv}, @samp{fpsw}, and @samp{acc}.
44687
44688 @node S/390 and System z Features
44689 @subsection S/390 and System z Features
44690 @cindex target descriptions, S/390 features
44691 @cindex target descriptions, System z features
44692
44693 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.core} feature is required for S/390 and
44694 System z targets. It should contain the PSW and the 16 general
44695 registers. In particular, System z targets should provide the 64-bit
44696 registers @samp{pswm}, @samp{pswa}, and @samp{r0} through @samp{r15}.
44697 S/390 targets should provide the 32-bit versions of these registers.
44698 A System z target that runs in 31-bit addressing mode should provide
44699 32-bit versions of @samp{pswm} and @samp{pswa}, as well as the general
44700 register's upper halves @samp{r0h} through @samp{r15h}, and their
44701 lower halves @samp{r0l} through @samp{r15l}.
44702
44703 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.fpr} feature is required. It should
44704 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f15}, and
44705 @samp{fpc}.
44706
44707 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.acr} feature is required. It should
44708 contain the 32-bit registers @samp{acr0} through @samp{acr15}.
44709
44710 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.linux} feature is optional. It should
44711 contain the register @samp{orig_r2}, which is 64-bit wide on System z
44712 targets and 32-bit otherwise. In addition, the feature may contain
44713 the @samp{last_break} register, whose width depends on the addressing
44714 mode, as well as the @samp{system_call} register, which is always
44715 32-bit wide.
44716
44717 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.tdb} feature is optional. It should
44718 contain the 64-bit registers @samp{tdb0}, @samp{tac}, @samp{tct},
44719 @samp{atia}, and @samp{tr0} through @samp{tr15}.
44720
44721 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.vx} feature is optional. It should contain
44722 64-bit wide registers @samp{v0l} through @samp{v15l}, which will be
44723 combined by @value{GDBN} with the floating point registers @samp{f0}
44724 through @samp{f15} to present the 128-bit wide vector registers
44725 @samp{v0} through @samp{v15}. In addition, this feature should
44726 contain the 128-bit wide vector registers @samp{v16} through
44727 @samp{v31}.
44728
44729 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.gs} feature is optional. It should contain
44730 the 64-bit wide guarded-storage-control registers @samp{gsd},
44731 @samp{gssm}, and @samp{gsepla}.
44732
44733 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.gsbc} feature is optional. It should contain
44734 the 64-bit wide guarded-storage broadcast control registers
44735 @samp{bc_gsd}, @samp{bc_gssm}, and @samp{bc_gsepla}.
44736
44737 @node Sparc Features
44738 @subsection Sparc Features
44739 @cindex target descriptions, sparc32 features
44740 @cindex target descriptions, sparc64 features
44741 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.cpu} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
44742 targets. It should describe the following registers:
44743
44744 @itemize @minus
44745 @item
44746 @samp{g0} through @samp{g7}
44747 @item
44748 @samp{o0} through @samp{o7}
44749 @item
44750 @samp{l0} through @samp{l7}
44751 @item
44752 @samp{i0} through @samp{i7}
44753 @end itemize
44754
44755 They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
44756
44757 Also the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.fpu} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
44758 targets. It should describe the following registers:
44759
44760 @itemize @minus
44761 @item
44762 @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}
44763 @item
44764 @samp{f32} through @samp{f62} for sparc64
44765 @end itemize
44766
44767 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.sparc.cp0} feature is required for sparc32/sparc64
44768 targets. It should describe the following registers:
44769
44770 @itemize @minus
44771 @item
44772 @samp{y}, @samp{psr}, @samp{wim}, @samp{tbr}, @samp{pc}, @samp{npc},
44773 @samp{fsr}, and @samp{csr} for sparc32
44774 @item
44775 @samp{pc}, @samp{npc}, @samp{state}, @samp{fsr}, @samp{fprs}, and @samp{y}
44776 for sparc64
44777 @end itemize
44778
44779 @node TIC6x Features
44780 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
44781 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
44782 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
44783 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
44784 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
44785 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
44786
44787 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
44788 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
44789 through @samp{B31}.
44790
44791 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
44792 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
44793
44794 @node Operating System Information
44795 @appendix Operating System Information
44796 @cindex operating system information
44797
44798 @menu
44799 * Process list::
44800 @end menu
44801
44802 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
44803 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
44804 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
44805 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
44806 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
44807 on a different aspect of target.
44808
44809 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
44810 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
44811 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
44812 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
44813
44814 @node Process list
44815 @appendixsection Process list
44816 @cindex operating system information, process list
44817
44818 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
44819 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
44820 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
44821 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
44822
44823 An example document is:
44824
44825 @smallexample
44826 <?xml version="1.0"?>
44827 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
44828 <osdata type="processes">
44829 <item>
44830 <column name="pid">1</column>
44831 <column name="user">root</column>
44832 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
44833 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
44834 </item>
44835 </osdata>
44836 @end smallexample
44837
44838 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
44839 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
44840 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
44841 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
44842 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
44843 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
44844 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
44845
44846 @node Trace File Format
44847 @appendix Trace File Format
44848 @cindex trace file format
44849
44850 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
44851 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
44852
44853 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
44854 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
44855 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
44856 in the future.
44857
44858 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
44859 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
44860 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
44861 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
44862 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
44863 of this section.
44864
44865 @table @code
44866 @item R @var{size}
44867 Specifies the size of a register block in bytes. This is equal to the
44868 size of a @code{g} packet payload in the remote protocol. @var{size}
44869 is an ascii decimal number. There should be only one such line in
44870 a single trace file.
44871
44872 @item status @var{status}
44873 Trace status. @var{status} has the same format as a @code{qTStatus}
44874 remote packet reply. There should be only one such line in a single trace
44875 file.
44876
44877 @item tp @var{payload}
44878 Tracepoint definition. The @var{payload} has the same format as
44879 @code{qTfP}/@code{qTsP} remote packet reply payload. A single tracepoint
44880 may take multiple lines of definition, corresponding to the multiple
44881 reply packets.
44882
44883 @item tsv @var{payload}
44884 Trace state variable definition. The @var{payload} has the same format as
44885 @code{qTfV}/@code{qTsV} remote packet reply payload. A single variable
44886 may take multiple lines of definition, corresponding to the multiple
44887 reply packets.
44888
44889 @item tdesc @var{payload}
44890 Target description in XML format. The @var{payload} is a single line of
44891 the XML file. All such lines should be concatenated together to get
44892 the original XML file. This file is in the same format as @code{qXfer}
44893 @code{features} payload, and corresponds to the main @code{target.xml}
44894 file. Includes are not allowed.
44895
44896 @end table
44897
44898 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
44899 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
44900 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
44901 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
44902 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
44903 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
44904 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
44905 endianness.
44906
44907 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
44908
44909 @table @code
44910 @item R @var{bytes}
44911 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
44912 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
44913 actual bytes, in target order, not a hexadecimal encoding.
44914
44915 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
44916 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
44917 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
44918 @var{length} bytes.
44919
44920 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
44921 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
44922 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
44923
44924 @end table
44925
44926 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
44927 of blocks.
44928
44929 @node Index Section Format
44930 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
44931 @cindex .gdb_index section format
44932 @cindex index section format
44933
44934 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
44935 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
44936 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
44937 description.
44938
44939 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
44940 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
44941 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
44942 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
44943 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
44944 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
44945
44946 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
44947
44948 @enumerate
44949 @item
44950 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
44951 unless otherwise noted:
44952
44953 @enumerate
44954 @item
44955 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
44956 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
44957 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
44958 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
44959 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
44960 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
44961 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
44962
44963 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
44964 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
44965 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
44966 currently not flagged as deprecated.
44967
44968 @item
44969 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
44970
44971 @item
44972 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
44973 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
44974 to the next offset.
44975
44976 @item
44977 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
44978
44979 @item
44980 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
44981
44982 @item
44983 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
44984 @end enumerate
44985
44986 @item
44987 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
44988 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
44989 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
44990 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
44991 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
44992 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
44993 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
44994 CU indices.
44995
44996 @item
44997 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
44998 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
44999 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
45000 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
45001
45002 @item
45003 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
45004 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
45005
45006 @enumerate
45007 @item
45008 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
45009
45010 @item
45011 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
45012 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
45013
45014 @item
45015 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
45016 @end enumerate
45017
45018 @item
45019 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
45020 the hash table is always a power of 2.
45021
45022 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
45023 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
45024 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
45025 constant pool.
45026
45027 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
45028 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
45029 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
45030
45031 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
45032 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
45033 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
45034 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
45035 index version:
45036
45037 @table @asis
45038 @item Version 4
45039 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
45040
45041 @item Versions 5 to 7
45042 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
45043 @end table
45044
45045 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
45046
45047 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
45048 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
45049 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
45050 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
45051 collision.
45052
45053 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
45054 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
45055 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
45056 the code.
45057
45058 @item
45059 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
45060 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
45061 strings.
45062
45063 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
45064 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
45065 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
45066 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
45067 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
45068 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
45069
45070 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
45071 @end enumerate
45072
45073 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
45074 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
45075 CU index+attributes value for each use.
45076
45077 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
45078 (bit 0 = LSB):
45079
45080 @table @asis
45081
45082 @item Bits 0-23
45083 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
45084 @item Bits 24-27
45085 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
45086 @item Bits 28-30
45087 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
45088
45089 @table @asis
45090 @item 0
45091 This value is reserved and should not be used.
45092 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
45093 with previous versions of the index.
45094 @item 1
45095 The symbol is a type.
45096 @item 2
45097 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
45098 @item 3
45099 The symbol is a function.
45100 @item 4
45101 Any other kind of symbol.
45102 @item 5,6,7
45103 These values are reserved.
45104 @end table
45105
45106 @item Bit 31
45107 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
45108
45109 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
45110 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
45111 @value{GDBN} sources.
45112
45113 @end table
45114
45115 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
45116 global/static attributes in the index.
45117
45118 @smallexample
45119 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
45120 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
45121 switch (die->tag)
45122 @{
45123 case DW_TAG_typedef:
45124 case DW_TAG_base_type:
45125 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
45126 kind = TYPE;
45127 is_static = 1;
45128 break;
45129 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
45130 kind = VARIABLE;
45131 is_static = language != CPLUS;
45132 break;
45133 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
45134 kind = FUNCTION;
45135 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
45136 break;
45137 case DW_TAG_constant:
45138 kind = VARIABLE;
45139 is_static = ! is_external;
45140 break;
45141 case DW_TAG_variable:
45142 kind = VARIABLE;
45143 is_static = ! is_external;
45144 break;
45145 case DW_TAG_namespace:
45146 kind = TYPE;
45147 is_static = 0;
45148 break;
45149 case DW_TAG_class_type:
45150 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
45151 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
45152 case DW_TAG_union_type:
45153 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
45154 kind = TYPE;
45155 is_static = language != CPLUS;
45156 break;
45157 default:
45158 assert (0);
45159 @}
45160 @end smallexample
45161
45162 @node Man Pages
45163 @appendix Manual pages
45164 @cindex Man pages
45165
45166 @menu
45167 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
45168 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
45169 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
45170 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
45171 * gdb-add-index man:: Add index files to speed up GDB
45172 @end menu
45173
45174 @node gdb man
45175 @heading gdb man
45176
45177 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
45178
45179 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
45180 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
45181 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
45182 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
45183 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
45184 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
45185 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
45186 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
45187 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
45188 @c man end
45189
45190 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
45191 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
45192 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
45193 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
45194
45195 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
45196 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
45197
45198 @itemize @bullet
45199 @item
45200 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
45201
45202 @item
45203 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
45204
45205 @item
45206 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
45207
45208 @item
45209 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
45210 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
45211 @end itemize
45212
45213 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
45214 Modula-2.
45215
45216 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
45217 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
45218 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
45219 by using the command @code{help}.
45220
45221 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
45222 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
45223 executable program as the argument:
45224
45225 @smallexample
45226 gdb program
45227 @end smallexample
45228
45229 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
45230
45231 @smallexample
45232 gdb program core
45233 @end smallexample
45234
45235 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument or use option
45236 @code{-p}, if you want to debug a running process:
45237
45238 @smallexample
45239 gdb program 1234
45240 gdb -p 1234
45241 @end smallexample
45242
45243 @noindent
45244 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234}. With option @option{-p} you
45245 can omit the @var{program} filename.
45246
45247 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
45248
45249 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
45250 @table @env
45251 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{function}
45252 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
45253
45254 @item run [@var{arglist}]
45255 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
45256
45257 @item bt
45258 Backtrace: display the program stack.
45259
45260 @item print @var{expr}
45261 Display the value of an expression.
45262
45263 @item c
45264 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
45265
45266 @item next
45267 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
45268 function calls in the line.
45269
45270 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
45271 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
45272
45273 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
45274 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
45275
45276 @item step
45277 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
45278 function calls in the line.
45279
45280 @item help [@var{name}]
45281 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
45282 about using @value{GDBN}.
45283
45284 @item quit
45285 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
45286 @end table
45287
45288 @ifset man
45289 For full details on @value{GDBN},
45290 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
45291 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
45292 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
45293 @end ifset
45294 @c man end
45295
45296 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
45297 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
45298 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
45299 encountered with no
45300 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
45301 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
45302 Many options have
45303 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
45304 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
45305 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
45306 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
45307 more usual convention.)
45308
45309 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
45310 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
45311 option is used.
45312
45313 @table @env
45314 @item -help
45315 @itemx -h
45316 List all options, with brief explanations.
45317
45318 @item -symbols=@var{file}
45319 @itemx -s @var{file}
45320 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
45321
45322 @item -write
45323 Enable writing into executable and core files.
45324
45325 @item -exec=@var{file}
45326 @itemx -e @var{file}
45327 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
45328 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
45329 dump.
45330
45331 @item -se=@var{file}
45332 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
45333 file.
45334
45335 @item -core=@var{file}
45336 @itemx -c @var{file}
45337 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
45338
45339 @item -command=@var{file}
45340 @itemx -x @var{file}
45341 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
45342
45343 @item -ex @var{command}
45344 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
45345
45346 @item -directory=@var{directory}
45347 @itemx -d @var{directory}
45348 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
45349
45350 @item -nh
45351 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
45352
45353 @item -nx
45354 @itemx -n
45355 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
45356
45357 @item -quiet
45358 @itemx -q
45359 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
45360 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
45361
45362 @item -batch
45363 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
45364 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
45365 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
45366 commands in the command files.
45367
45368 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
45369 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
45370 more useful, the message
45371
45372 @smallexample
45373 Program exited normally.
45374 @end smallexample
45375
45376 @noindent
45377 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
45378 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
45379
45380 @item -cd=@var{directory}
45381 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
45382 instead of the current directory.
45383
45384 @item -fullname
45385 @itemx -f
45386 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
45387 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
45388 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
45389 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
45390 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
45391 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
45392 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
45393 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
45394
45395 @item -b @var{bps}
45396 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
45397 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
45398
45399 @item -tty=@var{device}
45400 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
45401 @end table
45402 @c man end
45403
45404 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
45405 @ifset man
45406 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
45407 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
45408 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
45409
45410 @smallexample
45411 info gdb
45412 @end smallexample
45413
45414 @noindent
45415 should give you access to the complete manual.
45416
45417 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
45418 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
45419 @end ifset
45420 @c man end
45421
45422 @node gdbserver man
45423 @heading gdbserver man
45424
45425 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
45426 @format
45427 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
45428 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
45429
45430 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
45431
45432 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
45433 @c man end
45434 @end format
45435
45436 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
45437 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
45438 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
45439
45440 @ifclear man
45441 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
45442 @end ifclear
45443 @ifset man
45444 Usage (server (target) side):
45445 @end ifset
45446
45447 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
45448 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
45449 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
45450 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
45451
45452 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
45453 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
45454 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
45455
45456 @smallexample
45457 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
45458 @end smallexample
45459
45460 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
45461
45462 @smallexample
45463 @ifset man
45464 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
45465 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
45466 @end ifset
45467 @ifclear man
45468 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
45469 @end ifclear
45470 @end smallexample
45471
45472 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
45473 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
45474 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
45475
45476 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
45477
45478 @smallexample
45479 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
45480 @end smallexample
45481
45482 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
45483 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
45484 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
45485 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
45486 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
45487 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
45488 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
45489 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
45490 print an error message and exit.
45491
45492 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
45493 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
45494
45495 @smallexample
45496 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
45497 @end smallexample
45498
45499 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
45500 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
45501
45502 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
45503 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
45504 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
45505 the program you want to debug.
45506
45507 @smallexample
45508 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
45509 @end smallexample
45510
45511 @ifclear man
45512 @subheading Usage (host side)
45513 @end ifclear
45514 @ifset man
45515 Usage (host side):
45516 @end ifset
45517
45518 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
45519 @value{GDBN} needs to examine its symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
45520 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
45521 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
45522 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
45523 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
45524 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
45525 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
45526 descriptor. For example:
45527
45528 @smallexample
45529 @ifset man
45530 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
45531 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
45532 @end ifset
45533 @ifclear man
45534 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
45535 @end ifclear
45536 @end smallexample
45537
45538 @noindent
45539 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
45540
45541 @smallexample
45542 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
45543 @end smallexample
45544
45545 @noindent
45546 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
45547 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
45548 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
45549 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
45550 `Connection refused'.
45551
45552 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
45553 described in
45554 @ifset man
45555 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
45556 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
45557 @end ifset
45558 @ifclear man
45559 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
45560 @end ifclear
45561 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
45562
45563 @smallexample
45564 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
45565 @end smallexample
45566
45567 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
45568 case.
45569 @c man end
45570
45571 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
45572 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
45573
45574 @itemize @bullet
45575
45576 @item
45577 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
45578
45579 @smallexample
45580 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
45581 @end smallexample
45582
45583 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
45584 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
45585 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
45586 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
45587 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
45588 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
45589 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
45590
45591 @item
45592 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
45593 program:
45594
45595 @smallexample
45596 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
45597 @end smallexample
45598
45599 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
45600 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
45601 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
45602 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
45603
45604 @item
45605 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
45606
45607 @smallexample
45608 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
45609 @end smallexample
45610
45611 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
45612 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
45613 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
45614 debug several processes in the same session.
45615 @end itemize
45616
45617 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
45618
45619 @table @env
45620
45621 @item --help
45622 List all options, with brief explanations.
45623
45624 @item --version
45625 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
45626
45627 @item --attach
45628 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
45629
45630 @smallexample
45631 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
45632 @end smallexample
45633
45634 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
45635 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
45636
45637 @item --multi
45638 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
45639 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
45640 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
45641 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
45642
45643 @smallexample
45644 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
45645 @end smallexample
45646
45647 @item --debug
45648 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
45649 process.
45650 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
45651 the developers.
45652
45653 @item --remote-debug
45654 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
45655 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
45656 the developers.
45657
45658 @item --debug-file=@var{filename}
45659 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to send any debug output to the given @var{filename}.
45660 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
45661 the developers.
45662
45663 @item --debug-format=option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
45664 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to include extra information in each line
45665 of debugging output.
45666 @xref{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}.
45667
45668 @item --wrapper
45669 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
45670 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
45671 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
45672 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
45673
45674 @item --once
45675 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
45676 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
45677 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
45678 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
45679
45680 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
45681
45682 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
45683 @c QDisableRandomization.
45684
45685 @end table
45686 @c man end
45687
45688 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
45689 @ifset man
45690 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
45691 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
45692 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
45693
45694 @smallexample
45695 info gdb
45696 @end smallexample
45697
45698 should give you access to the complete manual.
45699
45700 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
45701 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
45702 @end ifset
45703 @c man end
45704
45705 @node gcore man
45706 @heading gcore
45707
45708 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
45709
45710 @format
45711 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
45712 gcore [-a] [-o @var{prefix}] @var{pid1} [@var{pid2}...@var{pidN}]
45713 @c man end
45714 @end format
45715
45716 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
45717 Generate core dumps of one or more running programs with process IDs
45718 @var{pid1}, @var{pid2}, etc. A core file produced by @command{gcore}
45719 is equivalent to one produced by the kernel when the process crashes
45720 (and when @kbd{ulimit -c} was used to set up an appropriate core dump
45721 limit). However, unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} finishes
45722 its job the program remains running without any change.
45723 @c man end
45724
45725 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
45726 @table @env
45727 @item -a
45728 Dump all memory mappings. The actual effect of this option depends on
45729 the Operating System. On @sc{gnu}/Linux, it will disable
45730 @code{use-coredump-filter} (@pxref{set use-coredump-filter}) and
45731 enable @code{dump-excluded-mappings} (@pxref{set
45732 dump-excluded-mappings}).
45733
45734 @item -o @var{prefix}
45735 The optional argument @var{prefix} specifies the prefix to be used
45736 when composing the file names of the core dumps. The file name is
45737 composed as @file{@var{prefix}.@var{pid}}, where @var{pid} is the
45738 process ID of the running program being analyzed by @command{gcore}.
45739 If not specified, @var{prefix} defaults to @var{gcore}.
45740 @end table
45741 @c man end
45742
45743 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
45744 @ifset man
45745 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
45746 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
45747 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
45748
45749 @smallexample
45750 info gdb
45751 @end smallexample
45752
45753 @noindent
45754 should give you access to the complete manual.
45755
45756 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
45757 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
45758 @end ifset
45759 @c man end
45760
45761 @node gdbinit man
45762 @heading gdbinit
45763
45764 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
45765
45766 @format
45767 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
45768 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
45769 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
45770 @end ifset
45771
45772 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT_DIR
45773 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT_DIR}/*
45774 @end ifset
45775
45776 ~/.gdbinit
45777
45778 ./.gdbinit
45779 @c man end
45780 @end format
45781
45782 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
45783 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
45784 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
45785 described in
45786 @ifset man
45787 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
45788 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
45789 @end ifset
45790 @ifclear man
45791 @ref{Sequences}.
45792 @end ifclear
45793
45794 Please read more in
45795 @ifset man
45796 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
45797 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
45798 @end ifset
45799 @ifclear man
45800 @ref{Startup}.
45801 @end ifclear
45802
45803 @table @env
45804 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
45805 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
45806 @end ifset
45807 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
45808 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
45809 @end ifclear
45810 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
45811 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
45812 See more in
45813 @ifset man
45814 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
45815 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
45816 @end ifset
45817 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT_DIR
45818 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT_DIR}
45819 @end ifset
45820 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT_DIR
45821 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit-dir} during compilation)
45822 @end ifclear
45823 System-wide initialization directory. All files in this directory are
45824 executed on startup unless user specified @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or
45825 @code{-n}, as long as they have a recognized file extension.
45826 See more in
45827 @ifset man
45828 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
45829 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
45830 @end ifset
45831 @ifclear man
45832 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
45833 @end ifclear
45834
45835 @item ~/.gdbinit
45836 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
45837 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
45838
45839 @item ./.gdbinit
45840 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
45841 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
45842 See more in
45843 @ifset man
45844 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
45845 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
45846 @end ifset
45847 @ifclear man
45848 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
45849 @end ifclear
45850 @end table
45851 @c man end
45852
45853 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
45854 @ifset man
45855 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
45856
45857 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
45858 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
45859 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
45860
45861 @smallexample
45862 info gdb
45863 @end smallexample
45864
45865 should give you access to the complete manual.
45866
45867 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
45868 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
45869 @end ifset
45870 @c man end
45871
45872 @node gdb-add-index man
45873 @heading gdb-add-index
45874 @pindex gdb-add-index
45875 @anchor{gdb-add-index}
45876
45877 @c man title gdb-add-index Add index files to speed up GDB
45878
45879 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb-add-index
45880 gdb-add-index @var{filename}
45881 @c man end
45882
45883 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb-add-index
45884 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
45885 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
45886 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly--at the cost of a delay early on.
45887 For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so @value{GDBN}
45888 provides a way to build an index, which speeds up startup.
45889
45890 To determine whether a file contains such an index, use the command
45891 @kbd{readelf -S filename}: the index is stored in a section named
45892 @code{.gdb_index}. The index file can only be produced on systems
45893 which use ELF binaries and DWARF debug information (i.e., sections
45894 named @code{.debug_*}).
45895
45896 @command{gdb-add-index} uses @value{GDBN} and @command{objdump} found
45897 in the @env{PATH} environment variable. If you want to use different
45898 versions of these programs, you can specify them through the
45899 @env{GDB} and @env{OBJDUMP} environment variables.
45900
45901 See more in
45902 @ifset man
45903 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Index Files}
45904 -- shell command @kbd{info -f gdb -n "Index Files"}.
45905 @end ifset
45906 @ifclear man
45907 @ref{Index Files}.
45908 @end ifclear
45909 @c man end
45910
45911 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb-add-index
45912 @ifset man
45913 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
45914 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
45915 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
45916
45917 @smallexample
45918 info gdb
45919 @end smallexample
45920
45921 should give you access to the complete manual.
45922
45923 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
45924 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
45925 @end ifset
45926 @c man end
45927
45928 @include gpl.texi
45929
45930 @node GNU Free Documentation License
45931 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
45932 @include fdl.texi
45933
45934 @node Concept Index
45935 @unnumbered Concept Index
45936
45937 @printindex cp
45938
45939 @node Command and Variable Index
45940 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
45941
45942 @printindex fn
45943
45944 @tex
45945 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
45946 % meantime:
45947 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
45948 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
45949 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
45950 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
45951 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
45952 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
45953 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
45954 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
45955 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
45956 \page\colophon
45957 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
45958 @end tex
45959
45960 @bye
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