2002-06-08 Daniel Jacobowitz <drow@mvista.com>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdbint.texinfo
CommitLineData
9742079a 1\input texinfo @c -*- texinfo -*-
c906108c 2@setfilename gdbint.info
25822942 3@include gdb-cfg.texi
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4@dircategory Programming & development tools.
5@direntry
c906108c 6* Gdb-Internals: (gdbint). The GNU debugger's internals.
e9c75b65 7@end direntry
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8
9@ifinfo
25822942 10This file documents the internals of the GNU debugger @value{GDBN}.
f23631e4 11Copyright 1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1996,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002
e9c75b65 12 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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13Contributed by Cygnus Solutions. Written by John Gilmore.
14Second Edition by Stan Shebs.
15
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16Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
17under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
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18any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
19Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
20and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
c906108c 21
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22(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
23this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
24Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
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25@end ifinfo
26
27@setchapternewpage off
25822942 28@settitle @value{GDBN} Internals
c906108c 29
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30@syncodeindex fn cp
31@syncodeindex vr cp
32
c906108c 33@titlepage
25822942 34@title @value{GDBN} Internals
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35@subtitle{A guide to the internals of the GNU debugger}
36@author John Gilmore
37@author Cygnus Solutions
38@author Second Edition:
39@author Stan Shebs
40@author Cygnus Solutions
41@page
42@tex
43\def\$#1${{#1}} % Kluge: collect RCS revision info without $...$
44\xdef\manvers{\$Revision$} % For use in headers, footers too
45{\parskip=0pt
46\hfill Cygnus Solutions\par
47\hfill \manvers\par
48\hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
49}
50@end tex
51
52@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
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53Copyright @copyright{} 1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1996,1998,1999,2000,2001
54 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
c906108c 55
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56Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
57under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
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58any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
59Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
c906108c 61
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62(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
63this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
64Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
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65@end titlepage
66
449f3b6c 67@contents
449f3b6c 68
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69@node Top
70@c Perhaps this should be the title of the document (but only for info,
71@c not for TeX). Existing GNU manuals seem inconsistent on this point.
72@top Scope of this Document
73
25822942
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74This document documents the internals of the GNU debugger, @value{GDBN}. It
75includes description of @value{GDBN}'s key algorithms and operations, as well
76as the mechanisms that adapt @value{GDBN} to specific hosts and targets.
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77
78@menu
79* Requirements::
80* Overall Structure::
81* Algorithms::
82* User Interface::
89437448 83* libgdb::
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84* Symbol Handling::
85* Language Support::
86* Host Definition::
87* Target Architecture Definition::
88* Target Vector Definition::
89* Native Debugging::
90* Support Libraries::
91* Coding::
92* Porting GDB::
8973da3a 93* Releasing GDB::
085dd6e6 94* Testsuite::
c906108c 95* Hints::
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96
97* GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
56caf160 98* Index::
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99@end menu
100
101@node Requirements
102
103@chapter Requirements
56caf160 104@cindex requirements for @value{GDBN}
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105
106Before diving into the internals, you should understand the formal
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107requirements and other expectations for @value{GDBN}. Although some
108of these may seem obvious, there have been proposals for @value{GDBN}
109that have run counter to these requirements.
c906108c 110
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111First of all, @value{GDBN} is a debugger. It's not designed to be a
112front panel for embedded systems. It's not a text editor. It's not a
113shell. It's not a programming environment.
c906108c 114
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115@value{GDBN} is an interactive tool. Although a batch mode is
116available, @value{GDBN}'s primary role is to interact with a human
117programmer.
c906108c 118
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119@value{GDBN} should be responsive to the user. A programmer hot on
120the trail of a nasty bug, and operating under a looming deadline, is
121going to be very impatient of everything, including the response time
122to debugger commands.
c906108c 123
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124@value{GDBN} should be relatively permissive, such as for expressions.
125While the compiler should be picky (or have the option to be made
be9c6c35 126picky), since source code lives for a long time usually, the
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127programmer doing debugging shouldn't be spending time figuring out to
128mollify the debugger.
c906108c 129
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130@value{GDBN} will be called upon to deal with really large programs.
131Executable sizes of 50 to 100 megabytes occur regularly, and we've
132heard reports of programs approaching 1 gigabyte in size.
c906108c 133
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134@value{GDBN} should be able to run everywhere. No other debugger is
135available for even half as many configurations as @value{GDBN}
136supports.
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137
138
139@node Overall Structure
140
141@chapter Overall Structure
142
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143@value{GDBN} consists of three major subsystems: user interface,
144symbol handling (the @dfn{symbol side}), and target system handling (the
145@dfn{target side}).
c906108c 146
2e685b93 147The user interface consists of several actual interfaces, plus
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148supporting code.
149
150The symbol side consists of object file readers, debugging info
151interpreters, symbol table management, source language expression
152parsing, type and value printing.
153
154The target side consists of execution control, stack frame analysis, and
155physical target manipulation.
156
157The target side/symbol side division is not formal, and there are a
158number of exceptions. For instance, core file support involves symbolic
159elements (the basic core file reader is in BFD) and target elements (it
160supplies the contents of memory and the values of registers). Instead,
161this division is useful for understanding how the minor subsystems
162should fit together.
163
164@section The Symbol Side
165
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166The symbolic side of @value{GDBN} can be thought of as ``everything
167you can do in @value{GDBN} without having a live program running''.
168For instance, you can look at the types of variables, and evaluate
169many kinds of expressions.
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170
171@section The Target Side
172
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173The target side of @value{GDBN} is the ``bits and bytes manipulator''.
174Although it may make reference to symbolic info here and there, most
175of the target side will run with only a stripped executable
176available---or even no executable at all, in remote debugging cases.
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177
178Operations such as disassembly, stack frame crawls, and register
179display, are able to work with no symbolic info at all. In some cases,
25822942 180such as disassembly, @value{GDBN} will use symbolic info to present addresses
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181relative to symbols rather than as raw numbers, but it will work either
182way.
183
184@section Configurations
185
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186@cindex host
187@cindex target
25822942 188@dfn{Host} refers to attributes of the system where @value{GDBN} runs.
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189@dfn{Target} refers to the system where the program being debugged
190executes. In most cases they are the same machine, in which case a
191third type of @dfn{Native} attributes come into play.
192
193Defines and include files needed to build on the host are host support.
194Examples are tty support, system defined types, host byte order, host
195float format.
196
197Defines and information needed to handle the target format are target
198dependent. Examples are the stack frame format, instruction set,
199breakpoint instruction, registers, and how to set up and tear down the stack
200to call a function.
201
202Information that is only needed when the host and target are the same,
203is native dependent. One example is Unix child process support; if the
204host and target are not the same, doing a fork to start the target
205process is a bad idea. The various macros needed for finding the
206registers in the @code{upage}, running @code{ptrace}, and such are all
207in the native-dependent files.
208
209Another example of native-dependent code is support for features that
210are really part of the target environment, but which require
211@code{#include} files that are only available on the host system. Core
212file handling and @code{setjmp} handling are two common cases.
213
25822942 214When you want to make @value{GDBN} work ``native'' on a particular machine, you
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215have to include all three kinds of information.
216
217
218@node Algorithms
219
220@chapter Algorithms
56caf160 221@cindex algorithms
c906108c 222
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223@value{GDBN} uses a number of debugging-specific algorithms. They are
224often not very complicated, but get lost in the thicket of special
225cases and real-world issues. This chapter describes the basic
226algorithms and mentions some of the specific target definitions that
227they use.
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228
229@section Frames
230
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231@cindex frame
232@cindex call stack frame
233A frame is a construct that @value{GDBN} uses to keep track of calling
234and called functions.
c906108c 235
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236@findex create_new_frame
237@vindex FRAME_FP
c906108c 238@code{FRAME_FP} in the machine description has no meaning to the
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239machine-independent part of @value{GDBN}, except that it is used when
240setting up a new frame from scratch, as follows:
c906108c 241
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242@smallexample
243create_new_frame (read_register (FP_REGNUM), read_pc ()));
244@end smallexample
c906108c 245
56caf160 246@cindex frame pointer register
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247Other than that, all the meaning imparted to @code{FP_REGNUM} is
248imparted by the machine-dependent code. So, @code{FP_REGNUM} can have
249any value that is convenient for the code that creates new frames.
250(@code{create_new_frame} calls @code{INIT_EXTRA_FRAME_INFO} if it is
251defined; that is where you should use the @code{FP_REGNUM} value, if
252your frames are nonstandard.)
253
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254@cindex frame chain
255Given a @value{GDBN} frame, define @code{FRAME_CHAIN} to determine the
256address of the calling function's frame. This will be used to create
257a new @value{GDBN} frame struct, and then @code{INIT_EXTRA_FRAME_INFO}
258and @code{INIT_FRAME_PC} will be called for the new frame.
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259
260@section Breakpoint Handling
261
56caf160 262@cindex breakpoints
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263In general, a breakpoint is a user-designated location in the program
264where the user wants to regain control if program execution ever reaches
265that location.
266
267There are two main ways to implement breakpoints; either as ``hardware''
268breakpoints or as ``software'' breakpoints.
269
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270@cindex hardware breakpoints
271@cindex program counter
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272Hardware breakpoints are sometimes available as a builtin debugging
273features with some chips. Typically these work by having dedicated
274register into which the breakpoint address may be stored. If the PC
56caf160 275(shorthand for @dfn{program counter})
c906108c 276ever matches a value in a breakpoint registers, the CPU raises an
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277exception and reports it to @value{GDBN}.
278
279Another possibility is when an emulator is in use; many emulators
280include circuitry that watches the address lines coming out from the
281processor, and force it to stop if the address matches a breakpoint's
282address.
283
284A third possibility is that the target already has the ability to do
285breakpoints somehow; for instance, a ROM monitor may do its own
286software breakpoints. So although these are not literally ``hardware
287breakpoints'', from @value{GDBN}'s point of view they work the same;
288@value{GDBN} need not do nothing more than set the breakpoint and wait
289for something to happen.
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290
291Since they depend on hardware resources, hardware breakpoints may be
56caf160 292limited in number; when the user asks for more, @value{GDBN} will
9742079a 293start trying to set software breakpoints. (On some architectures,
937f164b 294notably the 32-bit x86 platforms, @value{GDBN} cannot always know
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295whether there's enough hardware resources to insert all the hardware
296breakpoints and watchpoints. On those platforms, @value{GDBN} prints
297an error message only when the program being debugged is continued.)
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298
299@cindex software breakpoints
300Software breakpoints require @value{GDBN} to do somewhat more work.
301The basic theory is that @value{GDBN} will replace a program
302instruction with a trap, illegal divide, or some other instruction
303that will cause an exception, and then when it's encountered,
304@value{GDBN} will take the exception and stop the program. When the
305user says to continue, @value{GDBN} will restore the original
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306instruction, single-step, re-insert the trap, and continue on.
307
308Since it literally overwrites the program being tested, the program area
be9c6c35 309must be writable, so this technique won't work on programs in ROM. It
c906108c 310can also distort the behavior of programs that examine themselves,
56caf160 311although such a situation would be highly unusual.
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312
313Also, the software breakpoint instruction should be the smallest size of
314instruction, so it doesn't overwrite an instruction that might be a jump
315target, and cause disaster when the program jumps into the middle of the
316breakpoint instruction. (Strictly speaking, the breakpoint must be no
317larger than the smallest interval between instructions that may be jump
318targets; perhaps there is an architecture where only even-numbered
319instructions may jumped to.) Note that it's possible for an instruction
320set not to have any instructions usable for a software breakpoint,
321although in practice only the ARC has failed to define such an
322instruction.
323
56caf160 324@findex BREAKPOINT
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325The basic definition of the software breakpoint is the macro
326@code{BREAKPOINT}.
327
328Basic breakpoint object handling is in @file{breakpoint.c}. However,
329much of the interesting breakpoint action is in @file{infrun.c}.
330
331@section Single Stepping
332
333@section Signal Handling
334
335@section Thread Handling
336
337@section Inferior Function Calls
338
339@section Longjmp Support
340
56caf160 341@cindex @code{longjmp} debugging
25822942 342@value{GDBN} has support for figuring out that the target is doing a
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343@code{longjmp} and for stopping at the target of the jump, if we are
344stepping. This is done with a few specialized internal breakpoints,
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345which are visible in the output of the @samp{maint info breakpoint}
346command.
c906108c 347
56caf160 348@findex GET_LONGJMP_TARGET
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349To make this work, you need to define a macro called
350@code{GET_LONGJMP_TARGET}, which will examine the @code{jmp_buf}
351structure and extract the longjmp target address. Since @code{jmp_buf}
352is target specific, you will need to define it in the appropriate
56caf160 353@file{tm-@var{target}.h} file. Look in @file{tm-sun4os4.h} and
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354@file{sparc-tdep.c} for examples of how to do this.
355
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356@section Watchpoints
357@cindex watchpoints
358
359Watchpoints are a special kind of breakpoints (@pxref{Algorithms,
360breakpoints}) which break when data is accessed rather than when some
361instruction is executed. When you have data which changes without
362your knowing what code does that, watchpoints are the silver bullet to
363hunt down and kill such bugs.
364
365@cindex hardware watchpoints
366@cindex software watchpoints
367Watchpoints can be either hardware-assisted or not; the latter type is
368known as ``software watchpoints.'' @value{GDBN} always uses
369hardware-assisted watchpoints if they are available, and falls back on
370software watchpoints otherwise. Typical situations where @value{GDBN}
371will use software watchpoints are:
372
373@itemize @bullet
374@item
375The watched memory region is too large for the underlying hardware
376watchpoint support. For example, each x86 debug register can watch up
377to 4 bytes of memory, so trying to watch data structures whose size is
378more than 16 bytes will cause @value{GDBN} to use software
379watchpoints.
380
381@item
382The value of the expression to be watched depends on data held in
383registers (as opposed to memory).
384
385@item
386Too many different watchpoints requested. (On some architectures,
387this situation is impossible to detect until the debugged program is
388resumed.) Note that x86 debug registers are used both for hardware
389breakpoints and for watchpoints, so setting too many hardware
390breakpoints might cause watchpoint insertion to fail.
391
392@item
393No hardware-assisted watchpoints provided by the target
394implementation.
395@end itemize
396
397Software watchpoints are very slow, since @value{GDBN} needs to
398single-step the program being debugged and test the value of the
399watched expression(s) after each instruction. The rest of this
400section is mostly irrelevant for software watchpoints.
401
402@value{GDBN} uses several macros and primitives to support hardware
403watchpoints:
404
405@table @code
406@findex TARGET_HAS_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINTS
407@item TARGET_HAS_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINTS
408If defined, the target supports hardware watchpoints.
409
410@findex TARGET_CAN_USE_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
411@item TARGET_CAN_USE_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT (@var{type}, @var{count}, @var{other})
412Return the number of hardware watchpoints of type @var{type} that are
413possible to be set. The value is positive if @var{count} watchpoints
414of this type can be set, zero if setting watchpoints of this type is
415not supported, and negative if @var{count} is more than the maximum
416number of watchpoints of type @var{type} that can be set. @var{other}
417is non-zero if other types of watchpoints are currently enabled (there
418are architectures which cannot set watchpoints of different types at
419the same time).
420
421@findex TARGET_REGION_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT
422@item TARGET_REGION_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT (@var{addr}, @var{len})
423Return non-zero if hardware watchpoints can be used to watch a region
424whose address is @var{addr} and whose length in bytes is @var{len}.
425
426@findex TARGET_REGION_SIZE_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT
427@item TARGET_REGION_SIZE_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT (@var{size})
428Return non-zero if hardware watchpoints can be used to watch a region
429whose size is @var{size}. @value{GDBN} only uses this macro as a
430fall-back, in case @code{TARGET_REGION_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT} is not
431defined.
432
433@findex TARGET_DISABLE_HW_WATCHPOINTS
434@item TARGET_DISABLE_HW_WATCHPOINTS (@var{pid})
435Disables watchpoints in the process identified by @var{pid}. This is
436used, e.g., on HP-UX which provides operations to disable and enable
437the page-level memory protection that implements hardware watchpoints
438on that platform.
439
440@findex TARGET_ENABLE_HW_WATCHPOINTS
441@item TARGET_ENABLE_HW_WATCHPOINTS (@var{pid})
442Enables watchpoints in the process identified by @var{pid}. This is
443used, e.g., on HP-UX which provides operations to disable and enable
444the page-level memory protection that implements hardware watchpoints
445on that platform.
446
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447@findex target_insert_watchpoint
448@findex target_remove_watchpoint
449@item target_insert_watchpoint (@var{addr}, @var{len}, @var{type})
450@itemx target_remove_watchpoint (@var{addr}, @var{len}, @var{type})
451Insert or remove a hardware watchpoint starting at @var{addr}, for
452@var{len} bytes. @var{type} is the watchpoint type, one of the
453possible values of the enumerated data type @code{target_hw_bp_type},
454defined by @file{breakpoint.h} as follows:
455
474c8240 456@smallexample
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457 enum target_hw_bp_type
458 @{
459 hw_write = 0, /* Common (write) HW watchpoint */
460 hw_read = 1, /* Read HW watchpoint */
461 hw_access = 2, /* Access (read or write) HW watchpoint */
462 hw_execute = 3 /* Execute HW breakpoint */
463 @};
474c8240 464@end smallexample
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465
466@noindent
467These two macros should return 0 for success, non-zero for failure.
468
469@cindex insert or remove hardware breakpoint
470@findex target_remove_hw_breakpoint
471@findex target_insert_hw_breakpoint
472@item target_remove_hw_breakpoint (@var{addr}, @var{shadow})
473@itemx target_insert_hw_breakpoint (@var{addr}, @var{shadow})
474Insert or remove a hardware-assisted breakpoint at address @var{addr}.
475Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure. @var{shadow} is the
476real contents of the byte where the breakpoint has been inserted; it
477is generally not valid when hardware breakpoints are used, but since
478no other code touches these values, the implementations of the above
479two macros can use them for their internal purposes.
480
481@findex target_stopped_data_address
482@item target_stopped_data_address ()
483If the inferior has some watchpoint that triggered, return the address
484associated with that watchpoint. Otherwise, return zero.
485
486@findex DECR_PC_AFTER_HW_BREAK
487@item DECR_PC_AFTER_HW_BREAK
488If defined, @value{GDBN} decrements the program counter by the value
489of @code{DECR_PC_AFTER_HW_BREAK} after a hardware break-point. This
490overrides the value of @code{DECR_PC_AFTER_BREAK} when a breakpoint
491that breaks is a hardware-assisted breakpoint.
492
493@findex HAVE_STEPPABLE_WATCHPOINT
494@item HAVE_STEPPABLE_WATCHPOINT
495If defined to a non-zero value, it is not necessary to disable a
496watchpoint to step over it.
497
498@findex HAVE_NONSTEPPABLE_WATCHPOINT
499@item HAVE_NONSTEPPABLE_WATCHPOINT
500If defined to a non-zero value, @value{GDBN} should disable a
501watchpoint to step the inferior over it.
502
503@findex HAVE_CONTINUABLE_WATCHPOINT
504@item HAVE_CONTINUABLE_WATCHPOINT
505If defined to a non-zero value, it is possible to continue the
506inferior after a watchpoint has been hit.
507
508@findex CANNOT_STEP_HW_WATCHPOINTS
509@item CANNOT_STEP_HW_WATCHPOINTS
510If this is defined to a non-zero value, @value{GDBN} will remove all
511watchpoints before stepping the inferior.
512
513@findex STOPPED_BY_WATCHPOINT
514@item STOPPED_BY_WATCHPOINT (@var{wait_status})
515Return non-zero if stopped by a watchpoint. @var{wait_status} is of
516the type @code{struct target_waitstatus}, defined by @file{target.h}.
517@end table
518
519@subsection x86 Watchpoints
520@cindex x86 debug registers
521@cindex watchpoints, on x86
522
523The 32-bit Intel x86 (a.k.a.@: ia32) processors feature special debug
524registers designed to facilitate debugging. @value{GDBN} provides a
525generic library of functions that x86-based ports can use to implement
526support for watchpoints and hardware-assisted breakpoints. This
527subsection documents the x86 watchpoint facilities in @value{GDBN}.
528
529To use the generic x86 watchpoint support, a port should do the
530following:
531
532@itemize @bullet
533@findex I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS
534@item
535Define the macro @code{I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS} somewhere in the
536target-dependent headers.
537
538@item
539Include the @file{config/i386/nm-i386.h} header file @emph{after}
540defining @code{I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS}.
541
542@item
543Add @file{i386-nat.o} to the value of the Make variable
544@code{NATDEPFILES} (@pxref{Native Debugging, NATDEPFILES}) or
545@code{TDEPFILES} (@pxref{Target Architecture Definition, TDEPFILES}).
546
547@item
548Provide implementations for the @code{I386_DR_LOW_*} macros described
549below. Typically, each macro should call a target-specific function
550which does the real work.
551@end itemize
552
553The x86 watchpoint support works by maintaining mirror images of the
554debug registers. Values are copied between the mirror images and the
555real debug registers via a set of macros which each target needs to
556provide:
557
558@table @code
559@findex I386_DR_LOW_SET_CONTROL
560@item I386_DR_LOW_SET_CONTROL (@var{val})
561Set the Debug Control (DR7) register to the value @var{val}.
562
563@findex I386_DR_LOW_SET_ADDR
564@item I386_DR_LOW_SET_ADDR (@var{idx}, @var{addr})
565Put the address @var{addr} into the debug register number @var{idx}.
566
567@findex I386_DR_LOW_RESET_ADDR
568@item I386_DR_LOW_RESET_ADDR (@var{idx})
569Reset (i.e.@: zero out) the address stored in the debug register
570number @var{idx}.
571
572@findex I386_DR_LOW_GET_STATUS
573@item I386_DR_LOW_GET_STATUS
574Return the value of the Debug Status (DR6) register. This value is
575used immediately after it is returned by
576@code{I386_DR_LOW_GET_STATUS}, so as to support per-thread status
577register values.
578@end table
579
580For each one of the 4 debug registers (whose indices are from 0 to 3)
581that store addresses, a reference count is maintained by @value{GDBN},
582to allow sharing of debug registers by several watchpoints. This
583allows users to define several watchpoints that watch the same
584expression, but with different conditions and/or commands, without
585wasting debug registers which are in short supply. @value{GDBN}
586maintains the reference counts internally, targets don't have to do
587anything to use this feature.
588
589The x86 debug registers can each watch a region that is 1, 2, or 4
590bytes long. The ia32 architecture requires that each watched region
591be appropriately aligned: 2-byte region on 2-byte boundary, 4-byte
592region on 4-byte boundary. However, the x86 watchpoint support in
593@value{GDBN} can watch unaligned regions and regions larger than 4
594bytes (up to 16 bytes) by allocating several debug registers to watch
595a single region. This allocation of several registers per a watched
596region is also done automatically without target code intervention.
597
598The generic x86 watchpoint support provides the following API for the
599@value{GDBN}'s application code:
600
601@table @code
602@findex i386_region_ok_for_watchpoint
603@item i386_region_ok_for_watchpoint (@var{addr}, @var{len})
604The macro @code{TARGET_REGION_OK_FOR_HW_WATCHPOINT} is set to call
605this function. It counts the number of debug registers required to
606watch a given region, and returns a non-zero value if that number is
607less than 4, the number of debug registers available to x86
608processors.
609
610@findex i386_stopped_data_address
611@item i386_stopped_data_address (void)
612The macros @code{STOPPED_BY_WATCHPOINT} and
613@code{target_stopped_data_address} are set to call this function. The
614argument passed to @code{STOPPED_BY_WATCHPOINT} is ignored. This
615function examines the breakpoint condition bits in the DR6 Debug
616Status register, as returned by the @code{I386_DR_LOW_GET_STATUS}
617macro, and returns the address associated with the first bit that is
618set in DR6.
619
620@findex i386_insert_watchpoint
621@findex i386_remove_watchpoint
622@item i386_insert_watchpoint (@var{addr}, @var{len}, @var{type})
623@itemx i386_remove_watchpoint (@var{addr}, @var{len}, @var{type})
624Insert or remove a watchpoint. The macros
625@code{target_insert_watchpoint} and @code{target_remove_watchpoint}
626are set to call these functions. @code{i386_insert_watchpoint} first
627looks for a debug register which is already set to watch the same
628region for the same access types; if found, it just increments the
629reference count of that debug register, thus implementing debug
630register sharing between watchpoints. If no such register is found,
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631the function looks for a vacant debug register, sets its mirrored
632value to @var{addr}, sets the mirrored value of DR7 Debug Control
9742079a
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633register as appropriate for the @var{len} and @var{type} parameters,
634and then passes the new values of the debug register and DR7 to the
635inferior by calling @code{I386_DR_LOW_SET_ADDR} and
636@code{I386_DR_LOW_SET_CONTROL}. If more than one debug register is
637required to cover the given region, the above process is repeated for
638each debug register.
639
640@code{i386_remove_watchpoint} does the opposite: it resets the address
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641in the mirrored value of the debug register and its read/write and
642length bits in the mirrored value of DR7, then passes these new
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643values to the inferior via @code{I386_DR_LOW_RESET_ADDR} and
644@code{I386_DR_LOW_SET_CONTROL}. If a register is shared by several
645watchpoints, each time a @code{i386_remove_watchpoint} is called, it
646decrements the reference count, and only calls
647@code{I386_DR_LOW_RESET_ADDR} and @code{I386_DR_LOW_SET_CONTROL} when
648the count goes to zero.
649
650@findex i386_insert_hw_breakpoint
651@findex i386_remove_hw_breakpoint
652@item i386_insert_hw_breakpoint (@var{addr}, @var{shadow}
653@itemx i386_remove_hw_breakpoint (@var{addr}, @var{shadow})
654These functions insert and remove hardware-assisted breakpoints. The
655macros @code{target_insert_hw_breakpoint} and
656@code{target_remove_hw_breakpoint} are set to call these functions.
657These functions work like @code{i386_insert_watchpoint} and
658@code{i386_remove_watchpoint}, respectively, except that they set up
659the debug registers to watch instruction execution, and each
660hardware-assisted breakpoint always requires exactly one debug
661register.
662
663@findex i386_stopped_by_hwbp
664@item i386_stopped_by_hwbp (void)
665This function returns non-zero if the inferior has some watchpoint or
666hardware breakpoint that triggered. It works like
667@code{i386_stopped_data_address}, except that it doesn't return the
668address whose watchpoint triggered.
669
670@findex i386_cleanup_dregs
671@item i386_cleanup_dregs (void)
672This function clears all the reference counts, addresses, and control
673bits in the mirror images of the debug registers. It doesn't affect
674the actual debug registers in the inferior process.
675@end table
676
677@noindent
678@strong{Notes:}
679@enumerate 1
680@item
681x86 processors support setting watchpoints on I/O reads or writes.
682However, since no target supports this (as of March 2001), and since
683@code{enum target_hw_bp_type} doesn't even have an enumeration for I/O
684watchpoints, this feature is not yet available to @value{GDBN} running
685on x86.
686
687@item
688x86 processors can enable watchpoints locally, for the current task
689only, or globally, for all the tasks. For each debug register,
690there's a bit in the DR7 Debug Control register that determines
691whether the associated address is watched locally or globally. The
692current implementation of x86 watchpoint support in @value{GDBN}
693always sets watchpoints to be locally enabled, since global
694watchpoints might interfere with the underlying OS and are probably
695unavailable in many platforms.
696@end enumerate
697
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698@node User Interface
699
700@chapter User Interface
701
25822942 702@value{GDBN} has several user interfaces. Although the command-line interface
c906108c
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703is the most common and most familiar, there are others.
704
705@section Command Interpreter
706
56caf160 707@cindex command interpreter
0ee54786 708@cindex CLI
25822942 709The command interpreter in @value{GDBN} is fairly simple. It is designed to
c906108c
SS
710allow for the set of commands to be augmented dynamically, and also
711has a recursive subcommand capability, where the first argument to
712a command may itself direct a lookup on a different command list.
713
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714For instance, the @samp{set} command just starts a lookup on the
715@code{setlist} command list, while @samp{set thread} recurses
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716to the @code{set_thread_cmd_list}.
717
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718@findex add_cmd
719@findex add_com
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720To add commands in general, use @code{add_cmd}. @code{add_com} adds to
721the main command list, and should be used for those commands. The usual
cfeada60 722place to add commands is in the @code{_initialize_@var{xyz}} routines at
9742079a 723the ends of most source files.
cfeada60 724
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725@cindex deprecating commands
726@findex deprecate_cmd
cfeada60
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727Before removing commands from the command set it is a good idea to
728deprecate them for some time. Use @code{deprecate_cmd} on commands or
729aliases to set the deprecated flag. @code{deprecate_cmd} takes a
730@code{struct cmd_list_element} as it's first argument. You can use the
731return value from @code{add_com} or @code{add_cmd} to deprecate the
732command immediately after it is created.
733
c72e7388 734The first time a command is used the user will be warned and offered a
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FN
735replacement (if one exists). Note that the replacement string passed to
736@code{deprecate_cmd} should be the full name of the command, i.e. the
737entire string the user should type at the command line.
c906108c 738
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739@section UI-Independent Output---the @code{ui_out} Functions
740@c This section is based on the documentation written by Fernando
741@c Nasser <fnasser@redhat.com>.
742
743@cindex @code{ui_out} functions
744The @code{ui_out} functions present an abstraction level for the
745@value{GDBN} output code. They hide the specifics of different user
746interfaces supported by @value{GDBN}, and thus free the programmer
747from the need to write several versions of the same code, one each for
748every UI, to produce output.
749
750@subsection Overview and Terminology
751
752In general, execution of each @value{GDBN} command produces some sort
753of output, and can even generate an input request.
754
755Output can be generated for the following purposes:
756
757@itemize @bullet
758@item
759to display a @emph{result} of an operation;
760
761@item
762to convey @emph{info} or produce side-effects of a requested
763operation;
764
765@item
766to provide a @emph{notification} of an asynchronous event (including
767progress indication of a prolonged asynchronous operation);
768
769@item
770to display @emph{error messages} (including warnings);
771
772@item
773to show @emph{debug data};
774
775@item
776to @emph{query} or prompt a user for input (a special case).
777@end itemize
778
779@noindent
780This section mainly concentrates on how to build result output,
781although some of it also applies to other kinds of output.
782
783Generation of output that displays the results of an operation
784involves one or more of the following:
785
786@itemize @bullet
787@item
788output of the actual data
789
790@item
791formatting the output as appropriate for console output, to make it
792easily readable by humans
793
794@item
795machine oriented formatting--a more terse formatting to allow for easy
796parsing by programs which read @value{GDBN}'s output
797
798@item
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799annotation, whose purpose is to help legacy GUIs to identify interesting
800parts in the output
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801@end itemize
802
803The @code{ui_out} routines take care of the first three aspects.
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804Annotations are provided by separate annotation routines. Note that use
805of annotations for an interface between a GUI and @value{GDBN} is
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806deprecated.
807
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808Output can be in the form of a single item, which we call a @dfn{field};
809a @dfn{list} consisting of identical fields; a @dfn{tuple} consisting of
810non-identical fields; or a @dfn{table}, which is a tuple consisting of a
811header and a body. In a BNF-like form:
0ee54786 812
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813@table @code
814@item <table> @expansion{}
815@code{<header> <body>}
816@item <header> @expansion{}
817@code{@{ <column> @}}
818@item <column> @expansion{}
819@code{<width> <alignment> <title>}
820@item <body> @expansion{}
821@code{@{<row>@}}
822@end table
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823
824
825@subsection General Conventions
826
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AC
827Most @code{ui_out} routines are of type @code{void}, the exceptions are
828@code{ui_out_stream_new} (which returns a pointer to the newly created
829object) and the @code{make_cleanup} routines.
0ee54786 830
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AC
831The first parameter is always the @code{ui_out} vector object, a pointer
832to a @code{struct ui_out}.
0ee54786 833
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AC
834The @var{format} parameter is like in @code{printf} family of functions.
835When it is present, there must also be a variable list of arguments
836sufficient used to satisfy the @code{%} specifiers in the supplied
0ee54786
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837format.
838
c72e7388
AC
839When a character string argument is not used in a @code{ui_out} function
840call, a @code{NULL} pointer has to be supplied instead.
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841
842
c72e7388 843@subsection Table, Tuple and List Functions
0ee54786
EZ
844
845@cindex list output functions
846@cindex table output functions
c72e7388
AC
847@cindex tuple output functions
848This section introduces @code{ui_out} routines for building lists,
849tuples and tables. The routines to output the actual data items
850(fields) are presented in the next section.
0ee54786 851
c72e7388
AC
852To recap: A @dfn{tuple} is a sequence of @dfn{fields}, each field
853containing information about an object; a @dfn{list} is a sequence of
854fields where each field describes an identical object.
0ee54786 855
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AC
856Use the @dfn{table} functions when your output consists of a list of
857rows (tuples) and the console output should include a heading. Use this
858even when you are listing just one object but you still want the header.
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859
860@cindex nesting level in @code{ui_out} functions
c72e7388
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861Tables can not be nested. Tuples and lists can be nested up to a
862maximum of five levels.
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EZ
863
864The overall structure of the table output code is something like this:
865
474c8240 866@smallexample
0ee54786
EZ
867 ui_out_table_begin
868 ui_out_table_header
c72e7388 869 @dots{}
0ee54786 870 ui_out_table_body
c72e7388 871 ui_out_tuple_begin
0ee54786 872 ui_out_field_*
c72e7388
AC
873 @dots{}
874 ui_out_tuple_end
875 @dots{}
0ee54786 876 ui_out_table_end
474c8240 877@end smallexample
0ee54786 878
c72e7388 879Here is the description of table-, tuple- and list-related @code{ui_out}
0ee54786
EZ
880functions:
881
c72e7388
AC
882@deftypefun void ui_out_table_begin (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, int @var{nbrofcols}, int @var{nr_rows}, const char *@var{tblid})
883The function @code{ui_out_table_begin} marks the beginning of the output
884of a table. It should always be called before any other @code{ui_out}
885function for a given table. @var{nbrofcols} is the number of columns in
886the table. @var{nr_rows} is the number of rows in the table.
887@var{tblid} is an optional string identifying the table. The string
888pointed to by @var{tblid} is copied by the implementation of
889@code{ui_out_table_begin}, so the application can free the string if it
890was @code{malloc}ed.
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891
892The companion function @code{ui_out_table_end}, described below, marks
893the end of the table's output.
894@end deftypefun
895
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896@deftypefun void ui_out_table_header (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, int @var{width}, enum ui_align @var{alignment}, const char *@var{colhdr})
897@code{ui_out_table_header} provides the header information for a single
898table column. You call this function several times, one each for every
899column of the table, after @code{ui_out_table_begin}, but before
900@code{ui_out_table_body}.
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901
902The value of @var{width} gives the column width in characters. The
903value of @var{alignment} is one of @code{left}, @code{center}, and
904@code{right}, and it specifies how to align the header: left-justify,
905center, or right-justify it. @var{colhdr} points to a string that
906specifies the column header; the implementation copies that string, so
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AC
907column header strings in @code{malloc}ed storage can be freed after the
908call.
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909@end deftypefun
910
911@deftypefun void ui_out_table_body (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
c72e7388 912This function delimits the table header from the table body.
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913@end deftypefun
914
915@deftypefun void ui_out_table_end (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
c72e7388
AC
916This function signals the end of a table's output. It should be called
917after the table body has been produced by the list and field output
918functions.
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919
920There should be exactly one call to @code{ui_out_table_end} for each
c72e7388
AC
921call to @code{ui_out_table_begin}, otherwise the @code{ui_out} functions
922will signal an internal error.
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EZ
923@end deftypefun
924
c72e7388 925The output of the tuples that represent the table rows must follow the
0ee54786 926call to @code{ui_out_table_body} and precede the call to
c72e7388
AC
927@code{ui_out_table_end}. You build a tuple by calling
928@code{ui_out_tuple_begin} and @code{ui_out_tuple_end}, with suitable
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EZ
929calls to functions which actually output fields between them.
930
c72e7388
AC
931@deftypefun void ui_out_tuple_begin (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{id})
932This function marks the beginning of a tuple output. @var{id} points
933to an optional string that identifies the tuple; it is copied by the
934implementation, and so strings in @code{malloc}ed storage can be freed
935after the call.
936@end deftypefun
937
938@deftypefun void ui_out_tuple_end (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
939This function signals an end of a tuple output. There should be exactly
940one call to @code{ui_out_tuple_end} for each call to
941@code{ui_out_tuple_begin}, otherwise an internal @value{GDBN} error will
942be signaled.
943@end deftypefun
944
945@deftypefun struct cleanup *make_cleanup_ui_out_tuple_begin_end (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{id})
946This function first opens the tuple and then establishes a cleanup
947(@pxref{Coding, Cleanups}) to close the tuple. It provides a convenient
948and correct implementation of the non-portable@footnote{The function
949cast is not portable ISO-C.} code sequence:
950@smallexample
951struct cleanup *old_cleanup;
952ui_out_tuple_begin (uiout, "...");
953old_cleanup = make_cleanup ((void(*)(void *)) ui_out_tuple_end,
954 uiout);
955@end smallexample
956@end deftypefun
957
958@deftypefun void ui_out_list_begin (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{id})
959This function marks the beginning of a list output. @var{id} points to
960an optional string that identifies the list; it is copied by the
961implementation, and so strings in @code{malloc}ed storage can be freed
962after the call.
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963@end deftypefun
964
965@deftypefun void ui_out_list_end (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
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AC
966This function signals an end of a list output. There should be exactly
967one call to @code{ui_out_list_end} for each call to
968@code{ui_out_list_begin}, otherwise an internal @value{GDBN} error will
969be signaled.
970@end deftypefun
971
972@deftypefun struct cleanup *make_cleanup_ui_out_list_begin_end (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{id})
973Similar to @code{make_cleanup_ui_out_tuple_begin_end}, this function
974opens a list and then establishes cleanup (@pxref{Coding, Cleanups})
975that will close the list.list.
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976@end deftypefun
977
978@subsection Item Output Functions
979
980@cindex item output functions
981@cindex field output functions
982@cindex data output
983The functions described below produce output for the actual data
984items, or fields, which contain information about the object.
985
986Choose the appropriate function accordingly to your particular needs.
987
988@deftypefun void ui_out_field_fmt (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, char *@var{fldname}, char *@var{format}, ...)
989This is the most general output function. It produces the
990representation of the data in the variable-length argument list
991according to formatting specifications in @var{format}, a
992@code{printf}-like format string. The optional argument @var{fldname}
993supplies the name of the field. The data items themselves are
994supplied as additional arguments after @var{format}.
995
996This generic function should be used only when it is not possible to
997use one of the specialized versions (see below).
998@end deftypefun
999
c72e7388 1000@deftypefun void ui_out_field_int (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{fldname}, int @var{value})
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1001This function outputs a value of an @code{int} variable. It uses the
1002@code{"%d"} output conversion specification. @var{fldname} specifies
1003the name of the field.
1004@end deftypefun
1005
c72e7388 1006@deftypefun void ui_out_field_core_addr (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{fldname}, CORE_ADDR @var{address})
0ee54786
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1007This function outputs an address.
1008@end deftypefun
1009
c72e7388 1010@deftypefun void ui_out_field_string (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{fldname}, const char *@var{string})
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1011This function outputs a string using the @code{"%s"} conversion
1012specification.
1013@end deftypefun
1014
1015Sometimes, there's a need to compose your output piece by piece using
1016functions that operate on a stream, such as @code{value_print} or
1017@code{fprintf_symbol_filtered}. These functions accept an argument of
1018the type @code{struct ui_file *}, a pointer to a @code{ui_file} object
1019used to store the data stream used for the output. When you use one
1020of these functions, you need a way to pass their results stored in a
1021@code{ui_file} object to the @code{ui_out} functions. To this end,
1022you first create a @code{ui_stream} object by calling
1023@code{ui_out_stream_new}, pass the @code{stream} member of that
1024@code{ui_stream} object to @code{value_print} and similar functions,
1025and finally call @code{ui_out_field_stream} to output the field you
1026constructed. When the @code{ui_stream} object is no longer needed,
1027you should destroy it and free its memory by calling
1028@code{ui_out_stream_delete}.
1029
1030@deftypefun struct ui_stream *ui_out_stream_new (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
1031This function creates a new @code{ui_stream} object which uses the
1032same output methods as the @code{ui_out} object whose pointer is
1033passed in @var{uiout}. It returns a pointer to the newly created
1034@code{ui_stream} object.
1035@end deftypefun
1036
1037@deftypefun void ui_out_stream_delete (struct ui_stream *@var{streambuf})
1038This functions destroys a @code{ui_stream} object specified by
1039@var{streambuf}.
1040@end deftypefun
1041
c72e7388 1042@deftypefun void ui_out_field_stream (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{fieldname}, struct ui_stream *@var{streambuf})
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1043This function consumes all the data accumulated in
1044@code{streambuf->stream} and outputs it like
1045@code{ui_out_field_string} does. After a call to
1046@code{ui_out_field_stream}, the accumulated data no longer exists, but
1047the stream is still valid and may be used for producing more fields.
1048@end deftypefun
1049
1050@strong{Important:} If there is any chance that your code could bail
1051out before completing output generation and reaching the point where
1052@code{ui_out_stream_delete} is called, it is necessary to set up a
1053cleanup, to avoid leaking memory and other resources. Here's a
1054skeleton code to do that:
1055
1056@smallexample
1057 struct ui_stream *mybuf = ui_out_stream_new (uiout);
1058 struct cleanup *old = make_cleanup (ui_out_stream_delete, mybuf);
1059 ...
1060 do_cleanups (old);
1061@end smallexample
1062
1063If the function already has the old cleanup chain set (for other kinds
1064of cleanups), you just have to add your cleanup to it:
1065
1066@smallexample
1067 mybuf = ui_out_stream_new (uiout);
1068 make_cleanup (ui_out_stream_delete, mybuf);
1069@end smallexample
1070
1071Note that with cleanups in place, you should not call
1072@code{ui_out_stream_delete} directly, or you would attempt to free the
1073same buffer twice.
1074
1075@subsection Utility Output Functions
1076
c72e7388 1077@deftypefun void ui_out_field_skip (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{fldname})
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1078This function skips a field in a table. Use it if you have to leave
1079an empty field without disrupting the table alignment. The argument
1080@var{fldname} specifies a name for the (missing) filed.
1081@end deftypefun
1082
c72e7388 1083@deftypefun void ui_out_text (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, const char *@var{string})
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1084This function outputs the text in @var{string} in a way that makes it
1085easy to be read by humans. For example, the console implementation of
1086this method filters the text through a built-in pager, to prevent it
1087from scrolling off the visible portion of the screen.
1088
1089Use this function for printing relatively long chunks of text around
1090the actual field data: the text it produces is not aligned according
1091to the table's format. Use @code{ui_out_field_string} to output a
1092string field, and use @code{ui_out_message}, described below, to
1093output short messages.
1094@end deftypefun
1095
1096@deftypefun void ui_out_spaces (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, int @var{nspaces})
1097This function outputs @var{nspaces} spaces. It is handy to align the
1098text produced by @code{ui_out_text} with the rest of the table or
1099list.
1100@end deftypefun
1101
c72e7388 1102@deftypefun void ui_out_message (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, int @var{verbosity}, const char *@var{format}, ...)
0ee54786
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1103This function produces a formatted message, provided that the current
1104verbosity level is at least as large as given by @var{verbosity}. The
1105current verbosity level is specified by the user with the @samp{set
1106verbositylevel} command.@footnote{As of this writing (April 2001),
1107setting verbosity level is not yet implemented, and is always returned
1108as zero. So calling @code{ui_out_message} with a @var{verbosity}
1109argument more than zero will cause the message to never be printed.}
1110@end deftypefun
1111
1112@deftypefun void ui_out_wrap_hint (struct ui_out *@var{uiout}, char *@var{indent})
1113This function gives the console output filter (a paging filter) a hint
1114of where to break lines which are too long. Ignored for all other
1115output consumers. @var{indent}, if non-@code{NULL}, is the string to
1116be printed to indent the wrapped text on the next line; it must remain
1117accessible until the next call to @code{ui_out_wrap_hint}, or until an
1118explicit newline is produced by one of the other functions. If
1119@var{indent} is @code{NULL}, the wrapped text will not be indented.
1120@end deftypefun
1121
1122@deftypefun void ui_out_flush (struct ui_out *@var{uiout})
1123This function flushes whatever output has been accumulated so far, if
1124the UI buffers output.
1125@end deftypefun
1126
1127
1128@subsection Examples of Use of @code{ui_out} functions
1129
1130@cindex using @code{ui_out} functions
1131@cindex @code{ui_out} functions, usage examples
1132This section gives some practical examples of using the @code{ui_out}
1133functions to generalize the old console-oriented code in
1134@value{GDBN}. The examples all come from functions defined on the
1135@file{breakpoints.c} file.
1136
1137This example, from the @code{breakpoint_1} function, shows how to
1138produce a table.
1139
1140The original code was:
1141
474c8240 1142@smallexample
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1143 if (!found_a_breakpoint++)
1144 @{
1145 annotate_breakpoints_headers ();
1146
1147 annotate_field (0);
1148 printf_filtered ("Num ");
1149 annotate_field (1);
1150 printf_filtered ("Type ");
1151 annotate_field (2);
1152 printf_filtered ("Disp ");
1153 annotate_field (3);
1154 printf_filtered ("Enb ");
1155 if (addressprint)
1156 @{
1157 annotate_field (4);
1158 printf_filtered ("Address ");
1159 @}
1160 annotate_field (5);
1161 printf_filtered ("What\n");
1162
1163 annotate_breakpoints_table ();
1164 @}
474c8240 1165@end smallexample
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1166
1167Here's the new version:
1168
474c8240 1169@smallexample
c72e7388
AC
1170 nr_printable_breakpoints = @dots{};
1171
1172 if (addressprint)
1173 ui_out_table_begin (ui, 6, nr_printable_breakpoints, "BreakpointTable");
1174 else
1175 ui_out_table_begin (ui, 5, nr_printable_breakpoints, "BreakpointTable");
1176
1177 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1178 annotate_breakpoints_headers ();
1179 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1180 annotate_field (0);
1181 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 3, ui_left, "number", "Num"); /* 1 */
1182 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1183 annotate_field (1);
1184 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 14, ui_left, "type", "Type"); /* 2 */
1185 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1186 annotate_field (2);
1187 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 4, ui_left, "disp", "Disp"); /* 3 */
1188 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1189 annotate_field (3);
1190 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 3, ui_left, "enabled", "Enb"); /* 4 */
1191 if (addressprint)
1192 @{
1193 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1194 annotate_field (4);
1195 if (TARGET_ADDR_BIT <= 32)
1196 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 10, ui_left, "addr", "Address");/* 5 */
0ee54786 1197 else
c72e7388
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1198 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 18, ui_left, "addr", "Address");/* 5 */
1199 @}
1200 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1201 annotate_field (5);
1202 ui_out_table_header (uiout, 40, ui_noalign, "what", "What"); /* 6 */
1203 ui_out_table_body (uiout);
1204 if (nr_printable_breakpoints > 0)
1205 annotate_breakpoints_table ();
474c8240 1206@end smallexample
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1207
1208This example, from the @code{print_one_breakpoint} function, shows how
1209to produce the actual data for the table whose structure was defined
1210in the above example. The original code was:
1211
474c8240 1212@smallexample
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1213 annotate_record ();
1214 annotate_field (0);
1215 printf_filtered ("%-3d ", b->number);
1216 annotate_field (1);
1217 if ((int)b->type > (sizeof(bptypes)/sizeof(bptypes[0]))
1218 || ((int) b->type != bptypes[(int) b->type].type))
1219 internal_error ("bptypes table does not describe type #%d.",
1220 (int)b->type);
1221 printf_filtered ("%-14s ", bptypes[(int)b->type].description);
1222 annotate_field (2);
1223 printf_filtered ("%-4s ", bpdisps[(int)b->disposition]);
1224 annotate_field (3);
1225 printf_filtered ("%-3c ", bpenables[(int)b->enable]);
c72e7388 1226 @dots{}
474c8240 1227@end smallexample
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1228
1229This is the new version:
1230
474c8240 1231@smallexample
0ee54786 1232 annotate_record ();
c72e7388 1233 ui_out_tuple_begin (uiout, "bkpt");
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1234 annotate_field (0);
1235 ui_out_field_int (uiout, "number", b->number);
1236 annotate_field (1);
1237 if (((int) b->type > (sizeof (bptypes) / sizeof (bptypes[0])))
1238 || ((int) b->type != bptypes[(int) b->type].type))
1239 internal_error ("bptypes table does not describe type #%d.",
1240 (int) b->type);
1241 ui_out_field_string (uiout, "type", bptypes[(int)b->type].description);
1242 annotate_field (2);
1243 ui_out_field_string (uiout, "disp", bpdisps[(int)b->disposition]);
1244 annotate_field (3);
1245 ui_out_field_fmt (uiout, "enabled", "%c", bpenables[(int)b->enable]);
c72e7388 1246 @dots{}
474c8240 1247@end smallexample
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1248
1249This example, also from @code{print_one_breakpoint}, shows how to
1250produce a complicated output field using the @code{print_expression}
1251functions which requires a stream to be passed. It also shows how to
1252automate stream destruction with cleanups. The original code was:
1253
474c8240 1254@smallexample
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1255 annotate_field (5);
1256 print_expression (b->exp, gdb_stdout);
474c8240 1257@end smallexample
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1258
1259The new version is:
1260
474c8240 1261@smallexample
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1262 struct ui_stream *stb = ui_out_stream_new (uiout);
1263 struct cleanup *old_chain = make_cleanup_ui_out_stream_delete (stb);
1264 ...
1265 annotate_field (5);
1266 print_expression (b->exp, stb->stream);
1267 ui_out_field_stream (uiout, "what", local_stream);
474c8240 1268@end smallexample
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1269
1270This example, also from @code{print_one_breakpoint}, shows how to use
1271@code{ui_out_text} and @code{ui_out_field_string}. The original code
1272was:
1273
474c8240 1274@smallexample
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1275 annotate_field (5);
1276 if (b->dll_pathname == NULL)
1277 printf_filtered ("<any library> ");
1278 else
1279 printf_filtered ("library \"%s\" ", b->dll_pathname);
474c8240 1280@end smallexample
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1281
1282It became:
1283
474c8240 1284@smallexample
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1285 annotate_field (5);
1286 if (b->dll_pathname == NULL)
1287 @{
1288 ui_out_field_string (uiout, "what", "<any library>");
1289 ui_out_spaces (uiout, 1);
1290 @}
1291 else
1292 @{
1293 ui_out_text (uiout, "library \"");
1294 ui_out_field_string (uiout, "what", b->dll_pathname);
1295 ui_out_text (uiout, "\" ");
1296 @}
474c8240 1297@end smallexample
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1298
1299The following example from @code{print_one_breakpoint} shows how to
1300use @code{ui_out_field_int} and @code{ui_out_spaces}. The original
1301code was:
1302
474c8240 1303@smallexample
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1304 annotate_field (5);
1305 if (b->forked_inferior_pid != 0)
1306 printf_filtered ("process %d ", b->forked_inferior_pid);
474c8240 1307@end smallexample
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1308
1309It became:
1310
474c8240 1311@smallexample
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1312 annotate_field (5);
1313 if (b->forked_inferior_pid != 0)
1314 @{
1315 ui_out_text (uiout, "process ");
1316 ui_out_field_int (uiout, "what", b->forked_inferior_pid);
1317 ui_out_spaces (uiout, 1);
1318 @}
474c8240 1319@end smallexample
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1320
1321Here's an example of using @code{ui_out_field_string}. The original
1322code was:
1323
474c8240 1324@smallexample
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1325 annotate_field (5);
1326 if (b->exec_pathname != NULL)
1327 printf_filtered ("program \"%s\" ", b->exec_pathname);
474c8240 1328@end smallexample
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1329
1330It became:
1331
474c8240 1332@smallexample
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1333 annotate_field (5);
1334 if (b->exec_pathname != NULL)
1335 @{
1336 ui_out_text (uiout, "program \"");
1337 ui_out_field_string (uiout, "what", b->exec_pathname);
1338 ui_out_text (uiout, "\" ");
1339 @}
474c8240 1340@end smallexample
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1341
1342Finally, here's an example of printing an address. The original code:
1343
474c8240 1344@smallexample
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1345 annotate_field (4);
1346 printf_filtered ("%s ",
1347 local_hex_string_custom ((unsigned long) b->address, "08l"));
474c8240 1348@end smallexample
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1349
1350It became:
1351
474c8240 1352@smallexample
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1353 annotate_field (4);
1354 ui_out_field_core_addr (uiout, "Address", b->address);
474c8240 1355@end smallexample
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1356
1357
c906108c
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1358@section Console Printing
1359
1360@section TUI
1361
89437448 1362@node libgdb
c906108c 1363
89437448
AC
1364@chapter libgdb
1365
1366@section libgdb 1.0
1367@cindex @code{libgdb}
1368@code{libgdb} 1.0 was an abortive project of years ago. The theory was
1369to provide an API to @value{GDBN}'s functionality.
1370
1371@section libgdb 2.0
56caf160 1372@cindex @code{libgdb}
89437448
AC
1373@code{libgdb} 2.0 is an ongoing effort to update @value{GDBN} so that is
1374better able to support graphical and other environments.
1375
1376Since @code{libgdb} development is on-going, its architecture is still
1377evolving. The following components have so far been identified:
1378
1379@itemize @bullet
1380@item
1381Observer - @file{gdb-events.h}.
1382@item
1383Builder - @file{ui-out.h}
1384@item
1385Event Loop - @file{event-loop.h}
1386@item
1387Library - @file{gdb.h}
1388@end itemize
1389
1390The model that ties these components together is described below.
1391
1392@section The @code{libgdb} Model
1393
1394A client of @code{libgdb} interacts with the library in two ways.
1395
1396@itemize @bullet
1397@item
1398As an observer (using @file{gdb-events}) receiving notifications from
1399@code{libgdb} of any internal state changes (break point changes, run
1400state, etc).
1401@item
1402As a client querying @code{libgdb} (using the @file{ui-out} builder) to
1403obtain various status values from @value{GDBN}.
1404@end itemize
1405
1406Since @code{libgdb} could have multiple clients (e.g. a GUI supporting
1407the existing @value{GDBN} CLI), those clients must co-operate when
1408controlling @code{libgdb}. In particular, a client must ensure that
1409@code{libgdb} is idle (i.e. no other client is using @code{libgdb})
1410before responding to a @file{gdb-event} by making a query.
1411
1412@section CLI support
1413
1414At present @value{GDBN}'s CLI is very much entangled in with the core of
1415@code{libgdb}. Consequently, a client wishing to include the CLI in
1416their interface needs to carefully co-ordinate its own and the CLI's
1417requirements.
1418
1419It is suggested that the client set @code{libgdb} up to be bi-modal
1420(alternate between CLI and client query modes). The notes below sketch
1421out the theory:
1422
1423@itemize @bullet
1424@item
1425The client registers itself as an observer of @code{libgdb}.
1426@item
1427The client create and install @code{cli-out} builder using its own
1428versions of the @code{ui-file} @code{gdb_stderr}, @code{gdb_stdtarg} and
1429@code{gdb_stdout} streams.
1430@item
1431The client creates a separate custom @code{ui-out} builder that is only
1432used while making direct queries to @code{libgdb}.
1433@end itemize
1434
1435When the client receives input intended for the CLI, it simply passes it
1436along. Since the @code{cli-out} builder is installed by default, all
1437the CLI output in response to that command is routed (pronounced rooted)
1438through to the client controlled @code{gdb_stdout} et.@: al.@: streams.
1439At the same time, the client is kept abreast of internal changes by
1440virtue of being a @code{libgdb} observer.
1441
1442The only restriction on the client is that it must wait until
1443@code{libgdb} becomes idle before initiating any queries (using the
1444client's custom builder).
1445
1446@section @code{libgdb} components
1447
1448@subheading Observer - @file{gdb-events.h}
1449@file{gdb-events} provides the client with a very raw mechanism that can
1450be used to implement an observer. At present it only allows for one
1451observer and that observer must, internally, handle the need to delay
1452the processing of any event notifications until after @code{libgdb} has
1453finished the current command.
1454
1455@subheading Builder - @file{ui-out.h}
1456@file{ui-out} provides the infrastructure necessary for a client to
1457create a builder. That builder is then passed down to @code{libgdb}
1458when doing any queries.
1459
1460@subheading Event Loop - @file{event-loop.h}
1461@c There could be an entire section on the event-loop
1462@file{event-loop}, currently non-re-entrant, provides a simple event
1463loop. A client would need to either plug its self into this loop or,
1464implement a new event-loop that GDB would use.
1465
1466The event-loop will eventually be made re-entrant. This is so that
1467@value{GDB} can better handle the problem of some commands blocking
1468instead of returning.
1469
1470@subheading Library - @file{gdb.h}
1471@file{libgdb} is the most obvious component of this system. It provides
1472the query interface. Each function is parameterized by a @code{ui-out}
1473builder. The result of the query is constructed using that builder
1474before the query function returns.
c906108c
SS
1475
1476@node Symbol Handling
1477
1478@chapter Symbol Handling
1479
25822942 1480Symbols are a key part of @value{GDBN}'s operation. Symbols include variables,
c906108c
SS
1481functions, and types.
1482
1483@section Symbol Reading
1484
56caf160
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1485@cindex symbol reading
1486@cindex reading of symbols
1487@cindex symbol files
1488@value{GDBN} reads symbols from @dfn{symbol files}. The usual symbol
1489file is the file containing the program which @value{GDBN} is
1490debugging. @value{GDBN} can be directed to use a different file for
1491symbols (with the @samp{symbol-file} command), and it can also read
1492more symbols via the @samp{add-file} and @samp{load} commands, or while
1493reading symbols from shared libraries.
1494
1495@findex find_sym_fns
1496Symbol files are initially opened by code in @file{symfile.c} using
1497the BFD library (@pxref{Support Libraries}). BFD identifies the type
1498of the file by examining its header. @code{find_sym_fns} then uses
1499this identification to locate a set of symbol-reading functions.
1500
1501@findex add_symtab_fns
1502@cindex @code{sym_fns} structure
1503@cindex adding a symbol-reading module
1504Symbol-reading modules identify themselves to @value{GDBN} by calling
c906108c
SS
1505@code{add_symtab_fns} during their module initialization. The argument
1506to @code{add_symtab_fns} is a @code{struct sym_fns} which contains the
1507name (or name prefix) of the symbol format, the length of the prefix,
1508and pointers to four functions. These functions are called at various
56caf160 1509times to process symbol files whose identification matches the specified
c906108c
SS
1510prefix.
1511
1512The functions supplied by each module are:
1513
1514@table @code
1515@item @var{xyz}_symfile_init(struct sym_fns *sf)
1516
56caf160 1517@cindex secondary symbol file
c906108c
SS
1518Called from @code{symbol_file_add} when we are about to read a new
1519symbol file. This function should clean up any internal state (possibly
1520resulting from half-read previous files, for example) and prepare to
56caf160
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1521read a new symbol file. Note that the symbol file which we are reading
1522might be a new ``main'' symbol file, or might be a secondary symbol file
c906108c
SS
1523whose symbols are being added to the existing symbol table.
1524
1525The argument to @code{@var{xyz}_symfile_init} is a newly allocated
1526@code{struct sym_fns} whose @code{bfd} field contains the BFD for the
1527new symbol file being read. Its @code{private} field has been zeroed,
1528and can be modified as desired. Typically, a struct of private
1529information will be @code{malloc}'d, and a pointer to it will be placed
1530in the @code{private} field.
1531
1532There is no result from @code{@var{xyz}_symfile_init}, but it can call
1533@code{error} if it detects an unavoidable problem.
1534
1535@item @var{xyz}_new_init()
1536
1537Called from @code{symbol_file_add} when discarding existing symbols.
56caf160
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1538This function needs only handle the symbol-reading module's internal
1539state; the symbol table data structures visible to the rest of
1540@value{GDBN} will be discarded by @code{symbol_file_add}. It has no
1541arguments and no result. It may be called after
1542@code{@var{xyz}_symfile_init}, if a new symbol table is being read, or
1543may be called alone if all symbols are simply being discarded.
c906108c
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1544
1545@item @var{xyz}_symfile_read(struct sym_fns *sf, CORE_ADDR addr, int mainline)
1546
1547Called from @code{symbol_file_add} to actually read the symbols from a
1548symbol-file into a set of psymtabs or symtabs.
1549
56caf160 1550@code{sf} points to the @code{struct sym_fns} originally passed to
c906108c
SS
1551@code{@var{xyz}_sym_init} for possible initialization. @code{addr} is
1552the offset between the file's specified start address and its true
1553address in memory. @code{mainline} is 1 if this is the main symbol
1554table being read, and 0 if a secondary symbol file (e.g. shared library
1555or dynamically loaded file) is being read.@refill
1556@end table
1557
1558In addition, if a symbol-reading module creates psymtabs when
1559@var{xyz}_symfile_read is called, these psymtabs will contain a pointer
1560to a function @code{@var{xyz}_psymtab_to_symtab}, which can be called
25822942 1561from any point in the @value{GDBN} symbol-handling code.
c906108c
SS
1562
1563@table @code
1564@item @var{xyz}_psymtab_to_symtab (struct partial_symtab *pst)
1565
56caf160 1566Called from @code{psymtab_to_symtab} (or the @code{PSYMTAB_TO_SYMTAB} macro) if
c906108c
SS
1567the psymtab has not already been read in and had its @code{pst->symtab}
1568pointer set. The argument is the psymtab to be fleshed-out into a
56caf160
EZ
1569symtab. Upon return, @code{pst->readin} should have been set to 1, and
1570@code{pst->symtab} should contain a pointer to the new corresponding symtab, or
c906108c
SS
1571zero if there were no symbols in that part of the symbol file.
1572@end table
1573
1574@section Partial Symbol Tables
1575
56caf160 1576@value{GDBN} has three types of symbol tables:
c906108c
SS
1577
1578@itemize @bullet
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1579@cindex full symbol table
1580@cindex symtabs
1581@item
1582Full symbol tables (@dfn{symtabs}). These contain the main
1583information about symbols and addresses.
c906108c 1584
56caf160
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1585@cindex psymtabs
1586@item
1587Partial symbol tables (@dfn{psymtabs}). These contain enough
c906108c
SS
1588information to know when to read the corresponding part of the full
1589symbol table.
1590
56caf160
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1591@cindex minimal symbol table
1592@cindex minsymtabs
1593@item
1594Minimal symbol tables (@dfn{msymtabs}). These contain information
c906108c 1595gleaned from non-debugging symbols.
c906108c
SS
1596@end itemize
1597
56caf160 1598@cindex partial symbol table
c906108c
SS
1599This section describes partial symbol tables.
1600
1601A psymtab is constructed by doing a very quick pass over an executable
1602file's debugging information. Small amounts of information are
56caf160 1603extracted---enough to identify which parts of the symbol table will
c906108c 1604need to be re-read and fully digested later, when the user needs the
25822942 1605information. The speed of this pass causes @value{GDBN} to start up very
c906108c
SS
1606quickly. Later, as the detailed rereading occurs, it occurs in small
1607pieces, at various times, and the delay therefrom is mostly invisible to
1608the user.
1609@c (@xref{Symbol Reading}.)
1610
1611The symbols that show up in a file's psymtab should be, roughly, those
1612visible to the debugger's user when the program is not running code from
1613that file. These include external symbols and types, static symbols and
56caf160 1614types, and @code{enum} values declared at file scope.
c906108c
SS
1615
1616The psymtab also contains the range of instruction addresses that the
1617full symbol table would represent.
1618
56caf160
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1619@cindex finding a symbol
1620@cindex symbol lookup
c906108c
SS
1621The idea is that there are only two ways for the user (or much of the
1622code in the debugger) to reference a symbol:
1623
1624@itemize @bullet
56caf160
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1625@findex find_pc_function
1626@findex find_pc_line
1627@item
1628By its address (e.g. execution stops at some address which is inside a
1629function in this file). The address will be noticed to be in the
1630range of this psymtab, and the full symtab will be read in.
1631@code{find_pc_function}, @code{find_pc_line}, and other
1632@code{find_pc_@dots{}} functions handle this.
c906108c 1633
56caf160
EZ
1634@cindex lookup_symbol
1635@item
1636By its name
c906108c
SS
1637(e.g. the user asks to print a variable, or set a breakpoint on a
1638function). Global names and file-scope names will be found in the
1639psymtab, which will cause the symtab to be pulled in. Local names will
1640have to be qualified by a global name, or a file-scope name, in which
1641case we will have already read in the symtab as we evaluated the
56caf160 1642qualifier. Or, a local symbol can be referenced when we are ``in'' a
c906108c
SS
1643local scope, in which case the first case applies. @code{lookup_symbol}
1644does most of the work here.
c906108c
SS
1645@end itemize
1646
1647The only reason that psymtabs exist is to cause a symtab to be read in
1648at the right moment. Any symbol that can be elided from a psymtab,
1649while still causing that to happen, should not appear in it. Since
1650psymtabs don't have the idea of scope, you can't put local symbols in
1651them anyway. Psymtabs don't have the idea of the type of a symbol,
1652either, so types need not appear, unless they will be referenced by
1653name.
1654
56caf160
EZ
1655It is a bug for @value{GDBN} to behave one way when only a psymtab has
1656been read, and another way if the corresponding symtab has been read
1657in. Such bugs are typically caused by a psymtab that does not contain
1658all the visible symbols, or which has the wrong instruction address
1659ranges.
c906108c 1660
56caf160 1661The psymtab for a particular section of a symbol file (objfile) could be
c906108c
SS
1662thrown away after the symtab has been read in. The symtab should always
1663be searched before the psymtab, so the psymtab will never be used (in a
1664bug-free environment). Currently, psymtabs are allocated on an obstack,
1665and all the psymbols themselves are allocated in a pair of large arrays
1666on an obstack, so there is little to be gained by trying to free them
1667unless you want to do a lot more work.
1668
1669@section Types
1670
56caf160 1671@unnumberedsubsec Fundamental Types (e.g., @code{FT_VOID}, @code{FT_BOOLEAN}).
c906108c 1672
56caf160 1673@cindex fundamental types
25822942 1674These are the fundamental types that @value{GDBN} uses internally. Fundamental
c906108c
SS
1675types from the various debugging formats (stabs, ELF, etc) are mapped
1676into one of these. They are basically a union of all fundamental types
56caf160
EZ
1677that @value{GDBN} knows about for all the languages that @value{GDBN}
1678knows about.
c906108c 1679
56caf160 1680@unnumberedsubsec Type Codes (e.g., @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}, @code{TYPE_CODE_ARRAY}).
c906108c 1681
56caf160
EZ
1682@cindex type codes
1683Each time @value{GDBN} builds an internal type, it marks it with one
1684of these types. The type may be a fundamental type, such as
1685@code{TYPE_CODE_INT}, or a derived type, such as @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}
1686which is a pointer to another type. Typically, several @code{FT_*}
1687types map to one @code{TYPE_CODE_*} type, and are distinguished by
1688other members of the type struct, such as whether the type is signed
1689or unsigned, and how many bits it uses.
c906108c 1690
56caf160 1691@unnumberedsubsec Builtin Types (e.g., @code{builtin_type_void}, @code{builtin_type_char}).
c906108c
SS
1692
1693These are instances of type structs that roughly correspond to
56caf160
EZ
1694fundamental types and are created as global types for @value{GDBN} to
1695use for various ugly historical reasons. We eventually want to
1696eliminate these. Note for example that @code{builtin_type_int}
1697initialized in @file{gdbtypes.c} is basically the same as a
1698@code{TYPE_CODE_INT} type that is initialized in @file{c-lang.c} for
1699an @code{FT_INTEGER} fundamental type. The difference is that the
1700@code{builtin_type} is not associated with any particular objfile, and
1701only one instance exists, while @file{c-lang.c} builds as many
1702@code{TYPE_CODE_INT} types as needed, with each one associated with
1703some particular objfile.
c906108c
SS
1704
1705@section Object File Formats
56caf160 1706@cindex object file formats
c906108c
SS
1707
1708@subsection a.out
1709
56caf160
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1710@cindex @code{a.out} format
1711The @code{a.out} format is the original file format for Unix. It
1712consists of three sections: @code{text}, @code{data}, and @code{bss},
1713which are for program code, initialized data, and uninitialized data,
1714respectively.
c906108c 1715
56caf160 1716The @code{a.out} format is so simple that it doesn't have any reserved
c906108c 1717place for debugging information. (Hey, the original Unix hackers used
56caf160
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1718@samp{adb}, which is a machine-language debugger!) The only debugging
1719format for @code{a.out} is stabs, which is encoded as a set of normal
c906108c
SS
1720symbols with distinctive attributes.
1721
56caf160 1722The basic @code{a.out} reader is in @file{dbxread.c}.
c906108c
SS
1723
1724@subsection COFF
1725
56caf160 1726@cindex COFF format
c906108c
SS
1727The COFF format was introduced with System V Release 3 (SVR3) Unix.
1728COFF files may have multiple sections, each prefixed by a header. The
1729number of sections is limited.
1730
1731The COFF specification includes support for debugging. Although this
1732was a step forward, the debugging information was woefully limited. For
1733instance, it was not possible to represent code that came from an
1734included file.
1735
1736The COFF reader is in @file{coffread.c}.
1737
1738@subsection ECOFF
1739
56caf160 1740@cindex ECOFF format
c906108c
SS
1741ECOFF is an extended COFF originally introduced for Mips and Alpha
1742workstations.
1743
1744The basic ECOFF reader is in @file{mipsread.c}.
1745
1746@subsection XCOFF
1747
56caf160 1748@cindex XCOFF format
c906108c
SS
1749The IBM RS/6000 running AIX uses an object file format called XCOFF.
1750The COFF sections, symbols, and line numbers are used, but debugging
56caf160
EZ
1751symbols are @code{dbx}-style stabs whose strings are located in the
1752@code{.debug} section (rather than the string table). For more
1753information, see @ref{Top,,,stabs,The Stabs Debugging Format}.
c906108c
SS
1754
1755The shared library scheme has a clean interface for figuring out what
1756shared libraries are in use, but the catch is that everything which
1757refers to addresses (symbol tables and breakpoints at least) needs to be
1758relocated for both shared libraries and the main executable. At least
1759using the standard mechanism this can only be done once the program has
1760been run (or the core file has been read).
1761
1762@subsection PE
1763
56caf160
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1764@cindex PE-COFF format
1765Windows 95 and NT use the PE (@dfn{Portable Executable}) format for their
c906108c
SS
1766executables. PE is basically COFF with additional headers.
1767
25822942 1768While BFD includes special PE support, @value{GDBN} needs only the basic
c906108c
SS
1769COFF reader.
1770
1771@subsection ELF
1772
56caf160 1773@cindex ELF format
c906108c
SS
1774The ELF format came with System V Release 4 (SVR4) Unix. ELF is similar
1775to COFF in being organized into a number of sections, but it removes
1776many of COFF's limitations.
1777
1778The basic ELF reader is in @file{elfread.c}.
1779
1780@subsection SOM
1781
56caf160 1782@cindex SOM format
c906108c
SS
1783SOM is HP's object file and debug format (not to be confused with IBM's
1784SOM, which is a cross-language ABI).
1785
1786The SOM reader is in @file{hpread.c}.
1787
1788@subsection Other File Formats
1789
56caf160 1790@cindex Netware Loadable Module format
25822942 1791Other file formats that have been supported by @value{GDBN} include Netware
4a98ee0e 1792Loadable Modules (@file{nlmread.c}).
c906108c
SS
1793
1794@section Debugging File Formats
1795
1796This section describes characteristics of debugging information that
1797are independent of the object file format.
1798
1799@subsection stabs
1800
56caf160 1801@cindex stabs debugging info
c906108c
SS
1802@code{stabs} started out as special symbols within the @code{a.out}
1803format. Since then, it has been encapsulated into other file
1804formats, such as COFF and ELF.
1805
1806While @file{dbxread.c} does some of the basic stab processing,
1807including for encapsulated versions, @file{stabsread.c} does
1808the real work.
1809
1810@subsection COFF
1811
56caf160 1812@cindex COFF debugging info
c906108c
SS
1813The basic COFF definition includes debugging information. The level
1814of support is minimal and non-extensible, and is not often used.
1815
1816@subsection Mips debug (Third Eye)
1817
56caf160 1818@cindex ECOFF debugging info
c906108c
SS
1819ECOFF includes a definition of a special debug format.
1820
1821The file @file{mdebugread.c} implements reading for this format.
1822
1823@subsection DWARF 1
1824
56caf160 1825@cindex DWARF 1 debugging info
c906108c
SS
1826DWARF 1 is a debugging format that was originally designed to be
1827used with ELF in SVR4 systems.
1828
1829@c CHILL_PRODUCER
1830@c GCC_PRODUCER
1831@c GPLUS_PRODUCER
1832@c LCC_PRODUCER
1833@c If defined, these are the producer strings in a DWARF 1 file. All of
1834@c these have reasonable defaults already.
1835
1836The DWARF 1 reader is in @file{dwarfread.c}.
1837
1838@subsection DWARF 2
1839
56caf160 1840@cindex DWARF 2 debugging info
c906108c
SS
1841DWARF 2 is an improved but incompatible version of DWARF 1.
1842
1843The DWARF 2 reader is in @file{dwarf2read.c}.
1844
1845@subsection SOM
1846
56caf160 1847@cindex SOM debugging info
c906108c
SS
1848Like COFF, the SOM definition includes debugging information.
1849
25822942 1850@section Adding a New Symbol Reader to @value{GDBN}
c906108c 1851
56caf160
EZ
1852@cindex adding debugging info reader
1853If you are using an existing object file format (@code{a.out}, COFF, ELF, etc),
c906108c
SS
1854there is probably little to be done.
1855
1856If you need to add a new object file format, you must first add it to
1857BFD. This is beyond the scope of this document.
1858
1859You must then arrange for the BFD code to provide access to the
25822942 1860debugging symbols. Generally @value{GDBN} will have to call swapping routines
c906108c 1861from BFD and a few other BFD internal routines to locate the debugging
25822942 1862information. As much as possible, @value{GDBN} should not depend on the BFD
c906108c
SS
1863internal data structures.
1864
1865For some targets (e.g., COFF), there is a special transfer vector used
1866to call swapping routines, since the external data structures on various
1867platforms have different sizes and layouts. Specialized routines that
1868will only ever be implemented by one object file format may be called
1869directly. This interface should be described in a file
56caf160 1870@file{bfd/lib@var{xyz}.h}, which is included by @value{GDBN}.
c906108c
SS
1871
1872
1873@node Language Support
1874
1875@chapter Language Support
1876
56caf160
EZ
1877@cindex language support
1878@value{GDBN}'s language support is mainly driven by the symbol reader,
1879although it is possible for the user to set the source language
1880manually.
c906108c 1881
56caf160
EZ
1882@value{GDBN} chooses the source language by looking at the extension
1883of the file recorded in the debug info; @file{.c} means C, @file{.f}
1884means Fortran, etc. It may also use a special-purpose language
1885identifier if the debug format supports it, like with DWARF.
c906108c 1886
25822942 1887@section Adding a Source Language to @value{GDBN}
c906108c 1888
56caf160
EZ
1889@cindex adding source language
1890To add other languages to @value{GDBN}'s expression parser, follow the
1891following steps:
c906108c
SS
1892
1893@table @emph
1894@item Create the expression parser.
1895
56caf160 1896@cindex expression parser
c906108c 1897This should reside in a file @file{@var{lang}-exp.y}. Routines for
56caf160 1898building parsed expressions into a @code{union exp_element} list are in
c906108c
SS
1899@file{parse.c}.
1900
56caf160 1901@cindex language parser
c906108c
SS
1902Since we can't depend upon everyone having Bison, and YACC produces
1903parsers that define a bunch of global names, the following lines
56caf160 1904@strong{must} be included at the top of the YACC parser, to prevent the
c906108c
SS
1905various parsers from defining the same global names:
1906
474c8240 1907@smallexample
56caf160
EZ
1908#define yyparse @var{lang}_parse
1909#define yylex @var{lang}_lex
1910#define yyerror @var{lang}_error
1911#define yylval @var{lang}_lval
1912#define yychar @var{lang}_char
1913#define yydebug @var{lang}_debug
1914#define yypact @var{lang}_pact
1915#define yyr1 @var{lang}_r1
1916#define yyr2 @var{lang}_r2
1917#define yydef @var{lang}_def
1918#define yychk @var{lang}_chk
1919#define yypgo @var{lang}_pgo
1920#define yyact @var{lang}_act
1921#define yyexca @var{lang}_exca
1922#define yyerrflag @var{lang}_errflag
1923#define yynerrs @var{lang}_nerrs
474c8240 1924@end smallexample
c906108c
SS
1925
1926At the bottom of your parser, define a @code{struct language_defn} and
1927initialize it with the right values for your language. Define an
1928@code{initialize_@var{lang}} routine and have it call
25822942 1929@samp{add_language(@var{lang}_language_defn)} to tell the rest of @value{GDBN}
c906108c
SS
1930that your language exists. You'll need some other supporting variables
1931and functions, which will be used via pointers from your
1932@code{@var{lang}_language_defn}. See the declaration of @code{struct
1933language_defn} in @file{language.h}, and the other @file{*-exp.y} files,
1934for more information.
1935
1936@item Add any evaluation routines, if necessary
1937
56caf160
EZ
1938@cindex expression evaluation routines
1939@findex evaluate_subexp
1940@findex prefixify_subexp
1941@findex length_of_subexp
c906108c
SS
1942If you need new opcodes (that represent the operations of the language),
1943add them to the enumerated type in @file{expression.h}. Add support
56caf160
EZ
1944code for these operations in the @code{evaluate_subexp} function
1945defined in the file @file{eval.c}. Add cases
c906108c 1946for new opcodes in two functions from @file{parse.c}:
56caf160 1947@code{prefixify_subexp} and @code{length_of_subexp}. These compute
c906108c
SS
1948the number of @code{exp_element}s that a given operation takes up.
1949
1950@item Update some existing code
1951
1952Add an enumerated identifier for your language to the enumerated type
1953@code{enum language} in @file{defs.h}.
1954
1955Update the routines in @file{language.c} so your language is included.
1956These routines include type predicates and such, which (in some cases)
1957are language dependent. If your language does not appear in the switch
1958statement, an error is reported.
1959
56caf160 1960@vindex current_language
c906108c
SS
1961Also included in @file{language.c} is the code that updates the variable
1962@code{current_language}, and the routines that translate the
1963@code{language_@var{lang}} enumerated identifier into a printable
1964string.
1965
56caf160 1966@findex _initialize_language
c906108c
SS
1967Update the function @code{_initialize_language} to include your
1968language. This function picks the default language upon startup, so is
25822942 1969dependent upon which languages that @value{GDBN} is built for.
c906108c 1970
56caf160 1971@findex allocate_symtab
c906108c
SS
1972Update @code{allocate_symtab} in @file{symfile.c} and/or symbol-reading
1973code so that the language of each symtab (source file) is set properly.
1974This is used to determine the language to use at each stack frame level.
1975Currently, the language is set based upon the extension of the source
1976file. If the language can be better inferred from the symbol
1977information, please set the language of the symtab in the symbol-reading
1978code.
1979
56caf160
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1980@findex print_subexp
1981@findex op_print_tab
1982Add helper code to @code{print_subexp} (in @file{expprint.c}) to handle any new
c906108c
SS
1983expression opcodes you have added to @file{expression.h}. Also, add the
1984printed representations of your operators to @code{op_print_tab}.
1985
1986@item Add a place of call
1987
56caf160 1988@findex parse_exp_1
c906108c 1989Add a call to @code{@var{lang}_parse()} and @code{@var{lang}_error} in
56caf160 1990@code{parse_exp_1} (defined in @file{parse.c}).
c906108c
SS
1991
1992@item Use macros to trim code
1993
56caf160 1994@cindex trimming language-dependent code
25822942
DB
1995The user has the option of building @value{GDBN} for some or all of the
1996languages. If the user decides to build @value{GDBN} for the language
c906108c
SS
1997@var{lang}, then every file dependent on @file{language.h} will have the
1998macro @code{_LANG_@var{lang}} defined in it. Use @code{#ifdef}s to
1999leave out large routines that the user won't need if he or she is not
2000using your language.
2001
25822942 2002Note that you do not need to do this in your YACC parser, since if @value{GDBN}
c906108c 2003is not build for @var{lang}, then @file{@var{lang}-exp.tab.o} (the
25822942 2004compiled form of your parser) is not linked into @value{GDBN} at all.
c906108c 2005
56caf160
EZ
2006See the file @file{configure.in} for how @value{GDBN} is configured
2007for different languages.
c906108c
SS
2008
2009@item Edit @file{Makefile.in}
2010
2011Add dependencies in @file{Makefile.in}. Make sure you update the macro
2012variables such as @code{HFILES} and @code{OBJS}, otherwise your code may
2013not get linked in, or, worse yet, it may not get @code{tar}red into the
2014distribution!
c906108c
SS
2015@end table
2016
2017
2018@node Host Definition
2019
2020@chapter Host Definition
2021
56caf160 2022With the advent of Autoconf, it's rarely necessary to have host
7fd60527
AC
2023definition machinery anymore. The following information is provided,
2024mainly, as an historical reference.
c906108c
SS
2025
2026@section Adding a New Host
2027
56caf160
EZ
2028@cindex adding a new host
2029@cindex host, adding
7fd60527
AC
2030@value{GDBN}'s host configuration support normally happens via Autoconf.
2031New host-specific definitions should not be needed. Older hosts
2032@value{GDBN} still use the host-specific definitions and files listed
2033below, but these mostly exist for historical reasons, and will
56caf160 2034eventually disappear.
c906108c 2035
c906108c 2036@table @file
c906108c 2037@item gdb/config/@var{arch}/@var{xyz}.mh
7fd60527
AC
2038This file once contained both host and native configuration information
2039(@pxref{Native Debugging}) for the machine @var{xyz}. The host
2040configuration information is now handed by Autoconf.
2041
2042Host configuration information included a definition of
2043@code{XM_FILE=xm-@var{xyz}.h} and possibly definitions for @code{CC},
7708fa01
AC
2044@code{SYSV_DEFINE}, @code{XM_CFLAGS}, @code{XM_ADD_FILES},
2045@code{XM_CLIBS}, @code{XM_CDEPS}, etc.; see @file{Makefile.in}.
c906108c 2046
7fd60527
AC
2047New host only configurations do not need this file.
2048
c906108c 2049@item gdb/config/@var{arch}/xm-@var{xyz}.h
7fd60527
AC
2050This file once contained definitions and includes required when hosting
2051gdb on machine @var{xyz}. Those definitions and includes are now
2052handled by Autoconf.
2053
2054New host and native configurations do not need this file.
2055
2056@emph{Maintainer's note: Some hosts continue to use the @file{xm-xyz.h}
2057file to define the macros @var{HOST_FLOAT_FORMAT},
2058@var{HOST_DOUBLE_FORMAT} and @var{HOST_LONG_DOUBLE_FORMAT}. That code
2059also needs to be replaced with either an Autoconf or run-time test.}
c906108c 2060
c906108c
SS
2061@end table
2062
2063@subheading Generic Host Support Files
2064
56caf160 2065@cindex generic host support
c906108c
SS
2066There are some ``generic'' versions of routines that can be used by
2067various systems. These can be customized in various ways by macros
2068defined in your @file{xm-@var{xyz}.h} file. If these routines work for
2069the @var{xyz} host, you can just include the generic file's name (with
2070@samp{.o}, not @samp{.c}) in @code{XDEPFILES}.
2071
2072Otherwise, if your machine needs custom support routines, you will need
2073to write routines that perform the same functions as the generic file.
2074Put them into @code{@var{xyz}-xdep.c}, and put @code{@var{xyz}-xdep.o}
2075into @code{XDEPFILES}.
2076
2077@table @file
56caf160
EZ
2078@cindex remote debugging support
2079@cindex serial line support
c906108c
SS
2080@item ser-unix.c
2081This contains serial line support for Unix systems. This is always
2082included, via the makefile variable @code{SER_HARDWIRE}; override this
2083variable in the @file{.mh} file to avoid it.
2084
2085@item ser-go32.c
2086This contains serial line support for 32-bit programs running under DOS,
56caf160 2087using the DJGPP (a.k.a.@: GO32) execution environment.
c906108c 2088
56caf160 2089@cindex TCP remote support
c906108c
SS
2090@item ser-tcp.c
2091This contains generic TCP support using sockets.
c906108c
SS
2092@end table
2093
2094@section Host Conditionals
2095
56caf160
EZ
2096When @value{GDBN} is configured and compiled, various macros are
2097defined or left undefined, to control compilation based on the
2098attributes of the host system. These macros and their meanings (or if
2099the meaning is not documented here, then one of the source files where
2100they are used is indicated) are:
c906108c 2101
56caf160 2102@ftable @code
25822942 2103@item @value{GDBN}INIT_FILENAME
56caf160
EZ
2104The default name of @value{GDBN}'s initialization file (normally
2105@file{.gdbinit}).
c906108c 2106
cce74817
JM
2107@item NO_STD_REGS
2108This macro is deprecated.
2109
c906108c
SS
2110@item NO_SYS_FILE
2111Define this if your system does not have a @code{<sys/file.h>}.
2112
2113@item SIGWINCH_HANDLER
2114If your host defines @code{SIGWINCH}, you can define this to be the name
2115of a function to be called if @code{SIGWINCH} is received.
2116
2117@item SIGWINCH_HANDLER_BODY
2118Define this to expand into code that will define the function named by
2119the expansion of @code{SIGWINCH_HANDLER}.
2120
2121@item ALIGN_STACK_ON_STARTUP
56caf160 2122@cindex stack alignment
c906108c
SS
2123Define this if your system is of a sort that will crash in
2124@code{tgetent} if the stack happens not to be longword-aligned when
2125@code{main} is called. This is a rare situation, but is known to occur
2126on several different types of systems.
2127
2128@item CRLF_SOURCE_FILES
56caf160 2129@cindex DOS text files
c906108c
SS
2130Define this if host files use @code{\r\n} rather than @code{\n} as a
2131line terminator. This will cause source file listings to omit @code{\r}
56caf160
EZ
2132characters when printing and it will allow @code{\r\n} line endings of files
2133which are ``sourced'' by gdb. It must be possible to open files in binary
c906108c
SS
2134mode using @code{O_BINARY} or, for fopen, @code{"rb"}.
2135
2136@item DEFAULT_PROMPT
56caf160 2137@cindex prompt
c906108c
SS
2138The default value of the prompt string (normally @code{"(gdb) "}).
2139
2140@item DEV_TTY
56caf160 2141@cindex terminal device
c906108c
SS
2142The name of the generic TTY device, defaults to @code{"/dev/tty"}.
2143
2144@item FCLOSE_PROVIDED
2145Define this if the system declares @code{fclose} in the headers included
2146in @code{defs.h}. This isn't needed unless your compiler is unusually
2147anal.
2148
2149@item FOPEN_RB
2150Define this if binary files are opened the same way as text files.
2151
2152@item GETENV_PROVIDED
2153Define this if the system declares @code{getenv} in its headers included
56caf160 2154in @code{defs.h}. This isn't needed unless your compiler is unusually
c906108c
SS
2155anal.
2156
2157@item HAVE_MMAP
56caf160 2158@findex mmap
c906108c
SS
2159In some cases, use the system call @code{mmap} for reading symbol
2160tables. For some machines this allows for sharing and quick updates.
2161
c906108c
SS
2162@item HAVE_TERMIO
2163Define this if the host system has @code{termio.h}.
2164
c906108c 2165@item INT_MAX
9742079a
EZ
2166@itemx INT_MIN
2167@itemx LONG_MAX
2168@itemx UINT_MAX
2169@itemx ULONG_MAX
c906108c
SS
2170Values for host-side constants.
2171
2172@item ISATTY
2173Substitute for isatty, if not available.
2174
2175@item LONGEST
2176This is the longest integer type available on the host. If not defined,
2177it will default to @code{long long} or @code{long}, depending on
2178@code{CC_HAS_LONG_LONG}.
2179
2180@item CC_HAS_LONG_LONG
56caf160
EZ
2181@cindex @code{long long} data type
2182Define this if the host C compiler supports @code{long long}. This is set
2183by the @code{configure} script.
c906108c
SS
2184
2185@item PRINTF_HAS_LONG_LONG
2186Define this if the host can handle printing of long long integers via
56caf160
EZ
2187the printf format conversion specifier @code{ll}. This is set by the
2188@code{configure} script.
c906108c
SS
2189
2190@item HAVE_LONG_DOUBLE
56caf160
EZ
2191Define this if the host C compiler supports @code{long double}. This is
2192set by the @code{configure} script.
c906108c
SS
2193
2194@item PRINTF_HAS_LONG_DOUBLE
2195Define this if the host can handle printing of long double float-point
56caf160
EZ
2196numbers via the printf format conversion specifier @code{Lg}. This is
2197set by the @code{configure} script.
c906108c
SS
2198
2199@item SCANF_HAS_LONG_DOUBLE
2200Define this if the host can handle the parsing of long double
56caf160
EZ
2201float-point numbers via the scanf format conversion specifier
2202@code{Lg}. This is set by the @code{configure} script.
c906108c
SS
2203
2204@item LSEEK_NOT_LINEAR
2205Define this if @code{lseek (n)} does not necessarily move to byte number
2206@code{n} in the file. This is only used when reading source files. It
2207is normally faster to define @code{CRLF_SOURCE_FILES} when possible.
2208
2209@item L_SET
56caf160
EZ
2210This macro is used as the argument to @code{lseek} (or, most commonly,
2211@code{bfd_seek}). FIXME, should be replaced by SEEK_SET instead,
2212which is the POSIX equivalent.
c906108c 2213
c906108c
SS
2214@item MMAP_BASE_ADDRESS
2215When using HAVE_MMAP, the first mapping should go at this address.
2216
2217@item MMAP_INCREMENT
2218when using HAVE_MMAP, this is the increment between mappings.
2219
c906108c
SS
2220@item NORETURN
2221If defined, this should be one or more tokens, such as @code{volatile},
2222that can be used in both the declaration and definition of functions to
2223indicate that they never return. The default is already set correctly
2224if compiling with GCC. This will almost never need to be defined.
2225
2226@item ATTR_NORETURN
2227If defined, this should be one or more tokens, such as
2228@code{__attribute__ ((noreturn))}, that can be used in the declarations
2229of functions to indicate that they never return. The default is already
2230set correctly if compiling with GCC. This will almost never need to be
2231defined.
2232
7a292a7a 2233@item USE_GENERIC_DUMMY_FRAMES
56caf160 2234@cindex generic dummy frames
7a292a7a
SS
2235Define this to 1 if the target is using the generic inferior function
2236call code. See @code{blockframe.c} for more information.
2237
c906108c 2238@item USE_MMALLOC
56caf160
EZ
2239@findex mmalloc
2240@value{GDBN} will use the @code{mmalloc} library for memory allocation
2241for symbol reading if this symbol is defined. Be careful defining it
2242since there are systems on which @code{mmalloc} does not work for some
2243reason. One example is the DECstation, where its RPC library can't
2244cope with our redefinition of @code{malloc} to call @code{mmalloc}.
2245When defining @code{USE_MMALLOC}, you will also have to set
2246@code{MMALLOC} in the Makefile, to point to the @code{mmalloc} library. This
2247define is set when you configure with @samp{--with-mmalloc}.
c906108c
SS
2248
2249@item NO_MMCHECK
56caf160 2250@findex mmcheck
c906108c
SS
2251Define this if you are using @code{mmalloc}, but don't want the overhead
2252of checking the heap with @code{mmcheck}. Note that on some systems,
56caf160 2253the C runtime makes calls to @code{malloc} prior to calling @code{main}, and if
c906108c
SS
2254@code{free} is ever called with these pointers after calling
2255@code{mmcheck} to enable checking, a memory corruption abort is certain
56caf160
EZ
2256to occur. These systems can still use @code{mmalloc}, but must define
2257@code{NO_MMCHECK}.
c906108c
SS
2258
2259@item MMCHECK_FORCE
2260Define this to 1 if the C runtime allocates memory prior to
2261@code{mmcheck} being called, but that memory is never freed so we don't
2262have to worry about it triggering a memory corruption abort. The
2263default is 0, which means that @code{mmcheck} will only install the heap
2264checking functions if there has not yet been any memory allocation
56caf160 2265calls, and if it fails to install the functions, @value{GDBN} will issue a
c906108c 2266warning. This is currently defined if you configure using
56caf160 2267@samp{--with-mmalloc}.
c906108c
SS
2268
2269@item NO_SIGINTERRUPT
56caf160
EZ
2270@findex siginterrupt
2271Define this to indicate that @code{siginterrupt} is not available.
c906108c 2272
c906108c 2273@item SEEK_CUR
9742079a 2274@itemx SEEK_SET
56caf160 2275Define these to appropriate value for the system @code{lseek}, if not already
c906108c
SS
2276defined.
2277
2278@item STOP_SIGNAL
56caf160
EZ
2279This is the signal for stopping @value{GDBN}. Defaults to
2280@code{SIGTSTP}. (Only redefined for the Convex.)
c906108c
SS
2281
2282@item USE_O_NOCTTY
56caf160 2283Define this if the interior's tty should be opened with the @code{O_NOCTTY}
c906108c
SS
2284flag. (FIXME: This should be a native-only flag, but @file{inflow.c} is
2285always linked in.)
2286
2287@item USG
2288Means that System V (prior to SVR4) include files are in use. (FIXME:
2289This symbol is abused in @file{infrun.c}, @file{regex.c},
2290@file{remote-nindy.c}, and @file{utils.c} for other things, at the
2291moment.)
2292
2293@item lint
56caf160 2294Define this to help placate @code{lint} in some situations.
c906108c
SS
2295
2296@item volatile
2297Define this to override the defaults of @code{__volatile__} or
2298@code{/**/}.
56caf160 2299@end ftable
c906108c
SS
2300
2301
2302@node Target Architecture Definition
2303
2304@chapter Target Architecture Definition
2305
56caf160
EZ
2306@cindex target architecture definition
2307@value{GDBN}'s target architecture defines what sort of
2308machine-language programs @value{GDBN} can work with, and how it works
2309with them.
c906108c 2310
af6c57ea
AC
2311The target architecture object is implemented as the C structure
2312@code{struct gdbarch *}. The structure, and its methods, are generated
93c2c750 2313using the Bourne shell script @file{gdbarch.sh}.
c906108c 2314
70f80edf
JT
2315@section Operating System ABI Variant Handling
2316@cindex OS ABI variants
2317
2318@value{GDBN} provides a mechanism for handling variations in OS
2319ABIs. An OS ABI variant may have influence over any number of
2320variables in the target architecture definition. There are two major
2321components in the OS ABI mechanism: sniffers and handlers.
2322
2323A @dfn{sniffer} examines a file matching a BFD architecture/flavour pair
2324(the architecture may be wildcarded) in an attempt to determine the
2325OS ABI of that file. Sniffers with a wildcarded architecture are considered
2326to be @dfn{generic}, while sniffers for a specific architecture are
2327considered to be @dfn{specific}. A match from a specific sniffer
2328overrides a match from a generic sniffer. Multiple sniffers for an
2329architecture/flavour may exist, in order to differentiate between two
2330different operating systems which use the same basic file format. The
2331OS ABI framework provides a generic sniffer for ELF-format files which
2332examines the @code{EI_OSABI} field of the ELF header, as well as note
2333sections known to be used by several operating systems.
2334
2335@cindex fine-tuning @code{gdbarch} structure
2336A @dfn{handler} is used to fine-tune the @code{gdbarch} structure for the
2337selected OS ABI. There may be only one handler for a given OS ABI
2338for each BFD architecture.
2339
2340The following OS ABI variants are defined in @file{osabi.h}:
2341
2342@table @code
2343
2344@findex GDB_OSABI_UNKNOWN
2345@item GDB_OSABI_UNKNOWN
2346The ABI of the inferior is unknown. The default @code{gdbarch}
2347settings for the architecture will be used.
2348
2349@findex GDB_OSABI_SVR4
2350@item GDB_OSABI_SVR4
2351UNIX System V Release 4
2352
2353@findex GDB_OSABI_HURD
2354@item GDB_OSABI_HURD
2355GNU using the Hurd kernel
2356
2357@findex GDB_OSABI_SOLARIS
2358@item GDB_OSABI_SOLARIS
2359Sun Solaris
2360
2361@findex GDB_OSABI_OSF1
2362@item GDB_OSABI_OSF1
2363OSF/1, including Digital UNIX and Compaq Tru64 UNIX
2364
2365@findex GDB_OSABI_LINUX
2366@item GDB_OSABI_LINUX
2367GNU using the Linux kernel
2368
2369@findex GDB_OSABI_FREEBSD_AOUT
2370@item GDB_OSABI_FREEBSD_AOUT
2371FreeBSD using the a.out executable format
2372
2373@findex GDB_OSABI_FREEBSD_ELF
2374@item GDB_OSABI_FREEBSD_ELF
2375FreeBSD using the ELF executable format
2376
2377@findex GDB_OSABI_NETBSD_AOUT
2378@item GDB_OSABI_NETBSD_AOUT
2379NetBSD using the a.out executable format
2380
2381@findex GDB_OSABI_NETBSD_ELF
2382@item GDB_OSABI_NETBSD_ELF
2383NetBSD using the ELF executable format
2384
2385@findex GDB_OSABI_WINCE
2386@item GDB_OSABI_WINCE
2387Windows CE
2388
2389@findex GDB_OSABI_ARM_EABI_V1
2390@item GDB_OSABI_ARM_EABI_V1
2391ARM Embedded ABI version 1
2392
2393@findex GDB_OSABI_ARM_EABI_V2
2394@item GDB_OSABI_ARM_EABI_V2
2395ARM Embedded ABI version 2
2396
2397@findex GDB_OSABI_ARM_APCS
2398@item GDB_OSABI_ARM_APCS
2399Generic ARM Procedure Call Standard
2400
2401@end table
2402
2403Here are the functions that make up the OS ABI framework:
2404
2405@deftypefun const char *gdbarch_osabi_name (enum gdb_osabi @var{osabi})
2406Return the name of the OS ABI corresponding to @var{osabi}.
2407@end deftypefun
2408
2409@deftypefun void gdbarch_register_osabi (enum bfd_architecture @var{arch}, enum gdb_osabi @var{osabi}, void (*@var{init_osabi})(struct gdbarch_info @var{info}, struct gdbarch *@var{gdbarch}))
2410Register the OS ABI handler specified by @var{init_osabi} for the
2411architecture/OS ABI pair specified by @var{arch} and @var{osabi}.
2412@end deftypefun
2413
2414@deftypefun void gdbarch_register_osabi_sniffer (enum bfd_architecture @var{arch}, enum bfd_flavour @var{flavour}, enum gdb_osabi (*@var{sniffer})(bfd *@var{abfd}))
2415Register the OS ABI file sniffer specified by @var{sniffer} for the
2416BFD architecture/flavour pair specified by @var{arch} and @var{flavour}.
2417If @var{arch} is @code{bfd_arch_unknown}, the sniffer is considered to
2418be generic, and is allowed to examine @var{flavour}-flavoured files for
2419any architecture.
2420@end deftypefun
2421
2422@deftypefun enum gdb_osabi gdbarch_lookup_osabi (bfd *@var{abfd})
2423Examine the file described by @var{abfd} to determine its OS ABI.
2424The value @code{GDB_OSABI_UNKNOWN} is returned if the OS ABI cannot
2425be determined.
2426@end deftypefun
2427
2428@deftypefun void gdbarch_init_osabi (struct gdbarch info @var{info}, struct gdbarch *@var{gdbarch}, enum gdb_osabi @var{osabi})
2429Invoke the OS ABI handler corresponding to @var{osabi} to fine-tune the
2430@code{gdbarch} structure specified by @var{gdbarch}. If a handler
2431corresponding to @var{osabi} has not been registered for @var{gdbarch}'s
2432architecture, a warning will be issued and the debugging session will continue
2433with the defaults already established for @var{gdbarch}.
2434@end deftypefun
2435
c906108c
SS
2436@section Registers and Memory
2437
56caf160
EZ
2438@value{GDBN}'s model of the target machine is rather simple.
2439@value{GDBN} assumes the machine includes a bank of registers and a
2440block of memory. Each register may have a different size.
c906108c 2441
56caf160
EZ
2442@value{GDBN} does not have a magical way to match up with the
2443compiler's idea of which registers are which; however, it is critical
2444that they do match up accurately. The only way to make this work is
2445to get accurate information about the order that the compiler uses,
2446and to reflect that in the @code{REGISTER_NAME} and related macros.
c906108c 2447
25822942 2448@value{GDBN} can handle big-endian, little-endian, and bi-endian architectures.
c906108c 2449
93e79dbd
JB
2450@section Pointers Are Not Always Addresses
2451@cindex pointer representation
2452@cindex address representation
2453@cindex word-addressed machines
2454@cindex separate data and code address spaces
2455@cindex spaces, separate data and code address
2456@cindex address spaces, separate data and code
2457@cindex code pointers, word-addressed
2458@cindex converting between pointers and addresses
2459@cindex D10V addresses
2460
2461On almost all 32-bit architectures, the representation of a pointer is
2462indistinguishable from the representation of some fixed-length number
2463whose value is the byte address of the object pointed to. On such
56caf160 2464machines, the words ``pointer'' and ``address'' can be used interchangeably.
93e79dbd
JB
2465However, architectures with smaller word sizes are often cramped for
2466address space, so they may choose a pointer representation that breaks this
2467identity, and allows a larger code address space.
2468
2469For example, the Mitsubishi D10V is a 16-bit VLIW processor whose
2470instructions are 32 bits long@footnote{Some D10V instructions are
2471actually pairs of 16-bit sub-instructions. However, since you can't
2472jump into the middle of such a pair, code addresses can only refer to
2473full 32 bit instructions, which is what matters in this explanation.}.
2474If the D10V used ordinary byte addresses to refer to code locations,
2475then the processor would only be able to address 64kb of instructions.
2476However, since instructions must be aligned on four-byte boundaries, the
56caf160
EZ
2477low two bits of any valid instruction's byte address are always
2478zero---byte addresses waste two bits. So instead of byte addresses,
2479the D10V uses word addresses---byte addresses shifted right two bits---to
93e79dbd
JB
2480refer to code. Thus, the D10V can use 16-bit words to address 256kb of
2481code space.
2482
2483However, this means that code pointers and data pointers have different
2484forms on the D10V. The 16-bit word @code{0xC020} refers to byte address
2485@code{0xC020} when used as a data address, but refers to byte address
2486@code{0x30080} when used as a code address.
2487
2488(The D10V also uses separate code and data address spaces, which also
2489affects the correspondence between pointers and addresses, but we're
2490going to ignore that here; this example is already too long.)
2491
56caf160
EZ
2492To cope with architectures like this---the D10V is not the only
2493one!---@value{GDBN} tries to distinguish between @dfn{addresses}, which are
93e79dbd
JB
2494byte numbers, and @dfn{pointers}, which are the target's representation
2495of an address of a particular type of data. In the example above,
2496@code{0xC020} is the pointer, which refers to one of the addresses
2497@code{0xC020} or @code{0x30080}, depending on the type imposed upon it.
2498@value{GDBN} provides functions for turning a pointer into an address
2499and vice versa, in the appropriate way for the current architecture.
2500
2501Unfortunately, since addresses and pointers are identical on almost all
2502processors, this distinction tends to bit-rot pretty quickly. Thus,
2503each time you port @value{GDBN} to an architecture which does
2504distinguish between pointers and addresses, you'll probably need to
2505clean up some architecture-independent code.
2506
2507Here are functions which convert between pointers and addresses:
2508
2509@deftypefun CORE_ADDR extract_typed_address (void *@var{buf}, struct type *@var{type})
2510Treat the bytes at @var{buf} as a pointer or reference of type
2511@var{type}, and return the address it represents, in a manner
2512appropriate for the current architecture. This yields an address
2513@value{GDBN} can use to read target memory, disassemble, etc. Note that
2514@var{buf} refers to a buffer in @value{GDBN}'s memory, not the
2515inferior's.
2516
2517For example, if the current architecture is the Intel x86, this function
2518extracts a little-endian integer of the appropriate length from
2519@var{buf} and returns it. However, if the current architecture is the
2520D10V, this function will return a 16-bit integer extracted from
2521@var{buf}, multiplied by four if @var{type} is a pointer to a function.
2522
2523If @var{type} is not a pointer or reference type, then this function
2524will signal an internal error.
2525@end deftypefun
2526
2527@deftypefun CORE_ADDR store_typed_address (void *@var{buf}, struct type *@var{type}, CORE_ADDR @var{addr})
2528Store the address @var{addr} in @var{buf}, in the proper format for a
2529pointer of type @var{type} in the current architecture. Note that
2530@var{buf} refers to a buffer in @value{GDBN}'s memory, not the
2531inferior's.
2532
2533For example, if the current architecture is the Intel x86, this function
2534stores @var{addr} unmodified as a little-endian integer of the
2535appropriate length in @var{buf}. However, if the current architecture
2536is the D10V, this function divides @var{addr} by four if @var{type} is
2537a pointer to a function, and then stores it in @var{buf}.
2538
2539If @var{type} is not a pointer or reference type, then this function
2540will signal an internal error.
2541@end deftypefun
2542
f23631e4 2543@deftypefun CORE_ADDR value_as_address (struct value *@var{val})
93e79dbd
JB
2544Assuming that @var{val} is a pointer, return the address it represents,
2545as appropriate for the current architecture.
2546
2547This function actually works on integral values, as well as pointers.
2548For pointers, it performs architecture-specific conversions as
2549described above for @code{extract_typed_address}.
2550@end deftypefun
2551
2552@deftypefun CORE_ADDR value_from_pointer (struct type *@var{type}, CORE_ADDR @var{addr})
2553Create and return a value representing a pointer of type @var{type} to
2554the address @var{addr}, as appropriate for the current architecture.
2555This function performs architecture-specific conversions as described
2556above for @code{store_typed_address}.
2557@end deftypefun
2558
2559
2560@value{GDBN} also provides functions that do the same tasks, but assume
2561that pointers are simply byte addresses; they aren't sensitive to the
2562current architecture, beyond knowing the appropriate endianness.
2563
2564@deftypefun CORE_ADDR extract_address (void *@var{addr}, int len)
2565Extract a @var{len}-byte number from @var{addr} in the appropriate
2566endianness for the current architecture, and return it. Note that
2567@var{addr} refers to @value{GDBN}'s memory, not the inferior's.
2568
2569This function should only be used in architecture-specific code; it
2570doesn't have enough information to turn bits into a true address in the
2571appropriate way for the current architecture. If you can, use
2572@code{extract_typed_address} instead.
2573@end deftypefun
2574
2575@deftypefun void store_address (void *@var{addr}, int @var{len}, LONGEST @var{val})
2576Store @var{val} at @var{addr} as a @var{len}-byte integer, in the
2577appropriate endianness for the current architecture. Note that
2578@var{addr} refers to a buffer in @value{GDBN}'s memory, not the
2579inferior's.
2580
2581This function should only be used in architecture-specific code; it
2582doesn't have enough information to turn a true address into bits in the
2583appropriate way for the current architecture. If you can, use
2584@code{store_typed_address} instead.
2585@end deftypefun
2586
2587
2588Here are some macros which architectures can define to indicate the
2589relationship between pointers and addresses. These have default
2590definitions, appropriate for architectures on which all pointers are
fc0c74b1 2591simple unsigned byte addresses.
93e79dbd
JB
2592
2593@deftypefn {Target Macro} CORE_ADDR POINTER_TO_ADDRESS (struct type *@var{type}, char *@var{buf})
2594Assume that @var{buf} holds a pointer of type @var{type}, in the
2595appropriate format for the current architecture. Return the byte
2596address the pointer refers to.
2597
2598This function may safely assume that @var{type} is either a pointer or a
56caf160 2599C@t{++} reference type.
93e79dbd
JB
2600@end deftypefn
2601
2602@deftypefn {Target Macro} void ADDRESS_TO_POINTER (struct type *@var{type}, char *@var{buf}, CORE_ADDR @var{addr})
2603Store in @var{buf} a pointer of type @var{type} representing the address
2604@var{addr}, in the appropriate format for the current architecture.
2605
2606This function may safely assume that @var{type} is either a pointer or a
56caf160 2607C@t{++} reference type.
93e79dbd
JB
2608@end deftypefn
2609
2610
13d01224
AC
2611@section Raw and Virtual Register Representations
2612@cindex raw register representation
2613@cindex virtual register representation
2614@cindex representations, raw and virtual registers
2615
2616@emph{Maintainer note: This section is pretty much obsolete. The
2617functionality described here has largely been replaced by
2618pseudo-registers and the mechanisms described in @ref{Target
2619Architecture Definition, , Using Different Register and Memory Data
2620Representations}. See also @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/,
2621Bug Tracking Database} and
2622@uref{http://sources.redhat.com/gdb/current/ari/, ARI Index} for more
2623up-to-date information.}
af6c57ea 2624
9fb4dd36
JB
2625Some architectures use one representation for a value when it lives in a
2626register, but use a different representation when it lives in memory.
25822942 2627In @value{GDBN}'s terminology, the @dfn{raw} representation is the one used in
9fb4dd36 2628the target registers, and the @dfn{virtual} representation is the one
25822942 2629used in memory, and within @value{GDBN} @code{struct value} objects.
9fb4dd36 2630
13d01224
AC
2631@emph{Maintainer note: Notice that the same mechanism is being used to
2632both convert a register to a @code{struct value} and alternative
2633register forms.}
2634
9fb4dd36
JB
2635For almost all data types on almost all architectures, the virtual and
2636raw representations are identical, and no special handling is needed.
2637However, they do occasionally differ. For example:
2638
2639@itemize @bullet
9fb4dd36 2640@item
56caf160 2641The x86 architecture supports an 80-bit @code{long double} type. However, when
9fb4dd36
JB
2642we store those values in memory, they occupy twelve bytes: the
2643floating-point number occupies the first ten, and the final two bytes
2644are unused. This keeps the values aligned on four-byte boundaries,
2645allowing more efficient access. Thus, the x86 80-bit floating-point
2646type is the raw representation, and the twelve-byte loosely-packed
2647arrangement is the virtual representation.
2648
2649@item
25822942
DB
2650Some 64-bit MIPS targets present 32-bit registers to @value{GDBN} as 64-bit
2651registers, with garbage in their upper bits. @value{GDBN} ignores the top 32
9fb4dd36
JB
2652bits. Thus, the 64-bit form, with garbage in the upper 32 bits, is the
2653raw representation, and the trimmed 32-bit representation is the
2654virtual representation.
9fb4dd36
JB
2655@end itemize
2656
2657In general, the raw representation is determined by the architecture, or
25822942
DB
2658@value{GDBN}'s interface to the architecture, while the virtual representation
2659can be chosen for @value{GDBN}'s convenience. @value{GDBN}'s register file,
56caf160
EZ
2660@code{registers}, holds the register contents in raw format, and the
2661@value{GDBN} remote protocol transmits register values in raw format.
9fb4dd36 2662
56caf160
EZ
2663Your architecture may define the following macros to request
2664conversions between the raw and virtual format:
9fb4dd36
JB
2665
2666@deftypefn {Target Macro} int REGISTER_CONVERTIBLE (int @var{reg})
2667Return non-zero if register number @var{reg}'s value needs different raw
2668and virtual formats.
6f6ef15a
EZ
2669
2670You should not use @code{REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL} for a register
2671unless this macro returns a non-zero value for that register.
9fb4dd36
JB
2672@end deftypefn
2673
2674@deftypefn {Target Macro} int REGISTER_RAW_SIZE (int @var{reg})
2675The size of register number @var{reg}'s raw value. This is the number
25822942 2676of bytes the register will occupy in @code{registers}, or in a @value{GDBN}
9fb4dd36
JB
2677remote protocol packet.
2678@end deftypefn
2679
2680@deftypefn {Target Macro} int REGISTER_VIRTUAL_SIZE (int @var{reg})
2681The size of register number @var{reg}'s value, in its virtual format.
2682This is the size a @code{struct value}'s buffer will have, holding that
2683register's value.
2684@end deftypefn
2685
2686@deftypefn {Target Macro} struct type *REGISTER_VIRTUAL_TYPE (int @var{reg})
2687This is the type of the virtual representation of register number
2688@var{reg}. Note that there is no need for a macro giving a type for the
25822942 2689register's raw form; once the register's value has been obtained, @value{GDBN}
9fb4dd36
JB
2690always uses the virtual form.
2691@end deftypefn
2692
2693@deftypefn {Target Macro} void REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL (int @var{reg}, struct type *@var{type}, char *@var{from}, char *@var{to})
2694Convert the value of register number @var{reg} to @var{type}, which
2695should always be @code{REGISTER_VIRTUAL_TYPE (@var{reg})}. The buffer
2696at @var{from} holds the register's value in raw format; the macro should
2697convert the value to virtual format, and place it at @var{to}.
2698
6f6ef15a
EZ
2699Note that @code{REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL} and
2700@code{REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_RAW} take their @var{reg} and @var{type}
2701arguments in different orders.
2702
2703You should only use @code{REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL} with registers
2704for which the @code{REGISTER_CONVERTIBLE} macro returns a non-zero
2705value.
9fb4dd36
JB
2706@end deftypefn
2707
2708@deftypefn {Target Macro} void REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_RAW (struct type *@var{type}, int @var{reg}, char *@var{from}, char *@var{to})
2709Convert the value of register number @var{reg} to @var{type}, which
2710should always be @code{REGISTER_VIRTUAL_TYPE (@var{reg})}. The buffer
2711at @var{from} holds the register's value in raw format; the macro should
2712convert the value to virtual format, and place it at @var{to}.
2713
2714Note that REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL and REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_RAW take
2715their @var{reg} and @var{type} arguments in different orders.
2716@end deftypefn
2717
2718
13d01224
AC
2719@section Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations
2720@cindex register representation
2721@cindex memory representation
2722@cindex representations, register and memory
2723@cindex register data formats, converting
2724@cindex @code{struct value}, converting register contents to
2725
2726@emph{Maintainer's note: The way GDB manipulates registers is undergoing
2727significant change. Many of the macros and functions refered to in this
2728section are likely to be subject to further revision. See
2729@uref{http://sources.redhat.com/gdb/current/ari/, A.R. Index} and
2730@uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs, Bug Tracking Database} for
2731further information. cagney/2002-05-06.}
2732
2733Some architectures can represent a data object in a register using a
2734form that is different to the objects more normal memory representation.
2735For example:
2736
2737@itemize @bullet
2738
2739@item
2740The Alpha architecture can represent 32 bit integer values in
2741floating-point registers.
2742
2743@item
2744The x86 architecture supports 80-bit floating-point registers. The
2745@code{long double} data type occupies 96 bits in memory but only 80 bits
2746when stored in a register.
2747
2748@end itemize
2749
2750In general, the register representation of a data type is determined by
2751the architecture, or @value{GDBN}'s interface to the architecture, while
2752the memory representation is determined by the Application Binary
2753Interface.
2754
2755For almost all data types on almost all architectures, the two
2756representations are identical, and no special handling is needed.
2757However, they do occasionally differ. Your architecture may define the
2758following macros to request conversions between the register and memory
2759representations of a data type:
2760
2761@deftypefn {Target Macro} int CONVERT_REGISTER_P (int @var{reg})
2762Return non-zero if the representation of a data value stored in this
2763register may be different to the representation of that same data value
2764when stored in memory.
2765
2766When non-zero, the macros @code{REGISTER_TO_VALUE} and
2767@code{VALUE_TO_REGISTER} are used to perform any necessary conversion.
2768@end deftypefn
2769
2770@deftypefn {Target Macro} void REGISTER_TO_VALUE (int @var{reg}, struct type *@var{type}, char *@var{from}, char *@var{to})
2771Convert the value of register number @var{reg} to a data object of type
2772@var{type}. The buffer at @var{from} holds the register's value in raw
2773format; the converted value should be placed in the buffer at @var{to}.
2774
2775Note that @code{REGISTER_TO_VALUE} and @code{VALUE_TO_REGISTER} take
2776their @var{reg} and @var{type} arguments in different orders.
2777
2778You should only use @code{REGISTER_TO_VALUE} with registers for which
2779the @code{CONVERT_REGISTER_P} macro returns a non-zero value.
2780@end deftypefn
2781
2782@deftypefn {Target Macro} void VALUE_TO_REGISTER (struct type *@var{type}, int @var{reg}, char *@var{from}, char *@var{to})
2783Convert a data value of type @var{type} to register number @var{reg}'
2784raw format.
2785
2786Note that @code{REGISTER_TO_VALUE} and @code{VALUE_TO_REGISTER} take
2787their @var{reg} and @var{type} arguments in different orders.
2788
2789You should only use @code{VALUE_TO_REGISTER} with registers for which
2790the @code{CONVERT_REGISTER_P} macro returns a non-zero value.
2791@end deftypefn
2792
2793@deftypefn {Target Macro} void REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_TYPE (int @var{regnum}, struct type *@var{type}, char *@var{buf})
2794See @file{mips-tdep.c}. It does not do what you want.
2795@end deftypefn
2796
2797
c906108c
SS
2798@section Frame Interpretation
2799
2800@section Inferior Call Setup
2801
2802@section Compiler Characteristics
2803
2804@section Target Conditionals
2805
2806This section describes the macros that you can use to define the target
2807machine.
2808
2809@table @code
2810
2811@item ADDITIONAL_OPTIONS
56caf160
EZ
2812@itemx ADDITIONAL_OPTION_CASES
2813@itemx ADDITIONAL_OPTION_HANDLER
2814@itemx ADDITIONAL_OPTION_HELP
2815@findex ADDITIONAL_OPTION_HELP
2816@findex ADDITIONAL_OPTION_HANDLER
2817@findex ADDITIONAL_OPTION_CASES
2818@findex ADDITIONAL_OPTIONS
c906108c 2819These are a set of macros that allow the addition of additional command
25822942 2820line options to @value{GDBN}. They are currently used only for the unsupported
c906108c
SS
2821i960 Nindy target, and should not be used in any other configuration.
2822
2823@item ADDR_BITS_REMOVE (addr)
56caf160 2824@findex ADDR_BITS_REMOVE
adf40b2e
JM
2825If a raw machine instruction address includes any bits that are not
2826really part of the address, then define this macro to expand into an
56caf160 2827expression that zeroes those bits in @var{addr}. This is only used for
adf40b2e
JM
2828addresses of instructions, and even then not in all contexts.
2829
2830For example, the two low-order bits of the PC on the Hewlett-Packard PA
28312.0 architecture contain the privilege level of the corresponding
2832instruction. Since instructions must always be aligned on four-byte
2833boundaries, the processor masks out these bits to generate the actual
2834address of the instruction. ADDR_BITS_REMOVE should filter out these
2835bits with an expression such as @code{((addr) & ~3)}.
c906108c 2836
93e79dbd 2837@item ADDRESS_TO_POINTER (@var{type}, @var{buf}, @var{addr})
56caf160 2838@findex ADDRESS_TO_POINTER
93e79dbd
JB
2839Store in @var{buf} a pointer of type @var{type} representing the address
2840@var{addr}, in the appropriate format for the current architecture.
2841This macro may safely assume that @var{type} is either a pointer or a
56caf160 2842C@t{++} reference type.
93e79dbd
JB
2843@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Pointers Are Not Always Addresses}.
2844
c906108c 2845@item BEFORE_MAIN_LOOP_HOOK
56caf160 2846@findex BEFORE_MAIN_LOOP_HOOK
c906108c
SS
2847Define this to expand into any code that you want to execute before the
2848main loop starts. Although this is not, strictly speaking, a target
2849conditional, that is how it is currently being used. Note that if a
2850configuration were to define it one way for a host and a different way
56caf160
EZ
2851for the target, @value{GDBN} will probably not compile, let alone run
2852correctly. This macro is currently used only for the unsupported i960 Nindy
2853target, and should not be used in any other configuration.
c906108c
SS
2854
2855@item BELIEVE_PCC_PROMOTION
56caf160
EZ
2856@findex BELIEVE_PCC_PROMOTION
2857Define if the compiler promotes a @code{short} or @code{char}
2858parameter to an @code{int}, but still reports the parameter as its
2859original type, rather than the promoted type.
c906108c
SS
2860
2861@item BELIEVE_PCC_PROMOTION_TYPE
56caf160
EZ
2862@findex BELIEVE_PCC_PROMOTION_TYPE
2863Define this if @value{GDBN} should believe the type of a @code{short}
2864argument when compiled by @code{pcc}, but look within a full int space to get
2865its value. Only defined for Sun-3 at present.
c906108c
SS
2866
2867@item BITS_BIG_ENDIAN
56caf160
EZ
2868@findex BITS_BIG_ENDIAN
2869Define this if the numbering of bits in the targets does @strong{not} match the
c906108c 2870endianness of the target byte order. A value of 1 means that the bits
56caf160 2871are numbered in a big-endian bit order, 0 means little-endian.
c906108c
SS
2872
2873@item BREAKPOINT
56caf160 2874@findex BREAKPOINT
c906108c
SS
2875This is the character array initializer for the bit pattern to put into
2876memory where a breakpoint is set. Although it's common to use a trap
2877instruction for a breakpoint, it's not required; for instance, the bit
2878pattern could be an invalid instruction. The breakpoint must be no
2879longer than the shortest instruction of the architecture.
2880
56caf160
EZ
2881@code{BREAKPOINT} has been deprecated in favor of
2882@code{BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC}.
7a292a7a 2883
c906108c 2884@item BIG_BREAKPOINT
56caf160
EZ
2885@itemx LITTLE_BREAKPOINT
2886@findex LITTLE_BREAKPOINT
2887@findex BIG_BREAKPOINT
c906108c
SS
2888Similar to BREAKPOINT, but used for bi-endian targets.
2889
56caf160
EZ
2890@code{BIG_BREAKPOINT} and @code{LITTLE_BREAKPOINT} have been deprecated in
2891favor of @code{BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC}.
7a292a7a 2892
c906108c 2893@item REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
56caf160
EZ
2894@itemx LITTLE_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
2895@itemx BIG_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
2896@findex BIG_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
2897@findex LITTLE_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
2898@findex REMOTE_BREAKPOINT
c906108c
SS
2899Similar to BREAKPOINT, but used for remote targets.
2900
56caf160
EZ
2901@code{BIG_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT} and @code{LITTLE_REMOTE_BREAKPOINT} have been
2902deprecated in favor of @code{BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC}.
c906108c 2903
56caf160
EZ
2904@item BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC (@var{pcptr}, @var{lenptr})
2905@findex BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC
c906108c 2906Use the program counter to determine the contents and size of a
56caf160
EZ
2907breakpoint instruction. It returns a pointer to a string of bytes
2908that encode a breakpoint instruction, stores the length of the string
2909to *@var{lenptr}, and adjusts pc (if necessary) to point to the actual
2910memory location where the breakpoint should be inserted.
c906108c
SS
2911
2912Although it is common to use a trap instruction for a breakpoint, it's
2913not required; for instance, the bit pattern could be an invalid
2914instruction. The breakpoint must be no longer than the shortest
2915instruction of the architecture.
2916
7a292a7a
SS
2917Replaces all the other @var{BREAKPOINT} macros.
2918
56caf160
EZ
2919@item MEMORY_INSERT_BREAKPOINT (@var{addr}, @var{contents_cache})
2920@itemx MEMORY_REMOVE_BREAKPOINT (@var{addr}, @var{contents_cache})
2921@findex MEMORY_REMOVE_BREAKPOINT
2922@findex MEMORY_INSERT_BREAKPOINT
917317f4
JM
2923Insert or remove memory based breakpoints. Reasonable defaults
2924(@code{default_memory_insert_breakpoint} and
2925@code{default_memory_remove_breakpoint} respectively) have been
2926provided so that it is not necessary to define these for most
2927architectures. Architectures which may want to define
56caf160 2928@code{MEMORY_INSERT_BREAKPOINT} and @code{MEMORY_REMOVE_BREAKPOINT} will
917317f4
JM
2929likely have instructions that are oddly sized or are not stored in a
2930conventional manner.
2931
2932It may also be desirable (from an efficiency standpoint) to define
2933custom breakpoint insertion and removal routines if
56caf160 2934@code{BREAKPOINT_FROM_PC} needs to read the target's memory for some
917317f4
JM
2935reason.
2936
7a292a7a 2937@item CALL_DUMMY_P
56caf160 2938@findex CALL_DUMMY_P
937f164b 2939A C expression that is non-zero when the target supports inferior function
7a292a7a
SS
2940calls.
2941
2942@item CALL_DUMMY_WORDS
56caf160
EZ
2943@findex CALL_DUMMY_WORDS
2944Pointer to an array of @code{LONGEST} words of data containing
2945host-byte-ordered @code{REGISTER_BYTES} sized values that partially
7a292a7a
SS
2946specify the sequence of instructions needed for an inferior function
2947call.
2948
56caf160 2949Should be deprecated in favor of a macro that uses target-byte-ordered
7a292a7a
SS
2950data.
2951
2952@item SIZEOF_CALL_DUMMY_WORDS
56caf160
EZ
2953@findex SIZEOF_CALL_DUMMY_WORDS
2954The size of @code{CALL_DUMMY_WORDS}. When @code{CALL_DUMMY_P} this must
2955return a positive value. See also @code{CALL_DUMMY_LENGTH}.
c906108c
SS
2956
2957@item CALL_DUMMY
56caf160
EZ
2958@findex CALL_DUMMY
2959A static initializer for @code{CALL_DUMMY_WORDS}. Deprecated.
7a292a7a 2960
c906108c 2961@item CALL_DUMMY_LOCATION
56caf160
EZ
2962@findex CALL_DUMMY_LOCATION
2963See the file @file{inferior.h}.
7a292a7a 2964
c906108c 2965@item CALL_DUMMY_STACK_ADJUST
56caf160 2966@findex CALL_DUMMY_STACK_ADJUST
7a292a7a
SS
2967Stack adjustment needed when performing an inferior function call.
2968
56caf160 2969Should be deprecated in favor of something like @code{STACK_ALIGN}.
7a292a7a
SS
2970
2971@item CALL_DUMMY_STACK_ADJUST_P
56caf160
EZ
2972@findex CALL_DUMMY_STACK_ADJUST_P
2973Predicate for use of @code{CALL_DUMMY_STACK_ADJUST}.
7a292a7a 2974
56caf160 2975Should be deprecated in favor of something like @code{STACK_ALIGN}.
c906108c 2976
56caf160
EZ
2977@item CANNOT_FETCH_REGISTER (@var{regno})
2978@findex CANNOT_FETCH_REGISTER
c906108c
SS
2979A C expression that should be nonzero if @var{regno} cannot be fetched
2980from an inferior process. This is only relevant if
2981@code{FETCH_INFERIOR_REGISTERS} is not defined.
2982
56caf160
EZ
2983@item CANNOT_STORE_REGISTER (@var{regno})
2984@findex CANNOT_STORE_REGISTER
c906108c
SS
2985A C expression that should be nonzero if @var{regno} should not be
2986written to the target. This is often the case for program counters,
56caf160
EZ
2987status words, and other special registers. If this is not defined,
2988@value{GDBN} will assume that all registers may be written.
c906108c
SS
2989
2990@item DO_DEFERRED_STORES
a5d7c491 2991@itemx CLEAR_DEFERRED_STORES
56caf160
EZ
2992@findex CLEAR_DEFERRED_STORES
2993@findex DO_DEFERRED_STORES
c906108c
SS
2994Define this to execute any deferred stores of registers into the inferior,
2995and to cancel any deferred stores.
2996
2997Currently only implemented correctly for native Sparc configurations?
2998
ef36d45e 2999@item COERCE_FLOAT_TO_DOUBLE (@var{formal}, @var{actual})
56caf160
EZ
3000@findex COERCE_FLOAT_TO_DOUBLE
3001@cindex promotion to @code{double}
3fe0dc10
JB
3002@cindex @code{float} arguments
3003@cindex prototyped functions, passing arguments to
3004@cindex passing arguments to prototyped functions
3005Return non-zero if GDB should promote @code{float} values to
3006@code{double} when calling a non-prototyped function. The argument
3007@var{actual} is the type of the value we want to pass to the function.
3008The argument @var{formal} is the type of this argument, as it appears in
3009the function's definition. Note that @var{formal} may be zero if we
3010have no debugging information for the function, or if we're passing more
3011arguments than are officially declared (for example, varargs). This
3012macro is never invoked if the function definitely has a prototype.
3013
3014How you should pass arguments to a function depends on whether it was
3015defined in K&R style or prototype style. If you define a function using
3016the K&R syntax that takes a @code{float} argument, then callers must
3017pass that argument as a @code{double}. If you define the function using
3018the prototype syntax, then you must pass the argument as a @code{float},
3019with no promotion.
3020
3021Unfortunately, on certain older platforms, the debug info doesn't
3022indicate reliably how each function was defined. A function type's
3023@code{TYPE_FLAG_PROTOTYPED} flag may be unset, even if the function was
3024defined in prototype style. When calling a function whose
3025@code{TYPE_FLAG_PROTOTYPED} flag is unset, GDB consults the
3026@code{COERCE_FLOAT_TO_DOUBLE} macro to decide what to do.
3027
56caf160 3028@findex standard_coerce_float_to_double
3fe0dc10
JB
3029For modern targets, it is proper to assume that, if the prototype flag
3030is unset, that can be trusted: @code{float} arguments should be promoted
3031to @code{double}. You should use the function
3032@code{standard_coerce_float_to_double} to get this behavior.
3033
3034@findex default_coerce_float_to_double
3035For some older targets, if the prototype flag is unset, that doesn't
3036tell us anything. So we guess that, if we don't have a type for the
3037formal parameter (@i{i.e.}, the first argument to
3038@code{COERCE_FLOAT_TO_DOUBLE} is null), then we should promote it;
3039otherwise, we should leave it alone. The function
3040@code{default_coerce_float_to_double} provides this behavior; it is the
3041default value, for compatibility with older configurations.
ef36d45e 3042
13d01224
AC
3043@item int CONVERT_REGISTER_P(@var{regnum})
3044@findex CONVERT_REGISTER_P
3045Return non-zero if register @var{regnum} can represent data values in a
3046non-standard form.
3047@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations}.
3048
c906108c 3049@item CPLUS_MARKER
56caf160
EZ
3050@findex CPLUS_MARKERz
3051Define this to expand into the character that G@t{++} uses to distinguish
c906108c
SS
3052compiler-generated identifiers from programmer-specified identifiers.
3053By default, this expands into @code{'$'}. Most System V targets should
3054define this to @code{'.'}.
3055
3056@item DBX_PARM_SYMBOL_CLASS
56caf160 3057@findex DBX_PARM_SYMBOL_CLASS
c906108c
SS
3058Hook for the @code{SYMBOL_CLASS} of a parameter when decoding DBX symbol
3059information. In the i960, parameters can be stored as locals or as
3060args, depending on the type of the debug record.
3061
3062@item DECR_PC_AFTER_BREAK
56caf160 3063@findex DECR_PC_AFTER_BREAK
c906108c
SS
3064Define this to be the amount by which to decrement the PC after the
3065program encounters a breakpoint. This is often the number of bytes in
56caf160 3066@code{BREAKPOINT}, though not always. For most targets this value will be 0.
c906108c
SS
3067
3068@item DECR_PC_AFTER_HW_BREAK
56caf160 3069@findex DECR_PC_AFTER_HW_BREAK
c906108c
SS
3070Similarly, for hardware breakpoints.
3071
56caf160
EZ
3072@item DISABLE_UNSETTABLE_BREAK (@var{addr})
3073@findex DISABLE_UNSETTABLE_BREAK
c906108c
SS
3074If defined, this should evaluate to 1 if @var{addr} is in a shared
3075library in which breakpoints cannot be set and so should be disabled.
3076
3077@item DO_REGISTERS_INFO
56caf160 3078@findex DO_REGISTERS_INFO
c906108c
SS
3079If defined, use this to print the value of a register or all registers.
3080
5e74b15c
RE
3081@item PRINT_FLOAT_INFO()
3082#findex PRINT_FLOAT_INFO
3083If defined, then the @samp{info float} command will print information about
3084the processor's floating point unit.
3085
0dcedd82 3086@item DWARF_REG_TO_REGNUM
56caf160 3087@findex DWARF_REG_TO_REGNUM
0dcedd82
AC
3088Convert DWARF register number into @value{GDBN} regnum. If not defined,
3089no conversion will be performed.
3090
3091@item DWARF2_REG_TO_REGNUM
56caf160 3092@findex DWARF2_REG_TO_REGNUM
0dcedd82
AC
3093Convert DWARF2 register number into @value{GDBN} regnum. If not
3094defined, no conversion will be performed.
3095
3096@item ECOFF_REG_TO_REGNUM
56caf160 3097@findex ECOFF_REG_TO_REGNUM
0dcedd82
AC
3098Convert ECOFF register number into @value{GDBN} regnum. If not defined,
3099no conversion will be performed.
3100
c906108c 3101@item END_OF_TEXT_DEFAULT
56caf160
EZ
3102@findex END_OF_TEXT_DEFAULT
3103This is an expression that should designate the end of the text section.
3104@c (? FIXME ?)
c906108c 3105
56caf160
EZ
3106@item EXTRACT_RETURN_VALUE(@var{type}, @var{regbuf}, @var{valbuf})
3107@findex EXTRACT_RETURN_VALUE
c906108c
SS
3108Define this to extract a function's return value of type @var{type} from
3109the raw register state @var{regbuf} and copy that, in virtual format,
3110into @var{valbuf}.
3111
56caf160
EZ
3112@item EXTRACT_STRUCT_VALUE_ADDRESS(@var{regbuf})
3113@findex EXTRACT_STRUCT_VALUE_ADDRESS
83aa8bc6
AC
3114When defined, extract from the array @var{regbuf} (containing the raw
3115register state) the @code{CORE_ADDR} at which a function should return
3116its structure value.
ac9a91a7 3117
83aa8bc6
AC
3118If not defined, @code{EXTRACT_RETURN_VALUE} is used.
3119
3120@item EXTRACT_STRUCT_VALUE_ADDRESS_P()
56caf160
EZ
3121@findex EXTRACT_STRUCT_VALUE_ADDRESS_P
3122Predicate for @code{EXTRACT_STRUCT_VALUE_ADDRESS}.
c906108c
SS
3123
3124@item FLOAT_INFO
56caf160 3125@findex FLOAT_INFO
5e74b15c 3126Deprecated in favor of @code{PRINT_FLOAT_INFO}.
c906108c
SS
3127
3128@item FP_REGNUM
56caf160 3129@findex FP_REGNUM
cce74817
JM
3130If the virtual frame pointer is kept in a register, then define this
3131macro to be the number (greater than or equal to zero) of that register.
3132
8227c0ff
AC
3133This should only need to be defined if @code{TARGET_READ_FP} is not
3134defined.
c906108c 3135
56caf160
EZ
3136@item FRAMELESS_FUNCTION_INVOCATION(@var{fi})
3137@findex FRAMELESS_FUNCTION_INVOCATION
392a587b
JM
3138Define this to an expression that returns 1 if the function invocation
3139represented by @var{fi} does not have a stack frame associated with it.
3140Otherwise return 0.
c906108c 3141
a5d7c491 3142@item FRAME_ARGS_ADDRESS_CORRECT
56caf160
EZ
3143@findex FRAME_ARGS_ADDRESS_CORRECT
3144See @file{stack.c}.
c906108c 3145
56caf160
EZ
3146@item FRAME_CHAIN(@var{frame})
3147@findex FRAME_CHAIN
c906108c
SS
3148Given @var{frame}, return a pointer to the calling frame.
3149
56caf160
EZ
3150@item FRAME_CHAIN_VALID(@var{chain}, @var{thisframe})
3151@findex FRAME_CHAIN_VALID
c906108c 3152Define this to be an expression that returns zero if the given frame is
c4093a6a 3153an outermost frame, with no caller, and nonzero otherwise. Several
56caf160 3154common definitions are available:
c4093a6a 3155
56caf160
EZ
3156@itemize @bullet
3157@item
c4093a6a
JM
3158@code{file_frame_chain_valid} is nonzero if the chain pointer is nonzero
3159and given frame's PC is not inside the startup file (such as
56caf160
EZ
3160@file{crt0.o}).
3161
3162@item
3163@code{func_frame_chain_valid} is nonzero if the chain
3164pointer is nonzero and the given frame's PC is not in @code{main} or a
3165known entry point function (such as @code{_start}).
3166
3167@item
c4093a6a
JM
3168@code{generic_file_frame_chain_valid} and
3169@code{generic_func_frame_chain_valid} are equivalent implementations for
3170targets using generic dummy frames.
56caf160 3171@end itemize
c906108c 3172
56caf160
EZ
3173@item FRAME_INIT_SAVED_REGS(@var{frame})
3174@findex FRAME_INIT_SAVED_REGS
c906108c
SS
3175See @file{frame.h}. Determines the address of all registers in the
3176current stack frame storing each in @code{frame->saved_regs}. Space for
3177@code{frame->saved_regs} shall be allocated by
3178@code{FRAME_INIT_SAVED_REGS} using either
3179@code{frame_saved_regs_zalloc} or @code{frame_obstack_alloc}.
3180
56caf160 3181@code{FRAME_FIND_SAVED_REGS} and @code{EXTRA_FRAME_INFO} are deprecated.
c906108c 3182
56caf160
EZ
3183@item FRAME_NUM_ARGS (@var{fi})
3184@findex FRAME_NUM_ARGS
392a587b
JM
3185For the frame described by @var{fi} return the number of arguments that
3186are being passed. If the number of arguments is not known, return
3187@code{-1}.
c906108c 3188
56caf160
EZ
3189@item FRAME_SAVED_PC(@var{frame})
3190@findex FRAME_SAVED_PC
3191Given @var{frame}, return the pc saved there. This is the return
c906108c
SS
3192address.
3193
3194@item FUNCTION_EPILOGUE_SIZE
56caf160 3195@findex FUNCTION_EPILOGUE_SIZE
c906108c
SS
3196For some COFF targets, the @code{x_sym.x_misc.x_fsize} field of the
3197function end symbol is 0. For such targets, you must define
3198@code{FUNCTION_EPILOGUE_SIZE} to expand into the standard size of a
3199function's epilogue.
3200
f7cb2b90 3201@item FUNCTION_START_OFFSET
56caf160 3202@findex FUNCTION_START_OFFSET
f7cb2b90
JB
3203An integer, giving the offset in bytes from a function's address (as
3204used in the values of symbols, function pointers, etc.), and the
3205function's first genuine instruction.
3206
3207This is zero on almost all machines: the function's address is usually
3208the address of its first instruction. However, on the VAX, for example,
3209each function starts with two bytes containing a bitmask indicating
3210which registers to save upon entry to the function. The VAX @code{call}
3211instructions check this value, and save the appropriate registers
3212automatically. Thus, since the offset from the function's address to
3213its first instruction is two bytes, @code{FUNCTION_START_OFFSET} would
3214be 2 on the VAX.
3215
c906108c 3216@item GCC_COMPILED_FLAG_SYMBOL
56caf160
EZ
3217@itemx GCC2_COMPILED_FLAG_SYMBOL
3218@findex GCC2_COMPILED_FLAG_SYMBOL
3219@findex GCC_COMPILED_FLAG_SYMBOL
3220If defined, these are the names of the symbols that @value{GDBN} will
3221look for to detect that GCC compiled the file. The default symbols
3222are @code{gcc_compiled.} and @code{gcc2_compiled.},
3223respectively. (Currently only defined for the Delta 68.)
c906108c 3224
25822942 3225@item @value{GDBN}_MULTI_ARCH
56caf160 3226@findex @value{GDBN}_MULTI_ARCH
937f164b 3227If defined and non-zero, enables support for multiple architectures
25822942 3228within @value{GDBN}.
0f71a2f6 3229
56caf160 3230This support can be enabled at two levels. At level one, only
0f71a2f6 3231definitions for previously undefined macros are provided; at level two,
937f164b 3232a multi-arch definition of all architecture dependent macros will be
0f71a2f6
JM
3233defined.
3234
25822942 3235@item @value{GDBN}_TARGET_IS_HPPA
56caf160
EZ
3236@findex @value{GDBN}_TARGET_IS_HPPA
3237This determines whether horrible kludge code in @file{dbxread.c} and
3238@file{partial-stab.h} is used to mangle multiple-symbol-table files from
3239HPPA's. This should all be ripped out, and a scheme like @file{elfread.c}
3240used instead.
c906108c 3241
c906108c 3242@item GET_LONGJMP_TARGET
56caf160 3243@findex GET_LONGJMP_TARGET
c906108c
SS
3244For most machines, this is a target-dependent parameter. On the
3245DECstation and the Iris, this is a native-dependent parameter, since
937f164b 3246the header file @file{setjmp.h} is needed to define it.
c906108c 3247
56caf160
EZ
3248This macro determines the target PC address that @code{longjmp} will jump to,
3249assuming that we have just stopped at a @code{longjmp} breakpoint. It takes a
3250@code{CORE_ADDR *} as argument, and stores the target PC value through this
c906108c
SS
3251pointer. It examines the current state of the machine as needed.
3252
3253@item GET_SAVED_REGISTER
56caf160
EZ
3254@findex GET_SAVED_REGISTER
3255@findex get_saved_register
c906108c 3256Define this if you need to supply your own definition for the function
7a292a7a 3257@code{get_saved_register}.
c906108c 3258
c906108c 3259@item IBM6000_TARGET
56caf160 3260@findex IBM6000_TARGET
c906108c
SS
3261Shows that we are configured for an IBM RS/6000 target. This
3262conditional should be eliminated (FIXME) and replaced by
56caf160 3263feature-specific macros. It was introduced in a haste and we are
c906108c
SS
3264repenting at leisure.
3265
9742079a
EZ
3266@item I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS
3267An x86-based target can define this to use the generic x86 watchpoint
3268support; see @ref{Algorithms, I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS}.
3269
2df3850c 3270@item SYMBOLS_CAN_START_WITH_DOLLAR
56caf160 3271@findex SYMBOLS_CAN_START_WITH_DOLLAR
2df3850c 3272Some systems have routines whose names start with @samp{$}. Giving this
25822942 3273macro a non-zero value tells @value{GDBN}'s expression parser to check for such
2df3850c
JM
3274routines when parsing tokens that begin with @samp{$}.
3275
3276On HP-UX, certain system routines (millicode) have names beginning with
3277@samp{$} or @samp{$$}. For example, @code{$$dyncall} is a millicode
3278routine that handles inter-space procedure calls on PA-RISC.
3279
56caf160
EZ
3280@item INIT_EXTRA_FRAME_INFO (@var{fromleaf}, @var{frame})
3281@findex INIT_EXTRA_FRAME_INFO
c906108c
SS
3282If additional information about the frame is required this should be
3283stored in @code{frame->extra_info}. Space for @code{frame->extra_info}
3284is allocated using @code{frame_obstack_alloc}.
3285
56caf160
EZ
3286@item INIT_FRAME_PC (@var{fromleaf}, @var{prev})
3287@findex INIT_FRAME_PC
c906108c
SS
3288This is a C statement that sets the pc of the frame pointed to by
3289@var{prev}. [By default...]
3290
56caf160
EZ
3291@item INNER_THAN (@var{lhs}, @var{rhs})
3292@findex INNER_THAN
c906108c
SS
3293Returns non-zero if stack address @var{lhs} is inner than (nearer to the
3294stack top) stack address @var{rhs}. Define this as @code{lhs < rhs} if
3295the target's stack grows downward in memory, or @code{lhs > rsh} if the
3296stack grows upward.
3297
9e5abb06
CV
3298@item gdbarch_in_function_epilogue_p (@var{gdbarch}, @var{pc})
3299@findex gdbarch_in_function_epilogue_p
3300Returns non-zero if the given @var{pc} is in the epilogue of a function.
3301The epilogue of a function is defined as the part of a function where
3302the stack frame of the function already has been destroyed up to the
3303final `return from function call' instruction.
3304
56caf160
EZ
3305@item SIGTRAMP_START (@var{pc})
3306@findex SIGTRAMP_START
3307@itemx SIGTRAMP_END (@var{pc})
3308@findex SIGTRAMP_END
3309Define these to be the start and end address of the @code{sigtramp} for the
c906108c
SS
3310given @var{pc}. On machines where the address is just a compile time
3311constant, the macro expansion will typically just ignore the supplied
3312@var{pc}.
3313
56caf160
EZ
3314@item IN_SOLIB_CALL_TRAMPOLINE (@var{pc}, @var{name})
3315@findex IN_SOLIB_CALL_TRAMPOLINE
c906108c
SS
3316Define this to evaluate to nonzero if the program is stopped in the
3317trampoline that connects to a shared library.
3318
56caf160
EZ
3319@item IN_SOLIB_RETURN_TRAMPOLINE (@var{pc}, @var{name})
3320@findex IN_SOLIB_RETURN_TRAMPOLINE
c906108c
SS
3321Define this to evaluate to nonzero if the program is stopped in the
3322trampoline that returns from a shared library.
3323
56caf160
EZ
3324@item IN_SOLIB_DYNSYM_RESOLVE_CODE (@var{pc})
3325@findex IN_SOLIB_DYNSYM_RESOLVE_CODE
d4f3574e
SS
3326Define this to evaluate to nonzero if the program is stopped in the
3327dynamic linker.
3328
56caf160
EZ
3329@item SKIP_SOLIB_RESOLVER (@var{pc})
3330@findex SKIP_SOLIB_RESOLVER
d4f3574e
SS
3331Define this to evaluate to the (nonzero) address at which execution
3332should continue to get past the dynamic linker's symbol resolution
3333function. A zero value indicates that it is not important or necessary
3334to set a breakpoint to get through the dynamic linker and that single
3335stepping will suffice.
3336
fc0c74b1
AC
3337@item INTEGER_TO_ADDRESS (@var{type}, @var{buf})
3338@findex INTEGER_TO_ADDRESS
3339@cindex converting integers to addresses
3340Define this when the architecture needs to handle non-pointer to address
3341conversions specially. Converts that value to an address according to
3342the current architectures conventions.
3343
3344@emph{Pragmatics: When the user copies a well defined expression from
3345their source code and passes it, as a parameter, to @value{GDBN}'s
3346@code{print} command, they should get the same value as would have been
3347computed by the target program. Any deviation from this rule can cause
3348major confusion and annoyance, and needs to be justified carefully. In
3349other words, @value{GDBN} doesn't really have the freedom to do these
3350conversions in clever and useful ways. It has, however, been pointed
3351out that users aren't complaining about how @value{GDBN} casts integers
3352to pointers; they are complaining that they can't take an address from a
3353disassembly listing and give it to @code{x/i}. Adding an architecture
3354method like @code{INTEGER_TO_ADDRESS} certainly makes it possible for
3355@value{GDBN} to ``get it right'' in all circumstances.}
3356
3357@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Pointers Are Not Always
3358Addresses}.
3359
56caf160
EZ
3360@item IS_TRAPPED_INTERNALVAR (@var{name})
3361@findex IS_TRAPPED_INTERNALVAR
c906108c
SS
3362This is an ugly hook to allow the specification of special actions that
3363should occur as a side-effect of setting the value of a variable
25822942 3364internal to @value{GDBN}. Currently only used by the h8500. Note that this
c906108c
SS
3365could be either a host or target conditional.
3366
3367@item NEED_TEXT_START_END
56caf160 3368@findex NEED_TEXT_START_END
25822942 3369Define this if @value{GDBN} should determine the start and end addresses of the
c906108c
SS
3370text section. (Seems dubious.)
3371
3372@item NO_HIF_SUPPORT
56caf160 3373@findex NO_HIF_SUPPORT
c906108c
SS
3374(Specific to the a29k.)
3375
93e79dbd 3376@item POINTER_TO_ADDRESS (@var{type}, @var{buf})
56caf160 3377@findex POINTER_TO_ADDRESS
93e79dbd
JB
3378Assume that @var{buf} holds a pointer of type @var{type}, in the
3379appropriate format for the current architecture. Return the byte
3380address the pointer refers to.
3381@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Pointers Are Not Always Addresses}.
3382
9fb4dd36 3383@item REGISTER_CONVERTIBLE (@var{reg})
56caf160 3384@findex REGISTER_CONVERTIBLE
9fb4dd36 3385Return non-zero if @var{reg} uses different raw and virtual formats.
13d01224
AC
3386@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Raw and Virtual Register Representations}.
3387
3388@item REGISTER_TO_VALUE(@var{regnum}, @var{type}, @var{from}, @var{to})
3389@findex REGISTER_TO_VALUE
3390Convert the raw contents of register @var{regnum} into a value of type
3391@var{type}.
4281a42e 3392@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations}.
9fb4dd36
JB
3393
3394@item REGISTER_RAW_SIZE (@var{reg})
56caf160 3395@findex REGISTER_RAW_SIZE
b2e75d78
AC
3396Return the raw size of @var{reg}; defaults to the size of the register's
3397virtual type.
13d01224 3398@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Raw and Virtual Register Representations}.
9fb4dd36
JB
3399
3400@item REGISTER_VIRTUAL_SIZE (@var{reg})
56caf160 3401@findex REGISTER_VIRTUAL_SIZE
b2e75d78
AC
3402Return the virtual size of @var{reg}; defaults to the size of the
3403register's virtual type.
13d01224
AC
3404Return the virtual size of @var{reg}.
3405@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Raw and Virtual Register Representations}.
9fb4dd36
JB
3406
3407@item REGISTER_VIRTUAL_TYPE (@var{reg})
56caf160 3408@findex REGISTER_VIRTUAL_TYPE
9fb4dd36 3409Return the virtual type of @var{reg}.
13d01224 3410@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Raw and Virtual Register Representations}.
9fb4dd36
JB
3411
3412@item REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL(@var{reg}, @var{type}, @var{from}, @var{to})
56caf160 3413@findex REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_VIRTUAL
9fb4dd36 3414Convert the value of register @var{reg} from its raw form to its virtual
4281a42e 3415form.
13d01224 3416@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Raw and Virtual Register Representations}.
9fb4dd36
JB
3417
3418@item REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_RAW(@var{type}, @var{reg}, @var{from}, @var{to})
56caf160 3419@findex REGISTER_CONVERT_TO_RAW
9fb4dd36 3420Convert the value of register @var{reg} from its virtual form to its raw
4281a42e 3421form.
13d01224 3422@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Raw and Virtual Register Representations}.
9fb4dd36 3423
e5419804
JB
3424@item RETURN_VALUE_ON_STACK(@var{type})
3425@findex RETURN_VALUE_ON_STACK
3426@cindex returning structures by value
3427@cindex structures, returning by value
3428
3429Return non-zero if values of type TYPE are returned on the stack, using
3430the ``struct convention'' (i.e., the caller provides a pointer to a
3431buffer in which the callee should store the return value). This
3432controls how the @samp{finish} command finds a function's return value,
3433and whether an inferior function call reserves space on the stack for
3434the return value.
3435
3436The full logic @value{GDBN} uses here is kind of odd.
e5419804 3437
56caf160 3438@itemize @bullet
e5419804
JB
3439@item
3440If the type being returned by value is not a structure, union, or array,
3441and @code{RETURN_VALUE_ON_STACK} returns zero, then @value{GDBN}
3442concludes the value is not returned using the struct convention.
3443
3444@item
3445Otherwise, @value{GDBN} calls @code{USE_STRUCT_CONVENTION} (see below).
3446If that returns non-zero, @value{GDBN} assumes the struct convention is
3447in use.
e5419804
JB
3448@end itemize
3449
3450In other words, to indicate that a given type is returned by value using
3451the struct convention, that type must be either a struct, union, array,
3452or something @code{RETURN_VALUE_ON_STACK} likes, @emph{and} something
3453that @code{USE_STRUCT_CONVENTION} likes.
3454
56caf160 3455Note that, in C and C@t{++}, arrays are never returned by value. In those
e5419804
JB
3456languages, these predicates will always see a pointer type, never an
3457array type. All the references above to arrays being returned by value
3458apply only to other languages.
3459
b0ed3589 3460@item SOFTWARE_SINGLE_STEP_P()
56caf160 3461@findex SOFTWARE_SINGLE_STEP_P
c906108c 3462Define this as 1 if the target does not have a hardware single-step
56caf160 3463mechanism. The macro @code{SOFTWARE_SINGLE_STEP} must also be defined.
c906108c 3464
56caf160
EZ
3465@item SOFTWARE_SINGLE_STEP(@var{signal}, @var{insert_breapoints_p})
3466@findex SOFTWARE_SINGLE_STEP
3467A function that inserts or removes (depending on
c906108c 3468@var{insert_breapoints_p}) breakpoints at each possible destinations of
56caf160 3469the next instruction. See @file{sparc-tdep.c} and @file{rs6000-tdep.c}
c906108c
SS
3470for examples.
3471
da59e081 3472@item SOFUN_ADDRESS_MAYBE_MISSING
56caf160 3473@findex SOFUN_ADDRESS_MAYBE_MISSING
da59e081
JM
3474Somebody clever observed that, the more actual addresses you have in the
3475debug information, the more time the linker has to spend relocating
3476them. So whenever there's some other way the debugger could find the
3477address it needs, you should omit it from the debug info, to make
3478linking faster.
3479
3480@code{SOFUN_ADDRESS_MAYBE_MISSING} indicates that a particular set of
3481hacks of this sort are in use, affecting @code{N_SO} and @code{N_FUN}
3482entries in stabs-format debugging information. @code{N_SO} stabs mark
3483the beginning and ending addresses of compilation units in the text
3484segment. @code{N_FUN} stabs mark the starts and ends of functions.
3485
3486@code{SOFUN_ADDRESS_MAYBE_MISSING} means two things:
da59e081 3487
56caf160 3488@itemize @bullet
da59e081
JM
3489@item
3490@code{N_FUN} stabs have an address of zero. Instead, you should find the
3491addresses where the function starts by taking the function name from
56caf160
EZ
3492the stab, and then looking that up in the minsyms (the
3493linker/assembler symbol table). In other words, the stab has the
3494name, and the linker/assembler symbol table is the only place that carries
da59e081
JM
3495the address.
3496
3497@item
3498@code{N_SO} stabs have an address of zero, too. You just look at the
3499@code{N_FUN} stabs that appear before and after the @code{N_SO} stab,
3500and guess the starting and ending addresses of the compilation unit from
3501them.
da59e081
JM
3502@end itemize
3503
c906108c 3504@item PCC_SOL_BROKEN
56caf160 3505@findex PCC_SOL_BROKEN
c906108c
SS
3506(Used only in the Convex target.)
3507
3508@item PC_IN_CALL_DUMMY
56caf160
EZ
3509@findex PC_IN_CALL_DUMMY
3510See @file{inferior.h}.
c906108c 3511
d7bd68ca
AC
3512@item PC_IN_SIGTRAMP (@var{pc}, @var{name})
3513@findex PC_IN_SIGTRAMP
3514@cindex sigtramp
3515The @dfn{sigtramp} is a routine that the kernel calls (which then calls
3516the signal handler). On most machines it is a library routine that is
3517linked into the executable.
3518
3519This function, given a program counter value in @var{pc} and the
3520(possibly NULL) name of the function in which that @var{pc} resides,
3521returns nonzero if the @var{pc} and/or @var{name} show that we are in
3522sigtramp.
3523
c906108c 3524@item PC_LOAD_SEGMENT
56caf160 3525@findex PC_LOAD_SEGMENT
c906108c
SS
3526If defined, print information about the load segment for the program
3527counter. (Defined only for the RS/6000.)
3528
3529@item PC_REGNUM
56caf160 3530@findex PC_REGNUM
c906108c 3531If the program counter is kept in a register, then define this macro to
cce74817
JM
3532be the number (greater than or equal to zero) of that register.
3533
3534This should only need to be defined if @code{TARGET_READ_PC} and
3535@code{TARGET_WRITE_PC} are not defined.
c906108c
SS
3536
3537@item NPC_REGNUM
56caf160 3538@findex NPC_REGNUM
c906108c
SS
3539The number of the ``next program counter'' register, if defined.
3540
2df3850c 3541@item PARM_BOUNDARY
56caf160 3542@findex PARM_BOUNDARY
2df3850c
JM
3543If non-zero, round arguments to a boundary of this many bits before
3544pushing them on the stack.
3545
56caf160
EZ
3546@item PRINT_REGISTER_HOOK (@var{regno})
3547@findex PRINT_REGISTER_HOOK
c906108c
SS
3548If defined, this must be a function that prints the contents of the
3549given register to standard output.
3550
3551@item PRINT_TYPELESS_INTEGER
56caf160 3552@findex PRINT_TYPELESS_INTEGER
c906108c
SS
3553This is an obscure substitute for @code{print_longest} that seems to
3554have been defined for the Convex target.
3555
3556@item PROCESS_LINENUMBER_HOOK
56caf160 3557@findex PROCESS_LINENUMBER_HOOK
c906108c
SS
3558A hook defined for XCOFF reading.
3559
3560@item PROLOGUE_FIRSTLINE_OVERLAP
56caf160 3561@findex PROLOGUE_FIRSTLINE_OVERLAP
c906108c
SS
3562(Only used in unsupported Convex configuration.)
3563
3564@item PS_REGNUM
56caf160 3565@findex PS_REGNUM
c906108c
SS
3566If defined, this is the number of the processor status register. (This
3567definition is only used in generic code when parsing "$ps".)
3568
3569@item POP_FRAME
56caf160
EZ
3570@findex POP_FRAME
3571@findex call_function_by_hand
3572@findex return_command
c906108c 3573Used in @samp{call_function_by_hand} to remove an artificial stack
1c6147de 3574frame and in @samp{return_command} to remove a real stack frame.
c906108c 3575
56caf160
EZ
3576@item PUSH_ARGUMENTS (@var{nargs}, @var{args}, @var{sp}, @var{struct_return}, @var{struct_addr})
3577@findex PUSH_ARGUMENTS
392a587b 3578Define this to push arguments onto the stack for inferior function
56caf160 3579call. Returns the updated stack pointer value.
c906108c
SS
3580
3581@item PUSH_DUMMY_FRAME
56caf160 3582@findex PUSH_DUMMY_FRAME
c906108c
SS
3583Used in @samp{call_function_by_hand} to create an artificial stack frame.
3584
3585@item REGISTER_BYTES
56caf160 3586@findex REGISTER_BYTES
25822942 3587The total amount of space needed to store @value{GDBN}'s copy of the machine's
c906108c
SS
3588register state.
3589
56caf160
EZ
3590@item REGISTER_NAME(@var{i})
3591@findex REGISTER_NAME
3592Return the name of register @var{i} as a string. May return @code{NULL}
3593or @code{NUL} to indicate that register @var{i} is not valid.
c906108c 3594
7a292a7a 3595@item REGISTER_NAMES
56caf160
EZ
3596@findex REGISTER_NAMES
3597Deprecated in favor of @code{REGISTER_NAME}.
7a292a7a 3598
56caf160
EZ
3599@item REG_STRUCT_HAS_ADDR (@var{gcc_p}, @var{type})
3600@findex REG_STRUCT_HAS_ADDR
c906108c
SS
3601Define this to return 1 if the given type will be passed by pointer
3602rather than directly.
3603
56caf160
EZ
3604@item SAVE_DUMMY_FRAME_TOS (@var{sp})
3605@findex SAVE_DUMMY_FRAME_TOS
43ff13b4
JM
3606Used in @samp{call_function_by_hand} to notify the target dependent code
3607of the top-of-stack value that will be passed to the the inferior code.
56caf160 3608This is the value of the @code{SP} after both the dummy frame and space
43ff13b4
JM
3609for parameters/results have been allocated on the stack.
3610
c906108c 3611@item SDB_REG_TO_REGNUM
56caf160 3612@findex SDB_REG_TO_REGNUM
25822942 3613Define this to convert sdb register numbers into @value{GDBN} regnums. If not
c906108c
SS
3614defined, no conversion will be done.
3615
3616@item SHIFT_INST_REGS
56caf160 3617@findex SHIFT_INST_REGS
c906108c
SS
3618(Only used for m88k targets.)
3619
c2c6d25f 3620@item SKIP_PERMANENT_BREAKPOINT
56caf160 3621@findex SKIP_PERMANENT_BREAKPOINT
25822942 3622Advance the inferior's PC past a permanent breakpoint. @value{GDBN} normally
c2c6d25f
JM
3623steps over a breakpoint by removing it, stepping one instruction, and
3624re-inserting the breakpoint. However, permanent breakpoints are
3625hardwired into the inferior, and can't be removed, so this strategy
56caf160 3626doesn't work. Calling @code{SKIP_PERMANENT_BREAKPOINT} adjusts the processor's
c2c6d25f
JM
3627state so that execution will resume just after the breakpoint. This
3628macro does the right thing even when the breakpoint is in the delay slot
3629of a branch or jump.
3630
56caf160
EZ
3631@item SKIP_PROLOGUE (@var{pc})
3632@findex SKIP_PROLOGUE
b83266a0
SS
3633A C expression that returns the address of the ``real'' code beyond the
3634function entry prologue found at @var{pc}.
c906108c 3635
56caf160
EZ
3636@item SKIP_TRAMPOLINE_CODE (@var{pc})
3637@findex SKIP_TRAMPOLINE_CODE
c906108c
SS
3638If the target machine has trampoline code that sits between callers and
3639the functions being called, then define this macro to return a new PC
3640that is at the start of the real function.
3641
3642@item SP_REGNUM
56caf160 3643@findex SP_REGNUM
cce74817
JM
3644If the stack-pointer is kept in a register, then define this macro to be
3645the number (greater than or equal to zero) of that register.
3646
3647This should only need to be defined if @code{TARGET_WRITE_SP} and
3648@code{TARGET_WRITE_SP} are not defined.
c906108c
SS
3649
3650@item STAB_REG_TO_REGNUM
56caf160 3651@findex STAB_REG_TO_REGNUM
c906108c 3652Define this to convert stab register numbers (as gotten from `r'
25822942 3653declarations) into @value{GDBN} regnums. If not defined, no conversion will be
c906108c
SS
3654done.
3655
56caf160
EZ
3656@item STACK_ALIGN (@var{addr})
3657@findex STACK_ALIGN
c906108c
SS
3658Define this to adjust the address to the alignment required for the
3659processor's stack.
3660
56caf160
EZ
3661@item STEP_SKIPS_DELAY (@var{addr})
3662@findex STEP_SKIPS_DELAY
c906108c
SS
3663Define this to return true if the address is of an instruction with a
3664delay slot. If a breakpoint has been placed in the instruction's delay
25822942 3665slot, @value{GDBN} will single-step over that instruction before resuming
c906108c
SS
3666normally. Currently only defined for the Mips.
3667
56caf160
EZ
3668@item STORE_RETURN_VALUE (@var{type}, @var{valbuf})
3669@findex STORE_RETURN_VALUE
c906108c
SS
3670A C expression that stores a function return value of type @var{type},
3671where @var{valbuf} is the address of the value to be stored.
3672
3673@item SUN_FIXED_LBRAC_BUG
56caf160 3674@findex SUN_FIXED_LBRAC_BUG
c906108c
SS
3675(Used only for Sun-3 and Sun-4 targets.)
3676
3677@item SYMBOL_RELOADING_DEFAULT
56caf160
EZ
3678@findex SYMBOL_RELOADING_DEFAULT
3679The default value of the ``symbol-reloading'' variable. (Never defined in
c906108c
SS
3680current sources.)
3681
c906108c 3682@item TARGET_CHAR_BIT
56caf160 3683@findex TARGET_CHAR_BIT
c906108c
SS
3684Number of bits in a char; defaults to 8.
3685
c3d3ce5b
JB
3686@item TARGET_CHAR_SIGNED
3687@findex TARGET_CHAR_SIGNED
3688Non-zero if @code{char} is normally signed on this architecture; zero if
3689it should be unsigned.
3690
3691The ISO C standard requires the compiler to treat @code{char} as
3692equivalent to either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char}; any
3693character in the standard execution set is supposed to be positive.
3694Most compilers treat @code{char} as signed, but @code{char} is unsigned
3695on the IBM S/390, RS6000, and PowerPC targets.
3696
c906108c 3697@item TARGET_COMPLEX_BIT
56caf160 3698@findex TARGET_COMPLEX_BIT
c906108c
SS
3699Number of bits in a complex number; defaults to @code{2 * TARGET_FLOAT_BIT}.
3700
ac9a91a7
JM
3701At present this macro is not used.
3702
c906108c 3703@item TARGET_DOUBLE_BIT
56caf160 3704@findex TARGET_DOUBLE_BIT
c906108c
SS
3705Number of bits in a double float; defaults to @code{8 * TARGET_CHAR_BIT}.
3706
3707@item TARGET_DOUBLE_COMPLEX_BIT
56caf160 3708@findex TARGET_DOUBLE_COMPLEX_BIT
c906108c
SS
3709Number of bits in a double complex; defaults to @code{2 * TARGET_DOUBLE_BIT}.
3710
ac9a91a7
JM
3711At present this macro is not used.
3712
c906108c 3713@item TARGET_FLOAT_BIT
56caf160 3714@findex TARGET_FLOAT_BIT
c906108c
SS
3715Number of bits in a float; defaults to @code{4 * TARGET_CHAR_BIT}.
3716
3717@item TARGET_INT_BIT
56caf160 3718@findex TARGET_INT_BIT
c906108c
SS
3719Number of bits in an integer; defaults to @code{4 * TARGET_CHAR_BIT}.
3720
3721@item TARGET_LONG_BIT
56caf160 3722@findex TARGET_LONG_BIT
c906108c
SS
3723Number of bits in a long integer; defaults to @code{4 * TARGET_CHAR_BIT}.
3724
3725@item TARGET_LONG_DOUBLE_BIT
56caf160 3726@findex TARGET_LONG_DOUBLE_BIT
c906108c
SS
3727Number of bits in a long double float;
3728defaults to @code{2 * TARGET_DOUBLE_BIT}.
3729
3730@item TARGET_LONG_LONG_BIT
56caf160 3731@findex TARGET_LONG_LONG_BIT
c906108c
SS
3732Number of bits in a long long integer; defaults to @code{2 * TARGET_LONG_BIT}.
3733
3734@item TARGET_PTR_BIT
56caf160 3735@findex TARGET_PTR_BIT
c906108c
SS
3736Number of bits in a pointer; defaults to @code{TARGET_INT_BIT}.
3737
3738@item TARGET_SHORT_BIT
56caf160 3739@findex TARGET_SHORT_BIT
c906108c
SS
3740Number of bits in a short integer; defaults to @code{2 * TARGET_CHAR_BIT}.
3741
3742@item TARGET_READ_PC
56caf160
EZ
3743@findex TARGET_READ_PC
3744@itemx TARGET_WRITE_PC (@var{val}, @var{pid})
3745@findex TARGET_WRITE_PC
3746@itemx TARGET_READ_SP
3747@findex TARGET_READ_SP
3748@itemx TARGET_WRITE_SP
3749@findex TARGET_WRITE_SP
3750@itemx TARGET_READ_FP
3751@findex TARGET_READ_FP
56caf160
EZ
3752@findex read_pc
3753@findex write_pc
3754@findex read_sp
3755@findex write_sp
3756@findex read_fp
c906108c 3757These change the behavior of @code{read_pc}, @code{write_pc},
8227c0ff
AC
3758@code{read_sp}, @code{write_sp} and @code{read_fp}. For most targets,
3759these may be left undefined. @value{GDBN} will call the read and write
3760register functions with the relevant @code{_REGNUM} argument.
c906108c
SS
3761
3762These macros are useful when a target keeps one of these registers in a
3763hard to get at place; for example, part in a segment register and part
3764in an ordinary register.
3765
56caf160
EZ
3766@item TARGET_VIRTUAL_FRAME_POINTER(@var{pc}, @var{regp}, @var{offsetp})
3767@findex TARGET_VIRTUAL_FRAME_POINTER
c906108c 3768Returns a @code{(register, offset)} pair representing the virtual
56caf160 3769frame pointer in use at the code address @var{pc}. If virtual
c906108c
SS
3770frame pointers are not used, a default definition simply returns
3771@code{FP_REGNUM}, with an offset of zero.
3772
9742079a
EZ
3773@item TARGET_HAS_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINTS
3774If non-zero, the target has support for hardware-assisted
3775watchpoints. @xref{Algorithms, watchpoints}, for more details and
3776other related macros.
3777
7ccaa899
EZ
3778@item TARGET_PRINT_INSN (@var{addr}, @var{info})
3779@findex TARGET_PRINT_INSN
3780This is the function used by @value{GDBN} to print an assembly
3781instruction. It prints the instruction at address @var{addr} in
3782debugged memory and returns the length of the instruction, in bytes. If
3783a target doesn't define its own printing routine, it defaults to an
3784accessor function for the global pointer @code{tm_print_insn}. This
3785usually points to a function in the @code{opcodes} library (@pxref{Support
3786Libraries, ,Opcodes}). @var{info} is a structure (of type
3787@code{disassemble_info}) defined in @file{include/dis-asm.h} used to
3788pass information to the instruction decoding routine.
3789
56caf160
EZ
3790@item USE_STRUCT_CONVENTION (@var{gcc_p}, @var{type})
3791@findex USE_STRUCT_CONVENTION
c906108c
SS
3792If defined, this must be an expression that is nonzero if a value of the
3793given @var{type} being returned from a function must have space
3794allocated for it on the stack. @var{gcc_p} is true if the function
3795being considered is known to have been compiled by GCC; this is helpful
3796for systems where GCC is known to use different calling convention than
3797other compilers.
3798
13d01224
AC
3799@item VALUE_TO_REGISTER(@var{type}, @var{regnum}, @var{from}, @var{to})
3800@findex VALUE_TO_REGISTER
3801Convert a value of type @var{type} into the raw contents of register
3802@var{regnum}'s.
3803@xref{Target Architecture Definition, , Using Different Register and Memory Data Representations}.
3804
56caf160
EZ
3805@item VARIABLES_INSIDE_BLOCK (@var{desc}, @var{gcc_p})
3806@findex VARIABLES_INSIDE_BLOCK
c906108c
SS
3807For dbx-style debugging information, if the compiler puts variable
3808declarations inside LBRAC/RBRAC blocks, this should be defined to be
3809nonzero. @var{desc} is the value of @code{n_desc} from the
25822942 3810@code{N_RBRAC} symbol, and @var{gcc_p} is true if @value{GDBN} has noticed the
c906108c
SS
3811presence of either the @code{GCC_COMPILED_SYMBOL} or the
3812@code{GCC2_COMPILED_SYMBOL}. By default, this is 0.
3813
56caf160
EZ
3814@item OS9K_VARIABLES_INSIDE_BLOCK (@var{desc}, @var{gcc_p})
3815@findex OS9K_VARIABLES_INSIDE_BLOCK
c906108c 3816Similarly, for OS/9000. Defaults to 1.
c906108c
SS
3817@end table
3818
3819Motorola M68K target conditionals.
3820
56caf160 3821@ftable @code
c906108c
SS
3822@item BPT_VECTOR
3823Define this to be the 4-bit location of the breakpoint trap vector. If
3824not defined, it will default to @code{0xf}.
3825
3826@item REMOTE_BPT_VECTOR
3827Defaults to @code{1}.
56caf160 3828@end ftable
c906108c
SS
3829
3830@section Adding a New Target
3831
56caf160 3832@cindex adding a target
af6c57ea 3833The following files add a target to @value{GDBN}:
c906108c
SS
3834
3835@table @file
56caf160 3836@vindex TDEPFILES
c906108c
SS
3837@item gdb/config/@var{arch}/@var{ttt}.mt
3838Contains a Makefile fragment specific to this target. Specifies what
3839object files are needed for target @var{ttt}, by defining
104c1213
JM
3840@samp{TDEPFILES=@dots{}} and @samp{TDEPLIBS=@dots{}}. Also specifies
3841the header file which describes @var{ttt}, by defining @samp{TM_FILE=
3842tm-@var{ttt}.h}.
3843
3844You can also define @samp{TM_CFLAGS}, @samp{TM_CLIBS}, @samp{TM_CDEPS},
3845but these are now deprecated, replaced by autoconf, and may go away in
25822942 3846future versions of @value{GDBN}.
c906108c 3847
c906108c
SS
3848@item gdb/@var{ttt}-tdep.c
3849Contains any miscellaneous code required for this target machine. On
3850some machines it doesn't exist at all. Sometimes the macros in
3851@file{tm-@var{ttt}.h} become very complicated, so they are implemented
3852as functions here instead, and the macro is simply defined to call the
3853function. This is vastly preferable, since it is easier to understand
3854and debug.
3855
af6c57ea
AC
3856@item gdb/@var{arch}-tdep.c
3857@itemx gdb/@var{arch}-tdep.h
3858This often exists to describe the basic layout of the target machine's
3859processor chip (registers, stack, etc.). If used, it is included by
3860@file{@var{ttt}-tdep.h}. It can be shared among many targets that use
3861the same processor.
3862
3863@item gdb/config/@var{arch}/tm-@var{ttt}.h
3864(@file{tm.h} is a link to this file, created by @code{configure}). Contains
3865macro definitions about the target machine's registers, stack frame
3866format and instructions.
3867
3868New targets do not need this file and should not create it.
3869
c906108c
SS
3870@item gdb/config/@var{arch}/tm-@var{arch}.h
3871This often exists to describe the basic layout of the target machine's
56caf160 3872processor chip (registers, stack, etc.). If used, it is included by
c906108c
SS
3873@file{tm-@var{ttt}.h}. It can be shared among many targets that use the
3874same processor.
3875
af6c57ea
AC
3876New targets do not need this file and should not create it.
3877
c906108c
SS
3878@end table
3879
3880If you are adding a new operating system for an existing CPU chip, add a
3881@file{config/tm-@var{os}.h} file that describes the operating system
3882facilities that are unusual (extra symbol table info; the breakpoint
56caf160 3883instruction needed; etc.). Then write a @file{@var{arch}/tm-@var{os}.h}
c906108c
SS
3884that just @code{#include}s @file{tm-@var{arch}.h} and
3885@file{config/tm-@var{os}.h}.
3886
3887
3352e23e
AC
3888@section Converting an existing Target Architecture to Multi-arch
3889@cindex converting targets to multi-arch
3890
3891This section describes the current accepted best practice for converting
3892an existing target architecture to the multi-arch framework.
3893
3894The process consists of generating, testing, posting and committing a
3895sequence of patches. Each patch must contain a single change, for
3896instance:
3897
3898@itemize @bullet
3899
3900@item
3901Directly convert a group of functions into macros (the conversion does
3902not change the behavior of any of the functions).
3903
3904@item
3905Replace a non-multi-arch with a multi-arch mechanism (e.g.,
3906@code{FRAME_INFO}).
3907
3908@item
3909Enable multi-arch level one.
3910
3911@item
3912Delete one or more files.
3913
3914@end itemize
3915
3916@noindent
3917There isn't a size limit on a patch, however, a developer is strongly
3918encouraged to keep the patch size down.
3919
3920Since each patch is well defined, and since each change has been tested
3921and shows no regressions, the patches are considered @emph{fairly}
3922obvious. Such patches, when submitted by developers listed in the
3923@file{MAINTAINERS} file, do not need approval. Occasional steps in the
3924process may be more complicated and less clear. The developer is
3925expected to use their judgment and is encouraged to seek advice as
3926needed.
3927
3928@subsection Preparation
3929
3930The first step is to establish control. Build (with @option{-Werror}
3931enabled) and test the target so that there is a baseline against which
3932the debugger can be compared.
3933
3934At no stage can the test results regress or @value{GDBN} stop compiling
3935with @option{-Werror}.
3936
3937@subsection Add the multi-arch initialization code
3938
3939The objective of this step is to establish the basic multi-arch
3940framework. It involves
3941
3942@itemize @bullet
3943
3944@item
3945The addition of a @code{@var{arch}_gdbarch_init} function@footnote{The
3946above is from the original example and uses K&R C. @value{GDBN}
3947has since converted to ISO C but lets ignore that.} that creates
3948the architecture:
3949@smallexample
3950static struct gdbarch *
3951d10v_gdbarch_init (info, arches)
3952 struct gdbarch_info info;
3953 struct gdbarch_list *arches;
3954@{
3955 struct gdbarch *gdbarch;
3956 /* there is only one d10v architecture */
3957 if (arches != NULL)
3958 return arches->gdbarch;
3959 gdbarch = gdbarch_alloc (&info, NULL);
3960 return gdbarch;
3961@}
3962@end smallexample
3963@noindent
3964@emph{}
3965
3966@item
3967A per-architecture dump function to print any architecture specific
3968information:
3969@smallexample
3970static void
3971mips_dump_tdep (struct gdbarch *current_gdbarch,
3972 struct ui_file *file)
3973@{
3974 @dots{} code to print architecture specific info @dots{}
3975@}
3976@end smallexample
3977
3978@item
3979A change to @code{_initialize_@var{arch}_tdep} to register this new
3980architecture:
3981@smallexample
3982void
3983_initialize_mips_tdep (void)
3984@{
3985 gdbarch_register (bfd_arch_mips, mips_gdbarch_init,
3986 mips_dump_tdep);
3987@end smallexample
3988
3989@item
3990Add the macro @code{GDB_MULTI_ARCH}, defined as 0 (zero), to the file@*
3991@file{config/@var{arch}/tm-@var{arch}.h}.
3992
3993@end itemize
3994
3995@subsection Update multi-arch incompatible mechanisms
3996
3997Some mechanisms do not work with multi-arch. They include:
3998
3999@table @code
4000@item EXTRA_FRAME_INFO
4001Delete.
4002@item FRAME_FIND_SAVED_REGS
4003Replaced with @code{FRAME_INIT_SAVED_REGS}
4004@end table
4005
4006@noindent
4007At this stage you could also consider converting the macros into
4008functions.
4009
4010@subsection Prepare for multi-arch level to one
4011
4012Temporally set @code{GDB_MULTI_ARCH} to @code{GDB_MULTI_ARCH_PARTIAL}
4013and then build and start @value{GDBN} (the change should not be
4014committed). @value{GDBN} may not build, and once built, it may die with
4015an internal error listing the architecture methods that must be
4016provided.
4017
4018Fix any build problems (patch(es)).
4019
4020Convert all the architecture methods listed, which are only macros, into
4021functions (patch(es)).
4022
4023Update @code{@var{arch}_gdbarch_init} to set all the missing
4024architecture methods and wrap the corresponding macros in @code{#if
4025!GDB_MULTI_ARCH} (patch(es)).
4026
4027@subsection Set multi-arch level one
4028
4029Change the value of @code{GDB_MULTI_ARCH} to GDB_MULTI_ARCH_PARTIAL (a
4030single patch).
4031
4032Any problems with throwing ``the switch'' should have been fixed
4033already.
4034
4035@subsection Convert remaining macros
4036
4037Suggest converting macros into functions (and setting the corresponding
4038architecture method) in small batches.
4039
4040@subsection Set multi-arch level to two
4041
4042This should go smoothly.
4043
4044@subsection Delete the TM file
4045
4046The @file{tm-@var{arch}.h} can be deleted. @file{@var{arch}.mt} and
4047@file{configure.in} updated.
4048
4049
c906108c
SS
4050@node Target Vector Definition
4051
4052@chapter Target Vector Definition
56caf160 4053@cindex target vector
c906108c 4054
56caf160
EZ
4055The target vector defines the interface between @value{GDBN}'s
4056abstract handling of target systems, and the nitty-gritty code that
4057actually exercises control over a process or a serial port.
4058@value{GDBN} includes some 30-40 different target vectors; however,
4059each configuration of @value{GDBN} includes only a few of them.
c906108c
SS
4060
4061@section File Targets
4062
4063Both executables and core files have target vectors.
4064
4065@section Standard Protocol and Remote Stubs
4066
56caf160
EZ
4067@value{GDBN}'s file @file{remote.c} talks a serial protocol to code
4068that runs in the target system. @value{GDBN} provides several sample
4069@dfn{stubs} that can be integrated into target programs or operating
4070systems for this purpose; they are named @file{*-stub.c}.
c906108c 4071
56caf160
EZ
4072The @value{GDBN} user's manual describes how to put such a stub into
4073your target code. What follows is a discussion of integrating the
4074SPARC stub into a complicated operating system (rather than a simple
4075program), by Stu Grossman, the author of this stub.
c906108c
SS
4076
4077The trap handling code in the stub assumes the following upon entry to
56caf160 4078@code{trap_low}:
c906108c
SS
4079
4080@enumerate
56caf160
EZ
4081@item
4082%l1 and %l2 contain pc and npc respectively at the time of the trap;
c906108c 4083
56caf160
EZ
4084@item
4085traps are disabled;
c906108c 4086
56caf160
EZ
4087@item
4088you are in the correct trap window.
c906108c
SS
4089@end enumerate
4090
4091As long as your trap handler can guarantee those conditions, then there
56caf160 4092is no reason why you shouldn't be able to ``share'' traps with the stub.
c906108c
SS
4093The stub has no requirement that it be jumped to directly from the
4094hardware trap vector. That is why it calls @code{exceptionHandler()},
4095which is provided by the external environment. For instance, this could
56caf160 4096set up the hardware traps to actually execute code which calls the stub
c906108c
SS
4097first, and then transfers to its own trap handler.
4098
4099For the most point, there probably won't be much of an issue with
56caf160 4100``sharing'' traps, as the traps we use are usually not used by the kernel,
c906108c
SS
4101and often indicate unrecoverable error conditions. Anyway, this is all
4102controlled by a table, and is trivial to modify. The most important
4103trap for us is for @code{ta 1}. Without that, we can't single step or
4104do breakpoints. Everything else is unnecessary for the proper operation
4105of the debugger/stub.
4106
4107From reading the stub, it's probably not obvious how breakpoints work.
25822942 4108They are simply done by deposit/examine operations from @value{GDBN}.
c906108c
SS
4109
4110@section ROM Monitor Interface
4111
4112@section Custom Protocols
4113
4114@section Transport Layer
4115
4116@section Builtin Simulator
4117
4118
4119@node Native Debugging
4120
4121@chapter Native Debugging
56caf160 4122@cindex native debugging
c906108c 4123
25822942 4124Several files control @value{GDBN}'s configuration for native support:
c906108c
SS
4125
4126@table @file
56caf160 4127@vindex NATDEPFILES
c906108c 4128@item gdb/config/@var{arch}/@var{xyz}.mh
7fd60527 4129Specifies Makefile fragments needed by a @emph{native} configuration on
c906108c
SS
4130machine @var{xyz}. In particular, this lists the required
4131native-dependent object files, by defining @samp{NATDEPFILES=@dots{}}.
4132Also specifies the header file which describes native support on
4133@var{xyz}, by defining @samp{NAT_FILE= nm-@var{xyz}.h}. You can also
4134define @samp{NAT_CFLAGS}, @samp{NAT_ADD_FILES}, @samp{NAT_CLIBS},
4135@samp{NAT_CDEPS}, etc.; see @file{Makefile.in}.
4136
7fd60527
AC
4137@emph{Maintainer's note: The @file{.mh} suffix is because this file
4138originally contained @file{Makefile} fragments for hosting @value{GDBN}
4139on machine @var{xyz}. While the file is no longer used for this
937f164b 4140purpose, the @file{.mh} suffix remains. Perhaps someone will
7fd60527
AC
4141eventually rename these fragments so that they have a @file{.mn}
4142suffix.}
4143
c906108c 4144@item gdb/config/@var{arch}/nm-@var{xyz}.h
56caf160 4145(@file{nm.h} is a link to this file, created by @code{configure}). Contains C
c906108c
SS
4146macro definitions describing the native system environment, such as
4147child process control and core file support.
4148
4149@item gdb/@var{xyz}-nat.c
4150Contains any miscellaneous C code required for this native support of
4151this machine. On some machines it doesn't exist at all.
c906108c
SS
4152@end table
4153
4154There are some ``generic'' versions of routines that can be used by
4155various systems. These can be customized in various ways by macros
4156defined in your @file{nm-@var{xyz}.h} file. If these routines work for
4157the @var{xyz} host, you can just include the generic file's name (with
4158@samp{.o}, not @samp{.c}) in @code{NATDEPFILES}.
4159
4160Otherwise, if your machine needs custom support routines, you will need
4161to write routines that perform the same functions as the generic file.
56caf160 4162Put them into @file{@var{xyz}-nat.c}, and put @file{@var{xyz}-nat.o}
c906108c
SS
4163into @code{NATDEPFILES}.
4164
4165@table @file
c906108c
SS
4166@item inftarg.c
4167This contains the @emph{target_ops vector} that supports Unix child
4168processes on systems which use ptrace and wait to control the child.
4169
4170@item procfs.c
4171This contains the @emph{target_ops vector} that supports Unix child
4172processes on systems which use /proc to control the child.
4173
4174@item fork-child.c
56caf160
EZ
4175This does the low-level grunge that uses Unix system calls to do a ``fork
4176and exec'' to start up a child process.
c906108c
SS
4177
4178@item infptrace.c
4179This is the low level interface to inferior processes for systems using
4180the Unix @code{ptrace} call in a vanilla way.
c906108c
SS
4181@end table
4182
4183@section Native core file Support
56caf160 4184@cindex native core files
c906108c
SS
4185
4186@table @file
56caf160 4187@findex fetch_core_registers
c906108c
SS
4188@item core-aout.c::fetch_core_registers()
4189Support for reading registers out of a core file. This routine calls
4190@code{register_addr()}, see below. Now that BFD is used to read core
4191files, virtually all machines should use @code{core-aout.c}, and should
4192just provide @code{fetch_core_registers} in @code{@var{xyz}-nat.c} (or
4193@code{REGISTER_U_ADDR} in @code{nm-@var{xyz}.h}).
4194
4195@item core-aout.c::register_addr()
4196If your @code{nm-@var{xyz}.h} file defines the macro
4197@code{REGISTER_U_ADDR(addr, blockend, regno)}, it should be defined to
25822942 4198set @code{addr} to the offset within the @samp{user} struct of @value{GDBN}
c906108c
SS
4199register number @code{regno}. @code{blockend} is the offset within the
4200``upage'' of @code{u.u_ar0}. If @code{REGISTER_U_ADDR} is defined,
4201@file{core-aout.c} will define the @code{register_addr()} function and
4202use the macro in it. If you do not define @code{REGISTER_U_ADDR}, but
4203you are using the standard @code{fetch_core_registers()}, you will need
4204to define your own version of @code{register_addr()}, put it into your
4205@code{@var{xyz}-nat.c} file, and be sure @code{@var{xyz}-nat.o} is in
4206the @code{NATDEPFILES} list. If you have your own
4207@code{fetch_core_registers()}, you may not need a separate
4208@code{register_addr()}. Many custom @code{fetch_core_registers()}
4209implementations simply locate the registers themselves.@refill
c906108c
SS
4210@end table
4211
25822942 4212When making @value{GDBN} run native on a new operating system, to make it
c906108c
SS
4213possible to debug core files, you will need to either write specific
4214code for parsing your OS's core files, or customize
4215@file{bfd/trad-core.c}. First, use whatever @code{#include} files your
4216machine uses to define the struct of registers that is accessible
4217(possibly in the u-area) in a core file (rather than
4218@file{machine/reg.h}), and an include file that defines whatever header
56caf160
EZ
4219exists on a core file (e.g. the u-area or a @code{struct core}). Then
4220modify @code{trad_unix_core_file_p} to use these values to set up the
c906108c
SS
4221section information for the data segment, stack segment, any other
4222segments in the core file (perhaps shared library contents or control
4223information), ``registers'' segment, and if there are two discontiguous
4224sets of registers (e.g. integer and float), the ``reg2'' segment. This
4225section information basically delimits areas in the core file in a
4226standard way, which the section-reading routines in BFD know how to seek
4227around in.
4228
25822942 4229Then back in @value{GDBN}, you need a matching routine called
56caf160 4230@code{fetch_core_registers}. If you can use the generic one, it's in
c906108c
SS
4231@file{core-aout.c}; if not, it's in your @file{@var{xyz}-nat.c} file.
4232It will be passed a char pointer to the entire ``registers'' segment,
4233its length, and a zero; or a char pointer to the entire ``regs2''
4234segment, its length, and a 2. The routine should suck out the supplied
25822942 4235register values and install them into @value{GDBN}'s ``registers'' array.
c906108c
SS
4236
4237If your system uses @file{/proc} to control processes, and uses ELF
4238format core files, then you may be able to use the same routines for
4239reading the registers out of processes and out of core files.
4240
4241@section ptrace
4242
4243@section /proc
4244
4245@section win32
4246
4247@section shared libraries
4248
4249@section Native Conditionals
56caf160 4250@cindex native conditionals
c906108c 4251
56caf160
EZ
4252When @value{GDBN} is configured and compiled, various macros are
4253defined or left undefined, to control compilation when the host and
4254target systems are the same. These macros should be defined (or left
4255undefined) in @file{nm-@var{system}.h}.
c906108c
SS
4256
4257@table @code
c906108c 4258@item ATTACH_DETACH
56caf160 4259@findex ATTACH_DETACH
25822942 4260If defined, then @value{GDBN} will include support for the @code{attach} and
c906108c
SS
4261@code{detach} commands.
4262
4263@item CHILD_PREPARE_TO_STORE
56caf160 4264@findex CHILD_PREPARE_TO_STORE
c906108c
SS
4265If the machine stores all registers at once in the child process, then
4266define this to ensure that all values are correct. This usually entails
4267a read from the child.
4268
4269[Note that this is incorrectly defined in @file{xm-@var{system}.h} files
4270currently.]
4271
4272@item FETCH_INFERIOR_REGISTERS
56caf160 4273@findex FETCH_INFERIOR_REGISTERS
c906108c
SS
4274Define this if the native-dependent code will provide its own routines
4275@code{fetch_inferior_registers} and @code{store_inferior_registers} in
56caf160 4276@file{@var{host}-nat.c}. If this symbol is @emph{not} defined, and
c906108c
SS
4277@file{infptrace.c} is included in this configuration, the default
4278routines in @file{infptrace.c} are used for these functions.
4279
4280@item FILES_INFO_HOOK
56caf160 4281@findex FILES_INFO_HOOK
c906108c
SS
4282(Only defined for Convex.)
4283
4284@item FP0_REGNUM
56caf160 4285@findex FP0_REGNUM
c906108c
SS
4286This macro is normally defined to be the number of the first floating
4287point register, if the machine has such registers. As such, it would
56caf160 4288appear only in target-specific code. However, @file{/proc} support uses this
c906108c
SS
4289to decide whether floats are in use on this target.
4290
4291@item GET_LONGJMP_TARGET
56caf160 4292@findex GET_LONGJMP_TARGET
c906108c
SS
4293For most machines, this is a target-dependent parameter. On the
4294DECstation and the Iris, this is a native-dependent parameter, since
56caf160 4295@file{setjmp.h} is needed to define it.
c906108c 4296
56caf160 4297This macro determines the target PC address that @code{longjmp} will jump to,
c906108c 4298assuming that we have just stopped at a longjmp breakpoint. It takes a
56caf160 4299@code{CORE_ADDR *} as argument, and stores the target PC value through this
c906108c
SS
4300pointer. It examines the current state of the machine as needed.
4301
9742079a
EZ
4302@item I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS
4303An x86-based machine can define this to use the generic x86 watchpoint
4304support; see @ref{Algorithms, I386_USE_GENERIC_WATCHPOINTS}.
4305
c906108c 4306@item KERNEL_U_ADDR
56caf160 4307@findex KERNEL_U_ADDR
c906108c 4308Define this to the address of the @code{u} structure (the ``user
25822942 4309struct'', also known as the ``u-page'') in kernel virtual memory. @value{GDBN}
c906108c
SS
4310needs to know this so that it can subtract this address from absolute
4311addresses in the upage, that are obtained via ptrace or from core files.
4312On systems that don't need this value, set it to zero.
4313
4314@item KERNEL_U_ADDR_BSD
56caf160 4315@findex KERNEL_U_ADDR_BSD
25822942 4316Define this to cause @value{GDBN} to determine the address of @code{u} at
c906108c
SS
4317runtime, by using Berkeley-style @code{nlist} on the kernel's image in
4318the root directory.
4319
4320@item KERNEL_U_ADDR_HPUX
56caf160 4321@findex KERNEL_U_ADDR_HPUX
25822942 4322Define this to cause @value{GDBN} to determine the address of @code{u} at
c906108c
SS
4323runtime, by using HP-style @code{nlist} on the kernel's image in the
4324root directory.
4325
4326@item ONE_PROCESS_WRITETEXT
56caf160 4327@findex ONE_PROCESS_WRITETEXT
c906108c
SS
4328Define this to be able to, when a breakpoint insertion fails, warn the
4329user that another process may be running with the same executable.
4330
56caf160
EZ
4331@item PREPARE_TO_PROCEED (@var{select_it})
4332@findex PREPARE_TO_PROCEED
adf40b2e
JM
4333This (ugly) macro allows a native configuration to customize the way the
4334@code{proceed} function in @file{infrun.c} deals with switching between
4335threads.
4336
4337In a multi-threaded task we may select another thread and then continue
4338or step. But if the old thread was stopped at a breakpoint, it will
4339immediately cause another breakpoint stop without any execution (i.e. it
25822942 4340will report a breakpoint hit incorrectly). So @value{GDBN} must step over it
adf40b2e
JM
4341first.
4342
4343If defined, @code{PREPARE_TO_PROCEED} should check the current thread
4344against the thread that reported the most recent event. If a step-over
4345is required, it returns TRUE. If @var{select_it} is non-zero, it should
4346reselect the old thread.
4347
c906108c 4348@item PROC_NAME_FMT
56caf160 4349@findex PROC_NAME_FMT
c906108c
SS
4350Defines the format for the name of a @file{/proc} device. Should be
4351defined in @file{nm.h} @emph{only} in order to override the default
4352definition in @file{procfs.c}.
4353
4354@item PTRACE_FP_BUG
56caf160
EZ
4355@findex PTRACE_FP_BUG
4356See @file{mach386-xdep.c}.
c906108c
SS
4357
4358@item PTRACE_ARG3_TYPE
56caf160 4359@findex PTRACE_ARG3_TYPE
c906108c
SS
4360The type of the third argument to the @code{ptrace} system call, if it
4361exists and is different from @code{int}.
4362
4363@item REGISTER_U_ADDR
56caf160 4364@findex REGISTER_U_ADDR
c906108c
SS
4365Defines the offset of the registers in the ``u area''.
4366
4367@item SHELL_COMMAND_CONCAT
56caf160 4368@findex SHELL_COMMAND_CONCAT
c906108c
SS
4369If defined, is a string to prefix on the shell command used to start the
4370inferior.
4371
4372@item SHELL_FILE
56caf160 4373@findex SHELL_FILE
c906108c
SS
4374If defined, this is the name of the shell to use to run the inferior.
4375Defaults to @code{"/bin/sh"}.
4376
990f9fe3 4377@item SOLIB_ADD (@var{filename}, @var{from_tty}, @var{targ}, @var{readsyms})
56caf160 4378@findex SOLIB_ADD
c906108c 4379Define this to expand into an expression that will cause the symbols in
990f9fe3
FF
4380@var{filename} to be added to @value{GDBN}'s symbol table. If
4381@var{readsyms} is zero symbols are not read but any necessary low level
4382processing for @var{filename} is still done.
c906108c
SS
4383
4384@item SOLIB_CREATE_INFERIOR_HOOK
56caf160 4385@findex SOLIB_CREATE_INFERIOR_HOOK
c906108c
SS
4386Define this to expand into any shared-library-relocation code that you
4387want to be run just after the child process has been forked.
4388
4389@item START_INFERIOR_TRAPS_EXPECTED
56caf160
EZ
4390@findex START_INFERIOR_TRAPS_EXPECTED
4391When starting an inferior, @value{GDBN} normally expects to trap
4392twice; once when
c906108c
SS
4393the shell execs, and once when the program itself execs. If the actual
4394number of traps is something other than 2, then define this macro to
4395expand into the number expected.
4396
4397@item SVR4_SHARED_LIBS
56caf160 4398@findex SVR4_SHARED_LIBS
c906108c
SS
4399Define this to indicate that SVR4-style shared libraries are in use.
4400
4401@item USE_PROC_FS
56caf160 4402@findex USE_PROC_FS
c906108c 4403This determines whether small routines in @file{*-tdep.c}, which
56caf160
EZ
4404translate register values between @value{GDBN}'s internal
4405representation and the @file{/proc} representation, are compiled.
c906108c
SS
4406
4407@item U_REGS_OFFSET
56caf160 4408@findex U_REGS_OFFSET
c906108c
SS
4409This is the offset of the registers in the upage. It need only be
4410defined if the generic ptrace register access routines in
4411@file{infptrace.c} are being used (that is, @file{infptrace.c} is
4412configured in, and @code{FETCH_INFERIOR_REGISTERS} is not defined). If
4413the default value from @file{infptrace.c} is good enough, leave it
4414undefined.
4415
4416The default value means that u.u_ar0 @emph{points to} the location of
4417the registers. I'm guessing that @code{#define U_REGS_OFFSET 0} means
56caf160 4418that @code{u.u_ar0} @emph{is} the location of the registers.
c906108c
SS
4419
4420@item CLEAR_SOLIB
56caf160
EZ
4421@findex CLEAR_SOLIB
4422See @file{objfiles.c}.
c906108c
SS
4423
4424@item DEBUG_PTRACE
56caf160
EZ
4425@findex DEBUG_PTRACE
4426Define this to debug @code{ptrace} calls.
c906108c
SS
4427@end table
4428
4429
4430@node Support Libraries
4431
4432@chapter Support Libraries
4433
4434@section BFD
56caf160 4435@cindex BFD library
c906108c 4436
25822942 4437BFD provides support for @value{GDBN} in several ways:
c906108c
SS
4438
4439@table @emph
c906108c
SS
4440@item identifying executable and core files
4441BFD will identify a variety of file types, including a.out, coff, and
4442several variants thereof, as well as several kinds of core files.
4443
4444@item access to sections of files
4445BFD parses the file headers to determine the names, virtual addresses,
4446sizes, and file locations of all the various named sections in files
56caf160
EZ
4447(such as the text section or the data section). @value{GDBN} simply
4448calls BFD to read or write section @var{x} at byte offset @var{y} for
4449length @var{z}.
c906108c
SS
4450
4451@item specialized core file support
4452BFD provides routines to determine the failing command name stored in a
4453core file, the signal with which the program failed, and whether a core
56caf160 4454file matches (i.e.@: could be a core dump of) a particular executable
c906108c
SS
4455file.
4456
4457@item locating the symbol information
25822942
DB
4458@value{GDBN} uses an internal interface of BFD to determine where to find the
4459symbol information in an executable file or symbol-file. @value{GDBN} itself
c906108c 4460handles the reading of symbols, since BFD does not ``understand'' debug
25822942 4461symbols, but @value{GDBN} uses BFD's cached information to find the symbols,
c906108c 4462string table, etc.
c906108c
SS
4463@end table
4464
4465@section opcodes
56caf160 4466@cindex opcodes library
c906108c 4467
25822942 4468The opcodes library provides @value{GDBN}'s disassembler. (It's a separate
c906108c
SS
4469library because it's also used in binutils, for @file{objdump}).
4470
4471@section readline
4472
4473@section mmalloc
4474
4475@section libiberty
4476
4477@section gnu-regex
56caf160 4478@cindex regular expressions library
c906108c
SS
4479
4480Regex conditionals.
4481
4482@table @code
c906108c
SS
4483@item C_ALLOCA
4484
4485@item NFAILURES
4486
4487@item RE_NREGS
4488
4489@item SIGN_EXTEND_CHAR
4490
4491@item SWITCH_ENUM_BUG
4492
4493@item SYNTAX_TABLE
4494
4495@item Sword
4496
4497@item sparc
c906108c
SS
4498@end table
4499
4500@section include
4501
4502@node Coding
4503
4504@chapter Coding
4505
4506This chapter covers topics that are lower-level than the major
25822942 4507algorithms of @value{GDBN}.
c906108c
SS
4508
4509@section Cleanups
56caf160 4510@cindex cleanups
c906108c
SS
4511
4512Cleanups are a structured way to deal with things that need to be done
cc1cb004 4513later.
c906108c 4514
cc1cb004
AC
4515When your code does something (e.g., @code{xmalloc} some memory, or
4516@code{open} a file) that needs to be undone later (e.g., @code{xfree}
4517the memory or @code{close} the file), it can make a cleanup. The
4518cleanup will be done at some future point: when the command is finished
4519and control returns to the top level; when an error occurs and the stack
4520is unwound; or when your code decides it's time to explicitly perform
4521cleanups. Alternatively you can elect to discard the cleanups you
4522created.
c906108c
SS
4523
4524Syntax:
4525
4526@table @code
c906108c
SS
4527@item struct cleanup *@var{old_chain};
4528Declare a variable which will hold a cleanup chain handle.
4529
56caf160 4530@findex make_cleanup
c906108c
SS
4531@item @var{old_chain} = make_cleanup (@var{function}, @var{arg});
4532Make a cleanup which will cause @var{function} to be called with
4533@var{arg} (a @code{char *}) later. The result, @var{old_chain}, is a
cc1cb004
AC
4534handle that can later be passed to @code{do_cleanups} or
4535@code{discard_cleanups}. Unless you are going to call
4536@code{do_cleanups} or @code{discard_cleanups}, you can ignore the result
4537from @code{make_cleanup}.
c906108c 4538
56caf160 4539@findex do_cleanups
c906108c 4540@item do_cleanups (@var{old_chain});
cc1cb004
AC
4541Do all cleanups added to the chain since the corresponding
4542@code{make_cleanup} call was made.
4543
4544@findex discard_cleanups
4545@item discard_cleanups (@var{old_chain});
4546Same as @code{do_cleanups} except that it just removes the cleanups from
4547the chain and does not call the specified functions.
4548@end table
4549
4550Cleanups are implemented as a chain. The handle returned by
4551@code{make_cleanups} includes the cleanup passed to the call and any
4552later cleanups appended to the chain (but not yet discarded or
4553performed). E.g.:
56caf160 4554
474c8240 4555@smallexample
c906108c 4556make_cleanup (a, 0);
cc1cb004
AC
4557@{
4558 struct cleanup *old = make_cleanup (b, 0);
4559 make_cleanup (c, 0)
4560 ...
4561 do_cleanups (old);
4562@}
474c8240 4563@end smallexample
56caf160 4564
c906108c 4565@noindent
cc1cb004
AC
4566will call @code{c()} and @code{b()} but will not call @code{a()}. The
4567cleanup that calls @code{a()} will remain in the cleanup chain, and will
4568be done later unless otherwise discarded.@refill
4569
4570Your function should explicitly do or discard the cleanups it creates.
4571Failing to do this leads to non-deterministic behavior since the caller
4572will arbitrarily do or discard your functions cleanups. This need leads
4573to two common cleanup styles.
4574
4575The first style is try/finally. Before it exits, your code-block calls
4576@code{do_cleanups} with the old cleanup chain and thus ensures that your
4577code-block's cleanups are always performed. For instance, the following
4578code-segment avoids a memory leak problem (even when @code{error} is
4579called and a forced stack unwind occurs) by ensuring that the
4580@code{xfree} will always be called:
c906108c 4581
474c8240 4582@smallexample
cc1cb004
AC
4583struct cleanup *old = make_cleanup (null_cleanup, 0);
4584data = xmalloc (sizeof blah);
4585make_cleanup (xfree, data);
4586... blah blah ...
4587do_cleanups (old);
474c8240 4588@end smallexample
cc1cb004
AC
4589
4590The second style is try/except. Before it exits, your code-block calls
4591@code{discard_cleanups} with the old cleanup chain and thus ensures that
4592any created cleanups are not performed. For instance, the following
4593code segment, ensures that the file will be closed but only if there is
4594an error:
4595
474c8240 4596@smallexample
cc1cb004
AC
4597FILE *file = fopen ("afile", "r");
4598struct cleanup *old = make_cleanup (close_file, file);
4599... blah blah ...
4600discard_cleanups (old);
4601return file;
474c8240 4602@end smallexample
c906108c
SS
4603
4604Some functions, e.g. @code{fputs_filtered()} or @code{error()}, specify
4605that they ``should not be called when cleanups are not in place''. This
4606means that any actions you need to reverse in the case of an error or
4607interruption must be on the cleanup chain before you call these
4608functions, since they might never return to your code (they
4609@samp{longjmp} instead).
4610
4611@section Wrapping Output Lines
56caf160 4612@cindex line wrap in output
c906108c 4613
56caf160 4614@findex wrap_here
c906108c
SS
4615Output that goes through @code{printf_filtered} or @code{fputs_filtered}
4616or @code{fputs_demangled} needs only to have calls to @code{wrap_here}
4617added in places that would be good breaking points. The utility
4618routines will take care of actually wrapping if the line width is
4619exceeded.
4620
4621The argument to @code{wrap_here} is an indentation string which is
4622printed @emph{only} if the line breaks there. This argument is saved
4623away and used later. It must remain valid until the next call to
4624@code{wrap_here} or until a newline has been printed through the
4625@code{*_filtered} functions. Don't pass in a local variable and then
4626return!
4627
56caf160 4628It is usually best to call @code{wrap_here} after printing a comma or
c906108c
SS
4629space. If you call it before printing a space, make sure that your
4630indentation properly accounts for the leading space that will print if
4631the line wraps there.
4632
4633Any function or set of functions that produce filtered output must
4634finish by printing a newline, to flush the wrap buffer, before switching
56caf160 4635to unfiltered (@code{printf}) output. Symbol reading routines that
c906108c
SS
4636print warnings are a good example.
4637
25822942 4638@section @value{GDBN} Coding Standards
56caf160 4639@cindex coding standards
c906108c 4640
25822942 4641@value{GDBN} follows the GNU coding standards, as described in
c906108c 4642@file{etc/standards.texi}. This file is also available for anonymous
af6c57ea
AC
4643FTP from GNU archive sites. @value{GDBN} takes a strict interpretation
4644of the standard; in general, when the GNU standard recommends a practice
4645but does not require it, @value{GDBN} requires it.
c906108c 4646
56caf160
EZ
4647@value{GDBN} follows an additional set of coding standards specific to
4648@value{GDBN}, as described in the following sections.
c906108c 4649
af6c57ea
AC
4650
4651@subsection ISO-C
4652
4653@value{GDBN} assumes an ISO-C compliant compiler.
4654
4655@value{GDBN} does not assume an ISO-C or POSIX compliant C library.
4656
4657
4658@subsection Memory Management
4659
4660@value{GDBN} does not use the functions @code{malloc}, @code{realloc},
4661@code{calloc}, @code{free} and @code{asprintf}.
4662
4663@value{GDBN} uses the functions @code{xmalloc}, @code{xrealloc} and
4664@code{xcalloc} when allocating memory. Unlike @code{malloc} et.al.@:
4665these functions do not return when the memory pool is empty. Instead,
4666they unwind the stack using cleanups. These functions return
4667@code{NULL} when requested to allocate a chunk of memory of size zero.
4668
4669@emph{Pragmatics: By using these functions, the need to check every
4670memory allocation is removed. These functions provide portable
4671behavior.}
4672
4673@value{GDBN} does not use the function @code{free}.
4674
4675@value{GDBN} uses the function @code{xfree} to return memory to the
4676memory pool. Consistent with ISO-C, this function ignores a request to
4677free a @code{NULL} pointer.
4678
4679@emph{Pragmatics: On some systems @code{free} fails when passed a
4680@code{NULL} pointer.}
4681
4682@value{GDBN} can use the non-portable function @code{alloca} for the
4683allocation of small temporary values (such as strings).
4684
4685@emph{Pragmatics: This function is very non-portable. Some systems
4686restrict the memory being allocated to no more than a few kilobytes.}
4687
4688@value{GDBN} uses the string function @code{xstrdup} and the print
4689function @code{xasprintf}.
4690
4691@emph{Pragmatics: @code{asprintf} and @code{strdup} can fail. Print
4692functions such as @code{sprintf} are very prone to buffer overflow
4693errors.}
4694
4695
4696@subsection Compiler Warnings
56caf160 4697@cindex compiler warnings
af6c57ea
AC
4698
4699With few exceptions, developers should include the configuration option
4700@samp{--enable-gdb-build-warnings=,-Werror} when building @value{GDBN}.
4701The exceptions are listed in the file @file{gdb/MAINTAINERS}.
4702
4703This option causes @value{GDBN} (when built using GCC) to be compiled
4704with a carefully selected list of compiler warning flags. Any warnings
4705from those flags being treated as errors.
4706
4707The current list of warning flags includes:
4708
4709@table @samp
4710@item -Wimplicit
4711Since @value{GDBN} coding standard requires all functions to be declared
4712using a prototype, the flag has the side effect of ensuring that
4713prototyped functions are always visible with out resorting to
4714@samp{-Wstrict-prototypes}.
4715
4716@item -Wreturn-type
4717Such code often appears to work except on instruction set architectures
4718that use register windows.
4719
4720@item -Wcomment
4721
4722@item -Wtrigraphs
4723
4724@item -Wformat
4725Since @value{GDBN} uses the @code{format printf} attribute on all
4726@code{printf} like functions this checks not just @code{printf} calls
4727but also calls to functions such as @code{fprintf_unfiltered}.
4728
4729@item -Wparentheses
4730This warning includes uses of the assignment operator within an
4731@code{if} statement.
4732
4733@item -Wpointer-arith
4734
4735@item -Wuninitialized
4736@end table
4737
4738@emph{Pragmatics: Due to the way that @value{GDBN} is implemented most
4739functions have unused parameters. Consequently the warning
4740@samp{-Wunused-parameter} is precluded from the list. The macro
4741@code{ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED} is not used as it leads to false negatives ---
4742it is not an error to have @code{ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED} on a parameter that
4743is being used. The options @samp{-Wall} and @samp{-Wunused} are also
4744precluded because they both include @samp{-Wunused-parameter}.}
4745
4746@emph{Pragmatics: @value{GDBN} has not simply accepted the warnings
4747enabled by @samp{-Wall -Werror -W...}. Instead it is selecting warnings
4748when and where their benefits can be demonstrated.}
c906108c
SS
4749
4750@subsection Formatting
4751
56caf160 4752@cindex source code formatting
c906108c
SS
4753The standard GNU recommendations for formatting must be followed
4754strictly.
4755
af6c57ea
AC
4756A function declaration should not have its name in column zero. A
4757function definition should have its name in column zero.
4758
474c8240 4759@smallexample
af6c57ea
AC
4760/* Declaration */
4761static void foo (void);
4762/* Definition */
4763void
4764foo (void)
4765@{
4766@}
474c8240 4767@end smallexample
af6c57ea
AC
4768
4769@emph{Pragmatics: This simplifies scripting. Function definitions can
4770be found using @samp{^function-name}.}
c906108c 4771
af6c57ea
AC
4772There must be a space between a function or macro name and the opening
4773parenthesis of its argument list (except for macro definitions, as
4774required by C). There must not be a space after an open paren/bracket
4775or before a close paren/bracket.
c906108c
SS
4776
4777While additional whitespace is generally helpful for reading, do not use
4778more than one blank line to separate blocks, and avoid adding whitespace
af6c57ea
AC
4779after the end of a program line (as of 1/99, some 600 lines had
4780whitespace after the semicolon). Excess whitespace causes difficulties
4781for @code{diff} and @code{patch} utilities.
4782
4783Pointers are declared using the traditional K&R C style:
4784
474c8240 4785@smallexample
af6c57ea 4786void *foo;
474c8240 4787@end smallexample
af6c57ea
AC
4788
4789@noindent
4790and not:
4791
474c8240 4792@smallexample
af6c57ea
AC
4793void * foo;
4794void* foo;
474c8240 4795@end smallexample
c906108c
SS
4796
4797@subsection Comments
4798
56caf160 4799@cindex comment formatting
c906108c
SS
4800The standard GNU requirements on comments must be followed strictly.
4801
af6c57ea
AC
4802Block comments must appear in the following form, with no @code{/*}- or
4803@code{*/}-only lines, and no leading @code{*}:
c906108c 4804
474c8240 4805@smallexample
c906108c
SS
4806/* Wait for control to return from inferior to debugger. If inferior
4807 gets a signal, we may decide to start it up again instead of
4808 returning. That is why there is a loop in this function. When
4809 this function actually returns it means the inferior should be left
25822942 4810 stopped and @value{GDBN} should read more commands. */
474c8240 4811@end smallexample
c906108c
SS
4812
4813(Note that this format is encouraged by Emacs; tabbing for a multi-line
56caf160 4814comment works correctly, and @kbd{M-q} fills the block consistently.)
c906108c
SS
4815
4816Put a blank line between the block comments preceding function or
4817variable definitions, and the definition itself.
4818
4819In general, put function-body comments on lines by themselves, rather
4820than trying to fit them into the 20 characters left at the end of a
4821line, since either the comment or the code will inevitably get longer
4822than will fit, and then somebody will have to move it anyhow.
4823
4824@subsection C Usage
4825
56caf160 4826@cindex C data types
c906108c
SS
4827Code must not depend on the sizes of C data types, the format of the
4828host's floating point numbers, the alignment of anything, or the order
4829of evaluation of expressions.
4830
56caf160 4831@cindex function usage
c906108c 4832Use functions freely. There are only a handful of compute-bound areas
56caf160
EZ
4833in @value{GDBN} that might be affected by the overhead of a function
4834call, mainly in symbol reading. Most of @value{GDBN}'s performance is
4835limited by the target interface (whether serial line or system call).
c906108c
SS
4836
4837However, use functions with moderation. A thousand one-line functions
4838are just as hard to understand as a single thousand-line function.
4839
af6c57ea 4840@emph{Macros are bad, M'kay.}
9e678452
CF
4841(But if you have to use a macro, make sure that the macro arguments are
4842protected with parentheses.)
af6c57ea
AC
4843
4844@cindex types
c906108c 4845
af6c57ea
AC
4846Declarations like @samp{struct foo *} should be used in preference to
4847declarations like @samp{typedef struct foo @{ @dots{} @} *foo_ptr}.
4848
4849
4850@subsection Function Prototypes
56caf160 4851@cindex function prototypes
af6c57ea
AC
4852
4853Prototypes must be used when both @emph{declaring} and @emph{defining}
4854a function. Prototypes for @value{GDBN} functions must include both the
4855argument type and name, with the name matching that used in the actual
4856function definition.
c906108c 4857
53a5351d
JM
4858All external functions should have a declaration in a header file that
4859callers include, except for @code{_initialize_*} functions, which must
4860be external so that @file{init.c} construction works, but shouldn't be
4861visible to random source files.
c906108c 4862
af6c57ea
AC
4863Where a source file needs a forward declaration of a static function,
4864that declaration must appear in a block near the top of the source file.
4865
4866
4867@subsection Internal Error Recovery
4868
4869During its execution, @value{GDBN} can encounter two types of errors.
4870User errors and internal errors. User errors include not only a user
4871entering an incorrect command but also problems arising from corrupt
4872object files and system errors when interacting with the target.
937f164b
FF
4873Internal errors include situations where @value{GDBN} has detected, at
4874run time, a corrupt or erroneous situation.
af6c57ea
AC
4875
4876When reporting an internal error, @value{GDBN} uses
4877@code{internal_error} and @code{gdb_assert}.
4878
4879@value{GDBN} must not call @code{abort} or @code{assert}.
4880
4881@emph{Pragmatics: There is no @code{internal_warning} function. Either
4882the code detected a user error, recovered from it and issued a
4883@code{warning} or the code failed to correctly recover from the user
4884error and issued an @code{internal_error}.}
4885
4886@subsection File Names
4887
4888Any file used when building the core of @value{GDBN} must be in lower
4889case. Any file used when building the core of @value{GDBN} must be 8.3
4890unique. These requirements apply to both source and generated files.
4891
4892@emph{Pragmatics: The core of @value{GDBN} must be buildable on many
4893platforms including DJGPP and MacOS/HFS. Every time an unfriendly file
4894is introduced to the build process both @file{Makefile.in} and
4895@file{configure.in} need to be modified accordingly. Compare the
4896convoluted conversion process needed to transform @file{COPYING} into
4897@file{copying.c} with the conversion needed to transform
4898@file{version.in} into @file{version.c}.}
4899
4900Any file non 8.3 compliant file (that is not used when building the core
4901of @value{GDBN}) must be added to @file{gdb/config/djgpp/fnchange.lst}.
4902
4903@emph{Pragmatics: This is clearly a compromise.}
4904
4905When @value{GDBN} has a local version of a system header file (ex
4906@file{string.h}) the file name based on the POSIX header prefixed with
4907@file{gdb_} (@file{gdb_string.h}).
4908
4909For other files @samp{-} is used as the separator.
4910
4911
4912@subsection Include Files
4913
4914All @file{.c} files should include @file{defs.h} first.
4915
4916All @file{.c} files should explicitly include the headers for any
4917declarations they refer to. They should not rely on files being
4918included indirectly.
4919
4920With the exception of the global definitions supplied by @file{defs.h},
937f164b 4921a header file should explicitly include the header declaring any
af6c57ea
AC
4922@code{typedefs} et.al.@: it refers to.
4923
4924@code{extern} declarations should never appear in @code{.c} files.
4925
4926All include files should be wrapped in:
4927
474c8240 4928@smallexample
af6c57ea
AC
4929#ifndef INCLUDE_FILE_NAME_H
4930#define INCLUDE_FILE_NAME_H
4931header body
4932#endif
474c8240 4933@end smallexample
af6c57ea 4934
c906108c 4935
dab11f21 4936@subsection Clean Design and Portable Implementation
c906108c 4937
56caf160 4938@cindex design
c906108c 4939In addition to getting the syntax right, there's the little question of
25822942 4940semantics. Some things are done in certain ways in @value{GDBN} because long
c906108c
SS
4941experience has shown that the more obvious ways caused various kinds of
4942trouble.
4943
56caf160 4944@cindex assumptions about targets
c906108c
SS
4945You can't assume the byte order of anything that comes from a target
4946(including @var{value}s, object files, and instructions). Such things
56caf160
EZ
4947must be byte-swapped using @code{SWAP_TARGET_AND_HOST} in
4948@value{GDBN}, or one of the swap routines defined in @file{bfd.h},
4949such as @code{bfd_get_32}.
c906108c
SS
4950
4951You can't assume that you know what interface is being used to talk to
4952the target system. All references to the target must go through the
4953current @code{target_ops} vector.
4954
4955You can't assume that the host and target machines are the same machine
4956(except in the ``native'' support modules). In particular, you can't
4957assume that the target machine's header files will be available on the
4958host machine. Target code must bring along its own header files --
4959written from scratch or explicitly donated by their owner, to avoid
4960copyright problems.
4961
56caf160 4962@cindex portability
c906108c
SS
4963Insertion of new @code{#ifdef}'s will be frowned upon. It's much better
4964to write the code portably than to conditionalize it for various
4965systems.
4966
56caf160 4967@cindex system dependencies
c906108c
SS
4968New @code{#ifdef}'s which test for specific compilers or manufacturers
4969or operating systems are unacceptable. All @code{#ifdef}'s should test
4970for features. The information about which configurations contain which
4971features should be segregated into the configuration files. Experience
4972has proven far too often that a feature unique to one particular system
4973often creeps into other systems; and that a conditional based on some
4974predefined macro for your current system will become worthless over
4975time, as new versions of your system come out that behave differently
4976with regard to this feature.
4977
4978Adding code that handles specific architectures, operating systems,
af6c57ea 4979target interfaces, or hosts, is not acceptable in generic code.
c906108c 4980
dab11f21
EZ
4981@cindex portable file name handling
4982@cindex file names, portability
4983One particularly notorious area where system dependencies tend to
4984creep in is handling of file names. The mainline @value{GDBN} code
4985assumes Posix semantics of file names: absolute file names begin with
4986a forward slash @file{/}, slashes are used to separate leading
4987directories, case-sensitive file names. These assumptions are not
4988necessarily true on non-Posix systems such as MS-Windows. To avoid
4989system-dependent code where you need to take apart or construct a file
4990name, use the following portable macros:
4991
4992@table @code
4993@findex HAVE_DOS_BASED_FILE_SYSTEM
4994@item HAVE_DOS_BASED_FILE_SYSTEM
4995This preprocessing symbol is defined to a non-zero value on hosts
4996whose filesystems belong to the MS-DOS/MS-Windows family. Use this
4997symbol to write conditional code which should only be compiled for
4998such hosts.
4999
5000@findex IS_DIR_SEPARATOR
4be31470 5001@item IS_DIR_SEPARATOR (@var{c})
dab11f21
EZ
5002Evaluates to a non-zero value if @var{c} is a directory separator
5003character. On Unix and GNU/Linux systems, only a slash @file{/} is
5004such a character, but on Windows, both @file{/} and @file{\} will
5005pass.
5006
5007@findex IS_ABSOLUTE_PATH
5008@item IS_ABSOLUTE_PATH (@var{file})
5009Evaluates to a non-zero value if @var{file} is an absolute file name.
5010For Unix and GNU/Linux hosts, a name which begins with a slash
5011@file{/} is absolute. On DOS and Windows, @file{d:/foo} and
5012@file{x:\bar} are also absolute file names.
5013
5014@findex FILENAME_CMP
5015@item FILENAME_CMP (@var{f1}, @var{f2})
5016Calls a function which compares file names @var{f1} and @var{f2} as
5017appropriate for the underlying host filesystem. For Posix systems,
5018this simply calls @code{strcmp}; on case-insensitive filesystems it
5019will call @code{strcasecmp} instead.
5020
5021@findex DIRNAME_SEPARATOR
5022@item DIRNAME_SEPARATOR
5023Evaluates to a character which separates directories in
5024@code{PATH}-style lists, typically held in environment variables.
5025This character is @samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on DOS and Windows.
5026
5027@findex SLASH_STRING
5028@item SLASH_STRING
5029This evaluates to a constant string you should use to produce an
5030absolute filename from leading directories and the file's basename.
5031@code{SLASH_STRING} is @code{"/"} on most systems, but might be
5032@code{"\\"} for some Windows-based ports.
5033@end table
5034
5035In addition to using these macros, be sure to use portable library
5036functions whenever possible. For example, to extract a directory or a
5037basename part from a file name, use the @code{dirname} and
5038@code{basename} library functions (available in @code{libiberty} for
5039platforms which don't provide them), instead of searching for a slash
5040with @code{strrchr}.
5041
25822942
DB
5042Another way to generalize @value{GDBN} along a particular interface is with an
5043attribute struct. For example, @value{GDBN} has been generalized to handle
56caf160
EZ
5044multiple kinds of remote interfaces---not by @code{#ifdef}s everywhere, but
5045by defining the @code{target_ops} structure and having a current target (as
c906108c
SS
5046well as a stack of targets below it, for memory references). Whenever
5047something needs to be done that depends on which remote interface we are
56caf160
EZ
5048using, a flag in the current target_ops structure is tested (e.g.,
5049@code{target_has_stack}), or a function is called through a pointer in the
c906108c 5050current target_ops structure. In this way, when a new remote interface
56caf160 5051is added, only one module needs to be touched---the one that actually
c906108c
SS
5052implements the new remote interface. Other examples of
5053attribute-structs are BFD access to multiple kinds of object file
25822942 5054formats, or @value{GDBN}'s access to multiple source languages.
c906108c 5055
56caf160
EZ
5056Please avoid duplicating code. For example, in @value{GDBN} 3.x all
5057the code interfacing between @code{ptrace} and the rest of
5058@value{GDBN} was duplicated in @file{*-dep.c}, and so changing
5059something was very painful. In @value{GDBN} 4.x, these have all been
5060consolidated into @file{infptrace.c}. @file{infptrace.c} can deal
5061with variations between systems the same way any system-independent
5062file would (hooks, @code{#if defined}, etc.), and machines which are
5063radically different don't need to use @file{infptrace.c} at all.
c906108c 5064
af6c57ea
AC
5065All debugging code must be controllable using the @samp{set debug
5066@var{module}} command. Do not use @code{printf} to print trace
5067messages. Use @code{fprintf_unfiltered(gdb_stdlog, ...}. Do not use
5068@code{#ifdef DEBUG}.
5069
c906108c 5070
8487521e 5071@node Porting GDB
c906108c 5072
25822942 5073@chapter Porting @value{GDBN}
56caf160 5074@cindex porting to new machines
c906108c 5075
56caf160
EZ
5076Most of the work in making @value{GDBN} compile on a new machine is in
5077specifying the configuration of the machine. This is done in a
5078dizzying variety of header files and configuration scripts, which we
5079hope to make more sensible soon. Let's say your new host is called an
5080@var{xyz} (e.g., @samp{sun4}), and its full three-part configuration
5081name is @code{@var{arch}-@var{xvend}-@var{xos}} (e.g.,
5082@samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}). In particular:
c906108c 5083
56caf160
EZ
5084@itemize @bullet
5085@item
c906108c
SS
5086In the top level directory, edit @file{config.sub} and add @var{arch},
5087@var{xvend}, and @var{xos} to the lists of supported architectures,
5088vendors, and operating systems near the bottom of the file. Also, add
5089@var{xyz} as an alias that maps to
5090@code{@var{arch}-@var{xvend}-@var{xos}}. You can test your changes by
5091running
5092
474c8240 5093@smallexample
c906108c 5094./config.sub @var{xyz}
474c8240 5095@end smallexample
56caf160 5096
c906108c
SS
5097@noindent
5098and
56caf160 5099
474c8240 5100@smallexample
c906108c 5101./config.sub @code{@var{arch}-@var{xvend}-@var{xos}}
474c8240 5102@end smallexample
56caf160 5103
c906108c
SS
5104@noindent
5105which should both respond with @code{@var{arch}-@var{xvend}-@var{xos}}
5106and no error messages.
5107
56caf160 5108@noindent
c906108c
SS
5109You need to port BFD, if that hasn't been done already. Porting BFD is
5110beyond the scope of this manual.
5111
56caf160 5112@item
25822942 5113To configure @value{GDBN} itself, edit @file{gdb/configure.host} to recognize
c906108c
SS
5114your system and set @code{gdb_host} to @var{xyz}, and (unless your
5115desired target is already available) also edit @file{gdb/configure.tgt},
5116setting @code{gdb_target} to something appropriate (for instance,
5117@var{xyz}).
5118
7fd60527
AC
5119@emph{Maintainer's note: Work in progress. The file
5120@file{gdb/configure.host} originally needed to be modified when either a
5121new native target or a new host machine was being added to @value{GDBN}.
5122Recent changes have removed this requirement. The file now only needs
5123to be modified when adding a new native configuration. This will likely
5124changed again in the future.}
5125
56caf160 5126@item
25822942 5127Finally, you'll need to specify and define @value{GDBN}'s host-, native-, and
c906108c
SS
5128target-dependent @file{.h} and @file{.c} files used for your
5129configuration.
56caf160 5130@end itemize
c906108c 5131
25822942 5132@section Configuring @value{GDBN} for Release
c906108c 5133
56caf160
EZ
5134@cindex preparing a release
5135@cindex making a distribution tarball
c906108c
SS
5136From the top level directory (containing @file{gdb}, @file{bfd},
5137@file{libiberty}, and so on):
56caf160 5138
474c8240 5139@smallexample
c906108c 5140make -f Makefile.in gdb.tar.gz
474c8240 5141@end smallexample
c906108c 5142
56caf160 5143@noindent
c906108c
SS
5144This will properly configure, clean, rebuild any files that are
5145distributed pre-built (e.g. @file{c-exp.tab.c} or @file{refcard.ps}),
5146and will then make a tarfile. (If the top level directory has already
5147been configured, you can just do @code{make gdb.tar.gz} instead.)
5148
5149This procedure requires:
56caf160 5150
c906108c 5151@itemize @bullet
56caf160
EZ
5152
5153@item
5154symbolic links;
5155
5156@item
5157@code{makeinfo} (texinfo2 level);
5158
5159@item
5160@TeX{};
5161
5162@item
5163@code{dvips};
5164
5165@item
5166@code{yacc} or @code{bison}.
c906108c 5167@end itemize
56caf160 5168
c906108c
SS
5169@noindent
5170@dots{} and the usual slew of utilities (@code{sed}, @code{tar}, etc.).
5171
5172@subheading TEMPORARY RELEASE PROCEDURE FOR DOCUMENTATION
5173
5174@file{gdb.texinfo} is currently marked up using the texinfo-2 macros,
5175which are not yet a default for anything (but we have to start using
5176them sometime).
5177
5178For making paper, the only thing this implies is the right generation of
5179@file{texinfo.tex} needs to be included in the distribution.
5180
5181For making info files, however, rather than duplicating the texinfo2
5182distribution, generate @file{gdb-all.texinfo} locally, and include the
5183files @file{gdb.info*} in the distribution. Note the plural;
5184@code{makeinfo} will split the document into one overall file and five
5185or so included files.
5186
fb0ff88f 5187
8973da3a
AC
5188@node Releasing GDB
5189
5190@chapter Releasing @value{GDBN}
5191@cindex making a new release of gdb
5192
fb0ff88f
AC
5193@section Versions and Branches
5194
5195@subsection Version Identifiers
5196
5197@value{GDBN}'s version is determined by the file @file{gdb/version.in}.
5198
5199@value{GDBN}'s mainline uses ISO dates to differentiate between
5200versions. The CVS repository uses @var{YYYY}-@var{MM}-@var{DD}-cvs
5201while the corresponding snapshot uses @var{YYYYMMDD}.
5202
5203@value{GDBN}'s release branch uses a slightly more complicated scheme.
5204When the branch is first cut, the mainline version identifier is
5205prefixed with the @var{major}.@var{minor} from of the previous release
5206series but with .90 appended. As draft releases are drawn from the
5207branch, the minor minor number (.90) is incremented. Once the first
5208release (@var{M}.@var{N}) has been made, the version prefix is updated
5209to @var{M}.@var{N}.0.90 (dot zero, dot ninety). Follow on releases have
5210an incremented minor minor version number (.0).
5211
5212Using 5.1 (previous) and 5.2 (current), the example below illustrates a
5213typical sequence of version identifiers:
5214
5215@table @asis
5216@item 5.1.1
5217final release from previous branch
5218@item 2002-03-03-cvs
5219main-line the day the branch is cut
5220@item 5.1.90-2002-03-03-cvs
5221corresponding branch version
5222@item 5.1.91
5223first draft release candidate
5224@item 5.1.91-2002-03-17-cvs
5225updated branch version
5226@item 5.1.92
5227second draft release candidate
5228@item 5.1.92-2002-03-31-cvs
5229updated branch version
5230@item 5.1.93
5231final release candidate (see below)
5232@item 5.2
5233official release
5234@item 5.2.0.90-2002-04-07-cvs
5235updated CVS branch version
5236@item 5.2.1
5237second official release
5238@end table
5239
5240Notes:
5241
5242@itemize @bullet
5243@item
5244Minor minor minor draft release candidates such as 5.2.0.91 have been
5245omitted from the example. Such release candidates are, typically, never
5246made.
5247@item
5248For 5.1.93 the bziped tar ball @file{gdb-5.1.93.tar.bz2} is just the
5249official @file{gdb-5.2.tar} renamed and compressed.
5250@end itemize
5251
5252To avoid version conflicts, vendors are expected to modify the file
5253@file{gdb/version.in} to include a vendor unique alphabetic identifier
5254(an official @value{GDBN} release never uses alphabetic characters in
5255its version identifer).
5256
5257Since @value{GDBN} does not make minor minor minor releases (e.g.,
52585.1.0.1) the conflict between that and a minor minor draft release
5259identifier (e.g., 5.1.0.90) is avoided.
5260
5261
5262@subsection Branches
5263
5264@value{GDBN} draws a release series (5.2, 5.2.1, @dots{}) from a single
5265release branch (gdb_5_2-branch). Since minor minor minor releases
5266(5.1.0.1) are not made, the need to branch the release branch is avoided
5267(it also turns out that the effort required for such a a branch and
5268release is significantly greater than the effort needed to create a new
5269release from the head of the release branch).
5270
5271Releases 5.0 and 5.1 used branch and release tags of the form:
5272
474c8240 5273@smallexample
fb0ff88f
AC
5274gdb_N_M-YYYY-MM-DD-branchpoint
5275gdb_N_M-YYYY-MM-DD-branch
5276gdb_M_N-YYYY-MM-DD-release
474c8240 5277@end smallexample
fb0ff88f
AC
5278
5279Release 5.2 is trialing the branch and release tags:
5280
474c8240 5281@smallexample
fb0ff88f
AC
5282gdb_N_M-YYYY-MM-DD-branchpoint
5283gdb_N_M-branch
5284gdb_M_N-YYYY-MM-DD-release
474c8240 5285@end smallexample
fb0ff88f
AC
5286
5287@emph{Pragmatics: The branchpoint and release tags need to identify when
5288a branch and release are made. The branch tag, denoting the head of the
5289branch, does not have this criteria.}
5290
5291
9bb0a4d8
AC
5292@section Branch Commit Policy
5293
5294The branch commit policy is pretty slack. @value{GDBN} releases 5.0,
52955.1 and 5.2 all used the below:
5296
5297@itemize @bullet
5298@item
5299The @file{gdb/MAINTAINERS} file still holds.
5300@item
5301Don't fix something on the branch unless/until it is also fixed in the
5302trunk. If this isn't possible, mentioning it in the @file{gdb/PROBLEMS}
4be31470 5303file is better than committing a hack.
9bb0a4d8
AC
5304@item
5305When considering a patch for the branch, suggested criteria include:
5306Does it fix a build? Does it fix the sequence @kbd{break main; run}
5307when debugging a static binary?
5308@item
5309The further a change is from the core of @value{GDBN}, the less likely
5310the change will worry anyone (e.g., target specific code).
5311@item
5312Only post a proposal to change the core of @value{GDBN} after you've
5313sent individual bribes to all the people listed in the
5314@file{MAINTAINERS} file @t{;-)}
5315@end itemize
5316
5317@emph{Pragmatics: Provided updates are restricted to non-core
5318functionality there is little chance that a broken change will be fatal.
5319This means that changes such as adding a new architectures or (within
5320reason) support for a new host are considered acceptable.}
5321
5322
cbb09e6a 5323@section Obsoleting code
8973da3a 5324
8642bc8f 5325Before anything else, poke the other developers (and around the source
4be31470
EZ
5326code) to see if there is anything that can be removed from @value{GDBN}
5327(an old target, an unused file).
8973da3a 5328
8642bc8f 5329Obsolete code is identified by adding an @code{OBSOLETE} prefix to every
cbb09e6a
AC
5330line. Doing this means that it is easy to identify something that has
5331been obsoleted when greping through the sources.
8973da3a 5332
cbb09e6a
AC
5333The process is done in stages --- this is mainly to ensure that the
5334wider @value{GDBN} community has a reasonable opportunity to respond.
5335Remember, everything on the Internet takes a week.
8973da3a 5336
cbb09e6a 5337@enumerate
8973da3a 5338@item
cbb09e6a
AC
5339Post the proposal on @email{gdb@@sources.redhat.com, the GDB mailing
5340list} Creating a bug report to track the task's state, is also highly
5341recommended.
8973da3a 5342@item
cbb09e6a 5343Wait a week or so.
8973da3a 5344@item
cbb09e6a
AC
5345Post the proposal on @email{gdb-announce@@sources.redhat.com, the GDB
5346Announcement mailing list}.
8973da3a 5347@item
cbb09e6a 5348Wait a week or so.
8973da3a 5349@item
cbb09e6a
AC
5350Go through and edit all relevant files and lines so that they are
5351prefixed with the word @code{OBSOLETE}.
5352@item
5353Wait until the next GDB version, containing this obsolete code, has been
5354released.
5355@item
5356Remove the obsolete code.
5357@end enumerate
5358
5359@noindent
5360@emph{Maintainer note: While removing old code is regrettable it is
5361hopefully better for @value{GDBN}'s long term development. Firstly it
5362helps the developers by removing code that is either no longer relevant
5363or simply wrong. Secondly since it removes any history associated with
5364the file (effectively clearing the slate) the developer has a much freer
5365hand when it comes to fixing broken files.}
8973da3a 5366
8973da3a 5367
9ae8b82c
AC
5368
5369@section Before the Branch
8973da3a 5370
8642bc8f
AC
5371The most important objective at this stage is to find and fix simple
5372changes that become a pain to track once the branch is created. For
5373instance, configuration problems that stop @value{GDBN} from even
5374building. If you can't get the problem fixed, document it in the
5375@file{gdb/PROBLEMS} file.
8973da3a 5376
9ae8b82c 5377@subheading Prompt for @file{gdb/NEWS}
8973da3a 5378
9ae8b82c
AC
5379People always forget. Send a post reminding them but also if you know
5380something interesting happened add it yourself. The @code{schedule}
5381script will mention this in its e-mail.
8973da3a 5382
9ae8b82c 5383@subheading Review @file{gdb/README}
8973da3a 5384
9ae8b82c
AC
5385Grab one of the nightly snapshots and then walk through the
5386@file{gdb/README} looking for anything that can be improved. The
5387@code{schedule} script will mention this in its e-mail.
8642bc8f
AC
5388
5389@subheading Refresh any imported files.
8973da3a 5390
8642bc8f 5391A number of files are taken from external repositories. They include:
8973da3a 5392
8642bc8f
AC
5393@itemize @bullet
5394@item
5395@file{texinfo/texinfo.tex}
5396@item
9ae8b82c
AC
5397@file{config.guess} et.@: al.@: (see the top-level @file{MAINTAINERS}
5398file)
5399@item
5400@file{etc/standards.texi}, @file{etc/make-stds.texi}
8642bc8f
AC
5401@end itemize
5402
9ae8b82c 5403@subheading Check the ARI
8642bc8f 5404
9ae8b82c
AC
5405@uref{http://sources.redhat.com/gdb/ari,,A.R.I.} is an @code{awk} script
5406(Awk Regression Index ;-) that checks for a number of errors and coding
5407conventions. The checks include things like using @code{malloc} instead
5408of @code{xmalloc} and file naming problems. There shouldn't be any
5409regressions.
8642bc8f 5410
9ae8b82c 5411@subsection Review the bug data base
8642bc8f 5412
9ae8b82c 5413Close anything obviously fixed.
8642bc8f 5414
9ae8b82c 5415@subsection Check all cross targets build
8642bc8f 5416
9ae8b82c 5417The targets are listed in @file{gdb/MAINTAINERS}.
8642bc8f 5418
8642bc8f
AC
5419
5420@section Cut the branch
5421
5422@subheading The dirty work
5423
5424I think something like the below was used:
5425
474c8240 5426@smallexample
8642bc8f
AC
5427$ d=`date -u +%Y-%m-%d`
5428$ echo $d
54292002-01-24
5430$ cvs -f -d /cvs/src rtag -D $d-gmt \
5431gdb_5_1-$d-branchpoint insight+dejagnu
5432$ cvs -f -d /cvs/src rtag -b -r gdb_V_V-$d-branchpoint \
5433gdb_5_1-$d-branch insight+dejagnu
5434$
474c8240 5435@end smallexample
8642bc8f
AC
5436
5437@itemize @bullet
5438@item
5439the @kbd{-D YYYY-MM-DD-gmt} forces the branch to an exact date/time.
5440@item
937f164b 5441the trunk is first tagged so that the branch point can easily be found
8642bc8f
AC
5442@item
5443Insight (which includes GDB) and dejagnu are tagged at the same time
5444@end itemize
5445
5446@subheading Post the branch info
5447
5448@subheading Update the web and news pages
5449
5450@subheading Tweak cron to track the new branch
5451
5452@section Stabilize the branch
5453
5454Something goes here.
5455
5456@section Create a Release
5457
0816590b
AC
5458The process of creating and then making available a release is broken
5459down into a number of stages. The first part addresses the technical
5460process of creating a releasable tar ball. The later stages address the
5461process of releasing that tar ball.
8973da3a 5462
0816590b
AC
5463When making a release candidate just the first section is needed.
5464
5465@subsection Create a release candidate
5466
5467The objective at this stage is to create a set of tar balls that can be
5468made available as a formal release (or as a less formal release
5469candidate).
5470
5471@subsubheading Freeze the branch
5472
5473Send out an e-mail notifying everyone that the branch is frozen to
5474@email{gdb-patches@@sources.redhat.com}.
5475
5476@subsubheading Establish a few defaults.
8973da3a 5477
474c8240 5478@smallexample
0816590b
AC
5479$ b=gdb_5_2-branch
5480$ v=5.2
8642bc8f
AC
5481$ t=/sourceware/snapshot-tmp/gdbadmin-tmp
5482$ echo $t/$b/$v
0816590b 5483/sourceware/snapshot-tmp/gdbadmin-tmp/gdb_5_2-branch/5.2
8642bc8f
AC
5484$ mkdir -p $t/$b/$v
5485$ cd $t/$b/$v
5486$ pwd
0816590b 5487/sourceware/snapshot-tmp/gdbadmin-tmp/gdb_5_2-branch/5.2
8973da3a
AC
5488$ which autoconf
5489/home/gdbadmin/bin/autoconf
8642bc8f 5490$
474c8240 5491@end smallexample
8973da3a 5492
0816590b
AC
5493@noindent
5494Notes:
8973da3a 5495
0816590b
AC
5496@itemize @bullet
5497@item
5498Check the @code{autoconf} version carefully. You want to be using the
5499version taken from the @file{binutils} snapshot directory. It is very
5500unlikely that a system installed version of @code{autoconf} (e.g.,
5501@file{/usr/bin/autoconf}) is correct.
5502@end itemize
5503
5504@subsubheading Check out the relevant modules:
8973da3a 5505
474c8240 5506@smallexample
8642bc8f
AC
5507$ for m in gdb insight dejagnu
5508do
8973da3a
AC
5509( mkdir -p $m && cd $m && cvs -q -f -d /cvs/src co -P -r $b $m )
5510done
8642bc8f 5511$
474c8240 5512@end smallexample
8973da3a 5513
0816590b
AC
5514@noindent
5515Note:
8642bc8f 5516
0816590b
AC
5517@itemize @bullet
5518@item
5519The reading of @file{.cvsrc} is disabled (@file{-f}) so that there isn't
5520any confusion between what is written here and what your local
5521@code{cvs} really does.
5522@end itemize
5523
5524@subsubheading Update relevant files.
8973da3a 5525
0816590b
AC
5526@table @file
5527
5528@item gdb/NEWS
8642bc8f
AC
5529
5530Major releases get their comments added as part of the mainline. Minor
5531releases should probably mention any significant bugs that were fixed.
5532
0816590b 5533Don't forget to include the @file{ChangeLog} entry.
8973da3a 5534
474c8240 5535@smallexample
8642bc8f
AC
5536$ emacs gdb/src/gdb/NEWS
5537...
5538c-x 4 a
5539...
5540c-x c-s c-x c-c
5541$ cp gdb/src/gdb/NEWS insight/src/gdb/NEWS
5542$ cp gdb/src/gdb/ChangeLog insight/src/gdb/ChangeLog
474c8240 5543@end smallexample
8973da3a 5544
0816590b
AC
5545@item gdb/README
5546
5547You'll need to update:
8973da3a 5548
0816590b
AC
5549@itemize @bullet
5550@item
5551the version
5552@item
5553the update date
5554@item
5555who did it
5556@end itemize
8973da3a 5557
474c8240 5558@smallexample
8642bc8f
AC
5559$ emacs gdb/src/gdb/README
5560...
8973da3a 5561c-x 4 a
8642bc8f 5562...
8973da3a 5563c-x c-s c-x c-c
8642bc8f
AC
5564$ cp gdb/src/gdb/README insight/src/gdb/README
5565$ cp gdb/src/gdb/ChangeLog insight/src/gdb/ChangeLog
474c8240 5566@end smallexample
8973da3a 5567
0816590b
AC
5568@emph{Maintainer note: Hopefully the @file{README} file was reviewed
5569before the initial branch was cut so just a simple substitute is needed
5570to get it updated.}
8973da3a 5571
8642bc8f
AC
5572@emph{Maintainer note: Other projects generate @file{README} and
5573@file{INSTALL} from the core documentation. This might be worth
5574pursuing.}
8973da3a 5575
0816590b 5576@item gdb/version.in
8973da3a 5577
474c8240 5578@smallexample
8642bc8f 5579$ echo $v > gdb/src/gdb/version.in
0816590b
AC
5580$ cat gdb/src/gdb/version.in
55815.2
8642bc8f 5582$ emacs gdb/src/gdb/version.in
8973da3a
AC
5583...
5584c-x 4 a
0816590b 5585... Bump to version ...
8973da3a 5586c-x c-s c-x c-c
8642bc8f
AC
5587$ cp gdb/src/gdb/version.in insight/src/gdb/version.in
5588$ cp gdb/src/gdb/ChangeLog insight/src/gdb/ChangeLog
474c8240 5589@end smallexample
8973da3a 5590
0816590b 5591@item dejagnu/src/dejagnu/configure.in
8642bc8f
AC
5592
5593Dejagnu is more complicated. The version number is a parameter to
0816590b 5594@code{AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE}. Tweak it to read something like gdb-5.1.91.
8642bc8f 5595
0816590b 5596Don't forget to re-generate @file{configure}.
8642bc8f 5597
0816590b 5598Don't forget to include a @file{ChangeLog} entry.
8642bc8f 5599
0816590b
AC
5600@smallexample
5601$ emacs dejagnu/src/dejagnu/configure.in
5602...
5603c-x 4 a
5604...
5605c-x c-s c-x c-c
5606$ ( cd dejagnu/src/dejagnu && autoconf )
5607@end smallexample
8642bc8f 5608
0816590b
AC
5609@end table
5610
5611@subsubheading Do the dirty work
5612
5613This is identical to the process used to create the daily snapshot.
8973da3a 5614
474c8240 5615@smallexample
0816590b 5616$ for m in gdb insight
8642bc8f 5617do
0816590b 5618( cd $m/src && gmake -f Makefile.in $m.tar )
8973da3a 5619done
0816590b 5620$ ( m=dejagnu; cd $m/src && gmake -f Makefile.in $m.tar.bz2 )
474c8240 5621@end smallexample
8973da3a 5622
0816590b 5623@subsubheading Check the source files
8642bc8f 5624
0816590b 5625You're looking for files that have mysteriously disappeared.
8642bc8f
AC
5626@kbd{distclean} has the habit of deleting files it shouldn't. Watch out
5627for the @file{version.in} update @kbd{cronjob}.
8973da3a 5628
474c8240 5629@smallexample
8642bc8f
AC
5630$ ( cd gdb/src && cvs -f -q -n update )
5631M djunpack.bat
0816590b 5632? gdb-5.1.91.tar
8642bc8f 5633? proto-toplev
0816590b 5634@dots{} lots of generated files @dots{}
8642bc8f
AC
5635M gdb/ChangeLog
5636M gdb/NEWS
5637M gdb/README
5638M gdb/version.in
0816590b 5639@dots{} lots of generated files @dots{}
8642bc8f 5640$
474c8240 5641@end smallexample
8973da3a 5642
0816590b 5643@noindent
8642bc8f
AC
5644@emph{Don't worry about the @file{gdb.info-??} or
5645@file{gdb/p-exp.tab.c}. They were generated (and yes @file{gdb.info-1}
5646was also generated only something strange with CVS means that they
5647didn't get supressed). Fixing it would be nice though.}
8973da3a 5648
0816590b 5649@subsubheading Create compressed versions of the release
8973da3a 5650
474c8240 5651@smallexample
0816590b
AC
5652$ cp */src/*.tar .
5653$ cp */src/*.bz2 .
5654$ ls -F
5655dejagnu/ dejagnu-gdb-5.2.tar.bz2 gdb/ gdb-5.2.tar insight/ insight-5.2.tar
5656$ for m in gdb insight
5657do
5658bzip2 -v -9 -c $m-$v.tar > $m-$v.tar.bz2
5659gzip -v -9 -c $m-$v.tar > $m-$v.tar.gz
5660done
5661$
474c8240 5662@end smallexample
8973da3a 5663
0816590b
AC
5664@noindent
5665Note:
5666
5667@itemize @bullet
5668@item
5669A pipe such as @kbd{bunzip2 < xxx.bz2 | gzip -9 > xxx.gz} is not since,
5670in that mode, @code{gzip} does not know the name of the file and, hence,
5671can not include it in the compressed file. This is also why the release
5672process runs @code{tar} and @code{bzip2} as separate passes.
5673@end itemize
5674
5675@subsection Sanity check the tar ball
8973da3a 5676
0816590b 5677Pick a popular machine (Solaris/PPC?) and try the build on that.
8973da3a 5678
0816590b
AC
5679@smallexample
5680$ bunzip2 < gdb-5.2.tar.bz2 | tar xpf -
5681$ cd gdb-5.2
5682$ ./configure
5683$ make
5684@dots{}
5685$ ./gdb/gdb ./gdb/gdb
5686GNU gdb 5.2
5687@dots{}
5688(gdb) b main
5689Breakpoint 1 at 0x80732bc: file main.c, line 734.
5690(gdb) run
5691Starting program: /tmp/gdb-5.2/gdb/gdb
5692
5693Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xbffff8b4) at main.c:734
5694734 catch_errors (captured_main, &args, "", RETURN_MASK_ALL);
5695(gdb) print args
5696$1 = @{argc = 136426532, argv = 0x821b7f0@}
5697(gdb)
5698@end smallexample
8973da3a 5699
0816590b 5700@subsection Make a release candidate available
8973da3a 5701
0816590b 5702If this is a release candidate then the only remaining steps are:
8642bc8f 5703
0816590b
AC
5704@enumerate
5705@item
5706Commit @file{version.in} and @file{ChangeLog}
5707@item
5708Tweak @file{version.in} (and @file{ChangeLog} to read
5709@var{L}.@var{M}.@var{N}-0000-00-00-cvs so that the version update
5710process can restart.
5711@item
5712Make the release candidate available in
5713@uref{ftp://sources.redhat.com/pub/gdb/snapshots/branch}
5714@item
5715Notify the relevant mailing lists ( @email{gdb@@sources.redhat.com} and
5716@email{gdb-testers@@sources.redhat.com} that the candidate is available.
5717@end enumerate
8642bc8f 5718
0816590b 5719@subsection Make a formal release available
8642bc8f 5720
0816590b 5721(And you thought all that was required was to post an e-mail.)
8642bc8f 5722
0816590b 5723@subsubheading Install on sware
8642bc8f 5724
0816590b 5725Copy the new files to both the release and the old release directory:
8642bc8f 5726
474c8240 5727@smallexample
0816590b 5728$ cp *.bz2 *.gz ~ftp/pub/gdb/old-releases/
8642bc8f 5729$ cp *.bz2 *.gz ~ftp/pub/gdb/releases
474c8240 5730@end smallexample
8642bc8f 5731
0816590b
AC
5732@noindent
5733Clean up the releases directory so that only the most recent releases
5734are available (e.g. keep 5.2 and 5.2.1 but remove 5.1):
5735
5736@smallexample
5737$ cd ~ftp/pub/gdb/releases
5738$ rm @dots{}
5739@end smallexample
5740
5741@noindent
5742Update the file @file{README} and @file{.message} in the releases
5743directory:
5744
5745@smallexample
5746$ vi README
5747@dots{}
5748$ rm -f .message
5749$ ln README .message
5750@end smallexample
8642bc8f 5751
0816590b 5752@subsubheading Update the web pages.
8973da3a 5753
0816590b
AC
5754@table @file
5755
5756@item htdocs/download/ANNOUNCEMENT
5757This file, which is posted as the official announcement, includes:
8973da3a
AC
5758@itemize @bullet
5759@item
0816590b 5760General announcement
8642bc8f 5761@item
0816590b
AC
5762News. If making an @var{M}.@var{N}.1 release, retain the news from
5763earlier @var{M}.@var{N} release.
8973da3a 5764@item
0816590b
AC
5765Errata
5766@end itemize
5767
5768@item htdocs/index.html
5769@itemx htdocs/news/index.html
5770@itemx htdocs/download/index.html
5771These files include:
5772@itemize @bullet
8642bc8f 5773@item
0816590b 5774announcement of the most recent release
8642bc8f 5775@item
0816590b 5776news entry (remember to update both the top level and the news directory).
8973da3a 5777@end itemize
0816590b 5778These pages also need to be regenerate using @code{index.sh}.
8973da3a 5779
0816590b 5780@item download/onlinedocs/
8642bc8f
AC
5781You need to find the magic command that is used to generate the online
5782docs from the @file{.tar.bz2}. The best way is to look in the output
0816590b 5783from one of the nightly @code{cron} jobs and then just edit accordingly.
8642bc8f
AC
5784Something like:
5785
474c8240 5786@smallexample
8642bc8f 5787$ ~/ss/update-web-docs \
0816590b 5788 ~ftp/pub/gdb/releases/gdb-5.2.tar.bz2 \
8642bc8f 5789 $PWD/www \
0816590b 5790 /www/sourceware/htdocs/gdb/download/onlinedocs \
8642bc8f 5791 gdb
474c8240 5792@end smallexample
8642bc8f 5793
0816590b
AC
5794@item download/ari/
5795Just like the online documentation. Something like:
8642bc8f 5796
0816590b
AC
5797@smallexample
5798$ /bin/sh ~/ss/update-web-ari \
5799 ~ftp/pub/gdb/releases/gdb-5.2.tar.bz2 \
5800 $PWD/www \
5801 /www/sourceware/htdocs/gdb/download/ari \
5802 gdb
5803@end smallexample
5804
5805@end table
5806
5807@subsubheading Shadow the pages onto gnu
5808
5809Something goes here.
5810
5811
5812@subsubheading Install the @value{GDBN} tar ball on GNU
5813
5814At the time of writing, the GNU machine was @kbd{gnudist.gnu.org} in
5815@file{~ftp/gnu/gdb}.
5816
5817@subsubheading Make the @file{ANNOUNCEMENT}
5818
5819Post the @file{ANNOUNCEMENT} file you created above to:
8642bc8f
AC
5820
5821@itemize @bullet
5822@item
5823@email{gdb-announce@@sources.redhat.com, GDB Announcement mailing list}
5824@item
0816590b
AC
5825@email{info-gnu@@gnu.org, General GNU Announcement list} (but delay it a
5826day or so to let things get out)
5827@item
5828@email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, GDB Bug Report mailing list}
8642bc8f
AC
5829@end itemize
5830
0816590b 5831@subsection Cleanup
8642bc8f 5832
0816590b 5833The release is out but you're still not finished.
8642bc8f 5834
0816590b 5835@subsubheading Commit outstanding changes
8642bc8f 5836
0816590b 5837In particular you'll need to commit any changes to:
8642bc8f
AC
5838
5839@itemize @bullet
5840@item
5841@file{gdb/ChangeLog}
5842@item
5843@file{gdb/version.in}
5844@item
5845@file{gdb/NEWS}
5846@item
5847@file{gdb/README}
5848@end itemize
5849
0816590b 5850@subsubheading Tag the release
8642bc8f
AC
5851
5852Something like:
5853
474c8240 5854@smallexample
8642bc8f
AC
5855$ d=`date -u +%Y-%m-%d`
5856$ echo $d
58572002-01-24
5858$ ( cd insight/src/gdb && cvs -f -q update )
0816590b 5859$ ( cd insight/src && cvs -f -q tag gdb_5_2-$d-release )
474c8240 5860@end smallexample
8642bc8f 5861
0816590b
AC
5862Insight is used since that contains more of the release than
5863@value{GDBN} (@code{dejagnu} doesn't get tagged but I think we can live
5864with that).
5865
5866@subsubheading Mention the release on the trunk
8642bc8f 5867
0816590b
AC
5868Just put something in the @file{ChangeLog} so that the trunk also
5869indicates when the release was made.
5870
5871@subsubheading Restart @file{gdb/version.in}
8642bc8f
AC
5872
5873If @file{gdb/version.in} does not contain an ISO date such as
5874@kbd{2002-01-24} then the daily @code{cronjob} won't update it. Having
5875committed all the release changes it can be set to
0816590b 5876@file{5.2.0_0000-00-00-cvs} which will restart things (yes the @kbd{_}
8642bc8f
AC
5877is important - it affects the snapshot process).
5878
5879Don't forget the @file{ChangeLog}.
5880
0816590b 5881@subsubheading Merge into trunk
8973da3a 5882
8642bc8f
AC
5883The files committed to the branch may also need changes merged into the
5884trunk.
8973da3a 5885
0816590b
AC
5886@subsubheading Revise the release schedule
5887
5888Post a revised release schedule to @email{gdb@@sources.redhat.com, GDB
5889Discussion List} with an updated announcement. The schedule can be
5890generated by running:
5891
5892@smallexample
5893$ ~/ss/schedule `date +%s` schedule
5894@end smallexample
5895
5896@noindent
5897The first parameter is approximate date/time in seconds (from the epoch)
5898of the most recent release.
5899
5900Also update the schedule @code{cronjob}.
5901
8642bc8f 5902@section Post release
8973da3a 5903
8642bc8f 5904Remove any @code{OBSOLETE} code.
8973da3a 5905
085dd6e6
JM
5906@node Testsuite
5907
5908@chapter Testsuite
56caf160 5909@cindex test suite
085dd6e6 5910
56caf160
EZ
5911The testsuite is an important component of the @value{GDBN} package.
5912While it is always worthwhile to encourage user testing, in practice
5913this is rarely sufficient; users typically use only a small subset of
5914the available commands, and it has proven all too common for a change
5915to cause a significant regression that went unnoticed for some time.
085dd6e6 5916
56caf160
EZ
5917The @value{GDBN} testsuite uses the DejaGNU testing framework.
5918DejaGNU is built using @code{Tcl} and @code{expect}. The tests
5919themselves are calls to various @code{Tcl} procs; the framework runs all the
5920procs and summarizes the passes and fails.
085dd6e6
JM
5921
5922@section Using the Testsuite
5923
56caf160 5924@cindex running the test suite
25822942 5925To run the testsuite, simply go to the @value{GDBN} object directory (or to the
085dd6e6
JM
5926testsuite's objdir) and type @code{make check}. This just sets up some
5927environment variables and invokes DejaGNU's @code{runtest} script. While
5928the testsuite is running, you'll get mentions of which test file is in use,
5929and a mention of any unexpected passes or fails. When the testsuite is
5930finished, you'll get a summary that looks like this:
56caf160 5931
474c8240 5932@smallexample
085dd6e6
JM
5933 === gdb Summary ===
5934
5935# of expected passes 6016
5936# of unexpected failures 58
5937# of unexpected successes 5
5938# of expected failures 183
5939# of unresolved testcases 3
5940# of untested testcases 5
474c8240 5941@end smallexample
56caf160 5942
085dd6e6
JM
5943The ideal test run consists of expected passes only; however, reality
5944conspires to keep us from this ideal. Unexpected failures indicate
56caf160
EZ
5945real problems, whether in @value{GDBN} or in the testsuite. Expected
5946failures are still failures, but ones which have been decided are too
5947hard to deal with at the time; for instance, a test case might work
5948everywhere except on AIX, and there is no prospect of the AIX case
5949being fixed in the near future. Expected failures should not be added
5950lightly, since you may be masking serious bugs in @value{GDBN}.
5951Unexpected successes are expected fails that are passing for some
5952reason, while unresolved and untested cases often indicate some minor
5953catastrophe, such as the compiler being unable to deal with a test
5954program.
5955
5956When making any significant change to @value{GDBN}, you should run the
5957testsuite before and after the change, to confirm that there are no
5958regressions. Note that truly complete testing would require that you
5959run the testsuite with all supported configurations and a variety of
5960compilers; however this is more than really necessary. In many cases
5961testing with a single configuration is sufficient. Other useful
5962options are to test one big-endian (Sparc) and one little-endian (x86)
5963host, a cross config with a builtin simulator (powerpc-eabi,
5964mips-elf), or a 64-bit host (Alpha).
5965
5966If you add new functionality to @value{GDBN}, please consider adding
5967tests for it as well; this way future @value{GDBN} hackers can detect
5968and fix their changes that break the functionality you added.
5969Similarly, if you fix a bug that was not previously reported as a test
5970failure, please add a test case for it. Some cases are extremely
5971difficult to test, such as code that handles host OS failures or bugs
5972in particular versions of compilers, and it's OK not to try to write
5973tests for all of those.
085dd6e6
JM
5974
5975@section Testsuite Organization
5976
56caf160 5977@cindex test suite organization
085dd6e6
JM
5978The testsuite is entirely contained in @file{gdb/testsuite}. While the
5979testsuite includes some makefiles and configury, these are very minimal,
5980and used for little besides cleaning up, since the tests themselves
25822942 5981handle the compilation of the programs that @value{GDBN} will run. The file
085dd6e6 5982@file{testsuite/lib/gdb.exp} contains common utility procs useful for
25822942 5983all @value{GDBN} tests, while the directory @file{testsuite/config} contains
085dd6e6
JM
5984configuration-specific files, typically used for special-purpose
5985definitions of procs like @code{gdb_load} and @code{gdb_start}.
5986
5987The tests themselves are to be found in @file{testsuite/gdb.*} and
5988subdirectories of those. The names of the test files must always end
5989with @file{.exp}. DejaGNU collects the test files by wildcarding
5990in the test directories, so both subdirectories and individual files
5991get chosen and run in alphabetical order.
5992
5993The following table lists the main types of subdirectories and what they
5994are for. Since DejaGNU finds test files no matter where they are
5995located, and since each test file sets up its own compilation and
5996execution environment, this organization is simply for convenience and
5997intelligibility.
5998
56caf160 5999@table @file
085dd6e6 6000@item gdb.base
085dd6e6 6001This is the base testsuite. The tests in it should apply to all
25822942 6002configurations of @value{GDBN} (but generic native-only tests may live here).
085dd6e6 6003The test programs should be in the subset of C that is valid K&R,
56caf160 6004ANSI/ISO, and C++ (@code{#ifdef}s are allowed if necessary, for instance
085dd6e6
JM
6005for prototypes).
6006
6007@item gdb.@var{lang}
56caf160 6008Language-specific tests for any language @var{lang} besides C. Examples are
085dd6e6
JM
6009@file{gdb.c++} and @file{gdb.java}.
6010
6011@item gdb.@var{platform}
085dd6e6
JM
6012Non-portable tests. The tests are specific to a specific configuration
6013(host or target), such as HP-UX or eCos. Example is @file{gdb.hp}, for
6014HP-UX.
6015
6016@item gdb.@var{compiler}
085dd6e6
JM
6017Tests specific to a particular compiler. As of this writing (June
60181999), there aren't currently any groups of tests in this category that
6019couldn't just as sensibly be made platform-specific, but one could
56caf160
EZ
6020imagine a @file{gdb.gcc}, for tests of @value{GDBN}'s handling of GCC
6021extensions.
085dd6e6
JM
6022
6023@item gdb.@var{subsystem}
25822942 6024Tests that exercise a specific @value{GDBN} subsystem in more depth. For
085dd6e6
JM
6025instance, @file{gdb.disasm} exercises various disassemblers, while
6026@file{gdb.stabs} tests pathways through the stabs symbol reader.
085dd6e6
JM
6027@end table
6028
6029@section Writing Tests
56caf160 6030@cindex writing tests
085dd6e6 6031
25822942 6032In many areas, the @value{GDBN} tests are already quite comprehensive; you
085dd6e6
JM
6033should be able to copy existing tests to handle new cases.
6034
6035You should try to use @code{gdb_test} whenever possible, since it
6036includes cases to handle all the unexpected errors that might happen.
6037However, it doesn't cost anything to add new test procedures; for
6038instance, @file{gdb.base/exprs.exp} defines a @code{test_expr} that
6039calls @code{gdb_test} multiple times.
6040
6041Only use @code{send_gdb} and @code{gdb_expect} when absolutely
25822942 6042necessary, such as when @value{GDBN} has several valid responses to a command.
085dd6e6
JM
6043
6044The source language programs do @emph{not} need to be in a consistent
25822942 6045style. Since @value{GDBN} is used to debug programs written in many different
085dd6e6 6046styles, it's worth having a mix of styles in the testsuite; for
25822942 6047instance, some @value{GDBN} bugs involving the display of source lines would
085dd6e6
JM
6048never manifest themselves if the programs used GNU coding style
6049uniformly.
6050
c906108c
SS
6051@node Hints
6052
6053@chapter Hints
6054
6055Check the @file{README} file, it often has useful information that does not
6056appear anywhere else in the directory.
6057
6058@menu
25822942 6059* Getting Started:: Getting started working on @value{GDBN}
33e16fad 6060* Debugging GDB:: Debugging @value{GDBN} with itself
c906108c
SS
6061@end menu
6062
6063@node Getting Started,,, Hints
6064
6065@section Getting Started
6066
25822942 6067@value{GDBN} is a large and complicated program, and if you first starting to
c906108c
SS
6068work on it, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, if you
6069know how to go about it, there are ways to figure out what is going on.
6070
25822942
DB
6071This manual, the @value{GDBN} Internals manual, has information which applies
6072generally to many parts of @value{GDBN}.
c906108c
SS
6073
6074Information about particular functions or data structures are located in
6075comments with those functions or data structures. If you run across a
6076function or a global variable which does not have a comment correctly
25822942 6077explaining what is does, this can be thought of as a bug in @value{GDBN}; feel
c906108c
SS
6078free to submit a bug report, with a suggested comment if you can figure
6079out what the comment should say. If you find a comment which is
6080actually wrong, be especially sure to report that.
6081
6082Comments explaining the function of macros defined in host, target, or
6083native dependent files can be in several places. Sometimes they are
6084repeated every place the macro is defined. Sometimes they are where the
6085macro is used. Sometimes there is a header file which supplies a
6086default definition of the macro, and the comment is there. This manual
6087also documents all the available macros.
6088@c (@pxref{Host Conditionals}, @pxref{Target
6089@c Conditionals}, @pxref{Native Conditionals}, and @pxref{Obsolete
6090@c Conditionals})
6091
56caf160
EZ
6092Start with the header files. Once you have some idea of how
6093@value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables are stored (see @file{symtab.h},
6094@file{gdbtypes.h}), you will find it much easier to understand the
6095code which uses and creates those symbol tables.
c906108c
SS
6096
6097You may wish to process the information you are getting somehow, to
6098enhance your understanding of it. Summarize it, translate it to another
25822942 6099language, add some (perhaps trivial or non-useful) feature to @value{GDBN}, use
c906108c
SS
6100the code to predict what a test case would do and write the test case
6101and verify your prediction, etc. If you are reading code and your eyes
6102are starting to glaze over, this is a sign you need to use a more active
6103approach.
6104
25822942 6105Once you have a part of @value{GDBN} to start with, you can find more
c906108c
SS
6106specifically the part you are looking for by stepping through each
6107function with the @code{next} command. Do not use @code{step} or you
6108will quickly get distracted; when the function you are stepping through
6109calls another function try only to get a big-picture understanding
6110(perhaps using the comment at the beginning of the function being
6111called) of what it does. This way you can identify which of the
6112functions being called by the function you are stepping through is the
6113one which you are interested in. You may need to examine the data
6114structures generated at each stage, with reference to the comments in
6115the header files explaining what the data structures are supposed to
6116look like.
6117
6118Of course, this same technique can be used if you are just reading the
6119code, rather than actually stepping through it. The same general
6120principle applies---when the code you are looking at calls something
6121else, just try to understand generally what the code being called does,
6122rather than worrying about all its details.
6123
56caf160
EZ
6124@cindex command implementation
6125A good place to start when tracking down some particular area is with
6126a command which invokes that feature. Suppose you want to know how
6127single-stepping works. As a @value{GDBN} user, you know that the
6128@code{step} command invokes single-stepping. The command is invoked
6129via command tables (see @file{command.h}); by convention the function
6130which actually performs the command is formed by taking the name of
6131the command and adding @samp{_command}, or in the case of an
6132@code{info} subcommand, @samp{_info}. For example, the @code{step}
6133command invokes the @code{step_command} function and the @code{info
6134display} command invokes @code{display_info}. When this convention is
6135not followed, you might have to use @code{grep} or @kbd{M-x
6136tags-search} in emacs, or run @value{GDBN} on itself and set a
6137breakpoint in @code{execute_command}.
6138
6139@cindex @code{bug-gdb} mailing list
c906108c
SS
6140If all of the above fail, it may be appropriate to ask for information
6141on @code{bug-gdb}. But @emph{never} post a generic question like ``I was
6142wondering if anyone could give me some tips about understanding
25822942 6143@value{GDBN}''---if we had some magic secret we would put it in this manual.
c906108c
SS
6144Suggestions for improving the manual are always welcome, of course.
6145
33e16fad 6146@node Debugging GDB,,,Hints
c906108c 6147
25822942 6148@section Debugging @value{GDBN} with itself
56caf160 6149@cindex debugging @value{GDBN}
c906108c 6150
25822942 6151If @value{GDBN} is limping on your machine, this is the preferred way to get it
c906108c
SS
6152fully functional. Be warned that in some ancient Unix systems, like
6153Ultrix 4.2, a program can't be running in one process while it is being
56caf160 6154debugged in another. Rather than typing the command @kbd{@w{./gdb
c906108c 6155./gdb}}, which works on Suns and such, you can copy @file{gdb} to
56caf160 6156@file{gdb2} and then type @kbd{@w{./gdb ./gdb2}}.
c906108c 6157
25822942 6158When you run @value{GDBN} in the @value{GDBN} source directory, it will read a
c906108c
SS
6159@file{.gdbinit} file that sets up some simple things to make debugging
6160gdb easier. The @code{info} command, when executed without a subcommand
25822942 6161in a @value{GDBN} being debugged by gdb, will pop you back up to the top level
c906108c
SS
6162gdb. See @file{.gdbinit} for details.
6163
6164If you use emacs, you will probably want to do a @code{make TAGS} after
6165you configure your distribution; this will put the machine dependent
6166routines for your local machine where they will be accessed first by
6167@kbd{M-.}
6168
25822942 6169Also, make sure that you've either compiled @value{GDBN} with your local cc, or
c906108c
SS
6170have run @code{fixincludes} if you are compiling with gcc.
6171
6172@section Submitting Patches
6173
56caf160 6174@cindex submitting patches
c906108c 6175Thanks for thinking of offering your changes back to the community of
25822942 6176@value{GDBN} users. In general we like to get well designed enhancements.
c906108c
SS
6177Thanks also for checking in advance about the best way to transfer the
6178changes.
6179
25822942
DB
6180The @value{GDBN} maintainers will only install ``cleanly designed'' patches.
6181This manual summarizes what we believe to be clean design for @value{GDBN}.
c906108c
SS
6182
6183If the maintainers don't have time to put the patch in when it arrives,
6184or if there is any question about a patch, it goes into a large queue
6185with everyone else's patches and bug reports.
6186
56caf160 6187@cindex legal papers for code contributions
c906108c
SS
6188The legal issue is that to incorporate substantial changes requires a
6189copyright assignment from you and/or your employer, granting ownership
6190of the changes to the Free Software Foundation. You can get the
9e0b60a8
JM
6191standard documents for doing this by sending mail to @code{gnu@@gnu.org}
6192and asking for it. We recommend that people write in "All programs
6193owned by the Free Software Foundation" as "NAME OF PROGRAM", so that
56caf160
EZ
6194changes in many programs (not just @value{GDBN}, but GAS, Emacs, GCC,
6195etc) can be
9e0b60a8 6196contributed with only one piece of legalese pushed through the
be9c6c35 6197bureaucracy and filed with the FSF. We can't start merging changes until
9e0b60a8
JM
6198this paperwork is received by the FSF (their rules, which we follow
6199since we maintain it for them).
c906108c
SS
6200
6201Technically, the easiest way to receive changes is to receive each
56caf160
EZ
6202feature as a small context diff or unidiff, suitable for @code{patch}.
6203Each message sent to me should include the changes to C code and
6204header files for a single feature, plus @file{ChangeLog} entries for
6205each directory where files were modified, and diffs for any changes
6206needed to the manuals (@file{gdb/doc/gdb.texinfo} or
6207@file{gdb/doc/gdbint.texinfo}). If there are a lot of changes for a
6208single feature, they can be split down into multiple messages.
9e0b60a8
JM
6209
6210In this way, if we read and like the feature, we can add it to the
c906108c 6211sources with a single patch command, do some testing, and check it in.
56caf160
EZ
6212If you leave out the @file{ChangeLog}, we have to write one. If you leave
6213out the doc, we have to puzzle out what needs documenting. Etc., etc.
c906108c 6214
9e0b60a8
JM
6215The reason to send each change in a separate message is that we will not
6216install some of the changes. They'll be returned to you with questions
6217or comments. If we're doing our job correctly, the message back to you
c906108c 6218will say what you have to fix in order to make the change acceptable.
9e0b60a8
JM
6219The reason to have separate messages for separate features is so that
6220the acceptable changes can be installed while one or more changes are
6221being reworked. If multiple features are sent in a single message, we
6222tend to not put in the effort to sort out the acceptable changes from
6223the unacceptable, so none of the features get installed until all are
6224acceptable.
6225
6226If this sounds painful or authoritarian, well, it is. But we get a lot
6227of bug reports and a lot of patches, and many of them don't get
6228installed because we don't have the time to finish the job that the bug
c906108c
SS
6229reporter or the contributor could have done. Patches that arrive
6230complete, working, and well designed, tend to get installed on the day
9e0b60a8
JM
6231they arrive. The others go into a queue and get installed as time
6232permits, which, since the maintainers have many demands to meet, may not
6233be for quite some time.
c906108c 6234
56caf160 6235Please send patches directly to
47b95330 6236@email{gdb-patches@@sources.redhat.com, the @value{GDBN} maintainers}.
c906108c
SS
6237
6238@section Obsolete Conditionals
56caf160 6239@cindex obsolete code
c906108c 6240
25822942 6241Fragments of old code in @value{GDBN} sometimes reference or set the following
c906108c
SS
6242configuration macros. They should not be used by new code, and old uses
6243should be removed as those parts of the debugger are otherwise touched.
6244
6245@table @code
c906108c
SS
6246@item STACK_END_ADDR
6247This macro used to define where the end of the stack appeared, for use
6248in interpreting core file formats that don't record this address in the
25822942
DB
6249core file itself. This information is now configured in BFD, and @value{GDBN}
6250gets the info portably from there. The values in @value{GDBN}'s configuration
c906108c 6251files should be moved into BFD configuration files (if needed there),
25822942 6252and deleted from all of @value{GDBN}'s config files.
c906108c
SS
6253
6254Any @file{@var{foo}-xdep.c} file that references STACK_END_ADDR
6255is so old that it has never been converted to use BFD. Now that's old!
6256
c906108c
SS
6257@end table
6258
aab4e0ec
AC
6259@include fdl.texi
6260
56caf160
EZ
6261@node Index
6262@unnumbered Index
6263
6264@printindex cp
6265
c906108c 6266@bye
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