* symfile.c: Whitespace cleanup.
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
... / ...
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1\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2@c Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3@c
4@c %**start of header
5@c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6@c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7@setfilename gdb.info
8@c
9@c man begin INCLUDE
10@include gdb-cfg.texi
11@c man end
12@c
13@settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14@setchapternewpage odd
15@c %**end of header
16
17@iftex
18@c @smallbook
19@c @cropmarks
20@end iftex
21
22@finalout
23@c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24@c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25@c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26@c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27@syncodeindex ky fn
28@syncodeindex tp fn
29
30@c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31@c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32@syncodeindex vr fn
33
34@c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35@c This is updated by GNU Press.
36@set EDITION Tenth
37
38@c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39@set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41@c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43@c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44@c manuals to an info tree.
45@dircategory Software development
46@direntry
47* Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48@end direntry
49
50@copying
51@c man begin COPYRIGHT
52Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
53
54Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
55under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
56any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
57Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
58Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
59and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
60
61(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
62this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
63developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
64@c man end
65@end copying
66
67@ifnottex
68This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
69
70This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
71@value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
72@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
73@value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
74@end ifset
75Version @value{GDBVN}.
76
77@insertcopying
78@end ifnottex
79
80@titlepage
81@title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
82@subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
83@sp 1
84@subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
85@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
86@sp 1
87@subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
88@end ifset
89@author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
90@page
91@tex
92{\parskip=0pt
93\hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
94\hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
95\hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
96}
97@end tex
98
99@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
100Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
10151 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
102Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
103ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
104
105@insertcopying
106@end titlepage
107@page
108
109@ifnottex
110@node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
111
112@top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
113
114This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
115
116This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
117@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
118@value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
119@end ifset
120Version @value{GDBVN}.
121
122Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123
124This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
125Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
126software in general. We will miss him.
127
128@menu
129* Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
130* Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
131
132* Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
133* Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
134* Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
135* Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
136* Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
137* Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
138* Stack:: Examining the stack
139* Source:: Examining source files
140* Data:: Examining data
141* Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
142* Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
143* Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
144* Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
145
146* Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
147
148* Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
149* Altering:: Altering execution
150* GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
151* Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
152* Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
153* Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
154* Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
155* Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
156* Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
157* TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
158* Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
159* GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
160* Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
161* JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
162* In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
163
164* GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
167* Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
168* Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
169@end ifset
170@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
171* Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
172* Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
173@end ifclear
174* In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
175* Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
176* Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
177* Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
178* Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
179* Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
180* Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
181 @value{GDBN}
182* Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
183 the operating system
184* Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
185* Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
186* Man Pages:: Manual pages
187* Copying:: GNU General Public License says
188 how you can copy and share GDB
189* GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
190* Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
191* Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
192 functions, and Python data types
193@end menu
194
195@end ifnottex
196
197@contents
198
199@node Summary
200@unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
201
202The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
203going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
204program was doing at the moment it crashed.
205
206@value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
207these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
208
209@itemize @bullet
210@item
211Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
212
213@item
214Make your program stop on specified conditions.
215
216@item
217Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
218
219@item
220Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
221effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
222@end itemize
223
224You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
225For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
226For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
227
228Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
229@ref{D,,D}.
230
231@cindex Modula-2
232Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
233@ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
234
235Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
236@ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
237
238@cindex Pascal
239Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
240nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
241entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
242syntax.
243
244@cindex Fortran
245@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
246it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
247underscore.
248
249@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
250using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
251
252@menu
253* Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
254* Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
255* Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
256@end menu
257
258@node Free Software
259@unnumberedsec Free Software
260
261@value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
262General Public License
263(GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
264program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
265freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
266the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
267Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
268Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
269
270Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
271you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
272from anyone else.
273
274@node Free Documentation
275@unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
276
277The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
278the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
279include with the free software. Many of our most important
280programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
281texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
282when an important free software package does not come with a free
283manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
284gaps today.
285
286Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
287normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
288authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
289copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
290them from the free software world.
291
292That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
293from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
294manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
295only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
296contract to make it non-free.
297
298Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
299price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
300charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
301Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
302problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
303are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
304modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
305
306The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
307free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
308commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
309accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
310
311Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
312When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
313are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
314provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
315manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
316a changed version of the program is not really available to our
317community.
318
319Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
320acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
321author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
322authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
323to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
324may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
325with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
326are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
327of the manual.
328
329However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
330content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
331media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
332obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
333manual to replace it.
334
335Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
336lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
337free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
338the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
339realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
340the free software community.
341
342If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
343the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
344license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
345don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
346will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
347option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
348what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
349try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
350is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
351
352You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
353manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
354copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
355improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
356at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
357and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
358Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
359have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
360
361The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
362published by other publishers, at
363@url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
364
365@node Contributors
366@unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
367
368Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
369other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
370development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
371of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
372to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
373file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
374blow-by-blow account.
375
376Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
377
378@quotation
379@emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
380or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
381omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
382@end quotation
383
384So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
385particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
386releases:
387Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
388Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
389Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
390Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
391Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
392Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
393John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
394Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
395and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
396
397Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
398Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
399
400Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
401in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
402Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
403demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
404much general update work leading to release 3.0).
405
406@value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
407object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
408Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
409
410David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
411the original support for encapsulated COFF.
412
413Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
414
415Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
416Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
417support.
418Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
419Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
420Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
421David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
422Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
423Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
424Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
425Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
426Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
427Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
428Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
429Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
430Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
431Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
432Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
433Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
434
435Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
436
437Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
438libraries.
439
440Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
441about several machine instruction sets.
442
443Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
444remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
445contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
446and RDI targets, respectively.
447
448Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
449command-line editing and command history.
450
451Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
452Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
453
454Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
455He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
456symbols.
457
458Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
459H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
460
461NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
462
463Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
464processors.
465
466Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
467
468Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
469
470Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
471
472Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
473watchpoints.
474
475Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
476
477Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
478
479Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
480nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
481
482The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
483support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
484(narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
485compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
486Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
487Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
488provided HP-specific information in this manual.
489
490DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
491Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
492
493Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
494development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
495fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
496Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
497Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
498Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
499Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
500addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
501JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
502Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
503Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
504Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
505Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
506Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
507Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
508
509Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
510Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
511
512Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
513Hat.
514
515Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
516people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
517Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
518Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
519Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
520with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
521
522Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
523unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
524frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
525Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
526libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
527trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
528complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
529Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
530Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
531Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
532Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
533Weigand.
534
535Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
536Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
537who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
538Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
539
540Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
541Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
542
543@node Sample Session
544@chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
545
546You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
547However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
548debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
549
550@iftex
551In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
552to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
553@end iftex
554
555@c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
556@c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
557
558One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
559processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
560quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
561definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
562session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
563then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
564same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
565@code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
566procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
567
568@smallexample
569$ @b{cd gnu/m4}
570$ @b{./m4}
571@b{define(foo,0000)}
572
573@b{foo}
5740000
575@b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
576
577@b{bar}
5780000
579@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
580
581@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
582@b{baz}
583@b{Ctrl-d}
584m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
585@end smallexample
586
587@noindent
588Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
589
590@smallexample
591$ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
592@c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
593@c FIXME... format to come out better.
594@value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
595 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
596 the conditions.
597There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
598 for details.
599
600@value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
601(@value{GDBP})
602@end smallexample
603
604@noindent
605@value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
606rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
607We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
608that examples fit in this manual.
609
610@smallexample
611(@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
612@end smallexample
613
614@noindent
615We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
616Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
617@code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
618@code{break} command.
619
620@smallexample
621(@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
622Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
623@end smallexample
624
625@noindent
626Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
627control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
628subroutine, the program runs as usual:
629
630@smallexample
631(@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
632Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
633@b{define(foo,0000)}
634
635@b{foo}
6360000
637@end smallexample
638
639@noindent
640To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
641suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
642context where it stops.
643
644@smallexample
645@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
646
647Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
648 at builtin.c:879
649879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
650@end smallexample
651
652@noindent
653Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
654the next line of the current function.
655
656@smallexample
657(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
658882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
659 : nil,
660@end smallexample
661
662@noindent
663@code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
664by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
665@code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
666subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
667
668@smallexample
669(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
670set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
671 at input.c:530
672530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
673@end smallexample
674
675@noindent
676The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
677suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
678shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
679command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
680in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
681stack frame for each active subroutine.
682
683@smallexample
684(@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
685#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
686 at input.c:530
687#1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
688 at builtin.c:882
689#2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
690#3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
691 at macro.c:71
692#4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
693#5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
694@end smallexample
695
696@noindent
697We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
698times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
699falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
700
701@smallexample
702(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
7030x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
704(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
7050x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
706def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
707(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
708536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
709 : xstrdup(rq);
710(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
711538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
712@end smallexample
713
714@noindent
715The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
716@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
717and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
718(@code{print}) to see their values.
719
720@smallexample
721(@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
722$1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
723(@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
724$2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
725@end smallexample
726
727@noindent
728@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
729To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
730surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
731
732@smallexample
733(@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
734533 xfree(rquote);
735534
736535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
737 : xstrdup (lq);
738536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
739 : xstrdup (rq);
740537
741538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
742539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
743540 @}
744541
745542 void
746@end smallexample
747
748@noindent
749Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
750@code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
751
752@smallexample
753(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
754539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
755(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
756540 @}
757(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
758$3 = 9
759(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
760$4 = 7
761@end smallexample
762
763@noindent
764That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
765@code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
766@code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
767the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
768any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
769assignments.
770
771@smallexample
772(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
773$5 = 7
774(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
775$6 = 9
776@end smallexample
777
778@noindent
779Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
780@code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
781executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
782example that caused trouble initially:
783
784@smallexample
785(@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
786Continuing.
787
788@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
789
790baz
7910000
792@end smallexample
793
794@noindent
795Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
796problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
797lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
798
799@smallexample
800@b{Ctrl-d}
801Program exited normally.
802@end smallexample
803
804@noindent
805The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
806indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
807session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
808
809@smallexample
810(@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
811@end smallexample
812
813@node Invocation
814@chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
815
816This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
817The essentials are:
818@itemize @bullet
819@item
820type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
821@item
822type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
823@end itemize
824
825@menu
826* Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
827* Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
828* Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
829* Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
830@end menu
831
832@node Invoking GDB
833@section Invoking @value{GDBN}
834
835Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
836@value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
837
838You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
839to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
840
841The command-line options described here are designed
842to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
843options may effectively be unavailable.
844
845The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
846specifying an executable program:
847
848@smallexample
849@value{GDBP} @var{program}
850@end smallexample
851
852@noindent
853You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
854specified:
855
856@smallexample
857@value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
858@end smallexample
859
860You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
861to debug a running process:
862
863@smallexample
864@value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
865@end smallexample
866
867@noindent
868would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
869named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
870
871Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
872complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
873debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
874``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
875will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
876
877You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
878executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
879option processing.
880@smallexample
881@value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
882@end smallexample
883This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
884@code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
885
886You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
887@value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
888
889@smallexample
890@value{GDBP} -silent
891@end smallexample
892
893@noindent
894You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
895options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
896
897@noindent
898Type
899
900@smallexample
901@value{GDBP} -help
902@end smallexample
903
904@noindent
905to display all available options and briefly describe their use
906(@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
907
908All options and command line arguments you give are processed
909in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
910@samp{-x} option is used.
911
912
913@menu
914* File Options:: Choosing files
915* Mode Options:: Choosing modes
916* Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
917@end menu
918
919@node File Options
920@subsection Choosing Files
921
922When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
923specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
924the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
925@samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
926first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
927equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
928second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
929equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
930If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
931first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
932to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
933a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
934prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
935
936If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
937such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
938argument and ignore it.
939
940Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
941following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
942them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
943(If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
944than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
945
946@c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
947@c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
948@c it.
949
950@table @code
951@item -symbols @var{file}
952@itemx -s @var{file}
953@cindex @code{--symbols}
954@cindex @code{-s}
955Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
956
957@item -exec @var{file}
958@itemx -e @var{file}
959@cindex @code{--exec}
960@cindex @code{-e}
961Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
962and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
963
964@item -se @var{file}
965@cindex @code{--se}
966Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
967file.
968
969@item -core @var{file}
970@itemx -c @var{file}
971@cindex @code{--core}
972@cindex @code{-c}
973Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
974
975@item -pid @var{number}
976@itemx -p @var{number}
977@cindex @code{--pid}
978@cindex @code{-p}
979Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
980
981@item -command @var{file}
982@itemx -x @var{file}
983@cindex @code{--command}
984@cindex @code{-x}
985Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
986evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
987@xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
988
989@item -eval-command @var{command}
990@itemx -ex @var{command}
991@cindex @code{--eval-command}
992@cindex @code{-ex}
993Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
994
995This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
996also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
997
998@smallexample
999@value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1000 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1001@end smallexample
1002
1003@item -init-command @var{file}
1004@itemx -ix @var{file}
1005@cindex @code{--init-command}
1006@cindex @code{-ix}
1007Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1008after loading gdbinit files).
1009@xref{Startup}.
1010
1011@item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1012@itemx -iex @var{command}
1013@cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1014@cindex @code{-iex}
1015Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1016after loading gdbinit files).
1017@xref{Startup}.
1018
1019@item -directory @var{directory}
1020@itemx -d @var{directory}
1021@cindex @code{--directory}
1022@cindex @code{-d}
1023Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1024
1025@item -r
1026@itemx -readnow
1027@cindex @code{--readnow}
1028@cindex @code{-r}
1029Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1030the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1031This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1032
1033@end table
1034
1035@node Mode Options
1036@subsection Choosing Modes
1037
1038You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1039batch mode or quiet mode.
1040
1041@table @code
1042@anchor{-nx}
1043@item -nx
1044@itemx -n
1045@cindex @code{--nx}
1046@cindex @code{-n}
1047Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1048There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1049
1050@table @code
1051@item @file{system.gdbinit}
1052This is the system-wide init file.
1053Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1054configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1055It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1056have been processed.
1057@item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1058This is the init file in your home directory.
1059It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1060command options have been processed.
1061@item @file{./.gdbinit}
1062This is the init file in the current directory.
1063It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1064@code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1065@code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1066@end table
1067
1068For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1069For documentation on how to write command files,
1070@xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1071
1072@anchor{-nh}
1073@item -nh
1074@cindex @code{--nh}
1075Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1076in your home directory.
1077@xref{Startup}.
1078
1079@item -quiet
1080@itemx -silent
1081@itemx -q
1082@cindex @code{--quiet}
1083@cindex @code{--silent}
1084@cindex @code{-q}
1085``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1086messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1087
1088@item -batch
1089@cindex @code{--batch}
1090Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1091command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1092initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1093nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1094in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1095terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1096off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1097
1098Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1099example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1100make this more useful, the message
1101
1102@smallexample
1103Program exited normally.
1104@end smallexample
1105
1106@noindent
1107(which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1108@value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1109mode.
1110
1111@item -batch-silent
1112@cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1113Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1114@value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1115unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1116for an interactive session.
1117
1118This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1119messages, for example.
1120
1121Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1122writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1123
1124@item -return-child-result
1125@cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1126The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1127process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1128
1129@itemize @bullet
1130@item
1131@value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1132internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1133without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1134@item
1135The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1136@item
1137The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1138the exit code will be -1.
1139@end itemize
1140
1141This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1142when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1143interface.
1144
1145@item -nowindows
1146@itemx -nw
1147@cindex @code{--nowindows}
1148@cindex @code{-nw}
1149``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1150(GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1151interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1152
1153@item -windows
1154@itemx -w
1155@cindex @code{--windows}
1156@cindex @code{-w}
1157If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1158used if possible.
1159
1160@item -cd @var{directory}
1161@cindex @code{--cd}
1162Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1163instead of the current directory.
1164
1165@item -data-directory @var{directory}
1166@cindex @code{--data-directory}
1167Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1168The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1169auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1170
1171@item -fullname
1172@itemx -f
1173@cindex @code{--fullname}
1174@cindex @code{-f}
1175@sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1176subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1177number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1178displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1179recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1180the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1181and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1182@samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1183frame.
1184
1185@item -annotate @var{level}
1186@cindex @code{--annotate}
1187This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1188effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1189(@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1190information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1191expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1192normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1193@sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1194that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1195
1196The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1197(@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1198
1199@item --args
1200@cindex @code{--args}
1201Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1202executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1203This option stops option processing.
1204
1205@item -baud @var{bps}
1206@itemx -b @var{bps}
1207@cindex @code{--baud}
1208@cindex @code{-b}
1209Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1210interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1211
1212@item -l @var{timeout}
1213@cindex @code{-l}
1214Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1215for remote debugging.
1216
1217@item -tty @var{device}
1218@itemx -t @var{device}
1219@cindex @code{--tty}
1220@cindex @code{-t}
1221Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1222@c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1223
1224@c resolve the situation of these eventually
1225@item -tui
1226@cindex @code{--tui}
1227Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1228Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1229source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1230(@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1231option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1232Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1233
1234@c @item -xdb
1235@c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1236@c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1237@c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1238@c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1239@c systems.
1240
1241@item -interpreter @var{interp}
1242@cindex @code{--interpreter}
1243Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1244program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1245communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1246@xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1247
1248@samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1249@value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1250The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1251previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1252selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1253@sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1254
1255@item -write
1256@cindex @code{--write}
1257Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1258is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1259(@pxref{Patching}).
1260
1261@item -statistics
1262@cindex @code{--statistics}
1263This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1264memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1265
1266@item -version
1267@cindex @code{--version}
1268This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1269no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1270
1271@item -configuration
1272@cindex @code{--configuration}
1273This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1274configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1275important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1276
1277@end table
1278
1279@node Startup
1280@subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1281@cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1282
1283Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1284
1285@enumerate
1286@item
1287Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1288(@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1289
1290@item
1291@cindex init file
1292Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1293used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1294 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1295that file.
1296
1297@anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1298@item
1299Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1300DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1301@code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1302that file.
1303
1304@anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1305@item
1306Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1307@samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1308@samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1309settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1310gets loaded.
1311
1312@item
1313Processes command line options and operands.
1314
1315@anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1316@item
1317Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1318working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1319@samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1320This is only done if the current directory is
1321different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1322init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1323to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1324@value{GDBN}.
1325
1326@item
1327If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1328attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1329scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1330@xref{Auto-loading}.
1331
1332If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1333you must do something like the following:
1334
1335@smallexample
1336$ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1337@end smallexample
1338
1339Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1340off too late.
1341
1342@item
1343Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1344@samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1345more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1346
1347@item
1348Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1349@xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1350files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1351@end enumerate
1352
1353Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1354Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1355file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1356complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1357and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1358option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1359
1360To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1361can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1362
1363@cindex init file name
1364@cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1365@cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1366The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1367The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1368the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1369port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1370@file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1371and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1372
1373
1374@node Quitting GDB
1375@section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1376@cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1377@cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1378
1379@table @code
1380@kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1381@kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1382@item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1383@itemx q
1384To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1385@code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1386do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1387otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1388error code.
1389@end table
1390
1391@cindex interrupt
1392An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1393terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1394returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1395character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1396until a time when it is safe.
1397
1398If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1399device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1400(@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1401
1402@node Shell Commands
1403@section Shell Commands
1404
1405If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1406debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1407just use the @code{shell} command.
1408
1409@table @code
1410@kindex shell
1411@kindex !
1412@cindex shell escape
1413@item shell @var{command-string}
1414@itemx !@var{command-string}
1415Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1416Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1417If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1418shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1419(@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1420@end table
1421
1422The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1423You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1424@value{GDBN}:
1425
1426@table @code
1427@kindex make
1428@cindex calling make
1429@item make @var{make-args}
1430Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1431arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1432@end table
1433
1434@node Logging Output
1435@section Logging Output
1436@cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1437@cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1438
1439You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1440There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1441
1442@table @code
1443@kindex set logging
1444@item set logging on
1445Enable logging.
1446@item set logging off
1447Disable logging.
1448@cindex logging file name
1449@item set logging file @var{file}
1450Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1451@item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1452By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1453you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1454@item set logging redirect [on|off]
1455By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1456Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1457@kindex show logging
1458@item show logging
1459Show the current values of the logging settings.
1460@end table
1461
1462@node Commands
1463@chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1464
1465You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1466name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1467@value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1468key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1469show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1470
1471@menu
1472* Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1473* Completion:: Command completion
1474* Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1475@end menu
1476
1477@node Command Syntax
1478@section Command Syntax
1479
1480A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1481how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1482arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1483command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1484step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1485with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1486
1487@cindex abbreviation
1488@value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1489unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1490documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1491abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1492equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1493names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1494arguments to the @code{help} command.
1495
1496@cindex repeating commands
1497@kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1498A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1499repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1500will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1501repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1502repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1503@ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1504
1505The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1506@key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1507exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1508
1509@value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1510output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1511(@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1512@key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1513repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1514
1515@kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1516@cindex comment
1517Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1518nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1519Files,,Command Files}).
1520
1521@cindex repeating command sequences
1522@kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1523The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1524commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1525then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1526for editing.
1527
1528@node Completion
1529@section Command Completion
1530
1531@cindex completion
1532@cindex word completion
1533@value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1534only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1535are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1536commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1537
1538Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1539of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1540word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1541enter it). For example, if you type
1542
1543@c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1544@c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1545@c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1546@c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1547@smallexample
1548(@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1549@end smallexample
1550
1551@noindent
1552@value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1553the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1554
1555@smallexample
1556(@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1557@end smallexample
1558
1559@noindent
1560You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1561breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1562@samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1563were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1564might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1565to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1566
1567If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1568@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1569characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1570@value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1571example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1572begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1573just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1574function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1575example:
1576
1577@smallexample
1578(@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1579@exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1580make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1581make_abs_section make_function_type
1582make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1583make_cleanup make_reference_type
1584make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1585(@value{GDBP}) b make_
1586@end smallexample
1587
1588@noindent
1589After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1590partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1591command.
1592
1593If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1594can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1595means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1596key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1597one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1598
1599@cindex quotes in commands
1600@cindex completion of quoted strings
1601Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1602parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1603its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1604situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1605@value{GDBN} commands.
1606
1607The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1608name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1609overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1610by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1611may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1612that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1613that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1614word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1615@code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1616@value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1617when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1618
1619@smallexample
1620(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1621bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1622(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1623@end smallexample
1624
1625In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1626quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1627completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1628place:
1629
1630@smallexample
1631(@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1632@exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1633(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1634@end smallexample
1635
1636@noindent
1637In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1638you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1639completion on an overloaded symbol.
1640
1641For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1642Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1643overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1644see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1645
1646@cindex completion of structure field names
1647@cindex structure field name completion
1648@cindex completion of union field names
1649@cindex union field name completion
1650When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1651structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1652confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1653examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1654limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1655left-hand-side:
1656
1657@smallexample
1658(@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1659magic to_fputs to_rewind
1660to_data to_isatty to_write
1661to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1662to_flush to_read
1663@end smallexample
1664
1665@noindent
1666This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1667@code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1668follows:
1669
1670@smallexample
1671struct ui_file
1672@{
1673 int *magic;
1674 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1675 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1676 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1677 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1678 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1679 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1680 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1681 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1682 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1683 void *to_data;
1684@}
1685@end smallexample
1686
1687
1688@node Help
1689@section Getting Help
1690@cindex online documentation
1691@kindex help
1692
1693You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1694using the command @code{help}.
1695
1696@table @code
1697@kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1698@item help
1699@itemx h
1700You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1701display a short list of named classes of commands:
1702
1703@smallexample
1704(@value{GDBP}) help
1705List of classes of commands:
1706
1707aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1708breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1709data -- Examining data
1710files -- Specifying and examining files
1711internals -- Maintenance commands
1712obscure -- Obscure features
1713running -- Running the program
1714stack -- Examining the stack
1715status -- Status inquiries
1716support -- Support facilities
1717tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1718 stopping the program
1719user-defined -- User-defined commands
1720
1721Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1722commands in that class.
1723Type "help" followed by command name for full
1724documentation.
1725Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1726(@value{GDBP})
1727@end smallexample
1728@c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1729
1730@item help @var{class}
1731Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1732list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1733help display for the class @code{status}:
1734
1735@smallexample
1736(@value{GDBP}) help status
1737Status inquiries.
1738
1739List of commands:
1740
1741@c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1742@c to fit in smallbook page size.
1743info -- Generic command for showing things
1744 about the program being debugged
1745show -- Generic command for showing things
1746 about the debugger
1747
1748Type "help" followed by command name for full
1749documentation.
1750Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1751(@value{GDBP})
1752@end smallexample
1753
1754@item help @var{command}
1755With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1756short paragraph on how to use that command.
1757
1758@kindex apropos
1759@item apropos @var{args}
1760The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1761commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1762@var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1763
1764@smallexample
1765apropos alias
1766@end smallexample
1767
1768@noindent
1769results in:
1770
1771@smallexample
1772@c @group
1773alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1774aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1775d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1776del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1777delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1778@c @end group
1779@end smallexample
1780
1781@kindex complete
1782@item complete @var{args}
1783The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1784for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1785command you want completed. For example:
1786
1787@smallexample
1788complete i
1789@end smallexample
1790
1791@noindent results in:
1792
1793@smallexample
1794@group
1795if
1796ignore
1797info
1798inspect
1799@end group
1800@end smallexample
1801
1802@noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1803@end table
1804
1805In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1806and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1807of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1808manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1809under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1810Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1811Index}.
1812
1813@c @group
1814@table @code
1815@kindex info
1816@kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1817@item info
1818This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1819program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1820with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1821registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1822You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1823@w{@code{help info}}.
1824
1825@kindex set
1826@item set
1827You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1828@code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1829@code{set prompt $}.
1830
1831@kindex show
1832@item show
1833In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1834@value{GDBN} itself.
1835You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1836related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1837system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1838which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1839
1840@kindex info set
1841To display all the settable parameters and their current
1842values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1843@code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1844@c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1845@c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1846@c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1847@end table
1848@c @end group
1849
1850Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1851exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1852
1853@table @code
1854@kindex show version
1855@cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1856@item show version
1857Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1858information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1859@value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1860version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1861commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1862system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1863variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1864The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1865@value{GDBN}.
1866
1867@kindex show copying
1868@kindex info copying
1869@cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1870@item show copying
1871@itemx info copying
1872Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1873
1874@kindex show warranty
1875@kindex info warranty
1876@item show warranty
1877@itemx info warranty
1878Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1879if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1880
1881@kindex show configuration
1882@item show configuration
1883Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1884when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1885@file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1886automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1887bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1888your report.
1889
1890@end table
1891
1892@node Running
1893@chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1894
1895When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1896debugging information when you compile it.
1897
1898You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1899of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1900your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1901kill a child process.
1902
1903@menu
1904* Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1905* Starting:: Starting your program
1906* Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1907* Environment:: Your program's environment
1908
1909* Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1910* Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1911* Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1912* Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1913
1914* Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1915* Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1916* Forks:: Debugging forks
1917* Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1918@end menu
1919
1920@node Compilation
1921@section Compiling for Debugging
1922
1923In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1924debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1925is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1926variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1927and addresses in the executable code.
1928
1929To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1930the compiler.
1931
1932Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1933optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1934compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1935together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1936executables containing debugging information.
1937
1938@value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1939without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1940recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1941program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1942in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1943
1944Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1945@w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1946format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1947
1948@value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1949expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1950about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1951the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1952the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1953the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1954
1955@xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1956gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1957information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1958
1959You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1960version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1961DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1962format in @value{GDBN}.
1963
1964@need 2000
1965@node Starting
1966@section Starting your Program
1967@cindex starting
1968@cindex running
1969
1970@table @code
1971@kindex run
1972@kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1973@item run
1974@itemx r
1975Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1976You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1977argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1978@value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1979(@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1980
1981@end table
1982
1983If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1984supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1985that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1986@code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1987like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1988message like this one:
1989
1990@smallexample
1991The "remote" target does not support "run".
1992Try "help target" or "continue".
1993@end smallexample
1994
1995@noindent
1996then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1997first (@pxref{load}).
1998
1999The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2000receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2001information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2002can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2003your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2004divided into four categories:
2005
2006@table @asis
2007@item The @emph{arguments.}
2008Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2009@code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2010is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2011(such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2012the arguments.
2013In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2014@code{SHELL} environment variable.
2015@xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
2016
2017@item The @emph{environment.}
2018Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2019use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2020environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2021your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2022
2023@item The @emph{working directory.}
2024Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2025the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2026@xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2027
2028@item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2029Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2030standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2031in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2032set a different device for your program.
2033@xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2034
2035@cindex pipes
2036@emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2037pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2038program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2039wrong program.
2040@end table
2041
2042When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2043immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2044of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2045stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2046or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2047
2048If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2049time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2050table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2051your current breakpoints.
2052
2053@table @code
2054@kindex start
2055@item start
2056@cindex run to main procedure
2057The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2058With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2059other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2060main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2061execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2062procedure, depending on the language used.
2063
2064The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2065breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2066the @samp{run} command.
2067
2068@cindex elaboration phase
2069Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2070executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2071languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2072constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2073@code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2074before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2075will remain to halt execution.
2076
2077Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2078@samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2079underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2080reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2081@samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2082
2083It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2084these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2085your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2086elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2087elaboration code before running your program.
2088
2089@kindex set exec-wrapper
2090@item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2091@itemx show exec-wrapper
2092@itemx unset exec-wrapper
2093When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2094launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2095with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2096@var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2097arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2098appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2099your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2100
2101You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2102its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2103this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2104with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2105
2106For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2107the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2108environment:
2109
2110@smallexample
2111(@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2112(@value{GDBP}) run
2113@end smallexample
2114
2115This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2116@sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2117
2118@kindex set disable-randomization
2119@item set disable-randomization
2120@itemx set disable-randomization on
2121This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2122randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2123is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2124reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2125
2126This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2127On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2128
2129@smallexample
2130(@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2131@end smallexample
2132
2133@item set disable-randomization off
2134Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2135ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2136disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2137@value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2138as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2139disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2140
2141On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2142protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2143cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2144code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2145a code at its expected addresses.
2146
2147Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2148makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2149having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2150library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2151misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2152random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2153startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2154a randomly chosen address.
2155
2156Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2157similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2158a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2159already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2160executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2161
2162Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2163(as long as the randomization is enabled).
2164
2165@item show disable-randomization
2166Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2167the virtual address space of the started program.
2168
2169@end table
2170
2171@node Arguments
2172@section Your Program's Arguments
2173
2174@cindex arguments (to your program)
2175The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2176@code{run} command.
2177They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2178performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2179@code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2180@value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2181the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2182
2183On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2184@value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2185calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2186the program, not by the shell.
2187
2188@code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2189@code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2190
2191@table @code
2192@kindex set args
2193@item set args
2194Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2195@code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2196with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2197using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2198it again without arguments.
2199
2200@kindex show args
2201@item show args
2202Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2203@end table
2204
2205@node Environment
2206@section Your Program's Environment
2207
2208@cindex environment (of your program)
2209The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2210their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2211your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2212path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2213the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2214debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2215environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2216
2217@table @code
2218@kindex path
2219@item path @var{directory}
2220Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2221(the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2222The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2223You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2224system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2225MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2226is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2227
2228You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2229working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2230use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2231@code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2232@var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2233@var{directory} to the search path.
2234@c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2235@c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2236
2237@kindex show paths
2238@item show paths
2239Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2240environment variable).
2241
2242@kindex show environment
2243@item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2244Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2245your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2246print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2247your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2248
2249@kindex set environment
2250@item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2251Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2252changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2253be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2254any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2255parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2256null value.
2257@c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2258@c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2259
2260For example, this command:
2261
2262@smallexample
2263set env USER = foo
2264@end smallexample
2265
2266@noindent
2267tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2268@samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2269are not actually required.)
2270
2271@kindex unset environment
2272@item unset environment @var{varname}
2273Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2274program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2275@code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2276rather than assigning it an empty value.
2277@end table
2278
2279@emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2280the shell indicated
2281by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2282@code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2283that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2284@file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2285your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2286files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2287@file{.profile}.
2288
2289@node Working Directory
2290@section Your Program's Working Directory
2291
2292@cindex working directory (of your program)
2293Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2294working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2295The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2296from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2297working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2298
2299The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2300that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2301Specify Files}.
2302
2303@table @code
2304@kindex cd
2305@cindex change working directory
2306@item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2307Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2308given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2309
2310@kindex pwd
2311@item pwd
2312Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2313@end table
2314
2315It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2316the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2317during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2318configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2319proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2320current working directory of the debuggee.
2321
2322@node Input/Output
2323@section Your Program's Input and Output
2324
2325@cindex redirection
2326@cindex i/o
2327@cindex terminal
2328By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2329the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2330to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2331modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2332running your program.
2333
2334@table @code
2335@kindex info terminal
2336@item info terminal
2337Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2338program is using.
2339@end table
2340
2341You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2342redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2343
2344@smallexample
2345run > outfile
2346@end smallexample
2347
2348@noindent
2349starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2350
2351@kindex tty
2352@cindex controlling terminal
2353Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2354with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2355argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2356commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2357process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2358
2359@smallexample
2360tty /dev/ttyb
2361@end smallexample
2362
2363@noindent
2364directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2365default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2366that as their controlling terminal.
2367
2368An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2369effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2370terminal.
2371
2372When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2373command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2374for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2375for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2376
2377@cindex inferior tty
2378@cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2379You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2380display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2381program.
2382
2383@table @code
2384@item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2385@kindex set inferior-tty
2386Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2387
2388@item show inferior-tty
2389@kindex show inferior-tty
2390Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2391@end table
2392
2393@node Attach
2394@section Debugging an Already-running Process
2395@kindex attach
2396@cindex attach
2397
2398@table @code
2399@item attach @var{process-id}
2400This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2401outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2402targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2403find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2404or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2405
2406@code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2407executing the command.
2408@end table
2409
2410To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2411which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2412programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2413also have permission to send the process a signal.
2414
2415When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2416the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2417the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2418(@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2419the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2420Specify Files}.
2421
2422The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2423process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2424with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2425you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2426can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2427process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2428attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2429
2430@table @code
2431@kindex detach
2432@item detach
2433When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2434@code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2435the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2436that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2437are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2438@code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2439executing the command.
2440@end table
2441
2442If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2443that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2444By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2445things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2446@code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2447Messages}).
2448
2449@node Kill Process
2450@section Killing the Child Process
2451
2452@table @code
2453@kindex kill
2454@item kill
2455Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2456@end table
2457
2458This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2459running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2460is running.
2461
2462On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2463while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2464@code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2465outside the debugger.
2466
2467The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2468relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2469executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2470next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2471reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2472breakpoint settings).
2473
2474@node Inferiors and Programs
2475@section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2476
2477@value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2478session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2479several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2480before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2481multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2482from multiple executables.
2483
2484@cindex inferior
2485@value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2486object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2487a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2488have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2489may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2490identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2491inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2492embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2493of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2494threads running in it.
2495
2496To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2497inferiors}}:
2498
2499@table @code
2500@kindex info inferiors
2501@item info inferiors
2502Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2503
2504@value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2505
2506@enumerate
2507@item
2508the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2509
2510@item
2511the target system's inferior identifier
2512
2513@item
2514the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2515
2516@end enumerate
2517
2518@noindent
2519An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2520indicates the current inferior.
2521
2522For example,
2523@end table
2524@c end table here to get a little more width for example
2525
2526@smallexample
2527(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2528 Num Description Executable
2529 2 process 2307 hello
2530* 1 process 3401 goodbye
2531@end smallexample
2532
2533To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2534
2535@table @code
2536@kindex inferior @var{infno}
2537@item inferior @var{infno}
2538Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2539@var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2540in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2541@end table
2542
2543
2544You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2545@code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2546systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2547automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2548remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2549@w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2550
2551@table @code
2552@kindex add-inferior
2553@item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2554Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2555executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2556the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2557change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2558@code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2559
2560@kindex clone-inferior
2561@item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2562Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2563@var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2564number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2565want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2566
2567@smallexample
2568(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2569 Num Description Executable
2570* 1 process 29964 helloworld
2571(@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2572Added inferior 2.
25731 inferiors added.
2574(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2575 Num Description Executable
2576 2 <null> helloworld
2577* 1 process 29964 helloworld
2578@end smallexample
2579
2580You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2581
2582@kindex remove-inferiors
2583@item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2584Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2585possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2586those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2587
2588@end table
2589
2590To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2591inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2592inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2593using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2594
2595@table @code
2596@kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2597@item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2598Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2599inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2600still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2601but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2602
2603@kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2604@item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2605Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2606number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2607stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2608Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2609@end table
2610
2611After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2612@code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2613a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2614@code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2615
2616
2617To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2618control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2619
2620@table @code
2621@kindex set print inferior-events
2622@cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2623@item set print inferior-events
2624@itemx set print inferior-events on
2625@itemx set print inferior-events off
2626The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2627disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2628inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2629detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2630
2631@kindex show print inferior-events
2632@item show print inferior-events
2633Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2634inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2635@end table
2636
2637Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2638single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2639value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2640
2641
2642Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2643get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2644spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2645info program-spaces}} command.
2646
2647@table @code
2648@kindex maint info program-spaces
2649@item maint info program-spaces
2650Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2651@value{GDBN}.
2652
2653@value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2654
2655@enumerate
2656@item
2657the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2658
2659@item
2660the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2661the @code{file} command.
2662
2663@end enumerate
2664
2665@noindent
2666An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2667indicates the current program space.
2668
2669In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2670information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2671example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2672
2673@smallexample
2674(@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2675 Id Executable
2676 2 goodbye
2677 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2678* 1 hello
2679@end smallexample
2680
2681Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2682while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2683some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2684same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2685the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2686
2687@smallexample
2688(@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2689 Id Executable
2690* 1 vfork-test
2691 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2692@end smallexample
2693
2694Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2695space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2696@end table
2697
2698@node Threads
2699@section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2700
2701@cindex threads of execution
2702@cindex multiple threads
2703@cindex switching threads
2704In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2705may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2706of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2707the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2708that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2709modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2710registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2711
2712@value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2713programs:
2714
2715@itemize @bullet
2716@item automatic notification of new threads
2717@item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2718@item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2719@item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2720a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2721@item thread-specific breakpoints
2722@item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2723messages on thread start and exit.
2724@item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2725the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2726isn't compatible with the program.
2727@end itemize
2728
2729@quotation
2730@emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2731@value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2732If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2733effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2734from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2735like this:
2736
2737@smallexample
2738(@value{GDBP}) info threads
2739(@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2740Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2741see the IDs of currently known threads.
2742@end smallexample
2743@c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2744@c doesn't support threads"?
2745@end quotation
2746
2747@cindex focus of debugging
2748@cindex current thread
2749The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2750threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2751control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2752This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2753program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2754
2755@cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2756@cindex thread identifier (system)
2757@c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2758@c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2759@c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2760Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2761the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2762form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2763whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2764@sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2765
2766@smallexample
2767[New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2768@end smallexample
2769
2770@noindent
2771when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2772the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2773further qualifier.
2774
2775@c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2776@c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2777@c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2778@c program?
2779@c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2780@c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2781@c threads ab initio?
2782
2783@cindex thread number
2784@cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2785For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2786number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2787
2788@table @code
2789@kindex info threads
2790@item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2791Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2792argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2793means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2794@value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2795
2796@enumerate
2797@item
2798the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2799
2800@item
2801the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2802
2803@item
2804the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2805the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2806program itself.
2807
2808@item
2809the current stack frame summary for that thread
2810@end enumerate
2811
2812@noindent
2813An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2814indicates the current thread.
2815
2816For example,
2817@end table
2818@c end table here to get a little more width for example
2819
2820@smallexample
2821(@value{GDBP}) info threads
2822 Id Target Id Frame
2823 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2824 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2825* 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2826 at threadtest.c:68
2827@end smallexample
2828
2829On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2830Solaris-specific command:
2831
2832@table @code
2833@item maint info sol-threads
2834@kindex maint info sol-threads
2835@cindex thread info (Solaris)
2836Display info on Solaris user threads.
2837@end table
2838
2839@table @code
2840@kindex thread @var{threadno}
2841@item thread @var{threadno}
2842Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2843argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2844shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2845@value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2846you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2847
2848@smallexample
2849(@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2850[Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2851#0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
28528 printf ("hello\n");
2853@end smallexample
2854
2855@noindent
2856As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2857@samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2858threads.
2859
2860@vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2861The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2862of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2863conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2864@xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2865information on convenience variables.
2866
2867@kindex thread apply
2868@cindex apply command to several threads
2869@item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2870The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2871@var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2872threads that you want affected with the command argument
2873@var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2874shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2875could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2876command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2877
2878@kindex thread name
2879@cindex name a thread
2880@item thread name [@var{name}]
2881This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2882given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2883appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2884
2885On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2886determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2887systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2888system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2889@value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2890
2891@kindex thread find
2892@cindex search for a thread
2893@item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2894Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2895matches the supplied regular expression.
2896
2897As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2898this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2899@var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2900is the LWP id.
2901
2902@smallexample
2903(@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2904Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2905(@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2906 Id Target Id Frame
2907 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2908@end smallexample
2909
2910@kindex set print thread-events
2911@cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2912@item set print thread-events
2913@itemx set print thread-events on
2914@itemx set print thread-events off
2915The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2916disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2917started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2918be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2919Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2920
2921@kindex show print thread-events
2922@item show print thread-events
2923Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2924have started and exited.
2925@end table
2926
2927@xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2928more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2929programs with multiple threads.
2930
2931@xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2932watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2933
2934@anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2935@table @code
2936@kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2937@cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2938@item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2939If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2940directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2941If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2942its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2943Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2944macro.
2945
2946On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2947@code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2948inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2949to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2950specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2951by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2952
2953A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2954refers to the default system directories that are
2955normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2956is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2957(@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2958
2959A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2960refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2961was loaded in the inferior process.
2962
2963For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2964@value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2965If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2966mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2967will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2968If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2969@value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2970
2971Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2972only on some platforms.
2973
2974@kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2975@item show libthread-db-search-path
2976Display current libthread_db search path.
2977
2978@kindex set debug libthread-db
2979@kindex show debug libthread-db
2980@cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2981@item set debug libthread-db
2982@itemx show debug libthread-db
2983Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2984Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2985@end table
2986
2987@node Forks
2988@section Debugging Forks
2989
2990@cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2991@cindex multiple processes
2992@cindex processes, multiple
2993On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2994programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2995function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2996parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2997set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2998will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2999will cause it to terminate.
3000
3001However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3002which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3003the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3004only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3005so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3006on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3007get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3008@value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3009the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3010the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3011
3012On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
3013create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
3014Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
3015only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
3016
3017By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3018the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3019
3020If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3021use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3022
3023@table @code
3024@kindex set follow-fork-mode
3025@item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3026Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3027@code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3028process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3029
3030@table @code
3031@item parent
3032The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3033unimpeded. This is the default.
3034
3035@item child
3036The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3037unimpeded.
3038
3039@end table
3040
3041@kindex show follow-fork-mode
3042@item show follow-fork-mode
3043Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3044@end table
3045
3046@cindex debugging multiple processes
3047On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3048command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3049
3050@table @code
3051@kindex set detach-on-fork
3052@item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3053Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3054retain debugger control over them both.
3055
3056@table @code
3057@item on
3058The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3059@code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3060independently. This is the default.
3061
3062@item off
3063Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3064One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3065@code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3066is held suspended.
3067
3068@end table
3069
3070@kindex show detach-on-fork
3071@item show detach-on-fork
3072Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3073@end table
3074
3075If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3076will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3077You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3078using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3079to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3080Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3081
3082To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3083from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3084to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3085command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3086and Programs}.
3087
3088If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3089@code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3090breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3091@code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3092the child process's @code{main}.
3093
3094On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3095cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3096
3097If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3098call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3099process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3100as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3101@value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3102You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3103command.
3104
3105@table @code
3106@kindex set follow-exec-mode
3107@item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3108
3109Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3110@code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3111
3112@code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3113
3114@table @code
3115@item new
3116@value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3117new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3118@code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3119original inferior.
3120
3121For example:
3122
3123@smallexample
3124(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3125(gdb) info inferior
3126 Id Description Executable
3127* 1 <null> prog1
3128(@value{GDBP}) run
3129process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3130Program exited normally.
3131(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3132 Id Description Executable
3133* 2 <null> prog2
3134 1 <null> prog1
3135@end smallexample
3136
3137@item same
3138@value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3139executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3140inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3141e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3142running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3143
3144For example:
3145
3146@smallexample
3147(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3148 Id Description Executable
3149* 1 <null> prog1
3150(@value{GDBP}) run
3151process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3152Program exited normally.
3153(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3154 Id Description Executable
3155* 1 <null> prog2
3156@end smallexample
3157
3158@end table
3159@end table
3160
3161You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3162a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3163Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3164
3165@node Checkpoint/Restart
3166@section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3167
3168@cindex checkpoint
3169@cindex restart
3170@cindex bookmark
3171@cindex snapshot of a process
3172@cindex rewind program state
3173
3174On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3175@sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3176program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3177later.
3178
3179Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3180happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3181includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3182system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3183moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3184
3185Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3186getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3187a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3188the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3189from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3190start again from there.
3191
3192This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3193steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3194
3195To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3196
3197@table @code
3198@kindex checkpoint
3199@item checkpoint
3200Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3201The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3202is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3203
3204@kindex info checkpoints
3205@item info checkpoints
3206List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3207session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3208listed:
3209
3210@table @code
3211@item Checkpoint ID
3212@item Process ID
3213@item Code Address
3214@item Source line, or label
3215@end table
3216
3217@kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3218@item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3219Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3220@var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3221etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3222was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3223in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3224
3225Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3226are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3227only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3228the debugger.
3229
3230@kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3231@item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3232Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3233
3234@end table
3235
3236Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3237of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3238(OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3239a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3240so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3241opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3242previously read data can be read again.
3243
3244Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3245external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3246from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3247but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3248be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3249been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3250
3251However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3252program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3253again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3254different execution path this time.
3255
3256@cindex checkpoints and process id
3257Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3258different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3259id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3260and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3261If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3262potentially pose a problem.
3263
3264@subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3265
3266On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3267is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3268difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3269absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3270absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3271next.
3272
3273A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3274Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3275and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3276process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3277your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3278
3279@node Stopping
3280@chapter Stopping and Continuing
3281
3282The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3283program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3284trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3285
3286Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3287such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3288@value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3289change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3290continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3291ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3292explicitly request this information at any time.
3293
3294@table @code
3295@kindex info program
3296@item info program
3297Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3298running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3299@end table
3300
3301@menu
3302* Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3303* Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3304* Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3305 Skipping over functions and files
3306* Signals:: Signals
3307* Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3308@end menu
3309
3310@node Breakpoints
3311@section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3312
3313@cindex breakpoints
3314A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3315the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3316control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3317breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3318Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3319should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3320program.
3321
3322On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3323the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3324you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3325in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3326(for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3327call).
3328
3329@cindex watchpoints
3330@cindex data breakpoints
3331@cindex memory tracing
3332@cindex breakpoint on memory address
3333@cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3334A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3335when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3336of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3337combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3338@dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3339watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3340from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3341enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3342same commands.
3343
3344You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3345whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3346Automatic Display}.
3347
3348@cindex catchpoints
3349@cindex breakpoint on events
3350A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3351when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3352exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3353different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3354Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3355other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3356@code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3357
3358@cindex breakpoint numbers
3359@cindex numbers for breakpoints
3360@value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3361catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3362starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3363features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3364breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3365@dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3366enable it again.
3367
3368@cindex breakpoint ranges
3369@cindex ranges of breakpoints
3370Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3371operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3372@samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3373hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3374all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3375
3376@menu
3377* Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3378* Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3379* Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3380* Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3381* Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3382* Conditions:: Break conditions
3383* Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3384* Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3385* Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3386* Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3387* Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3388* Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3389@end menu
3390
3391@node Set Breaks
3392@subsection Setting Breakpoints
3393
3394@c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3395@c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3396@c
3397@c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3398
3399@kindex break
3400@kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3401@vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3402@cindex latest breakpoint
3403Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3404@code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3405number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3406Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3407convenience variables.
3408
3409@table @code
3410@item break @var{location}
3411Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3412function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3413(@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3414specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3415before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3416
3417When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3418C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3419@xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3420that situation.
3421
3422It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3423only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3424or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3425
3426@item break
3427When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3428the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3429(@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3430innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3431returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3432@code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3433that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3434@code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3435the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3436inside loops.
3437
3438@value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3439least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3440would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3441breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3442existed when your program stopped.
3443
3444@item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3445Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3446@var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3447value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3448@samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3449above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3450,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3451
3452@kindex tbreak
3453@item tbreak @var{args}
3454Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3455same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3456way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3457program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3458
3459@kindex hbreak
3460@cindex hardware breakpoints
3461@item hbreak @var{args}
3462Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3463@code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3464breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3465have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3466debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3467changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3468provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3469will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3470address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3471breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3472example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3473@value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3474or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3475(@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3476@xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3477For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3478breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3479hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3480
3481@kindex thbreak
3482@item thbreak @var{args}
3483Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3484are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3485the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3486the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3487first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3488command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3489may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3490See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3491
3492@kindex rbreak
3493@cindex regular expression
3494@cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3495@cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3496@item rbreak @var{regex}
3497Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3498@var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3499matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3500breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3501the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3502them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3503
3504The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3505like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3506shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3507an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3508@code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3509match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3510
3511@cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3512When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3513breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3514classes.
3515
3516@cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3517The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3518@strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3519
3520@smallexample
3521(@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3522@end smallexample
3523
3524@item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3525If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3526the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3527specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3528every function in a given file:
3529
3530@smallexample
3531(@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3532@end smallexample
3533
3534The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3535optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3536
3537@kindex info breakpoints
3538@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3539@item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3540@itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3541Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3542not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3543about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3544For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3545
3546@table @emph
3547@item Breakpoint Numbers
3548@item Type
3549Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3550@item Disposition
3551Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3552@item Enabled or Disabled
3553Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3554that are not enabled.
3555@item Address
3556Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3557pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3558contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3559library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3560See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3561have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3562@item What
3563Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3564line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3565the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3566the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3567@end table
3568
3569@noindent
3570If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3571``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3572@value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3573is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3574the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3575its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3576
3577Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3578allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3579validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3580breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3581
3582@noindent
3583@code{info break} with a breakpoint
3584number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3585convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3586the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3587listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3588
3589@noindent
3590@code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3591has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3592@code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3593hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3594was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3595will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3596
3597@noindent
3598For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3599@code{info break} also displays that count.
3600
3601@end table
3602
3603@value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3604your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3605the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3606(@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3607
3608@cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3609@cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3610It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3611in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3612
3613@itemize @bullet
3614@item
3615Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3616
3617@item
3618For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3619instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3620
3621@item
3622For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3623correspond to any number of instantiations.
3624
3625@item
3626For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3627several places where that function is inlined.
3628@end itemize
3629
3630In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3631the relevant locations.
3632
3633A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3634table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3635each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3636address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3637addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3638locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3639@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3640
3641For example:
3642
3643@smallexample
3644Num Type Disp Enb Address What
36451 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3646 stop only if i==1
3647 breakpoint already hit 1 time
36481.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
36491.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3650@end smallexample
3651
3652Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3653@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3654@code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3655delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3656entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3657the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3658the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3659the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3660that belong to that breakpoint.
3661
3662@cindex pending breakpoints
3663It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3664Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3665and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3666this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3667any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3668set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3669debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3670symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3671breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3672a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3673is not yet resolved.
3674
3675After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3676@value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3677shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3678pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3679ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3680that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3681
3682This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3683example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3684a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3685a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3686
3687Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3688differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3689enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3690
3691@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3692happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3693address specification to an address:
3694
3695@kindex set breakpoint pending
3696@kindex show breakpoint pending
3697@table @code
3698@item set breakpoint pending auto
3699This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3700location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3701
3702@item set breakpoint pending on
3703This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3704result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3705
3706@item set breakpoint pending off
3707This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3708unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3709not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3710
3711@item show breakpoint pending
3712Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3713@end table
3714
3715The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3716variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3717as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3718
3719@cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3720For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3721software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3722breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3723breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3724breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3725breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3726breakpoints.
3727
3728You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3729
3730@kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3731@kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3732@table @code
3733@item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3734This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3735will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3736breakpoint must be used.
3737
3738@item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3739This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3740type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3741trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3742@end table
3743
3744@value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3745at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3746executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3747code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3748the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3749behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3750target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3751targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3752This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3753
3754@kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3755@kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3756@table @code
3757@item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3758All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3759the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3760removed from the target when it stops.
3761
3762@item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3763Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3764the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3765breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3766removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3767
3768@cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3769@item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3770This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3771in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3772@code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3773controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3774@code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3775@end table
3776
3777@value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3778when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3779debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3780
3781If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3782download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3783
3784This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3785
3786@kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3787@kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3788@table @code
3789@item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3790This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3791conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3792the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3793for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3794
3795@item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3796This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3797to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3798is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3799breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3800is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3801cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3802that is only known to the host. Examples include
3803conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3804that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3805that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3806target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3807evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3808
3809@item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3810This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3811conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3812the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3813not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3814to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3815@end table
3816
3817
3818@cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3819@cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3820@value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3821special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3822programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3823starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3824You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3825@samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3826
3827
3828@node Set Watchpoints
3829@subsection Setting Watchpoints
3830
3831@cindex setting watchpoints
3832You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3833expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3834this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3835The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3836as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3837
3838@itemize @bullet
3839@item
3840A reference to the value of a single variable.
3841
3842@item
3843An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3844@samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3845address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3846
3847@item
3848An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3849expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3850language (@pxref{Languages}).
3851@end itemize
3852
3853You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3854not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3855@samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3856@value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3857the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3858valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3859pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3860@code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3861the expression changes.
3862
3863@cindex software watchpoints
3864@cindex hardware watchpoints
3865Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3866hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3867program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3868times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3869catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3870culprit.)
3871
3872On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3873x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3874watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3875
3876@table @code
3877@kindex watch
3878@item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3879Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3880expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3881changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3882to watch the value of a single variable:
3883
3884@smallexample
3885(@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3886@end smallexample
3887
3888If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3889argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3890@var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3891change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3892that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3893with Hardware Watchpoints.
3894
3895Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3896(see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3897instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3898@value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3899and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3900to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3901result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3902error.
3903
3904The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3905of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3906feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3907Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3908to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3909(the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3910the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3911Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3912addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3913watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3914Examples:
3915
3916@smallexample
3917(@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3918(@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3919@end smallexample
3920
3921@kindex rwatch
3922@item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3923Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3924by the program.
3925
3926@kindex awatch
3927@item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3928Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3929or written into by the program.
3930
3931@kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3932@item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3933This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3934@code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3935@end table
3936
3937If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3938dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3939never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3940a never-changing value:
3941
3942@smallexample
3943(@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3944Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3945(@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3946Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3947@end smallexample
3948
3949@value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3950watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3951value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3952cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3953executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3954@emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3955
3956@cindex use only software watchpoints
3957You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3958@kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3959zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3960the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3961watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3962@code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3963mechanism of watching expression values.)
3964
3965@table @code
3966@item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3967@kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3968Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3969
3970@item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3971@kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3972Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3973@end table
3974
3975For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3976watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3977hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3978
3979When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3980
3981@smallexample
3982Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3983@end smallexample
3984
3985@noindent
3986if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3987
3988Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3989hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3990value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3991every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3992that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3993hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3994will print a message like this:
3995
3996@smallexample
3997Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3998@end smallexample
3999
4000Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4001data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4002watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4003can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4004cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4005double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4006wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4007into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4008
4009If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4010to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4011Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4012time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4013able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4014warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4015
4016@smallexample
4017Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4018@end smallexample
4019
4020@noindent
4021If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4022
4023Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4024exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4025That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4026expression with separately allocated resources.
4027
4028If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4029any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4030kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4031
4032@value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4033(automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4034they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4035which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4036being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4037and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4038rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4039way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4040@code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4041
4042@cindex watchpoints and threads
4043@cindex threads and watchpoints
4044In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4045watched expression from every thread.
4046
4047@quotation
4048@emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4049have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4050watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4051single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4052change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4053confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4054software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4055when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4056watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4057@end quotation
4058
4059@xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4060
4061@node Set Catchpoints
4062@subsection Setting Catchpoints
4063@cindex catchpoints, setting
4064@cindex exception handlers
4065@cindex event handling
4066
4067You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4068kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4069shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4070
4071@table @code
4072@kindex catch
4073@item catch @var{event}
4074Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4075
4076@table @code
4077@item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4078@itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4079@itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4080@cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4081The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4082
4083If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4084regular expression will be caught.
4085
4086@vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4087The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4088exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4089exception being thrown.
4090
4091There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4092@value{GDBN}:
4093
4094@itemize @bullet
4095@item
4096The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4097systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4098supported.
4099
4100@item
4101The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4102variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4103If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4104These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4105or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4106built.
4107
4108@item
4109The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4110instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4111
4112@item
4113When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4114location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4115support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4116(@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4117
4118@item
4119If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4120control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4121raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4122returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4123simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4124that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4125you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4126disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4127controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4128
4129@item
4130You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4131
4132@item
4133You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4134@end itemize
4135
4136@item exception
4137@cindex Ada exception catching
4138@cindex catch Ada exceptions
4139An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4140at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4141the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4142Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4143
4144When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4145name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4146fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4147@value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4148rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4149called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4150the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4151Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4152
4153@item exception unhandled
4154An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4155
4156@item assert
4157A failed Ada assertion.
4158
4159@item exec
4160@cindex break on fork/exec
4161A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4162and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4163
4164@item syscall
4165@itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4166@cindex break on a system call.
4167A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4168syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4169from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4170@value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4171debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4172argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4173will be caught.
4174
4175@var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4176underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4177GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4178names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4179
4180@c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4181@c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4182@c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4183@c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4184
4185Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4186each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4187facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4188available choices.
4189
4190You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4191number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4192identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4193name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4194into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4195may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4196list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4197behind the OS upgrades).
4198
4199The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4200arguments to it:
4201
4202@smallexample
4203(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4204Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4205(@value{GDBP}) r
4206Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4207
4208Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4209 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4210(@value{GDBP}) c
4211Continuing.
4212
4213Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4214 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4215(@value{GDBP})
4216@end smallexample
4217
4218Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4219
4220@smallexample
4221(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4222Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4223(@value{GDBP}) r
4224Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4225
4226Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4227 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4228(@value{GDBP}) c
4229Continuing.
4230
4231Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4232 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4233(@value{GDBP})
4234@end smallexample
4235
4236An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4237below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4238file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4239
4240@smallexample
4241(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4242Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4243(@value{GDBP}) r
4244Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4245
4246Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4247 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4248(@value{GDBP}) c
4249Continuing.
4250
4251Program exited normally.
4252(@value{GDBP})
4253@end smallexample
4254
4255However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4256in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4257a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4258but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4259
4260@smallexample
4261(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4262warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4263Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4264(@value{GDBP})
4265@end smallexample
4266
4267If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4268it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4269architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4270you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4271notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4272name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4273
4274@smallexample
4275(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4276warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4277warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4278GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4279Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4280(@value{GDBP})
4281@end smallexample
4282
4283Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4284
4285Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4286number. In this case, you would see something like:
4287
4288@smallexample
4289(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4290Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4291@end smallexample
4292
4293Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4294
4295@item fork
4296A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4297and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4298
4299@item vfork
4300A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4301and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4302
4303@item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4304@itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4305The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4306given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4307matches one of the affected libraries.
4308
4309@item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4310The delivery of a signal.
4311
4312With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4313used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4314@samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4315
4316With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4317@value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4318signal names.
4319
4320Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4321@code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4322will be caught.
4323
4324One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4325@code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4326catchpoint.
4327
4328When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4329@code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4330However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4331on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4332commands.
4333
4334@end table
4335
4336@item tcatch @var{event}
4337Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4338automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4339
4340@end table
4341
4342Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4343
4344
4345@node Delete Breaks
4346@subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4347
4348@cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4349@cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4350It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4351catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4352to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4353breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4354
4355With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4356where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4357delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4358their breakpoint numbers.
4359
4360It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4361automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4362when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4363
4364@table @code
4365@kindex clear
4366@item clear
4367Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4368selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4369the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4370breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4371
4372@item clear @var{location}
4373Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4374@xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4375most useful ones are listed below:
4376
4377@table @code
4378@item clear @var{function}
4379@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4380Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4381
4382@item clear @var{linenum}
4383@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4384Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4385@var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4386@end table
4387
4388@cindex delete breakpoints
4389@kindex delete
4390@kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4391@item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4392Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4393ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4394breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4395confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4396@end table
4397
4398@node Disabling
4399@subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4400
4401@cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4402Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4403prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4404it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4405that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4406
4407You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4408the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4409one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4410print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4411do not know which numbers to use.
4412
4413Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4414affects all of its locations.
4415
4416A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4417different states of enablement:
4418
4419@itemize @bullet
4420@item
4421Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4422with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4423@item
4424Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4425@item
4426Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4427disabled.
4428@item
4429Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4430N times, then becomes disabled.
4431@item
4432Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4433immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4434set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4435@end itemize
4436
4437You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4438watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4439
4440@table @code
4441@kindex disable
4442@kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4443@item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4444Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4445listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4446options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4447case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4448@code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4449
4450@kindex enable
4451@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4452Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4453become effective once again in stopping your program.
4454
4455@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4456Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4457of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4458
4459@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4460Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4461@var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4462breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4463@value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4464count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4465decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4466
4467@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4468Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4469deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4470Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4471@end table
4472
4473@c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4474@c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4475Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4476,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4477subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4478the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4479breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4480breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4481Stepping}.)
4482
4483@node Conditions
4484@subsection Break Conditions
4485@cindex conditional breakpoints
4486@cindex breakpoint conditions
4487
4488@c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4489@c in particular for a watchpoint?
4490The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4491specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4492breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4493programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4494a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4495and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4496
4497This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4498situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4499when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4500by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4501@samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4502
4503Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4504since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4505it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4506and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4507one.
4508
4509Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4510your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4511that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4512format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4513unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4514that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4515program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4516breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4517conditions for the
4518purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4519(@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4520
4521Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4522the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4523@value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4524(@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4525independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4526locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4527
4528In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4529when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4530response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4531since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4532every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4533
4534Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4535@samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4536Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4537with the @code{condition} command.
4538
4539You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4540The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4541@code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4542catchpoint.
4543
4544@table @code
4545@kindex condition
4546@item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4547Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4548watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4549breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4550@var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4551@code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4552syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4553referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4554symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4555prints an error message:
4556
4557@smallexample
4558No symbol "foo" in current context.
4559@end smallexample
4560
4561@noindent
4562@value{GDBN} does
4563not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4564command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4565@code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4566
4567@item condition @var{bnum}
4568Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4569an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4570@end table
4571
4572@cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4573A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4574breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4575useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4576count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4577is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4578therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4579ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4580the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4581value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4582your program reaches it.
4583
4584@table @code
4585@kindex ignore
4586@item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4587Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4588The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4589execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4590takes no action.
4591
4592To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4593a count of zero.
4594
4595When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4596breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4597@code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4598Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4599
4600If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4601condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4602@value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4603
4604You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4605as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4606is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4607Variables}.
4608@end table
4609
4610Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4611
4612
4613@node Break Commands
4614@subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4615
4616@cindex breakpoint commands
4617You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4618commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4619example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4620enable other breakpoints.
4621
4622@table @code
4623@kindex commands
4624@kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4625@item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4626@itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4627@itemx end
4628Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4629themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4630@code{end} to terminate the commands.
4631
4632To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4633follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4634
4635With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4636watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4637encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4638command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4639set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4640@code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4641creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4642Expressions}).
4643@end table
4644
4645Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4646disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4647
4648You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4649use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4650that resumes execution.
4651
4652Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4653execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4654(even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4655another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4656ambiguities about which list to execute.
4657
4658@kindex silent
4659If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4660usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4661be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4662then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4663see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4664meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4665
4666The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4667print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4668breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4669
4670For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4671value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4672
4673@smallexample
4674break foo if x>0
4675commands
4676silent
4677printf "x is %d\n",x
4678cont
4679end
4680@end smallexample
4681
4682One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4683you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4684of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4685erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4686to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4687so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4688command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4689
4690@smallexample
4691break 403
4692commands
4693silent
4694set x = y + 4
4695cont
4696end
4697@end smallexample
4698
4699@node Dynamic Printf
4700@subsection Dynamic Printf
4701
4702@cindex dynamic printf
4703@cindex dprintf
4704The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4705formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4706inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4707having to recompile it.
4708
4709In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4710you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4711For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4712program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4713characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4714redirects to files and so forth.
4715
4716If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4717ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4718ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4719with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4720the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4721target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4722everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4723
4724@table @code
4725@kindex dprintf
4726@item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4727Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4728more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4729To print several values, separate them with commas.
4730
4731@item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4732Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4733styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4734dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4735print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4736explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4737
4738@item gdb
4739@kindex dprintf-style gdb
4740Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4741
4742@item call
4743@kindex dprintf-style call
4744Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4745@code{printf}).
4746
4747@item agent
4748@kindex dprintf-style agent
4749Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4750the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4751support running commands on the target.
4752
4753@item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4754Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4755default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4756that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4757command.
4758
4759@item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4760Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4761@value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4762a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4763@code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4764string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4765
4766As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4767that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4768you could do the following:
4769
4770@example
4771(gdb) set dprintf-style call
4772(gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4773(gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4774(gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4775Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4776(gdb) info break
47771 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4778 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4779 continue
4780(gdb)
4781@end example
4782
4783Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4784as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4785the variable settings.
4786
4787@item set disconnected-dprintf on
4788@itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4789@kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4790Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4791@value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4792if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4793
4794@item show disconnected-dprintf off
4795@kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4796Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4797
4798@end table
4799
4800@value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4801relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4802in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4803may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4804all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4805those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4806
4807@node Save Breakpoints
4808@subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4809
4810To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4811breakpoints}} command.
4812
4813@table @code
4814@kindex save breakpoints
4815@cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4816@item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4817This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4818their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4819suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4820types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4821tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4822@code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4823with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4824because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4825watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4826are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4827breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4828and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4829that can no longer be recreated.
4830@end table
4831
4832@node Static Probe Points
4833@subsection Static Probe Points
4834
4835@cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4836@value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4837for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4838runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4839usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4840@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4841for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4842
4843Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4844@acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4845@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4846for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4847in your applications.
4848
4849@cindex semaphores on static probe points
4850Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4851happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4852@file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4853automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4854@samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4855location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4856@value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4857
4858You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4859probes}, with optional arguments:
4860
4861@table @code
4862@kindex info probes
4863@item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4864If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4865names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4866probes from all providers are listed.
4867
4868If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4869when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4870considered when deciding whether to display them.
4871
4872If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4873object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4874given, all object files are considered.
4875
4876@item info probes all
4877List the available static probes, from all types.
4878@end table
4879
4880@vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4881A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4882point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4883at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4884convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4885@code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4886an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4887convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4888at the current probe point.
4889
4890These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4891any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4892an error message.
4893
4894
4895@c @ifclear BARETARGET
4896@node Error in Breakpoints
4897@subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4898
4899If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4900watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4901
4902@c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4903@c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4904@smallexample
4905Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4906You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4907@end smallexample
4908
4909@noindent
4910This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4911only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4912watchpoints it needs to insert.
4913
4914When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4915hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4916
4917@node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4918@subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4919@cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4920
4921Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4922which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4923@value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4924with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4925
4926One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4927a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4928bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4929constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4930bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4931honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4932first in the bundle.
4933
4934It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4935instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4936a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4937another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4938breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4939printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4940is hit.
4941
4942A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4943that's been subject to address adjustment:
4944
4945@smallexample
4946warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4947@end smallexample
4948
4949Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4950internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4951verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4952desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4953other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4954E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4955instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4956cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4957
4958@value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4959adjusted breakpoints:
4960
4961@smallexample
4962warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4963to 0x00010410.
4964@end smallexample
4965
4966When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4967action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4968frequently than expected.
4969
4970@node Continuing and Stepping
4971@section Continuing and Stepping
4972
4973@cindex stepping
4974@cindex continuing
4975@cindex resuming execution
4976@dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4977completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4978one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4979line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4980particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4981your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4982it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4983@samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4984
4985@table @code
4986@kindex continue
4987@kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4988@kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4989@item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4990@itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4991@itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4992Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4993any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4994@var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4995ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4996@code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4997
4998The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4999stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5000@code{continue} is ignored.
5001
5002The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5003debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5004purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5005@code{continue}.
5006@end table
5007
5008To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5009(@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5010calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5011Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5012
5013A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5014(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5015beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5016is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5017and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5018interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5019
5020@table @code
5021@kindex step
5022@kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5023@item step
5024Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5025line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5026abbreviated @code{s}.
5027
5028@quotation
5029@c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5030@c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5031@c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5032@c distinction here.
5033@emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5034within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5035execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5036debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5037is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5038without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5039below.
5040@end quotation
5041
5042The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5043line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5044@code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5045to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5046the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5047called within the line.
5048
5049Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5050number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5051@code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5052on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5053was any debugging information about the routine.
5054
5055@item step @var{count}
5056Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5057breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5058@var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5059
5060@kindex next
5061@kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5062@item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5063Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5064This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5065the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5066control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5067that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5068is abbreviated @code{n}.
5069
5070An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5071
5072
5073@c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5074@c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5075@c
5076@c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5077@c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5078@c function are executed without stopping.
5079
5080The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5081source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5082@code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5083
5084@kindex set step-mode
5085@item set step-mode
5086@cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5087@cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5088@itemx set step-mode on
5089The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5090stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5091information rather than stepping over it.
5092
5093This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5094machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5095want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5096
5097@item set step-mode off
5098Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5099debug information. This is the default.
5100
5101@item show step-mode
5102Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5103source line debug information.
5104
5105@kindex finish
5106@kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5107@item finish
5108Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5109returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5110abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5111
5112Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5113,Returning from a Function}).
5114
5115@kindex until
5116@kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5117@cindex run until specified location
5118@item until
5119@itemx u
5120Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5121current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5122stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5123command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5124automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5125than the address of the jump.
5126
5127This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5128though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5129exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5130simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5131through the next iteration.
5132
5133@code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5134stack frame.
5135
5136@code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5137of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5138example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5139(@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5140@code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5141
5142@smallexample
5143(@value{GDBP}) f
5144#0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5145206 expand_input();
5146(@value{GDBP}) until
5147195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5148@end smallexample
5149
5150This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5151generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5152start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5153written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5154to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5155expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5156statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5157
5158@code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5159instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5160argument.
5161
5162@item until @var{location}
5163@itemx u @var{location}
5164Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5165reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5166the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5167This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5168hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5169location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5170implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5171invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5172line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5173line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5174invocations have returned.
5175
5176@smallexample
517794 int factorial (int value)
517895 @{
517996 if (value > 1) @{
518097 value *= factorial (value - 1);
518198 @}
518299 return (value);
5183100 @}
5184@end smallexample
5185
5186
5187@kindex advance @var{location}
5188@item advance @var{location}
5189Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5190required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5191@ref{Specify Location}.
5192Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5193frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5194not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5195have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5196
5197
5198@kindex stepi
5199@kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5200@item stepi
5201@itemx stepi @var{arg}
5202@itemx si
5203Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5204
5205It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5206instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5207instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5208Display,, Automatic Display}.
5209
5210An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5211
5212@need 750
5213@kindex nexti
5214@kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5215@item nexti
5216@itemx nexti @var{arg}
5217@itemx ni
5218Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5219proceed until the function returns.
5220
5221An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5222@end table
5223
5224@node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5225@section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5226@cindex skipping over functions and files
5227
5228The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5229uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5230skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5231
5232For example, consider the following C function:
5233
5234@smallexample
5235101 int func()
5236102 @{
5237103 foo(boring());
5238104 bar(boring());
5239105 @}
5240@end smallexample
5241
5242@noindent
5243Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5244are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5245at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5246step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5247
5248One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5249command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5250is called from many places.
5251
5252A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5253@value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5254@code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5255@code{foo}.
5256
5257You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5258example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5259
5260@table @code
5261@kindex skip function
5262@item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5263@itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5264After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5265function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5266stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5267
5268If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5269will be skipped.
5270
5271(If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5272@kbd{skip function file}.)
5273
5274@kindex skip file
5275@item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5276After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5277will be skipped over when stepping.
5278
5279If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5280you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5281@end table
5282
5283Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5284These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5285
5286@table @code
5287@kindex info skip
5288@item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5289Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5290print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5291@code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5292
5293@table @emph
5294@item Identifier
5295A number identifying this skip.
5296@item Type
5297The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5298@item Enabled or Disabled
5299Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5300@item Address
5301For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5302being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5303been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5304which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5305address here.
5306@item What
5307For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5308skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5309where it is defined.
5310@end table
5311
5312@kindex skip delete
5313@item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5314Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5315skips.
5316
5317@kindex skip enable
5318@item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5319Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5320skips.
5321
5322@kindex skip disable
5323@item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5324Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5325skips.
5326
5327@end table
5328
5329@node Signals
5330@section Signals
5331@cindex signals
5332
5333A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5334operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5335kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5336signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5337@code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5338memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5339the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5340requested an alarm).
5341
5342@cindex fatal signals
5343Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5344functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5345errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5346program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5347@code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5348fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5349
5350@value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5351program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5352signal.
5353
5354@cindex handling signals
5355Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5356@code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5357(so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5358but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5359You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5360
5361@table @code
5362@kindex info signals
5363@kindex info handle
5364@item info signals
5365@itemx info handle
5366Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5367handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5368the defined types of signals.
5369
5370@item info signals @var{sig}
5371Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5372
5373@code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5374
5375@item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5376Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5377for details about this command.
5378
5379@kindex handle
5380@item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5381Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5382can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5383@samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5384@samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5385known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5386say what change to make.
5387@end table
5388
5389@c @group
5390The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5391Their full names are:
5392
5393@table @code
5394@item nostop
5395@value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5396still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5397
5398@item stop
5399@value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5400the @code{print} keyword as well.
5401
5402@item print
5403@value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5404
5405@item noprint
5406@value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5407implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5408
5409@item pass
5410@itemx noignore
5411@value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5412can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5413and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5414
5415@item nopass
5416@itemx ignore
5417@value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5418@code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5419@end table
5420@c @end group
5421
5422When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5423program until you
5424continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5425effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5426after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5427command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5428program sees that signal when you continue.
5429
5430The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5431non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5432@code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5433erroneous signals.
5434
5435You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5436seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5437or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5438due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5439values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5440execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5441a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5442you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5443Program a Signal}.
5444
5445@cindex extra signal information
5446@anchor{extra signal information}
5447
5448On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5449associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5450delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5451by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5452that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5453receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5454target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5455$_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5456standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5457system header.
5458
5459Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5460referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5461
5462@smallexample
5463@group
5464(@value{GDBP}) continue
5465Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
54660x0000000000400766 in main ()
546769 *(int *)p = 0;
5468(@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5469type = struct @{
5470 int si_signo;
5471 int si_errno;
5472 int si_code;
5473 union @{
5474 int _pad[28];
5475 struct @{...@} _kill;
5476 struct @{...@} _timer;
5477 struct @{...@} _rt;
5478 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5479 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5480 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5481 @} _sifields;
5482@}
5483(@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5484type = struct @{
5485 void *si_addr;
5486@}
5487(@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5488$1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5489@end group
5490@end smallexample
5491
5492Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5493
5494@node Thread Stops
5495@section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5496
5497@cindex stopped threads
5498@cindex threads, stopped
5499
5500@cindex continuing threads
5501@cindex threads, continuing
5502
5503@value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5504(@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5505are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5506debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5507when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5508or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5509@value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5510@dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5511you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5512
5513@menu
5514* All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5515* Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5516* Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5517* Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5518* Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5519* Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5520@end menu
5521
5522@node All-Stop Mode
5523@subsection All-Stop Mode
5524
5525@cindex all-stop mode
5526
5527In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5528@emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5529allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5530switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5531underfoot.
5532
5533Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5534executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5535like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5536
5537In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5538Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5539system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5540execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5541single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5542statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5543stops.
5544
5545You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5546continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5547thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5548first thread completes whatever you requested.
5549
5550@cindex automatic thread selection
5551@cindex switching threads automatically
5552@cindex threads, automatic switching
5553Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5554signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5555signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5556message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5557thread.
5558
5559On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5560locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5561
5562@table @code
5563@item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5564@cindex scheduler locking mode
5565@cindex lock scheduler
5566Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5567locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5568current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5569mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5570from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5571the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5572Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5573when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5574function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5575like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5576thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5577the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5578
5579@item show scheduler-locking
5580Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5581@end table
5582
5583@cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5584By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5585@code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5586threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5587is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5588@code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5589inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5590forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5591it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5592situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5593of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5594to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5595you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5596inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5597
5598@table @code
5599@kindex set schedule-multiple
5600@item set schedule-multiple
5601Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5602when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5603all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5604of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5605@code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5606or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5607
5608@item show schedule-multiple
5609Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5610multiple processes.
5611@end table
5612
5613@node Non-Stop Mode
5614@subsection Non-Stop Mode
5615
5616@cindex non-stop mode
5617
5618@c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5619@c with more details.
5620
5621For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5622mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5623the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5624minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5625where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5626respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5627
5628In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5629@emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5630threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5631execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5632only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5633in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5634ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5635one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5636one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5637independently and simultaneously.
5638
5639To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5640or attach to your program:
5641
5642@smallexample
5643# Enable the async interface.
5644set target-async 1
5645
5646# If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5647set pagination off
5648
5649# Finally, turn it on!
5650set non-stop on
5651@end smallexample
5652
5653You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5654
5655@table @code
5656@kindex set non-stop
5657@item set non-stop on
5658Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5659@item set non-stop off
5660Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5661@kindex show non-stop
5662@item show non-stop
5663Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5664@end table
5665
5666Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5667not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5668In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5669@value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5670not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5671since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5672non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5673default.
5674
5675In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5676by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5677To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5678
5679You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5680(@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5681while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5682The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5683always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5684
5685Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5686running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5687In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5688but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5689To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5690
5691Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5692
5693In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5694that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5695thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5696command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5697changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5698previously current thread.
5699
5700@node Background Execution
5701@subsection Background Execution
5702
5703@cindex foreground execution
5704@cindex background execution
5705@cindex asynchronous execution
5706@cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5707
5708@value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5709foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5710(asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5711the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5712another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5713a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5714
5715You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5716background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5717manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5718
5719@table @code
5720@kindex set target-async
5721@item set target-async on
5722Enable asynchronous mode.
5723@item set target-async off
5724Disable asynchronous mode.
5725@kindex show target-async
5726@item show target-async
5727Show the current target-async setting.
5728@end table
5729
5730If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5731message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5732
5733To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5734the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5735just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5736are:
5737
5738@table @code
5739@kindex run&
5740@item run
5741@xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5742
5743@item attach
5744@kindex attach&
5745@xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5746
5747@item step
5748@kindex step&
5749@xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5750
5751@item stepi
5752@kindex stepi&
5753@xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5754
5755@item next
5756@kindex next&
5757@xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5758
5759@item nexti
5760@kindex nexti&
5761@xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5762
5763@item continue
5764@kindex continue&
5765@xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5766
5767@item finish
5768@kindex finish&
5769@xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5770
5771@item until
5772@kindex until&
5773@xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5774
5775@end table
5776
5777Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5778mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5779However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5780the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5781previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5782mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5783
5784You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5785using the @code{interrupt} command.
5786
5787@table @code
5788@kindex interrupt
5789@item interrupt
5790@itemx interrupt -a
5791
5792Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5793@code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5794only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5795use @code{interrupt -a}.
5796@end table
5797
5798@node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5799@subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5800
5801When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5802Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5803breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5804
5805@table @code
5806@cindex breakpoints and threads
5807@cindex thread breakpoints
5808@kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5809@item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5810@itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5811@var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5812writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5813specify some source line.
5814
5815Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5816to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5817particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5818numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5819column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5820
5821If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5822breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5823program.
5824
5825You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5826well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5827after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5828
5829@smallexample
5830(@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5831@end smallexample
5832
5833@end table
5834
5835@node Interrupted System Calls
5836@subsection Interrupted System Calls
5837
5838@cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5839@cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5840@cindex premature return from system calls
5841There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5842multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5843breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5844system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5845consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5846that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5847stop execution.
5848
5849To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5850each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5851style anyways.
5852
5853For example, do not write code like this:
5854
5855@smallexample
5856 sleep (10);
5857@end smallexample
5858
5859The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5860at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5861
5862Instead, write this:
5863
5864@smallexample
5865 int unslept = 10;
5866 while (unslept > 0)
5867 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5868@end smallexample
5869
5870A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5871conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5872multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5873@value{GDBN}.
5874
5875Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5876monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5877When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5878prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5879
5880@node Observer Mode
5881@subsection Observer Mode
5882
5883If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5884without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5885variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5886whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5887at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5888
5889When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5890be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5891@code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5892mode.
5893
5894Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5895combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5896@code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5897then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5898stream will still not be able to be placed.
5899
5900@table @code
5901
5902@kindex observer
5903@item set observer on
5904@itemx set observer off
5905When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5906below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5907non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5908normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5909
5910@item show observer
5911Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5912
5913@kindex may-write-registers
5914@item set may-write-registers on
5915@itemx set may-write-registers off
5916This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5917registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5918@code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5919
5920@item show may-write-registers
5921Show the current permission to write registers.
5922
5923@kindex may-write-memory
5924@item set may-write-memory on
5925@itemx set may-write-memory off
5926This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5927of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5928defaults to @code{on}.
5929
5930@item show may-write-memory
5931Show the current permission to write memory.
5932
5933@kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5934@item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5935@itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5936This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5937This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5938by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5939
5940@item show may-insert-breakpoints
5941Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5942
5943@kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5944@item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5945@itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5946This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5947tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5948non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5949@code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5950
5951@item show may-insert-tracepoints
5952Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5953
5954@kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5955@item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5956@itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5957This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5958tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5959fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5960control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5961
5962@item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5963Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5964
5965@kindex may-interrupt
5966@item set may-interrupt on
5967@itemx set may-interrupt off
5968This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5969program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5970@code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5971@kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5972
5973@item show may-interrupt
5974Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5975
5976@end table
5977
5978@node Reverse Execution
5979@chapter Running programs backward
5980@cindex reverse execution
5981@cindex running programs backward
5982
5983When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5984you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5985If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5986``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5987
5988A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5989to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5990program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5991revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5992deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5993all target environments can support reverse execution.
5994
5995When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5996have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5997order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5998thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5999the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6000instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6001a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6002should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6003prior values@footnote{
6004Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6005memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6006targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6007
6008The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6009requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6010@value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6011results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6012@value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6013assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6014consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6015}.
6016
6017If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6018reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6019
6020@table @code
6021@kindex reverse-continue
6022@kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6023@item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6024@itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6025Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6026in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6027exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6028asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6029
6030@kindex reverse-step
6031@kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6032@item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6033Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6034different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6035
6036Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6037at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6038executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6039debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6040the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6041statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6042
6043Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6044called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6045
6046@kindex reverse-stepi
6047@kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6048@item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6049Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6050to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6051counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6052if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6053back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6054
6055@kindex reverse-next
6056@kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6057@item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6058Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6059the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6060calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6061the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6062to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6063just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6064line of a function back to its return to its caller
6065@footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6066
6067@kindex reverse-nexti
6068@kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6069@item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6070Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6071in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6072That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6073another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6074in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6075frame) is reached.
6076
6077@kindex reverse-finish
6078@item reverse-finish
6079Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6080current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6081where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6082function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6083
6084@kindex set exec-direction
6085@item set exec-direction
6086Set the direction of target execution.
6087@item set exec-direction reverse
6088@cindex execute forward or backward in time
6089@value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6090exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6091@code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6092command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6093@item set exec-direction forward
6094@value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6095This is the default.
6096@end table
6097
6098
6099@node Process Record and Replay
6100@chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6101@cindex process record and replay
6102@cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6103
6104On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6105and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6106replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6107
6108@cindex replay mode
6109When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6110for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6111mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6112instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6113code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6114really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6115program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6116changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6117execution log.
6118
6119@cindex record mode
6120If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6121@value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6122inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6123for future replay.
6124
6125The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6126(@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6127inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6128this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6129log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6130support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6131
6132When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6133replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6134previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6135platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6136
6137For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6138@value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6139
6140@table @code
6141@kindex target record
6142@kindex target record-full
6143@kindex target record-btrace
6144@kindex record
6145@kindex record full
6146@kindex record btrace
6147@kindex rec
6148@kindex rec full
6149@kindex rec btrace
6150@item record @var{method}
6151This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6152recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6153the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6154recording methods are available:
6155
6156@table @code
6157@item full
6158Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6159replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6160execution.
6161
6162@item btrace
6163Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not allow
6164replaying and reverse execution.
6165
6166This recording method may not be available on all processors.
6167@end table
6168
6169The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6170already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6171the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6172with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6173
6174Both @code{record @var{method}} and @code{rec @var{method}} are
6175aliases of @code{target record-@var{method}}.
6176
6177@cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6178Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6179will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6180is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6181doesn't support displaced stepping.
6182
6183@cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6184@cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6185If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6186the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6187all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6188does not support these two modes.
6189
6190@kindex record stop
6191@kindex rec s
6192@item record stop
6193Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6194replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6195inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6196
6197When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6198the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6199next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6200you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6201will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6202
6203On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6204while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6205but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6206at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6207usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6208
6209When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6210process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6211
6212@kindex record save
6213@item record save @var{filename}
6214Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6215Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6216@var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6217
6218This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6219
6220@kindex record restore
6221@item record restore @var{filename}
6222Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6223File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6224
6225@kindex set record full
6226@item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6227@itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6228Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6229recording method. Default value is 200000.
6230
6231If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6232deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6233instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6234instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6235instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6236(Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6237lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6238the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6239
6240If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6241delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6242recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6243
6244@kindex show record full
6245@item show record full insn-number-max
6246Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6247recording method.
6248
6249@item set record full stop-at-limit
6250Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6251number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6252default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6253first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6254continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6255to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6256oldest one to be deleted.
6257
6258If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6259oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6260
6261@item show record full stop-at-limit
6262Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6263
6264@item set record full memory-query
6265Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6266changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6267If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6268case.
6269
6270If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6271ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6272@value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6273instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6274results.
6275
6276@item show record full memory-query
6277Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6278
6279@kindex info record
6280@item info record
6281Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6282method:
6283
6284@table @code
6285@item full
6286For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6287record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6288
6289@itemize @bullet
6290@item
6291Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6292@item
6293Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6294@item
6295Highest recorded instruction number.
6296@item
6297Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6298@item
6299Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6300@item
6301Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6302@end itemize
6303
6304@item btrace
6305For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows the number of
6306instructions that have been recorded and the number of blocks of
6307sequential control-flow that is formed by the recorded instructions.
6308@end table
6309
6310@kindex record delete
6311@kindex rec del
6312@item record delete
6313When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6314subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6315from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6316recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6317
6318@kindex record instruction-history
6319@kindex rec instruction-history
6320@item record instruction-history
6321Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6322default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6323the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6324are printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify
6325what part of the execution log to disassemble:
6326
6327@table @code
6328@item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6329Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6330@var{insn}.
6331
6332@item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6333Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6334@var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6335@var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6336@var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6337instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6338
6339@item record instruction-history
6340Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6341
6342@item record instruction-history -
6343Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6344
6345@item record instruction-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6346Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6347@var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6348number @var{end} is not included.
6349@end table
6350
6351This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6352
6353@kindex set record
6354@item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6355@itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6356Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6357instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6358A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6359
6360@kindex show record
6361@item show record instruction-history-size
6362Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6363instruction-history} command.
6364
6365@kindex record function-call-history
6366@kindex rec function-call-history
6367@item record function-call-history
6368Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6369line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6370function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6371for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6372specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6373the @code{/i} modifier is specified).
6374
6375@smallexample
6376(@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
63771 void foo (void)
63782 @{
63793 @}
63804
63815 void bar (void)
63826 @{
63837 ...
63848 foo ();
63859 ...
638610 @}
6387(@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /l}
63881 foo.c:6-8 bar
63892 foo.c:2-3 foo
63903 foo.c:9-10 bar
6391@end smallexample
6392
6393By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6394@code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6395printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6396to print:
6397
6398@table @code
6399@item record function-call-history @var{func}
6400Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6401
6402@item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6403Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6404@var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6405function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6406prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6407
6408@item record function-call-history
6409Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6410
6411@item record function-call-history -
6412Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6413
6414@item record function-call-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6415Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6416function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is not
6417included.
6418@end table
6419
6420This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6421
6422@item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6423@itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6424Define how many lines to print in the
6425@code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6426A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6427
6428@item show record function-call-history-size
6429Show how many lines to print in the
6430@code{record function-call-history} command.
6431@end table
6432
6433
6434@node Stack
6435@chapter Examining the Stack
6436
6437When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6438stopped and how it got there.
6439
6440@cindex call stack
6441Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6442is generated.
6443That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6444the arguments of the call,
6445and the local variables of the function being called.
6446The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6447The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6448stack}.
6449
6450When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6451stack allow you to see all of this information.
6452
6453@cindex selected frame
6454One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6455@value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6456particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6457your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6458special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6459interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6460
6461When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6462currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6463@code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6464
6465@menu
6466* Frames:: Stack frames
6467* Backtrace:: Backtraces
6468* Selection:: Selecting a frame
6469* Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6470
6471@end menu
6472
6473@node Frames
6474@section Stack Frames
6475
6476@cindex frame, definition
6477@cindex stack frame
6478The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6479frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6480with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6481to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6482which the function is executing.
6483
6484@cindex initial frame
6485@cindex outermost frame
6486@cindex innermost frame
6487When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6488function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6489@dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6490made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6491is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6492the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6493actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6494recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6495
6496@cindex frame pointer
6497Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6498stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6499kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6500address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6501in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6502(@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6503
6504@cindex frame number
6505@value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6506zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6507and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6508they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6509frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6510
6511@c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6512@c underflow problems.
6513@cindex frameless execution
6514Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6515without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6516@smallexample
6517@samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6518@end smallexample
6519generates functions without a frame.)
6520This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6521the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6522with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6523has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6524it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6525correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6526no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6527
6528@table @code
6529@kindex frame@r{, command}
6530@cindex current stack frame
6531@item frame @var{args}
6532The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6533and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6534address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6535@code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6536
6537@kindex select-frame
6538@cindex selecting frame silently
6539@item select-frame
6540The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6541to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6542@code{frame}.
6543@end table
6544
6545@node Backtrace
6546@section Backtraces
6547
6548@cindex traceback
6549@cindex call stack traces
6550A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6551line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6552frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6553stack.
6554
6555@table @code
6556@kindex backtrace
6557@kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6558@item backtrace
6559@itemx bt
6560Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6561frames in the stack.
6562
6563You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6564character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6565
6566@item backtrace @var{n}
6567@itemx bt @var{n}
6568Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6569
6570@item backtrace -@var{n}
6571@itemx bt -@var{n}
6572Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6573
6574@item backtrace full
6575@itemx bt full
6576@itemx bt full @var{n}
6577@itemx bt full -@var{n}
6578Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6579number of frames to print, as described above.
6580@end table
6581
6582@kindex where
6583@kindex info stack
6584The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6585are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6586
6587@cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6588In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6589backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6590several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6591(@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6592apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6593the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6594multi-threaded program.
6595
6596Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6597The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6598print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6599line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6600counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6601line number.
6602
6603Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6604@samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6605
6606@smallexample
6607@group
6608#0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6609 at builtin.c:993
6610#1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6611#2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6612 at macro.c:71
6613(More stack frames follow...)
6614@end group
6615@end smallexample
6616
6617@noindent
6618The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6619value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6620code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6621
6622@noindent
6623The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6624@code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6625only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6626@kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6627on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6628
6629@cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6630@cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6631If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6632optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6633never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6634passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6635in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6636arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6637such a backtrace might look like:
6638
6639@smallexample
6640@group
6641#0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6642 at builtin.c:993
6643#1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6644#2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6645 at macro.c:71
6646(More stack frames follow...)
6647@end group
6648@end smallexample
6649
6650@noindent
6651The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6652shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6653
6654If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6655either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6656you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6657
6658@cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6659@cindex program entry point
6660@cindex startup code, and backtrace
6661Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6662libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6663@code{main}@footnote{
6664Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6665environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6666entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6667When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6668it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6669system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6670
6671If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6672in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6673
6674@table @code
6675@item set backtrace past-main
6676@itemx set backtrace past-main on
6677@kindex set backtrace
6678Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6679
6680@item set backtrace past-main off
6681Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6682default.
6683
6684@item show backtrace past-main
6685@kindex show backtrace
6686Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6687
6688@item set backtrace past-entry
6689@itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6690Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6691This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6692and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6693
6694@item set backtrace past-entry off
6695Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6696application. This is the default.
6697
6698@item show backtrace past-entry
6699Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6700
6701@item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6702@itemx set backtrace limit 0
6703@itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
6704@cindex backtrace limit
6705Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
6706or zero means unlimited levels.
6707
6708@item show backtrace limit
6709Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6710@end table
6711
6712You can control how file names are displayed.
6713
6714@table @code
6715@item set filename-display
6716@itemx set filename-display relative
6717@cindex filename-display
6718Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
6719
6720@item set filename-display basename
6721Display only basename of a filename.
6722
6723@item set filename-display absolute
6724Display an absolute filename.
6725
6726@item show filename-display
6727Show the current way to display filenames.
6728@end table
6729
6730@node Selection
6731@section Selecting a Frame
6732
6733Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6734whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6735selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6736of the stack frame just selected.
6737
6738@table @code
6739@kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6740@kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6741@item frame @var{n}
6742@itemx f @var{n}
6743Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6744(currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6745innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6746@code{main}.
6747
6748@item frame @var{addr}
6749@itemx f @var{addr}
6750Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6751chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6752impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6753addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6754switches between them.
6755
6756On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6757select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6758
6759On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6760pointer and a program counter.
6761
6762On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6763pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6764
6765@kindex up
6766@item up @var{n}
6767Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6768advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6769that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6770
6771@kindex down
6772@kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6773@item down @var{n}
6774Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6775advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6776that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6777abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6778@end table
6779
6780All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6781frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6782arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6783frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6784
6785@need 1000
6786For example:
6787
6788@smallexample
6789@group
6790(@value{GDBP}) up
6791#1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6792 at env.c:10
679310 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6794@end group
6795@end smallexample
6796
6797After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6798prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6799You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6800editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6801@xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6802for details.
6803
6804@table @code
6805@kindex down-silently
6806@kindex up-silently
6807@item up-silently @var{n}
6808@itemx down-silently @var{n}
6809These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6810respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6811causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6812in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6813distracting.
6814@end table
6815
6816@node Frame Info
6817@section Information About a Frame
6818
6819There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6820stack frame.
6821
6822@table @code
6823@item frame
6824@itemx f
6825When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6826frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6827selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6828argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6829@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6830
6831@kindex info frame
6832@kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6833@item info frame
6834@itemx info f
6835This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6836including:
6837
6838@itemize @bullet
6839@item
6840the address of the frame
6841@item
6842the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6843@item
6844the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6845@item
6846the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6847@item
6848the address of the frame's arguments
6849@item
6850the address of the frame's local variables
6851@item
6852the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6853@item
6854which registers were saved in the frame
6855@end itemize
6856
6857@noindent The verbose description is useful when
6858something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6859the usual conventions.
6860
6861@item info frame @var{addr}
6862@itemx info f @var{addr}
6863Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6864selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6865command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6866architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6867@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6868
6869@kindex info args
6870@item info args
6871Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6872
6873@item info locals
6874@kindex info locals
6875Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6876line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6877accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6878
6879@end table
6880
6881
6882@node Source
6883@chapter Examining Source Files
6884
6885@value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6886information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6887used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6888the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6889(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6890execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6891source files by explicit command.
6892
6893If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6894prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6895@value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6896
6897@menu
6898* List:: Printing source lines
6899* Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6900* Edit:: Editing source files
6901* Search:: Searching source files
6902* Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6903* Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6904@end menu
6905
6906@node List
6907@section Printing Source Lines
6908
6909@kindex list
6910@kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6911To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6912(abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6913There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6914print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6915
6916Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6917
6918@table @code
6919@item list @var{linenum}
6920Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6921current source file.
6922
6923@item list @var{function}
6924Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6925@var{function}.
6926
6927@item list
6928Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6929@code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6930printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6931as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6932Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6933
6934@item list -
6935Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6936@end table
6937
6938@cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6939By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6940the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6941
6942@table @code
6943@kindex set listsize
6944@item set listsize @var{count}
6945@itemx set listsize unlimited
6946Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6947the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6948Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
6949
6950@kindex show listsize
6951@item show listsize
6952Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6953@end table
6954
6955Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6956so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6957than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6958argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6959each repetition moves up in the source file.
6960
6961In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6962@dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6963of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6964to specify some source line.
6965
6966Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6967
6968@table @code
6969@item list @var{linespec}
6970Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6971
6972@item list @var{first},@var{last}
6973Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6974linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6975source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6976the same source file as the first linespec.
6977
6978@item list ,@var{last}
6979Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6980
6981@item list @var{first},
6982Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6983
6984@item list +
6985Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6986
6987@item list -
6988Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6989
6990@item list
6991As described in the preceding table.
6992@end table
6993
6994@node Specify Location
6995@section Specifying a Location
6996@cindex specifying location
6997@cindex linespec
6998
6999Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7000of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7001debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
7002for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
7003
7004Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
7005@value{GDBN} understands:
7006
7007@table @code
7008@item @var{linenum}
7009Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7010
7011@item -@var{offset}
7012@itemx +@var{offset}
7013Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7014line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7015printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7016execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7017(@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7018used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7019this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7020linespec.
7021
7022@item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7023Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7024If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7025source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7026@var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7027name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7028@file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7029
7030@item @var{function}
7031Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7032For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7033
7034@item @var{function}:@var{label}
7035Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7036
7037@item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7038Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7039in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7040function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7041functions in different source files.
7042
7043@item @var{label}
7044Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
7045@value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
7046the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
7047stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
7048@value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7049
7050@item *@var{address}
7051Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
7052commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
7053line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
7054breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7055parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7056source files.
7057
7058Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7059language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7060address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7061semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
7062that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
7063of @var{address}:
7064
7065@table @code
7066@item @var{expression}
7067Any expression valid in the current working language.
7068
7069@item @var{funcaddr}
7070An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7071C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7072simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7073of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7074@code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7075(although the Pascal form also works).
7076
7077This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7078before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7079
7080@item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
7081Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7082file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7083specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7084functions with identical names in different source files.
7085@end table
7086
7087@cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7088@item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7089The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7090applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7091information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7092specifies the location of such a static probe.
7093
7094If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7095or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7096If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7097If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7098each one of those probes.
7099
7100@end table
7101
7102
7103@node Edit
7104@section Editing Source Files
7105@cindex editing source files
7106
7107@kindex edit
7108@kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7109To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7110The editing program of your choice
7111is invoked with the current line set to
7112the active line in the program.
7113Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7114want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7115
7116@table @code
7117@item edit @var{location}
7118Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7119that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7120specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7121of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7122command most commonly used:
7123
7124@table @code
7125@item edit @var{number}
7126Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7127
7128@item edit @var{function}
7129Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7130@end table
7131
7132@end table
7133
7134@subsection Choosing your Editor
7135You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7136@footnote{
7137The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7138following command-line syntax:
7139@smallexample
7140ex +@var{number} file
7141@end smallexample
7142The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7143the file where to start editing.}.
7144By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7145by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7146@value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7147@code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7148@smallexample
7149EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
7150export EDITOR
7151gdb @dots{}
7152@end smallexample
7153or in the @code{csh} shell,
7154@smallexample
7155setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7156gdb @dots{}
7157@end smallexample
7158
7159@node Search
7160@section Searching Source Files
7161@cindex searching source files
7162
7163There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7164regular expression.
7165
7166@table @code
7167@kindex search
7168@kindex forward-search
7169@kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7170@item forward-search @var{regexp}
7171@itemx search @var{regexp}
7172The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7173starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7174@var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7175synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7176@code{fo}.
7177
7178@kindex reverse-search
7179@item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7180The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7181with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7182for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7183this command as @code{rev}.
7184@end table
7185
7186@node Source Path
7187@section Specifying Source Directories
7188
7189@cindex source path
7190@cindex directories for source files
7191Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7192files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7193the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7194session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7195this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7196it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7197in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7198
7199For example, suppose an executable references the file
7200@file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7201@file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7202fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7203fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7204message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7205source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7206Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7207the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7208@file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7209@file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7210
7211Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7212names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7213instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7214is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7215@file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7216that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7217
7218Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7219source files.
7220
7221Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7222any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7223each line is in the file.
7224
7225@kindex directory
7226@kindex dir
7227When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7228and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7229To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7230
7231The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7232script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7233
7234In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7235that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7236rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7237debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7238directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7239two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7240the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7241In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7242@var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7243of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7244source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7245name to look up the sources.
7246
7247Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7248moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7249@value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7250@file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7251@file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7252of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7253substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7254(@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7255
7256To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7257@var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7258For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7259@file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7260not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7261is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7262not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7263
7264In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7265command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7266the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7267subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7268subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7269preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7270allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7271command.
7272
7273@code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7274The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7275longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7276the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7277for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7278located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7279method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7280
7281@cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7282@cindex default source path substitution
7283You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7284configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7285@samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7286should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7287prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7288directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7289automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7290location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7291with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7292together.
7293
7294@table @code
7295@item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7296@item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7297Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7298directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7299(@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7300part of absolute file names) or
7301whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7302path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7303
7304@kindex cdir
7305@kindex cwd
7306@vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7307@vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7308@cindex compilation directory
7309@cindex current directory
7310@cindex working directory
7311@cindex directory, current
7312@cindex directory, compilation
7313You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7314directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7315working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7316tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7317session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7318directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7319
7320@item directory
7321Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7322
7323@c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7324@c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7325
7326@item set directories @var{path-list}
7327@kindex set directories
7328Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7329@samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7330
7331@item show directories
7332@kindex show directories
7333Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7334
7335@anchor{set substitute-path}
7336@item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7337@kindex set substitute-path
7338Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7339current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7340@var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7341
7342For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7343@file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7344
7345@smallexample
7346(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7347@end smallexample
7348
7349@noindent
7350will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7351@samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7352@file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7353
7354In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7355the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7356defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7357the substitution.
7358
7359For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7360
7361@smallexample
7362(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7363(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7364@end smallexample
7365
7366@noindent
7367@value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7368@file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7369use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7370@file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7371
7372
7373@item unset substitute-path [path]
7374@kindex unset substitute-path
7375If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7376for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7377A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7378
7379If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7380
7381@item show substitute-path [path]
7382@kindex show substitute-path
7383If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7384which would rewrite that path, if any.
7385
7386If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7387rules.
7388
7389@end table
7390
7391If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7392interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7393versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7394
7395@enumerate
7396@item
7397Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7398
7399@item
7400Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7401directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7402directories in one command.
7403@end enumerate
7404
7405@node Machine Code
7406@section Source and Machine Code
7407@cindex source line and its code address
7408
7409You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7410addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7411a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7412@code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7413source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7414mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7415line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7416well as hex.
7417
7418@table @code
7419@kindex info line
7420@item info line @var{linespec}
7421Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7422source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7423the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7424@end table
7425
7426For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7427the object code for the first line of function
7428@code{m4_changequote}:
7429
7430@c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7431@c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7432@smallexample
7433(@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7434Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7435@end smallexample
7436
7437@noindent
7438@cindex code address and its source line
7439We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7440@var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7441@smallexample
7442(@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7443Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7444@end smallexample
7445
7446@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7447@cindex @code{x} command, default address
7448@kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7449After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7450is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7451sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7452,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7453convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7454Variables}).
7455
7456@table @code
7457@kindex disassemble
7458@cindex assembly instructions
7459@cindex instructions, assembly
7460@cindex machine instructions
7461@cindex listing machine instructions
7462@item disassemble
7463@itemx disassemble /m
7464@itemx disassemble /r
7465This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7466instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7467the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7468in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7469The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7470program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7471command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7472surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7473be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7474arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7475
7476@table @code
7477@item @var{start},@var{end}
7478the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7479@item @var{start},+@var{length}
7480the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7481@code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7482@end table
7483
7484@noindent
7485When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7486printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7487
7488The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7489@samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7490
7491If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7492the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7493@end table
7494
7495The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7496HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7497
7498@smallexample
7499(@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7500Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7501 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7502 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7503 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7504 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7505 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7506 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7507 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7508 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7509End of assembler dump.
7510@end smallexample
7511
7512Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7513program is stopped just after function prologue:
7514
7515@smallexample
7516(@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7517Dump of assembler code for function main:
75185 @{
7519 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7520 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7521 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7522 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7523 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7524
75256 printf ("Hello.\n");
7526=> 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7527 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7528
75297 return 0;
75308 @}
7531 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7532 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7533 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7534
7535End of assembler dump.
7536@end smallexample
7537
7538Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7539
7540@smallexample
7541(gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7542Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7543 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7544 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7545 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7546 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7547End of assembler dump.
7548@end smallexample
7549
7550Addresses cannot be specified as a linespec (@pxref{Specify Location}).
7551So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
7552in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
7553and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
7554
7555Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7556mnemonics or other syntax.
7557
7558For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7559instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7560libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7561location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7562might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7563
7564@table @code
7565@kindex set disassembly-flavor
7566@cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7567@cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7568@item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7569Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7570program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7571
7572Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7573can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7574The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7575assemblers for x86-based targets.
7576
7577@kindex show disassembly-flavor
7578@item show disassembly-flavor
7579Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7580@end table
7581
7582@table @code
7583@kindex set disassemble-next-line
7584@kindex show disassemble-next-line
7585@item set disassemble-next-line
7586@itemx show disassemble-next-line
7587Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7588line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7589display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7590program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7591displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7592possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7593(e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7594info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7595next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7596AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7597if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7598@value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7599with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7600OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7601instruction.
7602@end table
7603
7604
7605@node Data
7606@chapter Examining Data
7607
7608@cindex printing data
7609@cindex examining data
7610@kindex print
7611@kindex inspect
7612The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7613command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7614evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7615program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7616Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7617Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7618
7619@table @code
7620@item print @var{expr}
7621@itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7622@var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7623value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7624you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7625@var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7626Formats}.
7627
7628@item print
7629@itemx print /@var{f}
7630@cindex reprint the last value
7631If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7632@dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7633conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7634@end table
7635
7636A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7637It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7638specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7639
7640If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7641fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7642command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7643Table}.
7644
7645@cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7646@kindex explore
7647Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7648through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7649the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7650offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7651abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7652itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7653embedded in the higher level data types.
7654
7655@table @code
7656@item explore @var{arg}
7657@var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7658visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7659@end table
7660
7661The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7662example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7663C program as
7664
7665@smallexample
7666struct SimpleStruct
7667@{
7668 int i;
7669 double d;
7670@};
7671
7672struct ComplexStruct
7673@{
7674 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7675 int arr[10];
7676@};
7677@end smallexample
7678
7679@noindent
7680followed by variable declarations as
7681
7682@smallexample
7683struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7684struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7685@end smallexample
7686
7687@noindent
7688then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7689@code{explore} command as follows.
7690
7691@smallexample
7692(gdb) explore cs
7693The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7694the following fields:
7695
7696 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7697 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7698
7699Enter the field number of choice:
7700@end smallexample
7701
7702@noindent
7703Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7704prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7705the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7706pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7707the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7708value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7709be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7710field will be explored as if it were an array.
7711
7712@smallexample
7713`cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7714Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7715The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7716SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7717
7718 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7719 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7720
7721Press enter to return to parent value:
7722@end smallexample
7723
7724@noindent
7725If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7726entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7727prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7728to explore.
7729
7730@smallexample
7731`cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7732Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7733
7734`(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7735
7736(cs.arr)[5] = 4
7737
7738Press enter to return to parent value:
7739@end smallexample
7740
7741In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7742leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7743return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7744level data structure).
7745
7746Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7747explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7748variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7749program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7750same example as above, your can explore the type
7751@code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7752@code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7753
7754@smallexample
7755(gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7756@end smallexample
7757
7758@noindent
7759By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7760session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7761manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7762example.
7763
7764The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7765@code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7766a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7767being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7768exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7769
7770@table @code
7771@item explore value @var{expr}
7772@cindex explore value
7773This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7774expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7775current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7776command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7777command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7778
7779@item explore type @var{arg}
7780@cindex explore type
7781This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7782@var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7783debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7784is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7785debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7786identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7787argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7788this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7789being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7790@end table
7791
7792@menu
7793* Expressions:: Expressions
7794* Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7795* Variables:: Program variables
7796* Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7797* Output Formats:: Output formats
7798* Memory:: Examining memory
7799* Auto Display:: Automatic display
7800* Print Settings:: Print settings
7801* Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7802* Value History:: Value history
7803* Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7804* Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
7805* Registers:: Registers
7806* Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7807* Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7808* OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7809* Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7810* Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7811* Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7812* Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7813 character set than GDB does
7814* Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7815* Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7816@end menu
7817
7818@node Expressions
7819@section Expressions
7820
7821@cindex expressions
7822@code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7823compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7824by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7825@value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7826casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7827you compiled your program to include this information; see
7828@ref{Compilation}.
7829
7830@cindex arrays in expressions
7831@value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7832the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7833you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7834of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7835to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7836is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7837
7838Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7839this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7840Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7841languages.
7842
7843In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7844expressions regardless of your programming language.
7845
7846@cindex casts, in expressions
7847Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7848useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7849at that address in memory.
7850@c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7851
7852@value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7853to programming languages:
7854
7855@table @code
7856@item @@
7857@samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7858@xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7859
7860@item ::
7861@samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7862function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7863
7864@cindex @{@var{type}@}
7865@cindex type casting memory
7866@cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7867@cindex casts, to view memory
7868@item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7869Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7870memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7871pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7872a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7873normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7874@end table
7875
7876@node Ambiguous Expressions
7877@section Ambiguous Expressions
7878@cindex ambiguous expressions
7879
7880Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7881some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7882a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7883different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7884involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7885templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7886the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7887
7888In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7889the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7890can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7891@kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7892qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7893as well.
7894
7895When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7896has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7897possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7898The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7899aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7900used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7901menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7902choices.
7903
7904For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7905breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7906We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7907
7908@c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7909@smallexample
7910@group
7911(@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7912[0] cancel
7913[1] all
7914[2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7915[3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7916[4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7917[5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7918[6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7919[7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7920> 2 4 6
7921Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7922Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7923Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7924Multiple breakpoints were set.
7925Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7926 breakpoints.
7927(@value{GDBP})
7928@end group
7929@end smallexample
7930
7931@table @code
7932@kindex set multiple-symbols
7933@item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7934@cindex multiple-symbols menu
7935
7936This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7937is ambiguous.
7938
7939By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7940the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7941automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7942a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7943inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7944then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7945For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7946in the use of the menu.
7947
7948When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7949when an ambiguity is detected.
7950
7951Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7952an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7953
7954@kindex show multiple-symbols
7955@item show multiple-symbols
7956Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7957@end table
7958
7959@node Variables
7960@section Program Variables
7961
7962The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7963in your program.
7964
7965Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7966(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7967
7968@itemize @bullet
7969@item
7970global (or file-static)
7971@end itemize
7972
7973@noindent or
7974
7975@itemize @bullet
7976@item
7977visible according to the scope rules of the
7978programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7979@end itemize
7980
7981@noindent This means that in the function
7982
7983@smallexample
7984foo (a)
7985 int a;
7986@{
7987 bar (a);
7988 @{
7989 int b = test ();
7990 bar (b);
7991 @}
7992@}
7993@end smallexample
7994
7995@noindent
7996you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7997executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7998examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7999the block where @code{b} is declared.
8000
8001@cindex variable name conflict
8002There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8003scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8004in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8005function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8006happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8007you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8008using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8009
8010@cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8011@ifnotinfo
8012@c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8013@cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8014@end ifnotinfo
8015@smallexample
8016@var{file}::@var{variable}
8017@var{function}::@var{variable}
8018@end smallexample
8019
8020@noindent
8021Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8022static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8023make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8024to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8025
8026@smallexample
8027(@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8028@end smallexample
8029
8030The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8031static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8032in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8033simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8034to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8035
8036@smallexample
8037void
8038foo (int a)
8039@{
8040 if (a < 10)
8041 bar (a);
8042 else
8043 process (a); /* Stop here */
8044@}
8045
8046int
8047bar (int a)
8048@{
8049 foo (a + 5);
8050@}
8051@end smallexample
8052
8053@noindent
8054For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8055here is what you might see
8056when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8057
8058@smallexample
8059(@value{GDBP}) p a
8060$1 = 10
8061(@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8062$2 = 5
8063(@value{GDBP}) up 2
8064#2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8065(@value{GDBP}) p a
8066$3 = 5
8067(@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8068$4 = 0
8069@end smallexample
8070
8071@cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8072These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
8073use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
8074scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
8075@c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
8076@c conflict?? --mew
8077
8078@cindex wrong values
8079@cindex variable values, wrong
8080@cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8081@cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8082@quotation
8083@emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8084wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8085scope, and just before exit.
8086@end quotation
8087You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8088This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8089set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8090stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8091values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8092also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8093after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8094variable definitions may be gone.
8095
8096This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8097To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8098when compiling.
8099
8100@cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8101Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8102unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8103opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8104offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8105might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8106happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8107
8108@smallexample
8109No symbol "foo" in current context.
8110@end smallexample
8111
8112To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8113different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8114formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8115options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8116info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8117
8118If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8119@value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8120by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8121type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8122
8123If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8124value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8125error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8126Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8127to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8128
8129@smallexample
8130Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
813129 i++;
8132(gdb) next
813330 e (i);
8134(gdb) print i
8135$1 = 31
8136(gdb) print i@@entry
8137$2 = 30
8138@end smallexample
8139
8140Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8141signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8142printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8143@code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8144defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8145For program code
8146
8147@smallexample
8148char var0[] = "A";
8149signed char var1[] = "A";
8150@end smallexample
8151
8152You get during debugging
8153@smallexample
8154(gdb) print var0
8155$1 = "A"
8156(gdb) print var1
8157$2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8158@end smallexample
8159
8160@node Arrays
8161@section Artificial Arrays
8162
8163@cindex artificial array
8164@cindex arrays
8165@kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8166It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8167same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8168dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8169program.
8170
8171You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8172@dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8173operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8174and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8175of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8176the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8177argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8178following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8179example. If a program says
8180
8181@smallexample
8182int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8183@end smallexample
8184
8185@noindent
8186you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8187
8188@smallexample
8189p *array@@len
8190@end smallexample
8191
8192The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8193with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8194subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8195Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8196(@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8197
8198Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8199This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8200The value need not be in memory:
8201@smallexample
8202(@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8203$1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8204@end smallexample
8205
8206As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8207@samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8208the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8209@smallexample
8210(@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8211$2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8212@end smallexample
8213
8214Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8215moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8216actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8217of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8218to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8219Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8220interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8221instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8222structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8223in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8224
8225@smallexample
8226set $i = 0
8227p dtab[$i++]->fv
8228@key{RET}
8229@key{RET}
8230@dots{}
8231@end smallexample
8232
8233@node Output Formats
8234@section Output Formats
8235
8236@cindex formatted output
8237@cindex output formats
8238By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8239this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8240in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8241at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8242these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8243
8244The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8245already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8246@code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8247letters supported are:
8248
8249@table @code
8250@item x
8251Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8252hexadecimal.
8253
8254@item d
8255Print as integer in signed decimal.
8256
8257@item u
8258Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8259
8260@item o
8261Print as integer in octal.
8262
8263@item t
8264Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8265@footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8266used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8267see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8268
8269@item a
8270@cindex unknown address, locating
8271@cindex locate address
8272Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8273the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8274where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8275
8276@smallexample
8277(@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8278$3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8279@end smallexample
8280
8281@noindent
8282The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8283@xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8284
8285@item c
8286Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8287prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8288character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8289for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8290
8291Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8292@w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8293constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8294data.
8295
8296@item f
8297Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8298using typical floating point syntax.
8299
8300@item s
8301@cindex printing strings
8302@cindex printing byte arrays
8303Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8304data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8305are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8306natural types.
8307
8308Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8309@code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8310strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8311array.
8312
8313@item r
8314@cindex raw printing
8315Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8316use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8317Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8318value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8319pretty-printer which might exist.
8320@end table
8321
8322For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8323
8324@smallexample
8325p/x $pc
8326@end smallexample
8327
8328@noindent
8329Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8330names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8331
8332To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8333you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8334expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8335
8336@node Memory
8337@section Examining Memory
8338
8339You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8340any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8341
8342@cindex examining memory
8343@table @code
8344@kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8345@item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8346@itemx x @var{addr}
8347@itemx x
8348Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8349@end table
8350
8351@var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8352much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8353expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8354If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8355Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8356
8357@table @r
8358@item @var{n}, the repeat count
8359The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8360how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8361@c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8362@c 4.1.2.
8363
8364@item @var{f}, the display format
8365The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8366(@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8367@samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8368The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8369each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8370
8371@item @var{u}, the unit size
8372The unit size is any of
8373
8374@table @code
8375@item b
8376Bytes.
8377@item h
8378Halfwords (two bytes).
8379@item w
8380Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8381@item g
8382Giant words (eight bytes).
8383@end table
8384
8385Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8386default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8387the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8388the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8389Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
839032-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8391Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8392current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8393modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8394UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8395be altered.
8396
8397@item @var{addr}, starting display address
8398@var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8399memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8400it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8401@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8402@var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8403other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8404the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8405starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8406a value from memory).
8407@end table
8408
8409For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8410(@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8411starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8412words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8413@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8414
8415Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8416letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8417unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8418specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8419(However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8420
8421Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8422and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8423@samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8424including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8425the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8426slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8427follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8428@code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8429instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8430
8431All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8432easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8433you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8434instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8435with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8436the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8437for successive uses of @code{x}.
8438
8439When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8440counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8441
8442@smallexample
8443(@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8444 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8445 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8446 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8447=> 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8448 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8449@end smallexample
8450
8451@cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8452The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8453in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8454would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8455subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8456@code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8457examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8458@code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8459the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8460
8461If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8462are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8463address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8464
8465@cindex remote memory comparison
8466@cindex verify remote memory image
8467When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8468(@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8469remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8470the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8471situations.
8472
8473@table @code
8474@kindex compare-sections
8475@item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8476Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8477executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8478the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8479arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8480availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8481remote request.
8482@end table
8483
8484@node Auto Display
8485@section Automatic Display
8486@cindex automatic display
8487@cindex display of expressions
8488
8489If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8490(to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8491display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8492Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8493to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8494The automatic display looks like this:
8495
8496@smallexample
84972: foo = 38
84983: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8499@end smallexample
8500
8501@noindent
8502This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8503displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8504specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8505whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8506specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8507or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8508
8509@table @code
8510@kindex display
8511@item display @var{expr}
8512Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8513each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8514
8515@code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8516
8517@item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8518For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8519count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8520arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8521@xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8522
8523@item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8524For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8525number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8526be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8527doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8528@end table
8529
8530For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8531instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8532is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8533
8534@table @code
8535@kindex delete display
8536@kindex undisplay
8537@item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8538@itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8539Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8540numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8541argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8542numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8543or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8544
8545@code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8546(Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8547
8548@kindex disable display
8549@item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8550Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8551item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8552enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8553want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8554single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8555the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8556numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8557
8558@kindex enable display
8559@item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8560Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8561again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8562Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8563command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8564of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8565display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8566
8567@item display
8568Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8569done when your program stops.
8570
8571@kindex info display
8572@item info display
8573Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8574automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8575values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8576It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8577because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8578@end table
8579
8580@cindex display disabled out of scope
8581If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8582sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8583expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8584variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8585@code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8586@code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8587continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8588there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8589automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8590is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8591
8592@node Print Settings
8593@section Print Settings
8594
8595@cindex format options
8596@cindex print settings
8597@value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8598and symbols are printed.
8599
8600@noindent
8601These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8602
8603@table @code
8604@kindex set print
8605@item set print address
8606@itemx set print address on
8607@cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8608@value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8609traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8610even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8611is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8612@code{set print address on}:
8613
8614@smallexample
8615@group
8616(@value{GDBP}) f
8617#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8618 at input.c:530
8619530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8620@end group
8621@end smallexample
8622
8623@item set print address off
8624Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8625this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8626
8627@smallexample
8628@group
8629(@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8630(@value{GDBP}) f
8631#0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8632530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8633@end group
8634@end smallexample
8635
8636You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8637dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8638@code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8639all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8640
8641@kindex show print
8642@item show print address
8643Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8644@end table
8645
8646When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8647closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8648identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8649source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8650@code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8651you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8652it prints a symbolic address:
8653
8654@table @code
8655@item set print symbol-filename on
8656@cindex source file and line of a symbol
8657@cindex symbol, source file and line
8658Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8659symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8660
8661@item set print symbol-filename off
8662Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8663default.
8664
8665@item show print symbol-filename
8666Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8667line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8668@end table
8669
8670Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8671numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8672number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8673
8674Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8675printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8676
8677@table @code
8678@item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8679@itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
8680@cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8681Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8682offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8683@var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
8684to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
8685it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
8686
8687@item show print max-symbolic-offset
8688Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8689symbolic address.
8690@end table
8691
8692@cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8693@cindex pointer, finding referent
8694If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8695@samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8696and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8697@samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8698For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8699at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8700
8701@smallexample
8702(@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8703(@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8704$4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8705@end smallexample
8706
8707@quotation
8708@emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8709does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8710the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8711@end quotation
8712
8713You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8714@samp{set print symbol on}:
8715
8716@table @code
8717@item set print symbol on
8718Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8719one exists.
8720
8721@item set print symbol off
8722Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8723address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8724corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8725
8726@item show print symbol
8727Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8728address.
8729@end table
8730
8731Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8732
8733@table @code
8734@item set print array
8735@itemx set print array on
8736@cindex pretty print arrays
8737Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8738but uses more space. The default is off.
8739
8740@item set print array off
8741Return to compressed format for arrays.
8742
8743@item show print array
8744Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8745arrays.
8746
8747@cindex print array indexes
8748@item set print array-indexes
8749@itemx set print array-indexes on
8750Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8751convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8752index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8753
8754@item set print array-indexes off
8755Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8756
8757@item show print array-indexes
8758Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8759arrays.
8760
8761@item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8762@itemx set print elements unlimited
8763@cindex number of array elements to print
8764@cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8765Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8766If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8767printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8768This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8769When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8770Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
8771that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
8772
8773@item show print elements
8774Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8775If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8776
8777@item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8778@kindex set print frame-arguments
8779@cindex printing frame argument values
8780@cindex print all frame argument values
8781@cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8782@cindex do not print frame argument values
8783This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8784when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8785values are:
8786
8787@table @code
8788@item all
8789The values of all arguments are printed.
8790
8791@item scalars
8792Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8793complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8794by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8795only scalar arguments are shown:
8796
8797@smallexample
8798#1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8799 at frame-args.c:23
8800@end smallexample
8801
8802@item none
8803None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8804is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8805
8806@smallexample
8807#1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8808 at frame-args.c:23
8809@end smallexample
8810@end table
8811
8812By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8813to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8814of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8815of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8816information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8817Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8818the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8819especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8820to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8821thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8822
8823@item show print frame-arguments
8824Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
8825
8826@anchor{set print entry-values}
8827@item set print entry-values @var{value}
8828@kindex set print entry-values
8829Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
8830@value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
8831the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
8832and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
8833unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
8834
8835The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
8836@value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
8837this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
8838@code{no} setting.
8839
8840This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
8841the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
8842@value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
8843this information.
8844
8845The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
8846
8847@table @code
8848@item no
8849Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
8850point.
8851@smallexample
8852#0 equal (val=5)
8853#0 different (val=6)
8854#0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
8855#0 born (val=10)
8856#0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8857@end smallexample
8858
8859@item only
8860Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
8861values are never printed.
8862@smallexample
8863#0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8864#0 different (val@@entry=5)
8865#0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8866#0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8867#0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8868@end smallexample
8869
8870@item preferred
8871Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
8872entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
8873value for such parameter.
8874@smallexample
8875#0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8876#0 different (val@@entry=5)
8877#0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8878#0 born (val=10)
8879#0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8880@end smallexample
8881
8882@item if-needed
8883Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
8884value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
8885parameter.
8886@smallexample
8887#0 equal (val=5)
8888#0 different (val=6)
8889#0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8890#0 born (val=10)
8891#0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8892@end smallexample
8893
8894@item both
8895Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
8896point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
8897optimizations.
8898@smallexample
8899#0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
8900#0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8901#0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8902#0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8903#0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8904@end smallexample
8905
8906@item compact
8907Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
8908function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
8909value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
8910values are known and identical, print the shortened
8911@code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8912@smallexample
8913#0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8914#0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8915#0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8916#0 born (val=10)
8917#0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8918@end smallexample
8919
8920@item default
8921Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
8922entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
8923if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
8924@code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8925@smallexample
8926#0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8927#0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8928#0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8929#0 born (val=10)
8930#0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8931@end smallexample
8932@end table
8933
8934For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
8935entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
8936
8937@item show print entry-values
8938Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
8939entry.
8940
8941@item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
8942@itemx set print repeats unlimited
8943@cindex repeated array elements
8944Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
8945elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
8946array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
8947@code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
8948identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
8949themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
8950cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
8951is 10.
8952
8953@item show print repeats
8954Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
8955elements.
8956
8957@item set print null-stop
8958@cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
8959Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
8960@sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
8961contain only short strings.
8962The default is off.
8963
8964@item show print null-stop
8965Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
8966@sc{null} character.
8967
8968@item set print pretty on
8969@cindex print structures in indented form
8970@cindex indentation in structure display
8971Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
8972per line, like this:
8973
8974@smallexample
8975@group
8976$1 = @{
8977 next = 0x0,
8978 flags = @{
8979 sweet = 1,
8980 sour = 1
8981 @},
8982 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
8983@}
8984@end group
8985@end smallexample
8986
8987@item set print pretty off
8988Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
8989
8990@smallexample
8991@group
8992$1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
8993meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
8994@end group
8995@end smallexample
8996
8997@noindent
8998This is the default format.
8999
9000@item show print pretty
9001Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9002
9003@item set print sevenbit-strings on
9004@cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9005@cindex octal escapes in strings
9006Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9007@value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9008character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9009best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9010high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9011
9012@item set print sevenbit-strings off
9013Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9014international character sets, and is the default.
9015
9016@item show print sevenbit-strings
9017Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9018
9019@item set print union on
9020@cindex unions in structures, printing
9021Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9022and other unions. This is the default setting.
9023
9024@item set print union off
9025Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9026structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9027instead.
9028
9029@item show print union
9030Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9031structures and other unions.
9032
9033For example, given the declarations
9034
9035@smallexample
9036typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9037typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9038typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9039 Bug_forms;
9040
9041struct thing @{
9042 Species it;
9043 union @{
9044 Tree_forms tree;
9045 Bug_forms bug;
9046 @} form;
9047@};
9048
9049struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9050@end smallexample
9051
9052@noindent
9053with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9054
9055@smallexample
9056$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9057@end smallexample
9058
9059@noindent
9060and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9061
9062@smallexample
9063$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9064@end smallexample
9065
9066@noindent
9067@code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9068and in Pascal.
9069@end table
9070
9071@need 1000
9072@noindent
9073These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9074
9075@table @code
9076@cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9077@item set print demangle
9078@itemx set print demangle on
9079Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9080(``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9081linkage. The default is on.
9082
9083@item show print demangle
9084Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9085
9086@item set print asm-demangle
9087@itemx set print asm-demangle on
9088Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9089in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9090The default is off.
9091
9092@item show print asm-demangle
9093Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9094or demangled form.
9095
9096@cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9097@cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9098@kindex set demangle-style
9099@item set demangle-style @var{style}
9100Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9101represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9102
9103@table @code
9104@item auto
9105Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9106This is the default.
9107
9108@item gnu
9109Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9110
9111@item hp
9112Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9113
9114@item lucid
9115Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9116
9117@item arm
9118Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9119@strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9120debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9121require further enhancement to permit that.
9122
9123@end table
9124If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9125
9126@item show demangle-style
9127Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9128
9129@item set print object
9130@itemx set print object on
9131@cindex derived type of an object, printing
9132@cindex display derived types
9133When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9134(derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9135the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9136required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9137type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9138type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9139working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9140
9141@item set print object off
9142Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9143virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9144
9145@item show print object
9146Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9147
9148@item set print static-members
9149@itemx set print static-members on
9150@cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9151Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9152
9153@item set print static-members off
9154Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9155
9156@item show print static-members
9157Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9158
9159@item set print pascal_static-members
9160@itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9161@cindex static members of Pascal objects
9162@cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9163Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9164
9165@item set print pascal_static-members off
9166Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9167
9168@item show print pascal_static-members
9169Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9170
9171@c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9172@item set print vtbl
9173@itemx set print vtbl on
9174@cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9175@cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9176@cindex VTBL display
9177Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9178(The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9179ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9180
9181@item set print vtbl off
9182Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9183
9184@item show print vtbl
9185Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9186@end table
9187
9188@node Pretty Printing
9189@section Pretty Printing
9190
9191@value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9192Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9193mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9194
9195@menu
9196* Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9197* Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9198* Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9199@end menu
9200
9201@node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9202@subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9203
9204When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9205registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9206pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9207
9208Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9209The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9210pretty-printers with their names.
9211If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9212@dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9213Each such subprinter has its own name.
9214The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9215
9216Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9217Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9218debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9219do anything special.
9220
9221There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9222
9223@itemize @bullet
9224@item
9225Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9226all inferiors.
9227
9228@item
9229Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
9230when debugging that program.
9231@xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
9232
9233@item
9234Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
9235with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
9236@xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
9237@end itemize
9238
9239@xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
9240pretty-printers are selected,
9241
9242@xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
9243for new types.
9244
9245@node Pretty-Printer Example
9246@subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9247
9248Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9249
9250@smallexample
9251(@value{GDBP}) print s
9252$1 = @{
9253 static npos = 4294967295,
9254 _M_dataplus = @{
9255 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9256 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9257 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9258 @},
9259 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9260 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9261 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9262 @}
9263@}
9264@end smallexample
9265
9266With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9267
9268@smallexample
9269(@value{GDBP}) print s
9270$2 = "abcd"
9271@end smallexample
9272
9273@node Pretty-Printer Commands
9274@subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9275@cindex pretty-printer commands
9276
9277@table @code
9278@kindex info pretty-printer
9279@item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9280Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9281This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9282
9283@var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9284whose pretty-printers to list.
9285Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9286(@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9287and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9288@xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9289looks up a printer from these three objects.
9290
9291@var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9292to list.
9293
9294@kindex disable pretty-printer
9295@item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9296Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9297A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9298
9299@kindex enable pretty-printer
9300@item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9301Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9302@end table
9303
9304Example:
9305
9306Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9307named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9308another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9309@code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9310
9311@smallexample
9312(gdb) info pretty-printer
9313library1.so:
9314 foo
9315library2.so:
9316 bar
9317 bar1
9318 bar2
9319(gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9320library2.so:
9321 bar
9322 bar1
9323 bar2
9324(gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
93251 printer disabled
93262 of 3 printers enabled
9327(gdb) info pretty-printer
9328library1.so:
9329 foo [disabled]
9330library2.so:
9331 bar
9332 bar1
9333 bar2
9334(gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
93351 printer disabled
93361 of 3 printers enabled
9337(gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9338library1.so:
9339 foo [disabled]
9340library2.so:
9341 bar
9342 bar1 [disabled]
9343 bar2
9344(gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
93451 printer disabled
93460 of 3 printers enabled
9347(gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9348library1.so:
9349 foo [disabled]
9350library2.so:
9351 bar [disabled]
9352 bar1 [disabled]
9353 bar2
9354@end smallexample
9355
9356Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9357as can each individual subprinter.
9358
9359@node Value History
9360@section Value History
9361
9362@cindex value history
9363@cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9364Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9365@dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9366Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9367(for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9368When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9369since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9370symbol table.
9371
9372@cindex @code{$}
9373@cindex @code{$$}
9374@cindex history number
9375The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9376refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9377@code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9378printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9379history number.
9380
9381To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9382history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9383remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9384the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9385@code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9386is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9387@code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9388
9389For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9390want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9391
9392@smallexample
9393p *$
9394@end smallexample
9395
9396If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9397to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9398
9399@smallexample
9400p *$.next
9401@end smallexample
9402
9403@noindent
9404You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9405command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9406
9407Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9408@code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9409
9410@smallexample
9411print x
9412set x=5
9413@end smallexample
9414
9415@noindent
9416then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9417remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9418
9419@table @code
9420@kindex show values
9421@item show values
9422Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9423This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9424values} does not change the history.
9425
9426@item show values @var{n}
9427Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9428
9429@item show values +
9430Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9431values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9432@end table
9433
9434Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9435same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9436
9437@node Convenience Vars
9438@section Convenience Variables
9439
9440@cindex convenience variables
9441@cindex user-defined variables
9442@value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9443@value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9444exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9445setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9446of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9447
9448Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9449@samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9450the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9451(Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9452by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9453
9454You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9455expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9456For example:
9457
9458@smallexample
9459set $foo = *object_ptr
9460@end smallexample
9461
9462@noindent
9463would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9464@code{object_ptr}.
9465
9466Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9467value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9468value with another assignment at any time.
9469
9470Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9471variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9472that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9473variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9474
9475@table @code
9476@kindex show convenience
9477@cindex show all user variables and functions
9478@item show convenience
9479Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9480as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9481Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9482
9483@kindex init-if-undefined
9484@cindex convenience variables, initializing
9485@item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9486Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9487for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9488to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9489convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9490override default values used in a command script.
9491
9492If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9493any side-effects do not occur.
9494@end table
9495
9496One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9497incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9498a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9499
9500@smallexample
9501set $i = 0
9502print bar[$i++]->contents
9503@end smallexample
9504
9505@noindent
9506Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9507
9508Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9509values likely to be useful.
9510
9511@table @code
9512@vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9513@item $_
9514The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9515the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9516commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9517set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9518and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9519except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9520to the type of @code{$__}.
9521
9522@vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9523@item $__
9524The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9525to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9526to match the format in which the data was printed.
9527
9528@item $_exitcode
9529@vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9530The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9531the program being debugged terminates.
9532
9533@item $_exception
9534The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
9535thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
9536
9537@item $_probe_argc
9538@itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9539Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9540
9541@item $_sdata
9542@vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9543The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9544data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9545@code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9546if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9547
9548@item $_siginfo
9549@vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9550The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9551(@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9552could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9553For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9554
9555@item $_tlb
9556@vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9557The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9558applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9559gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9560@xref{General Query Packets}.
9561This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9562
9563@end table
9564
9565On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9566begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9567name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9568
9569@node Convenience Funs
9570@section Convenience Functions
9571
9572@cindex convenience functions
9573@value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9574have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9575function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9576however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9577@value{GDBN}.
9578
9579These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9580@code{Python} support.
9581
9582@table @code
9583
9584@item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
9585@findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
9586Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
9587@var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
9588Otherwise it returns zero.
9589
9590@item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
9591@findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
9592Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
9593@var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
9594The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
9595regular expression support.
9596
9597@item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
9598@findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
9599Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
9600Otherwise it returns zero.
9601
9602@item $_strlen(@var{str})
9603@findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
9604Returns the length of string @var{str}.
9605
9606@end table
9607
9608@value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
9609convenience functions.
9610
9611@table @code
9612@item help function
9613@kindex help function
9614@cindex show all convenience functions
9615Print a list of all convenience functions.
9616@end table
9617
9618@node Registers
9619@section Registers
9620
9621@cindex registers
9622You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9623with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9624for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9625your machine.
9626
9627@table @code
9628@kindex info registers
9629@item info registers
9630Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9631and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9632
9633@kindex info all-registers
9634@cindex floating point registers
9635@item info all-registers
9636Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9637and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9638
9639@item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9640Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9641As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9642the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9643the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9644@end table
9645
9646@cindex stack pointer register
9647@cindex program counter register
9648@cindex process status register
9649@cindex frame pointer register
9650@cindex standard registers
9651@value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9652expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9653architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9654@code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9655the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9656pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9657register that contains the processor status. For example,
9658you could print the program counter in hex with
9659
9660@smallexample
9661p/x $pc
9662@end smallexample
9663
9664@noindent
9665or print the instruction to be executed next with
9666
9667@smallexample
9668x/i $pc
9669@end smallexample
9670
9671@noindent
9672or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9673one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9674memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9675stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9676stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9677regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9678see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9679
9680@smallexample
9681set $sp += 4
9682@end smallexample
9683
9684Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9685your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9686so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9687shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9688registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9689can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9690is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9691
9692@value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9693integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9694special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9695registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9696to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9697(although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9698@samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9699
9700Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9701means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9702the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9703sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9704coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9705programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9706cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9707that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9708prints the data in both formats.
9709
9710@cindex SSE registers (x86)
9711@cindex MMX registers (x86)
9712Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9713in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9714have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9715together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9716registers in @code{struct} notation:
9717
9718@smallexample
9719(@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9720$1 = @{
9721 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9722 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9723 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9724 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9725 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9726 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9727 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9728@}
9729@end smallexample
9730
9731@noindent
9732To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9733view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9734value to a @code{struct} member:
9735
9736@smallexample
9737 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9738@end smallexample
9739
9740Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9741(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9742value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9743were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9744true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9745frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9746
9747However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9748code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9749@value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9750frame makes no difference.
9751
9752@node Floating Point Hardware
9753@section Floating Point Hardware
9754@cindex floating point
9755
9756Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9757you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9758
9759@table @code
9760@kindex info float
9761@item info float
9762Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9763point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9764floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9765the ARM and x86 machines.
9766@end table
9767
9768@node Vector Unit
9769@section Vector Unit
9770@cindex vector unit
9771
9772Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9773more information about the status of the vector unit.
9774
9775@table @code
9776@kindex info vector
9777@item info vector
9778Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9779layout vary depending on the hardware.
9780@end table
9781
9782@node OS Information
9783@section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9784@cindex OS information
9785
9786@value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9787you debug your program.
9788
9789@cindex auxiliary vector
9790@cindex vector, auxiliary
9791Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9792startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9793specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9794binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9795hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9796identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9797Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9798@value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9799targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9800support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9801@ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9802
9803@table @code
9804@kindex info auxv
9805@item info auxv
9806Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9807live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9808numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9809tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9810pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9811most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9812an unrecognized tag.
9813@end table
9814
9815On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
9816information and show it to you. The types of information available
9817will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
9818target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
9819@ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
9820functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9821@samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9822
9823@table @code
9824@kindex info os
9825@item info os @var{infotype}
9826
9827Display OS information of the requested type.
9828
9829On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
9830
9831@anchor{linux info os infotypes}
9832@table @code
9833@kindex info os processes
9834@item processes
9835Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
9836@value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
9837command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
9838that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
9839properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
9840the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
9841
9842@kindex info os procgroups
9843@item procgroups
9844Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
9845@value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
9846to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
9847identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
9848first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
9849so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
9850and the process group leader is listed first.
9851
9852@kindex info os threads
9853@item threads
9854Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
9855@value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
9856belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
9857processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
9858process is not listed.
9859
9860@kindex info os files
9861@item files
9862Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
9863file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
9864owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
9865of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
9866
9867@kindex info os sockets
9868@item sockets
9869Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
9870socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
9871remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
9872the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
9873connection.
9874
9875@kindex info os shm
9876@item shm
9877Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
9878For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
9879the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
9880region, the process that created the region, the process that last
9881attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
9882attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
9883attached to, detach from, and changed.
9884
9885@kindex info os semaphores
9886@item semaphores
9887Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
9888semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
9889set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
9890set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
9891and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
9892
9893@kindex info os msg
9894@item msg
9895Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
9896message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
9897queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
9898on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
9899that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
9900of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
9901message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
9902the message queue was last changed.
9903
9904@kindex info os modules
9905@item modules
9906Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
9907module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
9908bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
9909module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
9910in memory.
9911@end table
9912
9913@item info os
9914If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
9915@var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
9916@var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
9917types, this command will report an error.
9918@end table
9919
9920@node Memory Region Attributes
9921@section Memory Region Attributes
9922@cindex memory region attributes
9923
9924@dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
9925required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
9926attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
9927accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
9928target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
9929fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
9930user can override the fetched regions.
9931
9932Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
9933memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
9934accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
9935been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
9936all memory.
9937
9938When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
9939to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
9940
9941@table @code
9942@kindex mem
9943@item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
9944Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
9945attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
9946monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
9947case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
9948(0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
9949
9950@item mem auto
9951Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
9952regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
9953
9954@kindex delete mem
9955@item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9956Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
9957monitored by @value{GDBN}.
9958
9959@kindex disable mem
9960@item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9961Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9962A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
9963It may be enabled again later.
9964
9965@kindex enable mem
9966@item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9967Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9968
9969@kindex info mem
9970@item info mem
9971Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
9972for each region:
9973
9974@table @emph
9975@item Memory Region Number
9976@item Enabled or Disabled.
9977Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
9978Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
9979
9980@item Lo Address
9981The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
9982
9983@item Hi Address
9984The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
9985
9986@item Attributes
9987The list of attributes set for this memory region.
9988@end table
9989@end table
9990
9991
9992@subsection Attributes
9993
9994@subsubsection Memory Access Mode
9995The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
9996write accesses to a memory region.
9997
9998While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
9999memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
10000etc.@: from accessing memory.
10001
10002@table @code
10003@item ro
10004Memory is read only.
10005@item wo
10006Memory is write only.
10007@item rw
10008Memory is read/write. This is the default.
10009@end table
10010
10011@subsubsection Memory Access Size
10012The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
10013accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
10014require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
10015specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
10016
10017@table @code
10018@item 8
10019Use 8 bit memory accesses.
10020@item 16
10021Use 16 bit memory accesses.
10022@item 32
10023Use 32 bit memory accesses.
10024@item 64
10025Use 64 bit memory accesses.
10026@end table
10027
10028@c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
10029@c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10030@c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
10031@c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
10032@c
10033@c @table @code
10034@c @item hwbreak
10035@c Always use hardware breakpoints
10036@c @item swbreak (default)
10037@c @end table
10038
10039@subsubsection Data Cache
10040The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
10041memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
10042protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
10043does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
10044registers.
10045
10046@table @code
10047@item cache
10048Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
10049@item nocache
10050Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
10051@end table
10052
10053@subsection Memory Access Checking
10054@value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
10055not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
10056regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
10057better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
10058
10059@table @code
10060@kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
10061@item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
10062If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
10063explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
10064to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
10065memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
10066treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
10067The default value is @code{on}.
10068@kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
10069@item show mem inaccessible-by-default
10070Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
10071@end table
10072
10073
10074@c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
10075@c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10076@c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
10077@c
10078@c @table @code
10079@c @item verify
10080@c @item noverify (default)
10081@c @end table
10082
10083@node Dump/Restore Files
10084@section Copy Between Memory and a File
10085@cindex dump/restore files
10086@cindex append data to a file
10087@cindex dump data to a file
10088@cindex restore data from a file
10089
10090You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
10091@code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
10092@code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
10093@code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
10094memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
10095Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
10096files.
10097
10098@table @code
10099
10100@kindex dump
10101@item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10102@itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10103Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10104or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
10105
10106The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
10107@table @code
10108@item binary
10109Raw binary form.
10110@item ihex
10111Intel hex format.
10112@item srec
10113Motorola S-record format.
10114@item tekhex
10115Tektronix Hex format.
10116@end table
10117
10118@value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
10119@sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
10120@var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
10121form.
10122
10123@kindex append
10124@item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10125@itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10126Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10127or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
10128(@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
10129
10130@kindex restore
10131@item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
10132Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
10133@code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
10134file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
10135must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
10136
10137If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
10138contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
10139they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
10140a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
10141from that location.
10142
10143If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
10144file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
10145These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
10146the @var{bias} argument is applied.
10147
10148@end table
10149
10150@node Core File Generation
10151@section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
10152@cindex dump core from inferior
10153
10154A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
10155image of a running process and its process status (register values
10156etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
10157crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
10158automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
10159the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
10160the post-mortem debugging mode.
10161
10162Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
10163are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
10164@value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
10165
10166@table @code
10167@kindex gcore
10168@kindex generate-core-file
10169@item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
10170@itemx gcore [@var{file}]
10171Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
10172@var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
10173specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
10174@var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
10175
10176Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
10177this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
10178@end table
10179
10180@node Character Sets
10181@section Character Sets
10182@cindex character sets
10183@cindex charset
10184@cindex translating between character sets
10185@cindex host character set
10186@cindex target character set
10187
10188If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
10189represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
10190@value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
10191you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
10192character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
10193@dfn{target character set}.
10194
10195For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
10196uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
10197remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
10198running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
10199then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
10200@sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
10201target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
10202@sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
10203character and string literals in expressions.
10204
10205@value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
10206the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
10207target-charset} command, described below.
10208
10209Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
10210support:
10211
10212@table @code
10213@item set target-charset @var{charset}
10214@kindex set target-charset
10215Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
10216list of supported target character sets, type
10217@kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10218
10219@item set host-charset @var{charset}
10220@kindex set host-charset
10221Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
10222
10223By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
10224system it is running on; you can override that default using the
10225@code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
10226automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
10227case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
10228
10229@value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
10230set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10231@value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
10232
10233@item set charset @var{charset}
10234@kindex set charset
10235Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10236above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10237@value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10238for both host and target.
10239
10240@item show charset
10241@kindex show charset
10242Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10243
10244@item show host-charset
10245@kindex show host-charset
10246Show the name of the current host character set.
10247
10248@item show target-charset
10249@kindex show target-charset
10250Show the name of the current target character set.
10251
10252@item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10253@kindex set target-wide-charset
10254Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10255the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10256display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10257@kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10258
10259@item show target-wide-charset
10260@kindex show target-wide-charset
10261Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10262@end table
10263
10264Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10265Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10266@file{charset-test.c}:
10267
10268@smallexample
10269#include <stdio.h>
10270
10271char ascii_hello[]
10272 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10273 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10274char ibm1047_hello[]
10275 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10276 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10277
10278main ()
10279@{
10280 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10281@}
10282@end smallexample
10283
10284In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10285containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10286encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10287
10288We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10289
10290@smallexample
10291$ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10292$ gdb -nw charset-test
10293GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10294Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10295@dots{}
10296(@value{GDBP})
10297@end smallexample
10298
10299We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10300@value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10301strings:
10302
10303@smallexample
10304(@value{GDBP}) show charset
10305The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10306(@value{GDBP})
10307@end smallexample
10308
10309For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10310initial character set:
10311@smallexample
10312(@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10313(@value{GDBP}) show charset
10314The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10315(@value{GDBP})
10316@end smallexample
10317
10318Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10319host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10320characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10321them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10322@sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10323
10324@smallexample
10325(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10326$1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10327(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10328$2 = 72 'H'
10329(@value{GDBP})
10330@end smallexample
10331
10332@value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10333literals you use in expressions:
10334
10335@smallexample
10336(@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10337$3 = 43 '+'
10338(@value{GDBP})
10339@end smallexample
10340
10341The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10342character.
10343
10344@value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10345target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10346character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10347
10348@smallexample
10349(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10350$4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10351(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10352$5 = 200 '\310'
10353(@value{GDBP})
10354@end smallexample
10355
10356If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10357@value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10358
10359@smallexample
10360(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10361ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10362(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10363@end smallexample
10364
10365We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10366program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10367@value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10368target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10369@sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10370
10371@smallexample
10372(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10373(@value{GDBP}) show charset
10374The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10375The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10376(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10377$6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10378(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10379$7 = 72 '\110'
10380(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10381$8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10382(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10383$9 = 200 'H'
10384(@value{GDBP})
10385@end smallexample
10386
10387As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10388string literals you use in expressions:
10389
10390@smallexample
10391(@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10392$10 = 78 '+'
10393(@value{GDBP})
10394@end smallexample
10395
10396The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10397character.
10398
10399@node Caching Remote Data
10400@section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10401@cindex caching data of remote targets
10402
10403@value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10404remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10405performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10406bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10407caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10408does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10409addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10410memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10411Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10412known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10413rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10414in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10415stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10416Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10417cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10418
10419@table @code
10420@kindex set remotecache
10421@item set remotecache on
10422@itemx set remotecache off
10423This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10424with old scripts.
10425
10426@kindex show remotecache
10427@item show remotecache
10428Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10429
10430@kindex set stack-cache
10431@item set stack-cache on
10432@itemx set stack-cache off
10433Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10434caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10435
10436@kindex show stack-cache
10437@item show stack-cache
10438Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10439
10440@kindex info dcache
10441@item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10442Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10443information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10444each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10445referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10446operation.
10447
10448If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10449printed in hex.
10450
10451@item set dcache size @var{size}
10452@cindex dcache size
10453@kindex set dcache size
10454Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10455
10456@item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10457@cindex dcache line-size
10458@kindex set dcache line-size
10459Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10460Must be a power of 2.
10461
10462@item show dcache size
10463@kindex show dcache size
10464Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10465
10466@item show dcache line-size
10467@kindex show dcache line-size
10468Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10469
10470@end table
10471
10472@node Searching Memory
10473@section Search Memory
10474@cindex searching memory
10475
10476Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10477@code{find} command.
10478
10479@table @code
10480@kindex find
10481@item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10482@itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10483Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10484etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10485@var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10486@end table
10487
10488@var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10489They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10490
10491@table @r
10492@item @var{s}, search query size
10493The size of each search query value.
10494
10495@table @code
10496@item b
10497bytes
10498@item h
10499halfwords (two bytes)
10500@item w
10501words (four bytes)
10502@item g
10503giant words (eight bytes)
10504@end table
10505
10506All values are interpreted in the current language.
10507This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10508then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10509
10510If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10511value's type in the current language.
10512This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10513pattern as a mixture of types.
10514Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10515a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10516which is typically four bytes.
10517
10518@item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10519The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10520@end table
10521
10522You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10523 (@code{"}).
10524The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10525regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10526
10527The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10528number of matches found.
10529
10530The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10531@samp{$_}.
10532A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10533
10534For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10535
10536@smallexample
10537void
10538hello ()
10539@{
10540 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10541 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10542 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10543 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10544 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10545@}
10546@end smallexample
10547
10548@noindent
10549you get during debugging:
10550
10551@smallexample
10552(gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
105530x804956d <hello.1620+6>
105541 pattern found
10555(gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
105560x8049567 <hello.1620>
105570x804956d <hello.1620+6>
105582 patterns found
10559(gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
105600x8049567 <hello.1620>
105611 pattern found
10562(gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
105630x8049560 <mixed.1625>
105641 pattern found
10565(gdb) print $numfound
10566$1 = 1
10567(gdb) print $_
10568$2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10569@end smallexample
10570
10571@node Optimized Code
10572@chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10573@cindex optimized code, debugging
10574@cindex debugging optimized code
10575
10576Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10577disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10578directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10579applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10580diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10581information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10582the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10583
10584@value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10585can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10586progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10587where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10588
10589When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10590optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10591really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10592exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10593variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10594variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10595
10596Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10597@samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10598doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10599please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10600@xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10601
10602@menu
10603* Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10604* Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10605@end menu
10606
10607@node Inline Functions
10608@section Inline Functions
10609@cindex inline functions, debugging
10610
10611@dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10612body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10613routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10614non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10615arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10616them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10617You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10618@code{info frame} command.
10619
10620For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10621record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10622@value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10623other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10624when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10625do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10626@samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10627function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10628displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10629local variables in the caller.
10630
10631The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10632unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10633the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10634start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10635the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10636the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10637instructions are executed.
10638
10639This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10640context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10641a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10642this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10643
10644There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10645function calls are the same as normal calls:
10646
10647@itemize @bullet
10648@item
10649Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10650work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10651may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10652function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10653version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10654or inside the inlined function instead.
10655
10656@item
10657@value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10658using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10659debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10660and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10661
10662@end itemize
10663
10664@node Tail Call Frames
10665@section Tail Call Frames
10666@cindex tail call frames, debugging
10667
10668Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10669unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10670instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10671call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10672instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10673
10674During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10675function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10676@code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10677then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10678some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10679@code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10680return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10681
10682This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10683the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10684@value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10685this information.
10686
10687@kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10688kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10689
10690@smallexample
10691(gdb) x/i $pc - 2
10692 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10693(gdb) info frame
10694Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10695 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10696 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10697 source language c++.
10698 Arglist at unknown address.
10699 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10700@end smallexample
10701
10702The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10703There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10704used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10705callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10706tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10707unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10708
10709@table @code
10710@anchor{set debug entry-values}
10711@item set debug entry-values
10712@kindex set debug entry-values
10713When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10714values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10715tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10716of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10717result.
10718
10719@item show debug entry-values
10720@kindex show debug entry-values
10721Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10722values at function entry and tail calls.
10723@end table
10724
10725The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10726call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10727reference by variable @code{x}):
10728
10729@smallexample
10730static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10731void (*x) (void) = c;
10732static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10733static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10734int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10735
10736Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10737DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10738a () at t.c:3
107393 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10740(gdb) bt
10741#0 a () at t.c:3
10742#1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10743@end smallexample
10744
10745Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10746
10747@smallexample
10748int i;
10749static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10750static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10751static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10752static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10753static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10754@{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10755static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10756int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10757
10758tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10759tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10760tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10761(gdb) bt
10762#0 f () at t.c:2
10763#1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10764#2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10765@end smallexample
10766
10767@set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10768@set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10769
10770@c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10771@ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10772@set ARROW @click{}
10773@set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10774@set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10775@end ifset
10776@ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10777@set ARROW ->
10778@set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10779@set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10780@end ifclear
10781
10782Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10783The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10784@value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10785
10786@code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10787has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10788prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10789printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10790futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10791any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10792
10793For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10794@code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10795also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10796therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10797omitted.
10798
10799There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10800entry may fail:
10801
10802@smallexample
10803int v;
10804static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10805static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10806static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10807static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10808@{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10809int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10810
10811(gdb) bt
10812#0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10813#1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10814function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10815i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10816#2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10817@end smallexample
10818
10819@value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10820function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10821tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10822@value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10823prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10824
10825@node Macros
10826@chapter C Preprocessor Macros
10827
10828Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
10829``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
10830@value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
10831the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
10832where it was defined.
10833
10834You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
10835with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
10836include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
10837with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
10838
10839A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
10840and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
10841points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
10842no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
10843uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
10844@value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
10845see @ref{List}.
10846
10847Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
10848macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
10849the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
10850
10851@table @code
10852
10853@kindex macro expand
10854@cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
10855@cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
10856@cindex expanding preprocessor macros
10857@item macro expand @var{expression}
10858@itemx macro exp @var{expression}
10859Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
10860@var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
10861not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
10862it can be any string of tokens.
10863
10864@kindex macro exp1
10865@item macro expand-once @var{expression}
10866@itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
10867@cindex expand macro once
10868@i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
10869expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
10870@var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
10871left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
10872particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
10873expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
10874parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
10875can be any string of tokens.
10876
10877@kindex info macro
10878@cindex macro definition, showing
10879@cindex definition of a macro, showing
10880@cindex macros, from debug info
10881@item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
10882Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
10883and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
10884definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
10885argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
10886the macro may begin with a hyphen.
10887
10888@kindex info macros
10889@item info macros @var{linespec}
10890Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
10891by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
10892command-line where those definitions were established.
10893
10894@kindex macro define
10895@cindex user-defined macros
10896@cindex defining macros interactively
10897@cindex macros, user-defined
10898@item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
10899@itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
10900Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
10901invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
10902@var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
10903``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
10904defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
10905@var{arglist}.
10906
10907A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
10908expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
10909@code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
10910all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
10911as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
10912
10913@kindex macro undef
10914@item macro undef @var{macro}
10915Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
10916This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
10917define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
10918in the program being debugged.
10919
10920@kindex macro list
10921@item macro list
10922List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
10923@end table
10924
10925@cindex macros, example of debugging with
10926Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
10927show our source files:
10928
10929@smallexample
10930$ cat sample.c
10931#include <stdio.h>
10932#include "sample.h"
10933
10934#define M 42
10935#define ADD(x) (M + x)
10936
10937main ()
10938@{
10939#define N 28
10940 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10941#undef N
10942 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10943#define N 1729
10944 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10945@}
10946$ cat sample.h
10947#define Q <
10948$
10949@end smallexample
10950
10951Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
10952@value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
10953minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
10954and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
10955version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
10956includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
10957information.
10958
10959@smallexample
10960$ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
10961$
10962@end smallexample
10963
10964Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
10965
10966@smallexample
10967$ gdb -nw sample
10968GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
10969Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10970GDB is free software, @dots{}
10971(@value{GDBP})
10972@end smallexample
10973
10974We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
10975program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
10976to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
10977
10978@smallexample
10979(@value{GDBP}) list main
109803
109814 #define M 42
109825 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
109836
109847 main ()
109858 @{
109869 #define N 28
1098710 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
1098811 #undef N
1098912 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10990(@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
10991Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
10992#define ADD(x) (M + x)
10993(@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
10994Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
10995 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
10996#define Q <
10997(@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
10998expands to: (42 + 1)
10999(@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
11000expands to: once (M + 1)
11001(@value{GDBP})
11002@end smallexample
11003
11004In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
11005the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
11006@code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
11007which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
11008
11009Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
11010force at the source line of the current stack frame:
11011
11012@smallexample
11013(@value{GDBP}) break main
11014Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
11015(@value{GDBP}) run
11016Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
11017
11018Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
1101910 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11020(@value{GDBP})
11021@end smallexample
11022
11023At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
11024
11025@smallexample
11026(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11027Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
11028#define N 28
11029(@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11030expands to: 28 < 42
11031(@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11032$1 = 1
11033(@value{GDBP})
11034@end smallexample
11035
11036As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
11037give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
11038thereof) in force at each point:
11039
11040@smallexample
11041(@value{GDBP}) next
11042Hello, world!
1104312 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11044(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11045The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
11046at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
11047(@value{GDBP}) next
11048We're so creative.
1104914 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11050(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11051Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
11052#define N 1729
11053(@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11054expands to: 1729 < 42
11055(@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11056$2 = 0
11057(@value{GDBP})
11058@end smallexample
11059
11060In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
11061line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
11062such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
11063of the source file submitted to the compiler.
11064
11065@smallexample
11066(@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
11067Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
11068-D__STDC__=1
11069(@value{GDBP})
11070@end smallexample
11071
11072
11073@node Tracepoints
11074@chapter Tracepoints
11075@c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
11076@c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
11077
11078@cindex tracepoints
11079In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
11080the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
11081anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
11082depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
11083might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
11084fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
11085to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
11086
11087Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
11088specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
11089arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
11090Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
11091those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
11092expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
11093for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
11094a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
11095in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
11096values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
11097unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
11098
11099The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
11100targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
11101how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
11102remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
11103support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
11104packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
11105Packets}.
11106
11107It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
11108of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
11109through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
11110
11111This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
11112
11113@menu
11114* Set Tracepoints::
11115* Analyze Collected Data::
11116* Tracepoint Variables::
11117* Trace Files::
11118@end menu
11119
11120@node Set Tracepoints
11121@section Commands to Set Tracepoints
11122
11123Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
11124tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
11125breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
11126standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
11127tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
11128of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
11129as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
11130
11131For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
11132of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
11133it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
11134local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
11135commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
11136tracepoint was hit.
11137
11138Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
11139tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
11140commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
11141either.
11142
11143@cindex fast tracepoints
11144Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
11145a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
11146faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
11147
11148@cindex static tracepoints
11149@cindex markers, static tracepoints
11150@cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
11151Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
11152that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
11153in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
11154tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
11155instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
11156the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
11157address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
11158investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
11159support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
11160points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
11161tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
11162@value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
11163registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
11164point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
11165The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
11166instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
11167static tracepoint marker.
11168
11169@code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
11170@xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
11171
11172This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
11173conditions and actions.
11174
11175@menu
11176* Create and Delete Tracepoints::
11177* Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
11178* Tracepoint Passcounts::
11179* Tracepoint Conditions::
11180* Trace State Variables::
11181* Tracepoint Actions::
11182* Listing Tracepoints::
11183* Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
11184* Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
11185* Tracepoint Restrictions::
11186@end menu
11187
11188@node Create and Delete Tracepoints
11189@subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
11190
11191@table @code
11192@cindex set tracepoint
11193@kindex trace
11194@item trace @var{location}
11195The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
11196Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
11197an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
11198@code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
11199target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
11200data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
11201changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
11202supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
11203in tracing}).
11204If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
11205these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
11206command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
11207not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
11208@value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
11209address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
11210Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
11211until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
11212@value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
11213@value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
11214tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
11215the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
11216
11217Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
11218
11219@smallexample
11220(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
11221
11222(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
11223
11224(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
11225
11226(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
11227
11228(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
11229@end smallexample
11230
11231@noindent
11232You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11233
11234@item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11235Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11236@var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11237if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11238@xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11239information on tracepoint conditions.
11240
11241@item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11242@cindex set fast tracepoint
11243@cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11244@kindex ftrace
11245The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11246support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11247less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11248instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11249may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11250location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11251message.
11252
11253@value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11254@code{trace}.
11255
11256On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11257be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11258placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11259program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11260such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11261address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11262to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11263to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11264
11265@example
11266sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11267@end example
11268
11269@noindent
11270which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11271trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11272
11273@item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11274@cindex set static tracepoint
11275@cindex static tracepoints, setting
11276@cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11277@kindex strace
11278The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11279support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11280instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11281be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11282which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11283
11284@value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11285@code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11286@code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11287identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11288depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11289using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11290of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11291@xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11292Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11293tracing engine:
11294
11295@smallexample
11296main ()
11297@{
11298 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11299@}
11300@end smallexample
11301
11302@noindent
11303the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11304@code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11305
11306@smallexample
11307(@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11308Cnt Enb ID Address What
113091 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11310 Data: "str %s"
11311[etc...]
11312@end smallexample
11313
11314@noindent
11315so you may probe the marker above with:
11316
11317@smallexample
11318(@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11319@end smallexample
11320
11321Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11322$_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11323call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11324that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11325string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11326string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11327static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11328the @samp{Data:} field.
11329
11330You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11331the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11332@value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11333
11334@vindex $tpnum
11335@cindex last tracepoint number
11336@cindex recent tracepoint number
11337@cindex tracepoint number
11338The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11339of the most recently set tracepoint.
11340
11341@kindex delete tracepoint
11342@cindex tracepoint deletion
11343@item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11344Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11345default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11346@code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11347
11348Examples:
11349
11350@smallexample
11351(@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11352
11353(@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11354@end smallexample
11355
11356@noindent
11357You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11358@end table
11359
11360@node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11361@subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11362
11363These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11364
11365@table @code
11366@kindex disable tracepoint
11367@item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11368Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11369@var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11370a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11371a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11372If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11373has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11374change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11375next trace experiment.
11376
11377@kindex enable tracepoint
11378@item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11379Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11380issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11381tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11382become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11383next time a trace experiment is run.
11384@end table
11385
11386@node Tracepoint Passcounts
11387@subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11388
11389@table @code
11390@kindex passcount
11391@cindex tracepoint pass count
11392@item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11393Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11394automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11395@var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11396the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11397@var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11398passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11399given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11400user.
11401
11402Examples:
11403
11404@smallexample
11405(@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11406@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11407
11408(@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11409@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11410(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11411(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11412(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11413(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11414(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11415(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11416@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11417@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11418@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11419@end smallexample
11420@end table
11421
11422@node Tracepoint Conditions
11423@subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11424@cindex conditional tracepoints
11425@cindex tracepoint conditions
11426
11427The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11428reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11429a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11430programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11431tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11432program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11433is true.
11434
11435Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11436using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11437@xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11438also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11439just as with breakpoints.
11440
11441Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11442the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11443expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11444suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11445Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11446accesses, and so forth.
11447
11448For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11449frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11450could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11451of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11452through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11453collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11454search through.
11455
11456@smallexample
11457(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11458@end smallexample
11459
11460@node Trace State Variables
11461@subsection Trace State Variables
11462@cindex trace state variables
11463
11464A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11465created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11466that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11467but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11468using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11469integers.
11470
11471Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11472to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11473experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11474trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11475
11476@cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11477Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11478them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11479variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11480while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11481the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11482cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11483@code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11484variable with the same name.
11485
11486@table @code
11487
11488@item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11489@kindex tvariable
11490The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11491@code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11492@var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11493entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11494otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11495@code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11496variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11497existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11498value. The default initial value is 0.
11499
11500@item info tvariables
11501@kindex info tvariables
11502List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11503Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11504currently running.
11505
11506@item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11507@kindex delete tvariable
11508Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11509are specified.
11510
11511@end table
11512
11513@node Tracepoint Actions
11514@subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11515
11516@table @code
11517@kindex actions
11518@cindex tracepoint actions
11519@item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11520This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11521tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11522specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11523recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11524@code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11525actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11526terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11527far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11528@code{while-stepping}.
11529
11530@code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11531Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11532actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11533
11534@cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11535To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11536and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11537
11538@smallexample
11539(@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11540
11541(@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11542
11543(@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11544@end smallexample
11545
11546In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11547commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11548hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11549following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11550followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11551sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11552terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11553list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11554
11555@smallexample
11556(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11557(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11558Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11559> collect bar,baz
11560> collect $regs
11561> while-stepping 12
11562 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11563 > end
11564end
11565@end smallexample
11566
11567@kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11568@item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11569Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11570This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11571In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11572special arguments are supported:
11573
11574@table @code
11575@item $regs
11576Collect all registers.
11577
11578@item $args
11579Collect all function arguments.
11580
11581@item $locals
11582Collect all local variables.
11583
11584@item $_ret
11585Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11586of a backtrace.
11587
11588@item $_probe_argc
11589Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11590tracepoint is located.
11591@xref{Static Probe Points}.
11592
11593@item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11594@var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11595from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11596@xref{Static Probe Points}.
11597
11598@item $_sdata
11599@vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11600Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11601static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11602Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11603instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11604tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11605character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11606instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11607Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11608
11609@smallexample
11610 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11611 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11612@end smallexample
11613
11614In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11615@samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11616inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11617@value{GDBN}.
11618@end table
11619
11620You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11621with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11622arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11623
11624The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11625@code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11626particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11627to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11628@code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11629number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11630@samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11631@samp{mystr}.
11632
11633The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11634particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11635
11636@kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11637@item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11638Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11639command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11640are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11641state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11642values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11643action were used.
11644
11645@kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11646@item while-stepping @var{n}
11647Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11648collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11649command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11650(followed by its own @code{end} command):
11651
11652@smallexample
11653> while-stepping 12
11654 > collect $regs, myglobal
11655 > end
11656>
11657@end smallexample
11658
11659@noindent
11660Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11661@code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11662you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11663@code{stepping}.
11664
11665@item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11666@kindex set default-collect
11667@cindex default collection action
11668This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11669hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11670to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11671individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11672@code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11673local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11674
11675@item show default-collect
11676@kindex show default-collect
11677Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11678tracepoint hit.
11679
11680@end table
11681
11682@node Listing Tracepoints
11683@subsection Listing Tracepoints
11684
11685@table @code
11686@kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11687@kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11688@cindex information about tracepoints
11689@item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11690Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11691specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11692tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11693@code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11694command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11695
11696A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11697tracing:
11698
11699@itemize @bullet
11700@item
11701its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11702
11703@item
11704the state about installed on target of each location
11705@end itemize
11706
11707@smallexample
11708(@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11709Num Type Disp Enb Address What
117101 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11711 while-stepping 20
11712 collect globfoo, $regs
11713 end
11714 collect globfoo2
11715 end
11716 pass count 1200
117172 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
11718 collect $eip
117192.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11720 installed on target
117212.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11722 installed on target
117232.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
117243 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
11725 not installed on target
11726(@value{GDBP})
11727@end smallexample
11728
11729@noindent
11730This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11731@end table
11732
11733@node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11734@subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11735
11736@table @code
11737@kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11738@cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11739@item info static-tracepoint-markers
11740Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11741program.
11742
11743For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11744
11745@table @emph
11746@item Count
11747An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11748stable identifier.
11749@item ID
11750The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11751@item Enabled or Disabled
11752Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11753that are not enabled.
11754@item Address
11755Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11756@item What
11757Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11758number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11759allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11760will be left blank.
11761@end table
11762
11763@noindent
11764In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11765
11766@table @emph
11767@item Data
11768User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11769UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11770marker call.
11771@item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11772The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11773@end table
11774
11775@smallexample
11776(@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11777Cnt ID Enb Address What
117781 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11779 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11780 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
117812 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11782 Data: str %s
11783(@value{GDBP})
11784@end smallexample
11785@end table
11786
11787@node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11788@subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11789
11790@table @code
11791@kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11792@cindex start a new trace experiment
11793@cindex collected data discarded
11794@item tstart
11795This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11796It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11797trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11798are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11799experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11800especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11801the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11802information, and so forth.
11803
11804@kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11805@cindex stop a running trace experiment
11806@item tstop
11807This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11808supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11809useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11810instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11811needs to be stopped quickly.
11812
11813@strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11814automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11815(@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11816
11817@kindex tstatus
11818@cindex status of trace data collection
11819@cindex trace experiment, status of
11820@item tstatus
11821This command displays the status of the current trace data
11822collection.
11823@end table
11824
11825Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
11826
11827@smallexample
11828(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
11829(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11830Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
11831> collect $regs,$locals,$args
11832> while-stepping 11
11833 > collect $regs
11834 > end
11835> end
11836(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11837 [time passes @dots{}]
11838(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
11839@end smallexample
11840
11841@anchor{disconnected tracing}
11842@cindex disconnected tracing
11843You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
11844@value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
11845involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
11846ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
11847terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
11848unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
11849@code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
11850continue running without @value{GDBN}.
11851
11852@table @code
11853@item set disconnected-tracing on
11854@itemx set disconnected-tracing off
11855@kindex set disconnected-tracing
11856Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
11857has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
11858@code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
11859matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
11860for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
11861
11862@item show disconnected-tracing
11863@kindex show disconnected-tracing
11864Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
11865
11866@end table
11867
11868When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
11869still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
11870meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
11871it will continue after reconnection.
11872
11873Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
11874tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
11875information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
11876to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
11877have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
11878the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
11879debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
11880which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
11881necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
11882created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
11883
11884@cindex circular trace buffer
11885If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
11886can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
11887buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
11888frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
11889collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
11890hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
11891buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
11892@samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
11893including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
11894buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
11895the next run.
11896
11897@table @code
11898@item set circular-trace-buffer on
11899@itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
11900@kindex set circular-trace-buffer
11901Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
11902for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
11903fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
11904data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
11905
11906@item show circular-trace-buffer
11907@kindex show circular-trace-buffer
11908Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
11909match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
11910match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
11911for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
11912
11913@end table
11914
11915@table @code
11916@item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
11917@itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
11918@kindex set trace-buffer-size
11919Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
11920targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
11921the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
11922@code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
11923likes. This is also the default.
11924
11925@item show trace-buffer-size
11926@kindex show trace-buffer-size
11927Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
11928will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
11929and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
11930target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
11931not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
11932to get a report of the actual buffer size.
11933@end table
11934
11935@table @code
11936@item set trace-user @var{text}
11937@kindex set trace-user
11938
11939@item show trace-user
11940@kindex show trace-user
11941
11942@item set trace-notes @var{text}
11943@kindex set trace-notes
11944Set the trace run's notes.
11945
11946@item show trace-notes
11947@kindex show trace-notes
11948Show the trace run's notes.
11949
11950@item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
11951@kindex set trace-stop-notes
11952Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
11953@code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
11954stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
11955
11956@item show trace-stop-notes
11957@kindex show trace-stop-notes
11958Show the trace run's stop notes.
11959
11960@end table
11961
11962@node Tracepoint Restrictions
11963@subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
11964
11965@cindex tracepoint restrictions
11966There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
11967described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
11968without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
11969the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
11970examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
11971collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
11972is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
11973mentioned here.
11974
11975@itemize @bullet
11976
11977@item
11978Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
11979the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
11980You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
11981convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
11982state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
11983functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
11984cannot be collected either.
11985
11986@item
11987Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
11988@code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
11989behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
11990instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
11991may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
11992tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
11993variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
11994tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
11995where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
11996program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
11997
11998@item
11999Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
12000may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
12001in a misleading way.
12002
12003@item
12004When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
12005dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
12006being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
12007not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
12008dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
12009collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
12010@code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
12011by @code{ptr}.
12012
12013@item
12014It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
12015tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
12016bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
12017(adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
12018target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
12019Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
12020using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
12021depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
12022if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
12023stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
12024invalid address.
12025
12026@item
12027If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
12028infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
12029the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
12030for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
12031multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
12032inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
12033@value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
12034it to zero.
12035
12036@end itemize
12037
12038@node Analyze Collected Data
12039@section Using the Collected Data
12040
12041After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
12042for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
12043collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
12044snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
12045consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
12046examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
12047specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
12048snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
12049registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
12050rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
12051debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
12052(@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
12053behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
12054when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
12055the buffer will fail.
12056
12057@menu
12058* tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
12059* tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
12060* save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
12061@end menu
12062
12063@node tfind
12064@subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
12065
12066@kindex tfind
12067@cindex select trace snapshot
12068@cindex find trace snapshot
12069The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
12070@code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
12071counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
12072snapshot is selected.
12073
12074Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
12075
12076@table @code
12077@item tfind start
12078Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
12079@code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
12080
12081@item tfind none
12082Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
12083
12084@item tfind end
12085Same as @samp{tfind none}.
12086
12087@item tfind
12088No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
12089
12090@item tfind -
12091Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
12092retracing earlier steps.
12093
12094@item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
12095Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
12096proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
12097argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
12098for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
12099
12100@item tfind pc @var{addr}
12101Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
12102program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
12103snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
12104snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
12105
12106@item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12107Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
12108addresses (exclusive).
12109
12110@item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12111Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
12112@var{addr2} (inclusive).
12113
12114@item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
12115Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
12116the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
12117that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
12118trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
12119next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
12120@code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
12121stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
12122@end table
12123
12124The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
12125designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
12126instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
12127snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
12128trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
12129simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
12130snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
12131@key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
12132The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
12133for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
12134no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
12135(PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
12136no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
12137tracepoint as the current one.
12138
12139In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
12140these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
12141scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
12142you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
12143registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
12144
12145@smallexample
12146(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12147(@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12148> printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
12149 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
12150> tfind
12151> end
12152
12153Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
12154Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
12155Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
12156Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
12157Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
12158Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
12159Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
12160Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
12161Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
12162Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
12163Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
12164@end smallexample
12165
12166Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
12167the buffer:
12168
12169@smallexample
12170(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12171(@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12172> printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
12173> tfind line
12174> end
12175
12176Frame 0, X = 1
12177Frame 7, X = 2
12178Frame 13, X = 255
12179@end smallexample
12180
12181@node tdump
12182@subsection @code{tdump}
12183@kindex tdump
12184@cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
12185@cindex tracepoint data, display
12186
12187This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
12188the current trace snapshot.
12189
12190@smallexample
12191(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
12192(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12193Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
12194> collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
12195> end
12196
12197(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12198
12199(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
12200#0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
12201at gdb_test.c:444
12202444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
12203
12204(@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
12205Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
12206d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
12207d1 0x18 24
12208d2 0x80 128
12209d3 0x33 51
12210d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
12211d5 0x22 34
12212d6 0xe0 224
12213d7 0x380035 3670069
12214a0 0x19e24a 1696330
12215a1 0x3000668 50333288
12216a2 0x100 256
12217a3 0x322000 3284992
12218a4 0x3000698 50333336
12219a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
12220fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
12221sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
12222ps 0x0 0
12223pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
12224fpcontrol 0x0 0
12225fpstatus 0x0 0
12226fpiaddr 0x0 0
12227p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
12228p1 = (void *) 0x11
12229p2 = (void *) 0x22
12230p3 = (void *) 0x33
12231p4 = (void *) 0x44
12232p5 = (void *) 0x55
12233p6 = (void *) 0x66
12234gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
12235
12236(@value{GDBP})
12237@end smallexample
12238
12239@code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
12240actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
12241@code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
12242actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
12243
12244Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
12245uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
12246frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
12247collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
12248to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
12249body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
12250then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
12251list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
12252same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
12253@c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
12254
12255@node save tracepoints
12256@subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
12257@kindex save tracepoints
12258@kindex save-tracepoints
12259@cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
12260
12261This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
12262their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
12263suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
12264tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12265Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12266alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12267
12268@node Tracepoint Variables
12269@section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12270@cindex tracepoint variables
12271@cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12272
12273@table @code
12274@vindex $trace_frame
12275@item (int) $trace_frame
12276The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12277snapshot is selected.
12278
12279@vindex $tracepoint
12280@item (int) $tracepoint
12281The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12282
12283@vindex $trace_line
12284@item (int) $trace_line
12285The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12286
12287@vindex $trace_file
12288@item (char []) $trace_file
12289The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12290
12291@vindex $trace_func
12292@item (char []) $trace_func
12293The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12294@end table
12295
12296Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12297use @code{output} instead.
12298
12299Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12300stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12301data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12302which are managed by the target.
12303
12304@smallexample
12305(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12306
12307(@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12308> output $trace_file
12309> printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12310> tfind
12311> end
12312@end smallexample
12313
12314@node Trace Files
12315@section Using Trace Files
12316@cindex trace files
12317
12318In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12319longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12320for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12321dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12322of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12323
12324@table @code
12325
12326@kindex tsave
12327@item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12328@itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
12329Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12330assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12331necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12332then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12333optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12334the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12335more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12336@code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12337By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
12338You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
12339format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
12340that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
12341@indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
12342
12343@kindex target tfile
12344@kindex tfile
12345@kindex target ctf
12346@kindex ctf
12347@item target tfile @var{filename}
12348@itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
12349Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
12350a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
12351a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
12352@code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
12353the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
12354@var{filename} or @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
12355the host.
12356
12357@smallexample
12358(@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
12359(@value{GDBP}) tfind
12360Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
1236139 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
12362(@value{GDBP}) tdump
12363Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
12364i = 0
12365a = 0
12366b = 1 '\001'
12367c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
12368d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
12369(@value{GDBP}) p b
12370$1 = 1
12371@end smallexample
12372
12373@end table
12374
12375@node Overlays
12376@chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12377@cindex overlays
12378
12379If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12380memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12381problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12382use overlays.
12383
12384@menu
12385* How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12386* Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12387* Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12388 mapped by asking the inferior.
12389* Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12390@end menu
12391
12392@node How Overlays Work
12393@section How Overlays Work
12394@cindex mapped overlays
12395@cindex unmapped overlays
12396@cindex load address, overlay's
12397@cindex mapped address
12398@cindex overlay area
12399
12400Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12401kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12402other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12403management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12404adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12405
12406One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12407independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12408@dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12409their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12410instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12411largest overlay as well.
12412
12413Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12414overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12415for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12416there.
12417
12418@c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12419@c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12420@c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12421
12422@smallexample
12423@group
12424 Data Instruction Larger
12425Address Space Address Space Address Space
12426+-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12427| | | | | |
12428+-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12429| program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12430| variables | | program | | +-----------+
12431| and heap | | | | | |
12432+-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12433| | +-----------+ | | | load address
12434+-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12435 | | | | | |
12436 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12437 address | | | | | |
12438 | overlay | <-' | | |
12439 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12440 | | <---. | | load address
12441 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12442 | | | |
12443 +-----------+ | |
12444 +-----------+
12445 | |
12446 +-----------+
12447
12448 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12449@end group
12450@end smallexample
12451
12452The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12453and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12454its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12455Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12456may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12457data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12458program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12459program and the overlay area.
12460
12461An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12462@dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12463instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12464in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12465is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12466the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12467called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12468
12469Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12470program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12471global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12472
12473@itemize @bullet
12474
12475@item
12476Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12477must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12478return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12479overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12480
12481@item
12482If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12483will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12484your program's performance.
12485
12486@item
12487The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12488overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12489mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12490and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12491You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12492addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12493ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12494
12495@item
12496The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12497to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12498instruction and data spaces.
12499
12500@end itemize
12501
12502The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12503improved in many ways:
12504
12505@itemize @bullet
12506
12507@item
12508If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12509hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12510contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12511This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12512area in the usual way.
12513
12514@item
12515If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12516overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12517
12518@item
12519You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12520general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12521code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12522return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12523the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12524must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12525different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12526
12527@end itemize
12528
12529
12530@node Overlay Commands
12531@section Overlay Commands
12532
12533To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12534correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12535virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12536mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12537@value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12538variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12539
12540@value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12541you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12542
12543@table @code
12544@item overlay off
12545@kindex overlay
12546Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12547disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12548always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12549overlay support is disabled.
12550
12551@item overlay manual
12552@cindex manual overlay debugging
12553Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12554relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12555using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12556commands described below.
12557
12558@item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12559@itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12560@cindex map an overlay
12561Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12562be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12563overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12564functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12565that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12566@var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12567
12568@item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12569@itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12570@cindex unmap an overlay
12571Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12572must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12573When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12574overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12575
12576@item overlay auto
12577Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12578consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12579to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12580Overlay Debugging}.
12581
12582@item overlay load-target
12583@itemx overlay load
12584@cindex reloading the overlay table
12585Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12586re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12587stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12588overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12589useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12590
12591@item overlay list-overlays
12592@itemx overlay list
12593@cindex listing mapped overlays
12594Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12595addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12596
12597@end table
12598
12599Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12600of the function the address falls in:
12601
12602@smallexample
12603(@value{GDBP}) print main
12604$3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12605@end smallexample
12606@noindent
12607When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12608unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12609asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12610unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12611
12612@smallexample
12613(@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12614No sections are mapped.
12615(@value{GDBP}) print foo
12616$5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12617@end smallexample
12618@noindent
12619When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12620name normally:
12621
12622@smallexample
12623(@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12624Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12625 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12626(@value{GDBP}) print foo
12627$6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12628@end smallexample
12629
12630When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12631address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12632overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12633@code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12634code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12635
12636@itemize @bullet
12637@item
12638@cindex breakpoints in overlays
12639@cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12640You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12641@value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12642@item
12643@value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12644unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12645overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12646you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12647breakpoints properly.
12648@end itemize
12649
12650
12651@node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12652@section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12653@cindex automatic overlay debugging
12654
12655@value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12656are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12657inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12658@code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12659looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12660current state of the overlays.
12661
12662Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12663@value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12664
12665@table @asis
12666
12667@item @code{_ovly_table}:
12668This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12669
12670@smallexample
12671struct
12672@{
12673 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12674 unsigned long vma;
12675
12676 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12677 unsigned long size;
12678
12679 /* The overlay's load address. */
12680 unsigned long lma;
12681
12682 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12683 zero otherwise. */
12684 unsigned long mapped;
12685@}
12686@end smallexample
12687
12688@item @code{_novlys}:
12689This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12690number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12691
12692@end table
12693
12694To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12695looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12696@code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12697executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12698the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12699currently mapped.
12700
12701In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12702@code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12703will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12704calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12705will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12706are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12707in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12708overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12709are not being executed.
12710
12711@node Overlay Sample Program
12712@section Overlay Sample Program
12713@cindex overlay example program
12714
12715When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12716at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12717addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12718Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12719since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12720architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12721portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12722
12723However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12724program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12725suite. The program consists of the following files from
12726@file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12727
12728@table @file
12729@item overlays.c
12730The main program file.
12731@item ovlymgr.c
12732A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12733@item foo.c
12734@itemx bar.c
12735@itemx baz.c
12736@itemx grbx.c
12737Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12738@item d10v.ld
12739@itemx m32r.ld
12740Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12741and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12742@end table
12743
12744You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12745cross-compiler like this:
12746
12747@smallexample
12748$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12749$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12750$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12751$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12752$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12753$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12754$ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12755 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12756@end smallexample
12757
12758The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12759you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12760target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12761
12762
12763@node Languages
12764@chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12765@cindex languages
12766
12767Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12768rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12769dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12770Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12771represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12772@samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12773
12774@cindex working language
12775Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12776allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12777native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12778consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12779language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12780language}.
12781
12782@menu
12783* Setting:: Switching between source languages
12784* Show:: Displaying the language
12785* Checks:: Type and range checks
12786* Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12787* Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12788@end menu
12789
12790@node Setting
12791@section Switching Between Source Languages
12792
12793There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
12794set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
12795@code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
12796defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12797used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12798are printed, etc.
12799
12800In addition to the working language, every source file that
12801@value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12802file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12803source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12804language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12805controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12806show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12807set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12808set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12809Displaying the Language}.
12810
12811This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12812as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12813another language. In that case, make the
12814program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12815@value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12816program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12817
12818@menu
12819* Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12820* Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12821* Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12822@end menu
12823
12824@node Filenames
12825@subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
12826
12827If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
12828@value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
12829
12830@table @file
12831@item .ada
12832@itemx .ads
12833@itemx .adb
12834@itemx .a
12835Ada source file.
12836
12837@item .c
12838C source file
12839
12840@item .C
12841@itemx .cc
12842@itemx .cp
12843@itemx .cpp
12844@itemx .cxx
12845@itemx .c++
12846C@t{++} source file
12847
12848@item .d
12849D source file
12850
12851@item .m
12852Objective-C source file
12853
12854@item .f
12855@itemx .F
12856Fortran source file
12857
12858@item .mod
12859Modula-2 source file
12860
12861@item .s
12862@itemx .S
12863Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
12864@value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
12865@end table
12866
12867In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
12868extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
12869
12870@node Manually
12871@subsection Setting the Working Language
12872
12873If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
12874expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
12875your program.
12876
12877@kindex set language
12878If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
12879command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
12880a language, such as
12881@code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
12882For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
12883
12884Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
12885language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
12886to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
12887source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
12888languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
12889source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
12890command such as:
12891
12892@smallexample
12893print a = b + c
12894@end smallexample
12895
12896@noindent
12897might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
12898@code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
12899printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
12900@code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
12901
12902@node Automatically
12903@subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
12904
12905To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
12906@samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
12907then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
12908frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
12909working language to the language recorded for the function in that
12910frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
12911or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
12912does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
12913not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
12914
12915This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
12916entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
12917written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
12918a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
12919case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
12920
12921@node Show
12922@section Displaying the Language
12923
12924The following commands help you find out which language is the
12925working language, and also what language source files were written in.
12926
12927@table @code
12928@item show language
12929@kindex show language
12930Display the current working language. This is the
12931language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
12932build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
12933
12934@item info frame
12935@kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
12936Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
12937working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
12938@xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
12939information listed here.
12940
12941@item info source
12942@kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
12943Display the source language of this source file.
12944@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
12945information listed here.
12946@end table
12947
12948In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
12949not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
12950with a language explicitly:
12951
12952@table @code
12953@item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
12954@kindex set extension-language
12955Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
12956assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
12957
12958@item info extensions
12959@kindex info extensions
12960List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
12961@end table
12962
12963@node Checks
12964@section Type and Range Checking
12965
12966Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
12967errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
12968checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
12969sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
12970these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
12971by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
12972errors when your program is running.
12973
12974By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
12975rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
12976the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
12977into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
12978
12979@menu
12980* Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
12981* Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
12982@end menu
12983
12984@cindex type checking
12985@cindex checks, type
12986@node Type Checking
12987@subsection An Overview of Type Checking
12988
12989Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
12990arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
12991otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
12992errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
12993
12994@smallexample
12995int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
12996
12997(@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
12998$1 = 2
12999@exdent but
13000(@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
13001Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
13002@end smallexample
13003
13004The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
13005@samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
13006
13007For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13008@value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
13009to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
13010When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
13011expressions like the second example above.
13012
13013Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
13014related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
13015For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
13016a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
13017with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
13018little sense to evaluate anyway.
13019
13020@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
13021
13022@kindex set check type
13023@kindex show check type
13024@table @code
13025@item set check type on
13026@itemx set check type off
13027Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
13028evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
13029message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
13030
13031@item show check type
13032Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
13033is enforcing strict type checking rules.
13034@end table
13035
13036@cindex range checking
13037@cindex checks, range
13038@node Range Checking
13039@subsection An Overview of Range Checking
13040
13041In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
13042bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
13043checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
13044computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
13045not exceed the bounds of the array.
13046
13047For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13048@value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
13049always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
13050warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
13051
13052A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
13053array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
13054of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
13055error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
13056result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
13057the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
13058
13059@smallexample
13060@var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
13061@end smallexample
13062
13063This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
13064specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
13065Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
13066
13067@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
13068
13069@kindex set check range
13070@kindex show check range
13071@table @code
13072@item set check range auto
13073Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
13074@xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
13075each language.
13076
13077@item set check range on
13078@itemx set check range off
13079Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
13080current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
13081match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
13082then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
13083
13084@item set check range warn
13085Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
13086but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
13087expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
13088memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
13089systems).
13090
13091@item show range
13092Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
13093being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
13094@end table
13095
13096@node Supported Languages
13097@section Supported Languages
13098
13099@value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
13100OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
13101@c This is false ...
13102Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
13103language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
13104and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
13105,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
13106language.
13107
13108The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
13109supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
13110tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
13111@value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
13112formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
13113books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
13114language reference or tutorial.
13115
13116@menu
13117* C:: C and C@t{++}
13118* D:: D
13119* Go:: Go
13120* Objective-C:: Objective-C
13121* OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
13122* Fortran:: Fortran
13123* Pascal:: Pascal
13124* Modula-2:: Modula-2
13125* Ada:: Ada
13126@end menu
13127
13128@node C
13129@subsection C and C@t{++}
13130
13131@cindex C and C@t{++}
13132@cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
13133
13134Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
13135to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
13136together.
13137
13138@cindex C@t{++}
13139@cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
13140@cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
13141The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
13142compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
13143effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
13144C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
13145compiler (@code{aCC}).
13146
13147@menu
13148* C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
13149* C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
13150* C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
13151* C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
13152* C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
13153* Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
13154* Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
13155* Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
13156@end menu
13157
13158@node C Operators
13159@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
13160
13161@cindex C and C@t{++} operators
13162
13163Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13164@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13165often defined on groups of types.
13166
13167For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
13168
13169@itemize @bullet
13170
13171@item
13172@emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
13173specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
13174
13175@item
13176@emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
13177@code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
13178
13179@item
13180@emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
13181
13182@item
13183@emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
13184
13185@end itemize
13186
13187@noindent
13188The following operators are supported. They are listed here
13189in order of increasing precedence:
13190
13191@table @code
13192@item ,
13193The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
13194are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
13195expression being the last expression evaluated.
13196
13197@item =
13198Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
13199assigned. Defined on scalar types.
13200
13201@item @var{op}=
13202Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
13203and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
13204@w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
13205@var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
13206@code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
13207
13208@item ?:
13209The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
13210of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
13211integral type.
13212
13213@item ||
13214Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13215
13216@item &&
13217Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13218
13219@item |
13220Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13221
13222@item ^
13223Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13224
13225@item &
13226Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13227
13228@item ==@r{, }!=
13229Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
13230expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
13231
13232@item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
13233Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
13234Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
13235and non-zero for true.
13236
13237@item <<@r{, }>>
13238left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
13239
13240@item @@
13241The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13242
13243@item +@r{, }-
13244Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
13245pointer types.
13246
13247@item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
13248Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
13249defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
13250integral types.
13251
13252@item ++@r{, }--
13253Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
13254operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
13255when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
13256operation takes place.
13257
13258@item *
13259Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
13260@code{++}.
13261
13262@item &
13263Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
13264
13265For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
13266allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
13267to examine the address
13268where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
13269stored.
13270
13271@item -
13272Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
13273precedence as @code{++}.
13274
13275@item !
13276Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13277@code{++}.
13278
13279@item ~
13280Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13281@code{++}.
13282
13283
13284@item .@r{, }->
13285Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
13286@value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
13287pointer based on the stored type information.
13288Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
13289
13290@item .*@r{, }->*
13291Dereferences of pointers to members.
13292
13293@item []
13294Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13295@code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13296
13297@item ()
13298Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13299
13300@item ::
13301C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13302and @code{class} types.
13303
13304@item ::
13305Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13306(@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13307above.
13308@end table
13309
13310If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13311attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13312predefined meaning.
13313
13314@node C Constants
13315@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13316
13317@cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13318
13319@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13320following ways:
13321
13322@itemize @bullet
13323@item
13324Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13325specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13326by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13327@samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13328@code{long} value.
13329
13330@item
13331Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13332point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13333exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13334@samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13335sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13336A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13337@samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13338the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13339a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13340constant.
13341
13342@item
13343Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13344integral equivalents.
13345
13346@item
13347Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13348(@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13349(usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13350be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13351the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13352of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13353@samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13354@samp{\n} for newline.
13355
13356Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13357constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13358form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13359computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13360
13361@item
13362String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13363double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13364above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13365a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13366characters.
13367
13368Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13369with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13370computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13371
13372@item
13373Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13374to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13375
13376@item
13377Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13378and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13379integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13380and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13381@end itemize
13382
13383@node C Plus Plus Expressions
13384@subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13385
13386@cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13387@value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13388
13389@cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13390@cindex C@t{++} compilers
13391@cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13392@cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13393@quotation
13394@emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13395the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13396@value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13397with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13398debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13399popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13400work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13401code. @xref{Compilation}.
13402@end quotation
13403
13404@enumerate
13405
13406@cindex member functions
13407@item
13408Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13409
13410@smallexample
13411count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13412@end smallexample
13413
13414@vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13415@cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13416@item
13417While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13418expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13419that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13420pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13421declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13422
13423@cindex call overloaded functions
13424@cindex overloaded functions, calling
13425@cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13426@item
13427You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13428call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13429perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13430calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13431in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13432default arguments.
13433
13434It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13435promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13436class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13437functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13438number of function arguments.
13439
13440Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13441@code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13442,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13443
13444You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13445explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13446@smallexample
13447p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13448@end smallexample
13449
13450The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13451see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13452
13453@cindex reference declarations
13454@item
13455@value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13456them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13457dereferenced.
13458
13459In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13460reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13461avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13462The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13463you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13464
13465@item
13466@value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13467expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13468one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13469necessary, for example in an expression like
13470@samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13471resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13472debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13473
13474@item
13475@value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13476specification.
13477@end enumerate
13478
13479@node C Defaults
13480@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13481
13482@cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13483
13484If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
13485defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13486C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13487selects the working language.
13488
13489If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13490recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13491@file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13492these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13493@xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13494for further details.
13495
13496@node C Checks
13497@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13498
13499@cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13500
13501By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
13502checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
13503will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
13504constants to pointers.
13505
13506Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13507indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13508that is not itself an array.
13509
13510@node Debugging C
13511@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13512
13513The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13514the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13515inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13516appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13517
13518The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13519with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13520,Expressions}.
13521
13522@node Debugging C Plus Plus
13523@subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13524
13525@cindex commands for C@t{++}
13526
13527Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13528designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13529
13530@table @code
13531@cindex break in overloaded functions
13532@item @r{breakpoint menus}
13533When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13534@value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13535locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13536@xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13537
13538@cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13539@item rbreak @var{regex}
13540Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13541breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13542classes.
13543@xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13544
13545@cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13546@item catch throw
13547@itemx catch rethrow
13548@itemx catch catch
13549Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13550Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13551
13552@cindex inheritance
13553@item ptype @var{typename}
13554Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13555@var{typename}.
13556@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13557
13558@item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13559The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13560method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13561one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13562multiple inheritance is in use.
13563
13564@cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13565@item set print demangle
13566@itemx show print demangle
13567@itemx set print asm-demangle
13568@itemx show print asm-demangle
13569Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13570displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13571@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13572
13573@item set print object
13574@itemx show print object
13575Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13576@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13577
13578@item set print vtbl
13579@itemx show print vtbl
13580Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13581@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13582(The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13583ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13584
13585@kindex set overload-resolution
13586@cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13587@item set overload-resolution on
13588Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13589is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13590and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13591using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13592Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13593If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13594
13595@item set overload-resolution off
13596Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13597overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13598chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13599symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13600overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13601searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13602argument types.
13603
13604@kindex show overload-resolution
13605@item show overload-resolution
13606Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13607
13608@item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13609You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13610the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13611@code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13612also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13613available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13614@xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13615@end table
13616
13617@node Decimal Floating Point
13618@subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13619@cindex decimal floating point format
13620
13621@value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13622decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13623@code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13624specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13625
13626There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13627Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13628PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13629target.
13630
13631Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13632to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13633(using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13634
13635In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13636point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13637underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13638
13639In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13640to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13641See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13642
13643@node D
13644@subsection D
13645
13646@cindex D
13647@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13648GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13649specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13650
13651@node Go
13652@subsection Go
13653
13654@cindex Go (programming language)
13655@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13656@file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13657
13658Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13659
13660@table @code
13661@cindex current Go package
13662@item The current Go package
13663The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13664specifying global variables and functions.
13665
13666For example, given the program:
13667
13668@example
13669package main
13670var myglob = "Shall we?"
13671func main () @{
13672 // ...
13673@}
13674@end example
13675
13676When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13677
13678@example
13679(gdb) p myglob
13680(gdb) p main.myglob
13681@end example
13682
13683@cindex builtin Go types
13684@item Builtin Go types
13685The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13686as a string.
13687
13688@cindex builtin Go functions
13689@item Builtin Go functions
13690The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13691function and handles it internally.
13692
13693@cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13694@item Restrictions on Go expressions
13695All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13696The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13697Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13698@end table
13699
13700@node Objective-C
13701@subsection Objective-C
13702
13703@cindex Objective-C
13704This section provides information about some commands and command
13705options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13706@ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13707few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13708
13709@menu
13710* Method Names in Commands::
13711* The Print Command with Objective-C::
13712@end menu
13713
13714@node Method Names in Commands
13715@subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13716
13717The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13718names as line specifications:
13719
13720@kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13721@kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13722@kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13723@kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13724@kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13725@itemize
13726@item @code{clear}
13727@item @code{break}
13728@item @code{info line}
13729@item @code{jump}
13730@item @code{list}
13731@end itemize
13732
13733A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13734
13735@smallexample
13736-[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13737@end smallexample
13738
13739where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13740plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13741name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13742brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13743source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13744instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13745debugged, enter:
13746
13747@smallexample
13748break -[Fruit create]
13749@end smallexample
13750
13751To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13752enter:
13753
13754@smallexample
13755list +[NSText initialize]
13756@end smallexample
13757
13758In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13759required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13760sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13761is also possible to specify just a method name:
13762
13763@smallexample
13764break create
13765@end smallexample
13766
13767You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13768your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13769you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13770method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13771none apply.
13772
13773As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13774@code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13775
13776@smallexample
13777clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13778@end smallexample
13779
13780@node The Print Command with Objective-C
13781@subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13782@cindex Objective-C, print objects
13783@kindex print-object
13784@kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13785
13786The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13787
13788@smallexample
13789print -[@var{object} hash]
13790@end smallexample
13791
13792@cindex print an Objective-C object description
13793@cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
13794@noindent
13795will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
13796and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13797@code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13798the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13799with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13800function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13801
13802@node OpenCL C
13803@subsection OpenCL C
13804
13805@cindex OpenCL C
13806This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13807
13808@menu
13809* OpenCL C Datatypes::
13810* OpenCL C Expressions::
13811* OpenCL C Operators::
13812@end menu
13813
13814@node OpenCL C Datatypes
13815@subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13816
13817@cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13818@value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13819by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13820data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13821extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13822
13823@node OpenCL C Expressions
13824@subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
13825
13826@cindex OpenCL C Expressions
13827@value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
13828lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
13829supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
13830
13831@node OpenCL C Operators
13832@subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
13833
13834@cindex OpenCL C Operators
13835@value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
13836vector data types.
13837
13838@node Fortran
13839@subsection Fortran
13840@cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
13841
13842@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
13843currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
13844
13845@cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
13846Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
13847among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
13848functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
13849will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
13850underscore.
13851
13852@menu
13853* Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
13854* Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
13855* Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
13856@end menu
13857
13858@node Fortran Operators
13859@subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
13860
13861@cindex Fortran operators and expressions
13862
13863Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13864@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
13865arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
13866
13867@table @code
13868@item **
13869The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
13870of the second one.
13871
13872@item :
13873The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
13874represent a section of array.
13875
13876@item %
13877The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
13878types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
13879this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
13880union type.
13881@end table
13882
13883@node Fortran Defaults
13884@subsubsection Fortran Defaults
13885
13886@cindex Fortran Defaults
13887
13888Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
13889default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
13890change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
13891@ref{Symbols}, for the details.
13892
13893@node Special Fortran Commands
13894@subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
13895
13896@cindex Special Fortran commands
13897
13898@value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
13899such as displaying common blocks.
13900
13901@table @code
13902@cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
13903@kindex info common
13904@item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
13905This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
13906block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
13907all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
13908printed.
13909@end table
13910
13911@node Pascal
13912@subsection Pascal
13913
13914@cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
13915Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
13916nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
13917entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
13918syntax.
13919
13920The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
13921controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
13922@xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
13923
13924@node Modula-2
13925@subsection Modula-2
13926
13927@cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
13928
13929The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
13930output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
13931developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
13932attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13933to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
13934table.
13935
13936@cindex expressions in Modula-2
13937@menu
13938* M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
13939* Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
13940* M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
13941* M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
13942* M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
13943* Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
13944* M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
13945* M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13946* GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13947@end menu
13948
13949@node M2 Operators
13950@subsubsection Operators
13951@cindex Modula-2 operators
13952
13953Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13954@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13955often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
13956following definitions hold:
13957
13958@itemize @bullet
13959
13960@item
13961@emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
13962their subranges.
13963
13964@item
13965@emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
13966
13967@item
13968@emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
13969
13970@item
13971@emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
13972@var{type}}.
13973
13974@item
13975@emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
13976
13977@item
13978@emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
13979
13980@item
13981@emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
13982@end itemize
13983
13984@noindent
13985The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
13986increasing precedence:
13987
13988@table @code
13989@item ,
13990Function argument or array index separator.
13991
13992@item :=
13993Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
13994@var{value}.
13995
13996@item <@r{, }>
13997Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
13998types.
13999
14000@item <=@r{, }>=
14001Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
14002on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
14003set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
14004
14005@item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
14006Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
14007Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
14008available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
14009comment character.
14010
14011@item IN
14012Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
14013Same precedence as @code{<}.
14014
14015@item OR
14016Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14017
14018@item AND@r{, }&
14019Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14020
14021@item @@
14022The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14023
14024@item +@r{, }-
14025Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
14026and difference on set types.
14027
14028@item *
14029Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
14030on set types.
14031
14032@item /
14033Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
14034types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
14035
14036@item DIV@r{, }MOD
14037Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
14038precedence as @code{*}.
14039
14040@item -
14041Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
14042
14043@item ^
14044Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
14045
14046@item NOT
14047Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
14048@code{^}.
14049
14050@item .
14051@code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
14052precedence as @code{^}.
14053
14054@item []
14055Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
14056
14057@item ()
14058Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
14059as @code{^}.
14060
14061@item ::@r{, }.
14062@value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
14063@end table
14064
14065@quotation
14066@emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
14067treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
14068@code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
14069@code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
14070@end quotation
14071
14072
14073@node Built-In Func/Proc
14074@subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
14075@cindex Modula-2 built-ins
14076
14077Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
14078In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
14079
14080@table @var
14081
14082@item a
14083represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
14084
14085@item c
14086represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
14087
14088@item i
14089represents a variable or constant of integral type.
14090
14091@item m
14092represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
14093same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
14094be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
14095
14096@item n
14097represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
14098
14099@item r
14100represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
14101
14102@item t
14103represents a type.
14104
14105@item v
14106represents a variable.
14107
14108@item x
14109represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
14110explanation of the function for details.
14111@end table
14112
14113All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
14114
14115@table @code
14116@item ABS(@var{n})
14117Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
14118
14119@item CAP(@var{c})
14120If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
14121equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
14122
14123@item CHR(@var{i})
14124Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14125
14126@item DEC(@var{v})
14127Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14128
14129@item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
14130Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14131new value.
14132
14133@item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14134Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
14135set.
14136
14137@item FLOAT(@var{i})
14138Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
14139
14140@item HIGH(@var{a})
14141Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
14142
14143@item INC(@var{v})
14144Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14145
14146@item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
14147Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14148new value.
14149
14150@item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14151Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
14152there. Returns the new set.
14153
14154@item MAX(@var{t})
14155Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
14156
14157@item MIN(@var{t})
14158Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
14159
14160@item ODD(@var{i})
14161Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
14162
14163@item ORD(@var{x})
14164Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
14165value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
14166@sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
14167integral, character and enumerated types.
14168
14169@item SIZE(@var{x})
14170Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14171
14172@item TRUNC(@var{r})
14173Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
14174
14175@item TSIZE(@var{x})
14176Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14177
14178@item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
14179Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14180@end table
14181
14182@quotation
14183@emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
14184@value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
14185an error.
14186@end quotation
14187
14188@cindex Modula-2 constants
14189@node M2 Constants
14190@subsubsection Constants
14191
14192@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
14193ways:
14194
14195@itemize @bullet
14196
14197@item
14198Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
14199expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
14200rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
14201trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
14202
14203@item
14204Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
14205decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
14206then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
14207@samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
14208digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
14209digits.
14210
14211@item
14212Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
14213like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
14214also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
14215followed by a @samp{C}.
14216
14217@item
14218String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
14219pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
14220Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
14221Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
14222sequences.
14223
14224@item
14225Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
14226
14227@item
14228Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
14229@code{FALSE}.
14230
14231@item
14232Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
14233
14234@item
14235Set constants are not yet supported.
14236@end itemize
14237
14238@node M2 Types
14239@subsubsection Modula-2 Types
14240@cindex Modula-2 types
14241
14242Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
14243syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
14244types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
14245print the contents of variables declared using these type.
14246This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
14247sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
14248
14249The first example contains the following section of code:
14250
14251@smallexample
14252VAR
14253 s: SET OF CHAR ;
14254 r: [20..40] ;
14255@end smallexample
14256
14257@noindent
14258and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
14259@code{r} and @code{s}.
14260
14261@smallexample
14262(@value{GDBP}) print s
14263@{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
14264(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14265SET OF CHAR
14266(@value{GDBP}) print r
1426721
14268(@value{GDBP}) ptype r
14269[20..40]
14270@end smallexample
14271
14272@noindent
14273Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
14274
14275@smallexample
14276VAR
14277 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14278@end smallexample
14279
14280@noindent
14281then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14282
14283@smallexample
14284(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14285type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14286@end smallexample
14287
14288@noindent
14289Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14290expressions using the debugger.
14291
14292The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14293and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14294
14295@smallexample
14296VAR
14297 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14298@end smallexample
14299
14300@smallexample
14301(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14302ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14303@end smallexample
14304
14305Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14306is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14307arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14308above.
14309
14310Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14311
14312@smallexample
14313TYPE
14314 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14315 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14316VAR
14317 s: t ;
14318BEGIN
14319 s := blue ;
14320@end smallexample
14321
14322@noindent
14323The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14324and value of a variable.
14325
14326@smallexample
14327(@value{GDBP}) print s
14328$1 = blue
14329(@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14330type = [blue..yellow]
14331@end smallexample
14332
14333@noindent
14334In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14335displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14336their @code{C} counterparts.
14337
14338@smallexample
14339VAR
14340 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14341BEGIN
14342 s[1] := 1 ;
14343@end smallexample
14344
14345@smallexample
14346(@value{GDBP}) print s
14347$1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14348(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14349type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14350@end smallexample
14351
14352The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14353pointer types as shown in this example:
14354
14355@smallexample
14356VAR
14357 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14358BEGIN
14359 NEW(s) ;
14360 s^[1] := 1 ;
14361@end smallexample
14362
14363@noindent
14364and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14365
14366@smallexample
14367(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14368type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14369@end smallexample
14370
14371@value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14372Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14373types:
14374
14375@smallexample
14376TYPE
14377 foo = RECORD
14378 f1: CARDINAL ;
14379 f2: CHAR ;
14380 f3: myarray ;
14381 END ;
14382
14383 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14384 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14385VAR
14386 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14387@end smallexample
14388
14389@noindent
14390and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14391below.
14392
14393@smallexample
14394(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14395type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14396 f1 : CARDINAL;
14397 f2 : CHAR;
14398 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14399END
14400@end smallexample
14401
14402@node M2 Defaults
14403@subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14404@cindex Modula-2 defaults
14405
14406If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14407both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14408Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14409selected the working language.
14410
14411If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14412code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14413working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14414Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14415
14416@node Deviations
14417@subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14418@cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14419
14420A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14421This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14422
14423@itemize @bullet
14424@item
14425Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14426integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14427debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14428pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14429through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14430returned a pointer.)
14431
14432@item
14433C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14434non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14435escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14436printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14437
14438@item
14439The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14440argument.
14441
14442@item
14443All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14444@end itemize
14445
14446@node M2 Checks
14447@subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14448@cindex Modula-2 checks
14449
14450@quotation
14451@emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14452range checking.
14453@end quotation
14454@c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14455
14456@value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14457
14458@itemize @bullet
14459@item
14460They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14461@var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14462
14463@item
14464They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14465@sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14466@end itemize
14467
14468As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14469whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14470
14471Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14472index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14473
14474@node M2 Scope
14475@subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14476@cindex scope
14477@cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14478@cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14479@ifinfo
14480@vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14481@c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14482@end ifinfo
14483@ifnotinfo
14484@vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14485@end ifnotinfo
14486
14487There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14488(@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14489similar syntax:
14490
14491@smallexample
14492
14493@var{module} . @var{id}
14494@var{scope} :: @var{id}
14495@end smallexample
14496
14497@noindent
14498where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14499@var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14500identifier within your program, except another module.
14501
14502Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14503specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14504found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14505enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14506
14507Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14508the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14509definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14510an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14511module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14512@var{module}.
14513
14514@node GDB/M2
14515@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14516
14517Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14518Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14519specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14520@samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14521apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14522analogue in Modula-2.
14523
14524The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14525with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14526intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14527created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14528address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14529@samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14530
14531@cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14532In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14533interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14534
14535@node Ada
14536@subsection Ada
14537@cindex Ada
14538
14539The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14540output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14541Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14542attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14543to be difficult.
14544
14545
14546@cindex expressions in Ada
14547@menu
14548* Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14549 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14550 in @value{GDBN}.
14551* Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14552* Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14553* Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14554* Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14555* Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14556* Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14557 Profile
14558* Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14559@end menu
14560
14561@node Ada Mode Intro
14562@subsubsection Introduction
14563@cindex Ada mode, general
14564
14565The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14566syntax, with some extensions.
14567The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14568
14569@itemize @bullet
14570@item
14571That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14572arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14573leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14574program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14575
14576@item
14577That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14578are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14579
14580@item
14581That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14582@end itemize
14583
14584Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14585user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14586according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14587names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14588ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14589
14590The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14591As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14592was translated from an Ada source file.
14593
14594While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14595mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14596(@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14597middle (to allow based literals).
14598
14599The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14600the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14601actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14602the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14603procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14604functions to procedures elsewhere.
14605
14606@node Omissions from Ada
14607@subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14608@cindex Ada, omissions from
14609
14610Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14611
14612@itemize @bullet
14613@item
14614Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14615
14616@itemize @minus
14617@item
14618@t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14619 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14620
14621@item
14622@t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14623
14624@item
14625@t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14626
14627@item
14628@t{'Tag}.
14629
14630@item
14631@t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14632operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14633
14634@item
14635@t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14636@t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14637
14638@item
14639@t{'Address}.
14640@end itemize
14641
14642@item
14643The names in
14644@code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14645concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14646not currently available.
14647
14648@item
14649Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14650equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14651for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14652They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14653types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14654(in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14655zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14656indeterminate values.
14657
14658@item
14659The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14660@code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14661are not implemented.
14662
14663@item
14664@cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14665@cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14666@cindex aggregates (Ada)
14667There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14668permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14669
14670@smallexample
14671(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14672(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14673(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14674(@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14675(@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14676(@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14677@end smallexample
14678
14679Changing a
14680discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14681undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14682However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14683them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14684aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14685declared to have a type such as:
14686
14687@smallexample
14688type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14689 Id : Integer;
14690 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14691end record;
14692@end smallexample
14693
14694you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14695assignments:
14696
14697@smallexample
14698(@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14699(@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14700@end smallexample
14701
14702As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14703rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14704components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14705component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14706original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14707indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14708redundant component associations, although which component values are
14709assigned in such cases is not defined.
14710
14711@item
14712Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14713
14714@item
14715The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14716than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14717which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14718looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14719function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14720the proper resolution.
14721
14722@item
14723The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14724
14725@item
14726Entry calls are not implemented.
14727
14728@item
14729Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14730formats are not supported.
14731
14732@item
14733It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14734
14735@item
14736The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14737are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14738context.
14739Should your program
14740redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14741you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14742@end itemize
14743
14744@node Additions to Ada
14745@subsubsection Additions to Ada
14746@cindex Ada, deviations from
14747
14748As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14749extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14750
14751@itemize @bullet
14752@item
14753If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14754a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14755then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14756@var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14757Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14758in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14759Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14760which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14761
14762@item
14763@code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14764appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14765you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14766
14767@item
14768The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14769@var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14770
14771@item
14772A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14773(@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14774@end itemize
14775
14776In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14777additions specific to Ada:
14778
14779@itemize @bullet
14780@item
14781The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14782its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14783
14784@smallexample
14785(@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14786(@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14787@end smallexample
14788
14789@item
14790The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14791the value of its right-hand operand.
14792This allows, for example,
14793complex conditional breaks:
14794
14795@smallexample
14796(@value{GDBP}) break f
14797(@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14798@end smallexample
14799
14800@item
14801Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14802characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14803which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14804@samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14805(single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14806sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14807in strings. For example,
14808@smallexample
14809 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14810@end smallexample
14811@noindent
14812contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14813after each period.
14814
14815@item
14816The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14817@t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14818to write
14819
14820@smallexample
14821(@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14822@end smallexample
14823
14824@item
14825When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
14826array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
14827For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
14828of 3 might print as
14829
14830@smallexample
14831(3 => 10, 17, 1)
14832@end smallexample
14833
14834@noindent
14835That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
14836clause.
14837
14838@item
14839You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
14840multi-character subsequence of
14841their names (an exact match gets preference).
14842For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
14843in place of @t{a'length}.
14844
14845@item
14846@cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
14847Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
14848to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
14849some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
14850For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
14851enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
14852For example,
14853@smallexample
14854(@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
14855@end smallexample
14856
14857@item
14858Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
14859access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
14860specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
14861selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
14862object.
14863
14864@end itemize
14865
14866@node Stopping Before Main Program
14867@subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
14868
14869@cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
14870It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
14871before reaching the main procedure.
14872As defined in the Ada Reference
14873Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
14874@code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
14875elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
14876@code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
14877
14878@node Ada Tasks
14879@subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
14880@cindex Ada, tasking
14881
14882Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
14883@value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
14884
14885@table @code
14886@kindex info tasks
14887@item info tasks
14888This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
14889
14890
14891@smallexample
14892@iftex
14893@leftskip=0.5cm
14894@end iftex
14895(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14896 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14897 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14898 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
14899 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
14900* 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
14901
14902@end smallexample
14903
14904@noindent
14905In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
14906task currently being inspected.
14907
14908@table @asis
14909@item ID
14910Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
14911
14912@item TID
14913The Ada task ID.
14914
14915@item P-ID
14916The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
14917
14918@item Pri
14919The base priority of the task.
14920
14921@item State
14922Current state of the task.
14923
14924@table @code
14925@item Unactivated
14926The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
14927executing.
14928
14929@item Runnable
14930The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
14931for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
14932
14933@item Terminated
14934The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
14935that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
14936terminated themselves.
14937
14938@item Child Activation Wait
14939The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
14940
14941@item Accept Statement
14942The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
14943
14944@item Waiting on entry call
14945The task is waiting on an entry call.
14946
14947@item Async Select Wait
14948The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
14949select statement.
14950
14951@item Delay Sleep
14952The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
14953alternative open.
14954
14955@item Child Termination Wait
14956The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
14957waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
14958waiting on a terminate Phase.
14959
14960@item Wait Child in Term Alt
14961The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
14962finish terminating.
14963
14964@item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
14965The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
14966@end table
14967
14968@item Name
14969Name of the task in the program.
14970
14971@end table
14972
14973@kindex info task @var{taskno}
14974@item info task @var{taskno}
14975This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
14976the following example:
14977@smallexample
14978@iftex
14979@leftskip=0.5cm
14980@end iftex
14981(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14982 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14983 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14984* 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
14985(@value{GDBP}) info task 2
14986Ada Task: 0x807c468
14987Name: task_1
14988Thread: 0x807f378
14989Parent: 1 (main_task)
14990Base Priority: 15
14991State: Runnable
14992@end smallexample
14993
14994@item task
14995@kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
14996@cindex current Ada task ID
14997This command prints the ID of the current task.
14998
14999@smallexample
15000@iftex
15001@leftskip=0.5cm
15002@end iftex
15003(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15004 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15005 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15006* 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15007(@value{GDBP}) task
15008[Current task is 2]
15009@end smallexample
15010
15011@item task @var{taskno}
15012@cindex Ada task switching
15013This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
15014command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
15015from the current task to the given task.
15016
15017@smallexample
15018@iftex
15019@leftskip=0.5cm
15020@end iftex
15021(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15022 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15023 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15024* 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15025(@value{GDBP}) task 1
15026[Switching to task 1]
15027#0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15028(@value{GDBP}) bt
15029#0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15030#1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
15031#2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
15032#3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
15033#4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
15034@end smallexample
15035
15036@item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
15037@itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
15038@cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
15039@cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
15040@kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
15041These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
15042command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
15043@var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
15044in @ref{Specify Location}.
15045
15046Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
15047to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
15048particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
15049numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
15050column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
15051
15052If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
15053breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
15054program.
15055
15056You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
15057well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
15058breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
15059
15060For example,
15061
15062@smallexample
15063@iftex
15064@leftskip=0.5cm
15065@end iftex
15066(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15067 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15068 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15069 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
15070 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15071* 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
15072(@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
15073Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
15074(@value{GDBP}) cont
15075Continuing.
15076task # 1 running
15077task # 2 running
15078
15079Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
1508015 flush;
15081(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15082 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15083 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15084* 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
15085 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15086 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
15087@end smallexample
15088@end table
15089
15090@node Ada Tasks and Core Files
15091@subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15092@cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
15093
15094When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
15095tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
15096the platform being used.
15097For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
15098switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
15099as usual.
15100
15101On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
15102memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
15103a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
15104privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
15105Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
15106file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
15107
15108@node Ravenscar Profile
15109@subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
15110@cindex Ravenscar Profile
15111
15112The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
15113specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
15114requirements.
15115
15116@table @code
15117@kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
15118@cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
15119@item set ravenscar task-switching on
15120Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15121Profile. This is the default.
15122
15123@kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
15124@item set ravenscar task-switching off
15125Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15126Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
15127for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
15128the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
15129To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
15130
15131@kindex show ravenscar task-switching
15132@item show ravenscar task-switching
15133Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
15134using the Ravenscar Profile.
15135
15136@end table
15137
15138@node Ada Glitches
15139@subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
15140@cindex Ada, problems
15141
15142Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
15143we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
15144@value{GDBN},
15145some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
15146and the GNU Ada compiler.
15147
15148@itemize @bullet
15149@item
15150Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
15151storage are invisible to the debugger.
15152
15153@item
15154Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
15155argument lists are treated as positional).
15156
15157@item
15158Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
15159
15160@item
15161Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
15162floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
15163the host machine.
15164
15165@item
15166The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
15167the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
15168this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
15169look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
15170symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
15171defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
15172local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
15173GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
15174you can usually resolve the confusion
15175by qualifying the problematic names with package
15176@code{Standard} explicitly.
15177@end itemize
15178
15179Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
15180information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
15181of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
15182around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
15183to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
15184enabled.
15185
15186@kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15187@kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15188@table @code
15189
15190@item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
15191Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
15192value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
15193types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
15194a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
15195This is the default.
15196
15197@item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
15198This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
15199sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
15200trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
15201the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
15202@code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
15203recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
15204
15205@end table
15206
15207@node Unsupported Languages
15208@section Unsupported Languages
15209
15210@cindex unsupported languages
15211@cindex minimal language
15212In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
15213@value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
15214It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
15215of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
15216This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
15217an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
15218
15219If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
15220select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
15221language.
15222
15223@node Symbols
15224@chapter Examining the Symbol Table
15225
15226The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
15227symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
15228program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
15229does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
15230program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
15231(@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
15232file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15233
15234@cindex symbol names
15235@cindex names of symbols
15236@cindex quoting names
15237Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
15238characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
15239most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
15240source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
15241are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
15242ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
15243@samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
15244@samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
15245
15246@smallexample
15247p 'foo.c'::x
15248@end smallexample
15249
15250@noindent
15251looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
15252
15253@table @code
15254@cindex case-insensitive symbol names
15255@cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
15256@kindex set case-sensitive
15257@item set case-sensitive on
15258@itemx set case-sensitive off
15259@itemx set case-sensitive auto
15260Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
15261with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
15262Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
15263case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
15264case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
15265you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
15266suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
15267matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
15268case-insensitive matches.
15269
15270@kindex show case-sensitive
15271@item show case-sensitive
15272This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
15273lookups.
15274
15275@kindex set print type methods
15276@item set print type methods
15277@itemx set print type methods on
15278@itemx set print type methods off
15279Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
15280declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15281passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15282print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15283display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
15284cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
15285
15286@kindex show print type methods
15287@item show print type methods
15288This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
15289classes.
15290
15291@kindex set print type typedefs
15292@item set print type typedefs
15293@itemx set print type typedefs on
15294@itemx set print type typedefs off
15295
15296Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
15297defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15298passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15299print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15300display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
15301@code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
15302Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
15303printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
15304types.
15305
15306@kindex show print type typedefs
15307@item show print type typedefs
15308This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
15309printing classes.
15310
15311@kindex info address
15312@cindex address of a symbol
15313@item info address @var{symbol}
15314Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
15315variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
15316local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15317is always stored.
15318
15319Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15320at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15321the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15322
15323@kindex info symbol
15324@cindex symbol from address
15325@cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15326@item info symbol @var{addr}
15327Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15328If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15329nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15330
15331@smallexample
15332(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15333_initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15334@end smallexample
15335
15336@noindent
15337This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15338it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15339
15340For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15341library containing the symbol is also printed:
15342
15343@smallexample
15344(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15345_start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15346(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15347__read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15348@end smallexample
15349
15350@kindex whatis
15351@item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15352Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15353or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15354@code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15355
15356If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15357is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15358assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15359
15360If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15361literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15362defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15363the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15364variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15365@code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15366fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15367name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15368such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15369
15370If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15371@code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15372Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15373in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15374underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15375unroll it.
15376
15377For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15378@var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15379@var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15380
15381@var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
15382Available flags are:
15383
15384@table @code
15385@item r
15386Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
15387parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
15388members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
15389
15390@item m
15391Do not print methods defined in the class.
15392
15393@item M
15394Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15395exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
15396
15397@item t
15398Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
15399whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
15400names are substituted when printing other types.
15401
15402@item T
15403Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15404exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
15405@end table
15406
15407@kindex ptype
15408@item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15409@code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15410detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15411@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15412
15413Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15414@code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15415a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15416of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15417present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15418the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15419fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15420@code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15421
15422For example, for this variable declaration:
15423
15424@smallexample
15425typedef double real_t;
15426struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15427typedef struct complex complex_t;
15428complex_t var;
15429real_t *real_pointer_var;
15430@end smallexample
15431
15432@noindent
15433the two commands give this output:
15434
15435@smallexample
15436@group
15437(@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15438type = complex_t
15439(@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15440type = struct complex @{
15441 real_t real;
15442 double imag;
15443@}
15444(@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15445type = struct complex
15446(@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15447type = struct complex
15448(@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15449type = struct complex @{
15450 real_t real;
15451 double imag;
15452@}
15453(@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15454type = real_t *
15455(@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15456type = double *
15457@end group
15458@end smallexample
15459
15460@noindent
15461As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15462the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15463
15464@cindex incomplete type
15465Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15466of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15467program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15468the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15469given these declarations:
15470
15471@smallexample
15472 struct foo;
15473 struct foo *fooptr;
15474@end smallexample
15475
15476@noindent
15477but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15478
15479@smallexample
15480 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15481 $1 = <incomplete type>
15482@end smallexample
15483
15484@noindent
15485``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15486completely specified.
15487
15488@kindex info types
15489@item info types @var{regexp}
15490@itemx info types
15491Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15492expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15493no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15494complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15495types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15496@samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15497name is @code{value}.
15498
15499This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15500@code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15501lists all source files where a type is defined.
15502
15503@kindex info type-printers
15504@item info type-printers
15505Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
15506have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
15507@command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
15508is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
15509type printers.
15510
15511@code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
15512
15513@kindex enable type-printer
15514@kindex disable type-printer
15515@item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15516@item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15517These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
15518
15519@kindex info scope
15520@cindex local variables
15521@item info scope @var{location}
15522List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15523accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15524an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15525to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15526details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15527
15528@smallexample
15529(@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15530Scope for command_line_handler:
15531Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15532Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15533Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15534Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15535Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15536Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15537Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15538@end smallexample
15539
15540@noindent
15541This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15542during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15543collect}.
15544
15545@kindex info source
15546@item info source
15547Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15548the function containing the current point of execution:
15549@itemize @bullet
15550@item
15551the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15552@item
15553the directory it was compiled in,
15554@item
15555its length, in lines,
15556@item
15557which programming language it is written in,
15558@item
15559whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15560if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15561@item
15562whether the debugging information includes information about
15563preprocessor macros.
15564@end itemize
15565
15566
15567@kindex info sources
15568@item info sources
15569Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15570debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15571have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15572
15573@kindex info functions
15574@item info functions
15575Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15576
15577@item info functions @var{regexp}
15578Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15579whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15580Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15581include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15582start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15583that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15584@samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15585
15586@kindex info variables
15587@item info variables
15588Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15589outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15590
15591@item info variables @var{regexp}
15592Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15593variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15594@var{regexp}.
15595
15596@kindex info classes
15597@cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15598@item info classes
15599@itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15600Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15601(with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15602expression.
15603
15604@kindex info selectors
15605@item info selectors
15606@itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15607Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15608(with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15609expression.
15610
15611@ignore
15612This was never implemented.
15613@kindex info methods
15614@item info methods
15615@itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15616The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15617methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15618specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15619C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15620from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15621@code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15622which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15623@end ignore
15624
15625@cindex opaque data types
15626@kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15627@item set opaque-type-resolution on
15628Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15629declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15630@code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15631source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15632another source file. The default is on.
15633
15634A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15635the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15636
15637@item set opaque-type-resolution off
15638Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15639is printed as follows:
15640@smallexample
15641@{<no data fields>@}
15642@end smallexample
15643
15644@kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15645@item show opaque-type-resolution
15646Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15647
15648@kindex maint print symbols
15649@cindex symbol dump
15650@kindex maint print psymbols
15651@cindex partial symbol dump
15652@item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15653@itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15654@itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15655Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15656These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15657symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15658symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15659collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15660only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15661command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15662use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15663symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15664files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15665@samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15666required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15667@xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15668@value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15669
15670@kindex maint info symtabs
15671@kindex maint info psymtabs
15672@cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15673@cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15674@cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15675@cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15676@item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15677@itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15678
15679List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15680structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15681given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15682copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15683structure in more detail. For example:
15684
15685@smallexample
15686(@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15687@{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15688 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15689 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15690 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15691 readin no
15692 fullname (null)
15693 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15694 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15695 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15696 dependencies (none)
15697 @}
15698@}
15699(@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15700(@value{GDBP})
15701@end smallexample
15702@noindent
15703We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15704the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15705and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15706If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15707read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15708
15709@smallexample
15710(@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15711Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15712line 1574.
15713(@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15714@{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15715 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15716 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15717 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15718 dirname (null)
15719 fullname (null)
15720 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15721 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15722 debugformat DWARF 2
15723 @}
15724@}
15725(@value{GDBP})
15726@end smallexample
15727@end table
15728
15729
15730@node Altering
15731@chapter Altering Execution
15732
15733Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15734find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15735correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15736experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15737program.
15738
15739For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15740locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15741address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15742
15743@menu
15744* Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15745* Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15746* Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15747* Returning:: Returning from a function
15748* Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15749* Patching:: Patching your program
15750@end menu
15751
15752@node Assignment
15753@section Assignment to Variables
15754
15755@cindex assignment
15756@cindex setting variables
15757To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15758@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15759
15760@smallexample
15761print x=4
15762@end smallexample
15763
15764@noindent
15765stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15766value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15767@xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15768information on operators in supported languages.
15769
15770@kindex set variable
15771@cindex variables, setting
15772If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15773@code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15774really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15775not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15776,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15777
15778If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15779appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15780variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15781to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15782program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15783a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15784command @code{set width}:
15785
15786@smallexample
15787(@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15788type = double
15789(@value{GDBP}) p width
15790$4 = 13
15791(@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15792Invalid syntax in expression.
15793@end smallexample
15794
15795@noindent
15796The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
15797order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
15798
15799@smallexample
15800(@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
15801@end smallexample
15802
15803Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
15804with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
15805@code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
15806your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
15807to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
15808the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
15809
15810@smallexample
15811@group
15812(@value{GDBP}) whatis g
15813type = double
15814(@value{GDBP}) p g
15815$1 = 1
15816(@value{GDBP}) set g=4
15817(@value{GDBP}) p g
15818$2 = 1
15819(@value{GDBP}) r
15820The program being debugged has been started already.
15821Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
15822Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
15823"/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
15824 Invalid bfd target.
15825(@value{GDBP}) show g
15826The current BFD target is "=4".
15827@end group
15828@end smallexample
15829
15830@noindent
15831The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
15832@code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
15833@code{g}, use
15834
15835@smallexample
15836(@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
15837@end smallexample
15838
15839@value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
15840freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
15841and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
15842same length or shorter.
15843@comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
15844@comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
15845
15846To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
15847construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
15848(@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
15849to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
15850and representation in memory), and
15851
15852@smallexample
15853set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
15854@end smallexample
15855
15856@noindent
15857stores the value 4 into that memory location.
15858
15859@node Jumping
15860@section Continuing at a Different Address
15861
15862Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
15863it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
15864an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
15865
15866@table @code
15867@kindex jump
15868@kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
15869@item jump @var{linespec}
15870@itemx j @var{linespec}
15871@itemx jump @var{location}
15872@itemx j @var{location}
15873Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
15874@var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
15875breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
15876different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
15877practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
15878@code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15879
15880The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
15881the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
15882register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
15883a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
15884be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
15885of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
15886confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
15887executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
15888well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
15889@end table
15890
15891@c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
15892On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
15893command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
15894difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
15895changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
15896example,
15897
15898@smallexample
15899set $pc = 0x485
15900@end smallexample
15901
15902@noindent
15903makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
15904address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
15905@xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
15906
15907The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
15908up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
15909that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
15910detail.
15911
15912@c @group
15913@node Signaling
15914@section Giving your Program a Signal
15915@cindex deliver a signal to a program
15916
15917@table @code
15918@kindex signal
15919@item signal @var{signal}
15920Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
15921signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
15922signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
15923SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
15924
15925Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
15926giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
15927a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
15928@code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
15929signal.
15930
15931@code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
15932after executing the command.
15933@end table
15934@c @end group
15935
15936Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
15937@code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
15938causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
15939the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
15940passes the signal directly to your program.
15941
15942
15943@node Returning
15944@section Returning from a Function
15945
15946@table @code
15947@cindex returning from a function
15948@kindex return
15949@item return
15950@itemx return @var{expression}
15951You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
15952command. If you give an
15953@var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
15954value.
15955@end table
15956
15957When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
15958(and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
15959discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
15960be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
15961
15962This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
15963Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
15964innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
15965specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
15966of functions.
15967
15968The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
15969program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
15970returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
15971and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
15972selected stack frame returns naturally.
15973
15974@value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
15975the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
15976type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
15977OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
15978CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
15979registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
15980specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
15981current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
15982assignment into the right register(s).
15983
15984Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
15985use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
15986debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
15987function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
15988int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
15989into a @code{long long int}:
15990
15991@smallexample
15992Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
1599329 return 31;
15994(@value{GDBP}) return -1
15995Make func return now? (y or n) y
15996#0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
1599743 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
15998(@value{GDBP})
15999@end smallexample
16000
16001However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
16002function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
16003to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
16004in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
16005typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
16006of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
16007architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
16008an appropriate cast explicitly:
16009
16010@smallexample
16011Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
16012(@value{GDBP}) return -1
16013Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
16014Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
16015(@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
16016Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
16017#0 0x00400526 in main ()
16018(@value{GDBP})
16019@end smallexample
16020
16021@node Calling
16022@section Calling Program Functions
16023
16024@table @code
16025@cindex calling functions
16026@cindex inferior functions, calling
16027@item print @var{expr}
16028Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
16029@var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
16030debugged.
16031
16032@kindex call
16033@item call @var{expr}
16034Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
16035returned values.
16036
16037You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
16038execute a function from your program that does not return anything
16039(a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
16040with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
16041print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
16042value history.
16043@end table
16044
16045It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
16046@code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
16047the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
16048in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
16049
16050Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
16051call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
16052exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
16053frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
16054an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
16055dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
16056seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
16057in that case is controlled by the
16058@code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
16059
16060@table @code
16061@item set unwindonsignal
16062@kindex set unwindonsignal
16063@cindex unwind stack in called functions
16064@cindex call dummy stack unwinding
16065Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
16066that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
16067@value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
16068the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
16069default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
16070received.
16071
16072@item show unwindonsignal
16073@kindex show unwindonsignal
16074Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16075@value{GDBN}.
16076
16077@item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16078@kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16079@cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
16080@cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
16081Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
16082unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
16083debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
16084it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
16085the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
16086the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
16087
16088@item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16089@kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16090Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16091@value{GDBN}.
16092
16093@end table
16094
16095@cindex weak alias functions
16096Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
16097for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
16098the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
16099which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
16100As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
16101even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
16102function instead.
16103
16104@node Patching
16105@section Patching Programs
16106
16107@cindex patching binaries
16108@cindex writing into executables
16109@cindex writing into corefiles
16110
16111By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
16112executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
16113alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
16114patching your program's binary.
16115
16116If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
16117explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
16118want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
16119repairs.
16120
16121@table @code
16122@kindex set write
16123@item set write on
16124@itemx set write off
16125If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
16126core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
16127off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
16128
16129If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
16130@code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
16131write}, for your new setting to take effect.
16132
16133@item show write
16134@kindex show write
16135Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
16136as well as reading.
16137@end table
16138
16139@node GDB Files
16140@chapter @value{GDBN} Files
16141
16142@value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
16143both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
16144program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
16145@value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
16146
16147@menu
16148* Files:: Commands to specify files
16149* Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
16150* MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
16151* Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
16152* Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
16153* Data Files:: GDB data files
16154@end menu
16155
16156@node Files
16157@section Commands to Specify Files
16158
16159@cindex symbol table
16160@cindex core dump file
16161
16162You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
16163way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
16164@value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
16165Out of @value{GDBN}}).
16166
16167Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
16168@value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
16169specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
16170via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
16171Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
16172new files are useful.
16173
16174@table @code
16175@cindex executable file
16176@kindex file
16177@item file @var{filename}
16178Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
16179symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
16180executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
16181directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
16182@value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
16183directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
16184to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
16185and your program, using the @code{path} command.
16186
16187@cindex unlinked object files
16188@cindex patching object files
16189You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
16190the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
16191file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
16192if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
16193@kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
16194that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
16195case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
16196the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
16197
16198@item file
16199@code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
16200has on both executable file and the symbol table.
16201
16202@kindex exec-file
16203@item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16204Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
16205in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
16206if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
16207discard information on the executable file.
16208
16209@kindex symbol-file
16210@item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16211Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
16212searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
16213table and program to run from the same file.
16214
16215@code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
16216program's symbol table.
16217
16218The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
16219some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
16220contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
16221which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
16222@value{GDBN}.
16223
16224@code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
16225executing it once.
16226
16227When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
16228understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
16229generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
16230other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
16231Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
16232using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
16233optimized code.
16234
16235For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
16236using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
16237symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
16238quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
16239details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
16240
16241The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
16242start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
16243occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
16244file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
16245pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
16246Warnings and Messages}.)
16247
16248We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
16249symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
16250symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
16251still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
16252in stabs format.
16253
16254@kindex readnow
16255@cindex reading symbols immediately
16256@cindex symbols, reading immediately
16257@item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16258@itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16259You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
16260tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
16261load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
16262entire symbol table available.
16263
16264@c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
16265@c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
16266@c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
16267@c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
16268@c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
16269@c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
16270@c files.
16271
16272@kindex core-file
16273@item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
16274@itemx core
16275Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
16276of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
16277address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
16278executable file itself for other parts.
16279
16280@code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
16281to be used.
16282
16283Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
16284under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
16285wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
16286the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
16287(@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
16288
16289@kindex add-symbol-file
16290@cindex dynamic linking
16291@item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
16292@itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
16293@itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
16294The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
16295information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
16296when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
16297into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
16298address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
16299this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
16300of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
16301section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
16302@var{address} as an expression.
16303
16304The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
16305originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
16306@code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
16307thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
16308instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
16309
16310@cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
16311@cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
16312@cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
16313@cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
16314@cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
16315Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
16316executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
16317relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
16318information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
16319
16320@itemize @bullet
16321@item
16322the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
16323that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
16324@item
16325every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
16326been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
16327@item
16328you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
16329provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
16330@end itemize
16331
16332@noindent
16333Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
16334relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
16335typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
16336important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
16337procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
16338assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
16339general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
16340relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
16341as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
16342way.
16343
16344@code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
16345
16346@kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
16347@cindex @code{syscall DSO}
16348@cindex load symbols from memory
16349@item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
16350Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
16351object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
16352For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
16353process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
16354some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
16355evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
16356For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
16357@code{exec-file} commands in advance.
16358
16359@kindex add-shared-symbol-files
16360@kindex assf
16361@item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
16362@itemx assf @var{library-file}
16363The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
16364in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
16365alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
16366@value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
16367@value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
16368@code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
16369library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
16370@code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
16371
16372@kindex section
16373@item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16374The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16375@var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16376exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16377@code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16378itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16379@code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16380their addresses.
16381
16382@kindex info files
16383@kindex info target
16384@item info files
16385@itemx info target
16386@code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16387current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16388including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16389use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16390command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16391current ones.
16392
16393@kindex maint info sections
16394@item maint info sections
16395Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16396is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16397displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16398offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16399@code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16400may be arbitrarily combined):
16401
16402@table @code
16403@item ALLOBJ
16404Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16405@item @var{sections}
16406Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16407@item @var{section-flags}
16408Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16409The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16410@table @code
16411@item ALLOC
16412Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16413Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16414@item LOAD
16415Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16416Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16417@item RELOC
16418Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16419@item READONLY
16420Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16421@item CODE
16422Section contains executable code only.
16423@item DATA
16424Section contains data only (no executable code).
16425@item ROM
16426Section will reside in ROM.
16427@item CONSTRUCTOR
16428Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16429@item HAS_CONTENTS
16430Section is not empty.
16431@item NEVER_LOAD
16432An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16433@item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16434A notification to the linker that the section contains
16435COFF shared library information.
16436@item IS_COMMON
16437Section contains common symbols.
16438@end table
16439@end table
16440@kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16441@cindex read-only sections
16442@item set trust-readonly-sections on
16443Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16444really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16445In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16446out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16447For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16448enhancement to debugging performance.
16449
16450The default is off.
16451
16452@item set trust-readonly-sections off
16453Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16454the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16455and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16456
16457@item show trust-readonly-sections
16458Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16459@end table
16460
16461All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16462as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16463name and remembers it that way.
16464
16465@cindex shared libraries
16466@anchor{Shared Libraries}
16467@value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16468and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16469
16470On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16471shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16472
16473@value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16474when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16475(Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16476references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16477debugging a core file).
16478
16479On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16480automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16481
16482@c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16483@c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16484@c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16485
16486There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16487symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16488particularly large or there are many of them.
16489
16490To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16491commands:
16492
16493@table @code
16494@kindex set auto-solib-add
16495@item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16496If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16497will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16498attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16499informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16500is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16501@code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16502
16503@cindex memory used for symbol tables
16504If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16505takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16506memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16507symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16508auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16509library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16510@var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16511the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16512
16513@kindex show auto-solib-add
16514@item show auto-solib-add
16515Display the current autoloading mode.
16516@end table
16517
16518@cindex load shared library
16519To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16520command:
16521
16522@table @code
16523@kindex info sharedlibrary
16524@kindex info share
16525@item info share @var{regex}
16526@itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16527Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16528that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16529all shared libraries that are loaded.
16530
16531@kindex sharedlibrary
16532@kindex share
16533@item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16534@itemx share @var{regex}
16535Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16536Unix regular expression.
16537As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16538required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16539@var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16540loaded.
16541
16542@item nosharedlibrary
16543@kindex nosharedlibrary
16544@cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16545Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16546that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16547libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16548discarded.
16549@end table
16550
16551Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16552when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16553to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16554Catchpoints}).
16555
16556@value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16557command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16558less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16559conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16560
16561@table @code
16562@item set stop-on-solib-events
16563@kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16564This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16565when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16566The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16567shared library.
16568
16569@item show stop-on-solib-events
16570@kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16571Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16572library events happen.
16573@end table
16574
16575Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16576configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16577this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16578on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16579libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16580provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16581copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16582not.
16583
16584@cindex where to look for shared libraries
16585For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16586libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16587may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16588to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16589
16590@table @code
16591@cindex prefix for shared library file names
16592@cindex system root, alternate
16593@kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16594@kindex set sysroot
16595@item set sysroot @var{path}
16596Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16597absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16598runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16599target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16600libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16601the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16602under @var{path}.
16603
16604If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16605retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16606supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16607command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16608The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16609(if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16610@footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16611that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16612variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16613
16614For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16615SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16616absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16617@value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16618slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16619
16620@smallexample
16621 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16622@end smallexample
16623
16624Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16625@var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16626system:
16627
16628@smallexample
16629 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16630@end smallexample
16631
16632If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16633the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16634for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16635colons:
16636
16637@smallexample
16638 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16639@end smallexample
16640
16641This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16642with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16643copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16644@samp{z}):
16645
16646@smallexample
16647 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16648 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16649 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16650@end smallexample
16651
16652@noindent
16653and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16654@value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16655@file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16656
16657If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16658removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16659
16660@smallexample
16661 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16662@end smallexample
16663
16664This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16665if you don't want or need to.
16666
16667The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16668sysroot}.
16669
16670@cindex default system root
16671@cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16672You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16673@samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16674@value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16675@samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16676automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16677location.
16678
16679@kindex show sysroot
16680@item show sysroot
16681Display the current shared library prefix.
16682
16683@kindex set solib-search-path
16684@item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16685If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16686directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16687is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16688path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16689use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16690@samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16691finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16692it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16693of shared library symbols.
16694
16695@kindex show solib-search-path
16696@item show solib-search-path
16697Display the current shared library search path.
16698
16699@cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16700@kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16701@kindex show target-file-system-kind
16702@item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16703Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16704
16705Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16706make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16707example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16708system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16709@value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16710@file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16711drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16712indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16713normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16714the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16715as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16716it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16717shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16718with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16719@code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16720to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16721map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16722semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16723to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16724tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16725current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16726Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16727
16728@table @code
16729@item unix
16730Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16731kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16732are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16733the forward slash.
16734
16735@item dos-based
16736Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16737File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16738followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16739both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16740considered directory separators.
16741
16742@item auto
16743Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16744target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16745This is the default.
16746@end table
16747@end table
16748
16749@cindex file name canonicalization
16750@cindex base name differences
16751When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16752frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16753program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16754@dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16755even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16756portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16757This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16758cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16759references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16760facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16761using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16762using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16763@code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16764pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16765comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16766
16767@table @code
16768@item set basenames-may-differ
16769@kindex set basenames-may-differ
16770Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16771
16772@item show basenames-may-differ
16773@kindex show basenames-may-differ
16774Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16775@end table
16776
16777@node Separate Debug Files
16778@section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16779@cindex separate debugging information files
16780@cindex debugging information in separate files
16781@cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16782@cindex debugging information directory, global
16783@cindex global debugging information directories
16784@cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16785@cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16786
16787@value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16788file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16789@value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16790Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16791than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16792information for their executables in separate files, which users can
16793install only when they need to debug a problem.
16794
16795@value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
16796file:
16797
16798@itemize @bullet
16799@item
16800The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
16801the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
16802usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
16803name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
16804(e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
16805debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
16806checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
16807the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
16808
16809@item
16810The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
16811also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
16812only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
16813for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
16814this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
16815command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
16816The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
16817explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
16818below.
16819@end itemize
16820
16821Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
16822uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
16823
16824@itemize @bullet
16825@item
16826For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
16827the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
16828directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
16829directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
16830directories of the executable's absolute file name.
16831
16832@item
16833For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
16834@file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
16835a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
16836first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
16837are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
16838hex characters, not 10.)
16839@end itemize
16840
16841So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
16842@file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
16843file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
16844@code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
16845@file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
16846debug information files, in the indicated order:
16847
16848@itemize @minus
16849@item
16850@file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
16851@item
16852@file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
16853@item
16854@file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
16855@item
16856@file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
16857@end itemize
16858
16859@anchor{debug-file-directory}
16860Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
16861configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
16862you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
16863@value{GDBN} is currently using.
16864
16865@table @code
16866
16867@kindex set debug-file-directory
16868@item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
16869Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16870information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
16871concatenating them by a path separator.
16872
16873@kindex show debug-file-directory
16874@item show debug-file-directory
16875Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16876information files.
16877
16878@end table
16879
16880@cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
16881@cindex debug link sections
16882A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
16883@code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
16884
16885@itemize
16886@item
16887A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
16888a zero byte,
16889@item
16890zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
16891boundary within the section, and
16892@item
16893a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
16894executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
16895information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
16896zero as the @var{crc} argument.
16897@end itemize
16898
16899Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
16900contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
16901described above.
16902
16903@cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
16904@cindex build ID sections
16905The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
16906ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
16907often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
16908It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
16909the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
16910algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
16911content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
16912value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
16913stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
16914
16915The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
16916executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
16917debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
16918should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
16919but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
16920in an ordinary executable.
16921
16922The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
16923@samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
16924the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
16925following commands:
16926
16927@smallexample
16928@kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
16929@kbd{strip -g foo}
16930@end smallexample
16931
16932@noindent
16933These commands remove the debugging
16934information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
16935@file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
16936two files:
16937
16938@itemize @bullet
16939@item
16940The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
16941behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
16942
16943@smallexample
16944@kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
16945@end smallexample
16946
16947Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
16948a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
16949foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
16950the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
16951
16952@item
16953Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
16954the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
16955compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
16956utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
16957@end itemize
16958
16959@noindent
16960
16961@cindex CRC algorithm definition
16962The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
16963IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
16964
16965@c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
16966@c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
16967@c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
16968@c different ways!
16969@ifhtml
16970@display
16971@html
16972 <em>x</em><sup>32</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>26</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>23</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>22</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>16</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>12</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>11</sup>
16973 + <em>x</em><sup>10</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>8</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>7</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>5</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>4</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>x</em> + 1
16974@end html
16975@end display
16976@end ifhtml
16977@ifnothtml
16978@display
16979 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
16980 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
16981@end display
16982@end ifnothtml
16983
16984The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
16985significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
16986@code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
16987the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
16988CRC.
16989
16990@emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
16991@dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
16992, @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
16993case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
16994significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
16995zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
16996
16997To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
16998which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
16999initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
17000this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
17001@code{0xffffffff}.
17002
17003@kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
17004@smallexample
17005unsigned long
17006gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
17007 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
17008@{
17009 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
17010 @{
17011 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
17012 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
17013 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
17014 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
17015 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
17016 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
17017 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
17018 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
17019 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
17020 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
17021 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
17022 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
17023 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
17024 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
17025 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
17026 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
17027 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
17028 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
17029 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
17030 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
17031 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
17032 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
17033 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
17034 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
17035 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
17036 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
17037 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
17038 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
17039 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
17040 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
17041 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
17042 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
17043 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
17044 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
17045 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
17046 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
17047 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
17048 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
17049 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
17050 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
17051 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
17052 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
17053 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
17054 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
17055 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
17056 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
17057 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
17058 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
17059 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
17060 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
17061 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
17062 0x2d02ef8d
17063 @};
17064 unsigned char *end;
17065
17066 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17067 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
17068 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
17069 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17070@}
17071@end smallexample
17072
17073@noindent
17074This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
17075
17076@node MiniDebugInfo
17077@section Debugging information in a special section
17078@cindex separate debug sections
17079@cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
17080
17081Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
17082special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
17083@dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
17084is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
17085
17086The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
17087information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
17088replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
17089Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
17090@value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
17091debugging information might be included in the section.
17092
17093@value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
17094then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
17095can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
17096
17097This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
17098standard utilities:
17099
17100@smallexample
17101# Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
17102# to also have these in the normal symbol table
17103nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17104 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
17105
17106# Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo .
17107nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17108 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t") print $1 @}' \
17109 | sort > funcsyms
17110
17111# Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
17112# table.
17113comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
17114
17115# Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
17116# removing some unnecessary sections.
17117objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
17118 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols @var{binary} mini_debuginfo
17119
17120# Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
17121# original binary.
17122xz mini_debuginfo
17123objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
17124@end smallexample
17125
17126@node Index Files
17127@section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
17128@cindex index files
17129@cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
17130
17131When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
17132file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
17133@value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
17134on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
17135@value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
17136startup.
17137
17138The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
17139write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
17140using @command{objcopy}.
17141
17142To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
17143
17144@table @code
17145@item save gdb-index @var{directory}
17146@kindex save gdb-index
17147Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
17148@value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
17149with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
17150@var{directory}.
17151@end table
17152
17153Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
17154file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
17155
17156@smallexample
17157$ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
17158 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
17159@end smallexample
17160
17161@value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
17162sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
17163they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
17164To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
17165specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
17166The default is @code{off}.
17167This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
17168@xref{Index Section Format}.
17169
17170@emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
17171must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
17172
17173@smallexample
17174$ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17175@end smallexample
17176
17177Instead you must do, for example,
17178
17179@smallexample
17180$ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17181@end smallexample
17182
17183There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
17184for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
17185currently work for programs using Ada.
17186
17187@node Symbol Errors
17188@section Errors Reading Symbol Files
17189
17190While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
17191such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
17192output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
17193they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
17194debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
17195about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
17196only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
17197times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
17198to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
17199complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17200Messages}).
17201
17202The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
17203
17204@table @code
17205@item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
17206
17207The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
17208(such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
17209error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
17210in its outer scope blocks.
17211
17212@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
17213the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
17214may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
17215function.
17216
17217@item block at @var{address} out of order
17218
17219The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
17220order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
17221do so.
17222
17223@value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
17224locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
17225can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
17226@code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17227Messages}.)
17228
17229@item bad block start address patched
17230
17231The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
17232smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
17233to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
17234
17235@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
17236starting on the previous source line.
17237
17238@item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
17239
17240@cindex foo
17241Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
17242larger than the size of the string table.
17243
17244@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
17245name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
17246with this name.
17247
17248@item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
17249
17250The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
17251not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
17252uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
17253
17254@value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
17255This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
17256are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
17257debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
17258on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
17259and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
17260
17261@item stub type has NULL name
17262
17263@value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
17264
17265@item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
17266The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
17267information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
17268it.
17269
17270@item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
17271
17272@value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
17273
17274@end table
17275
17276@node Data Files
17277@section GDB Data Files
17278
17279@cindex prefix for data files
17280@value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
17281are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
17282
17283You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
17284is currently using.
17285
17286@table @code
17287@kindex set data-directory
17288@item set data-directory @var{directory}
17289Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
17290to @var{directory}.
17291
17292@kindex show data-directory
17293@item show data-directory
17294Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
17295@end table
17296
17297@cindex default data directory
17298@cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
17299You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
17300@samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
17301@value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17302@samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
17303automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17304location.
17305
17306The data directory may also be specified with the
17307@code{--data-directory} command line option.
17308@xref{Mode Options}.
17309
17310@node Targets
17311@chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
17312
17313@cindex debugging target
17314A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
17315
17316Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
17317in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
17318you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
17319flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
17320host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
17321realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
17322command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
17323(@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
17324
17325@cindex target architecture
17326It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
17327architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
17328one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
17329command.
17330
17331@table @code
17332@kindex set architecture
17333@kindex show architecture
17334@item set architecture @var{arch}
17335This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
17336value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
17337supported architectures.
17338
17339@item show architecture
17340Show the current target architecture.
17341
17342@item set processor
17343@itemx processor
17344@kindex set processor
17345@kindex show processor
17346These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
17347and @code{show architecture}.
17348@end table
17349
17350@menu
17351* Active Targets:: Active targets
17352* Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
17353* Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
17354@end menu
17355
17356@node Active Targets
17357@section Active Targets
17358
17359@cindex stacking targets
17360@cindex active targets
17361@cindex multiple targets
17362
17363There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
17364recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
17365and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
17366on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
17367example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
17368the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
17369recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
17370presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
17371remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
17372
17373Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
17374file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
17375specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
17376command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
17377
17378@node Target Commands
17379@section Commands for Managing Targets
17380
17381@table @code
17382@item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
17383Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
17384process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
17385facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
17386protocol of the target machine.
17387
17388Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
17389typically include things like device names or host names to connect
17390with, process numbers, and baud rates.
17391
17392The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
17393after executing the command.
17394
17395@kindex help target
17396@item help target
17397Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
17398currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
17399(@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17400
17401@item help target @var{name}
17402Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
17403select it.
17404
17405@kindex set gnutarget
17406@item set gnutarget @var{args}
17407@value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
17408knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
17409a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
17410with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
17411with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
17412
17413@quotation
17414@emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
17415you must know the actual BFD name.
17416@end quotation
17417
17418@noindent
17419@xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
17420
17421@kindex show gnutarget
17422@item show gnutarget
17423Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17424@code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17425@value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17426and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
17427@end table
17428
17429@cindex common targets
17430Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17431configuration):
17432
17433@table @code
17434@kindex target
17435@item target exec @var{program}
17436@cindex executable file target
17437An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17438@samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17439
17440@item target core @var{filename}
17441@cindex core dump file target
17442A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17443@samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17444
17445@item target remote @var{medium}
17446@cindex remote target
17447A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17448connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17449protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17450
17451For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17452machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17453
17454@smallexample
17455target remote /dev/ttya
17456@end smallexample
17457
17458@code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17459useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17460system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17461clobbered by the download.
17462
17463@item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17464@cindex built-in simulator target
17465Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17466In general,
17467@smallexample
17468 target sim
17469 load
17470 run
17471@end smallexample
17472@noindent
17473works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17474drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17475provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17476see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17477Processors}.
17478
17479@end table
17480
17481Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17482
17483@table @code
17484
17485@item target nrom @var{dev}
17486@cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17487NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17488
17489@end table
17490
17491Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17492your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17493
17494Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17495you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17496various aspects of this process.
17497
17498@table @code
17499
17500@item set hash
17501@kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17502@cindex hash mark while downloading
17503This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17504downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17505displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17506monitor.
17507
17508@item show hash
17509@kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17510Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17511
17512@item set debug monitor
17513@kindex set debug monitor
17514@cindex display remote monitor communications
17515Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17516@value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17517
17518@item show debug monitor
17519@kindex show debug monitor
17520Show the current status of displaying communications between
17521@value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17522@end table
17523
17524@table @code
17525
17526@kindex load @var{filename}
17527@item load @var{filename}
17528@anchor{load}
17529Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17530@value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17531is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17532on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17533@code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17534the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17535
17536If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17537execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17538target is @dots{}}''
17539
17540The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17541For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17542link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17543specifies a fixed address.
17544@c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17545
17546Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17547load programs into flash memory.
17548
17549@code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17550@end table
17551
17552@node Byte Order
17553@section Choosing Target Byte Order
17554
17555@cindex choosing target byte order
17556@cindex target byte order
17557
17558Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17559offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17560orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17561designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17562which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17563@value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17564
17565@table @code
17566@kindex set endian
17567@item set endian big
17568Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17569
17570@item set endian little
17571Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17572
17573@item set endian auto
17574Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17575executable.
17576
17577@item show endian
17578Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17579
17580@end table
17581
17582Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17583data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17584target system.
17585
17586
17587@node Remote Debugging
17588@chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17589@cindex remote debugging
17590
17591If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17592@value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17593For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17594or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17595powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17596
17597Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17598to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17599@value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17600but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17601write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17602communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17603
17604Other remote targets may be available in your
17605configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17606
17607@menu
17608* Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17609* File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17610* Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17611* Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17612* Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17613@end menu
17614
17615@node Connecting
17616@section Connecting to a Remote Target
17617
17618On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17619your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17620Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17621program as the first argument.
17622
17623@cindex @code{target remote}
17624@value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17625over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17626each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17627program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17628@code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17629Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17630
17631@table @code
17632
17633@item target remote @var{serial-device}
17634@cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17635Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17636to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17637
17638@smallexample
17639target remote /dev/ttyb
17640@end smallexample
17641
17642If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17643@w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17644(@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17645@code{target} command.
17646
17647@item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17648@itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17649@cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17650Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17651The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17652address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17653the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17654it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17655target.
17656
17657For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17658@code{manyfarms}:
17659
17660@smallexample
17661target remote manyfarms:2828
17662@end smallexample
17663
17664If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17665debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17666same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17667port 1234 on your local machine:
17668
17669@smallexample
17670target remote :1234
17671@end smallexample
17672@noindent
17673
17674Note that the colon is still required here.
17675
17676@item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17677@cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17678Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17679connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17680
17681@smallexample
17682target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17683@end smallexample
17684
17685When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17686keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17687can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17688cause havoc with your debugging session.
17689
17690@item target remote | @var{command}
17691@cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17692Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17693pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17694by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17695protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17696standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17697that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17698using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17699
17700If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17701@value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17702program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17703
17704@end table
17705
17706Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17707commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17708running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17709need to use @kbd{run}.
17710
17711@cindex interrupting remote programs
17712@cindex remote programs, interrupting
17713Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17714interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17715program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17716and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17717interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17718
17719@smallexample
17720Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17721Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17722@end smallexample
17723
17724If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17725(If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17726remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17727goes back to waiting.
17728
17729@table @code
17730@kindex detach (remote)
17731@item detach
17732When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17733@code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17734Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17735will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17736command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17737
17738@kindex disconnect
17739@item disconnect
17740The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17741the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17742(this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17743the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17744another target.
17745
17746@cindex send command to remote monitor
17747@cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17748@cindex add new commands for external monitor
17749@kindex monitor
17750@item monitor @var{cmd}
17751This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17752remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17753sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17754can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17755and implement.
17756@end table
17757
17758@node File Transfer
17759@section Sending files to a remote system
17760@cindex remote target, file transfer
17761@cindex file transfer
17762@cindex sending files to remote systems
17763
17764Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17765connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17766for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17767running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17768e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17769the only way to upload or download files.
17770
17771Not all remote targets support these commands.
17772
17773@table @code
17774@kindex remote put
17775@item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17776Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17777@value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17778
17779@kindex remote get
17780@item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17781Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17782on the host system.
17783
17784@kindex remote delete
17785@item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17786Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17787
17788@end table
17789
17790@node Server
17791@section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17792
17793@kindex gdbserver
17794@cindex remote connection without stubs
17795@code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
17796allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
17797@code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
17798
17799@code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
17800because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
17801that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
17802@code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
17803@value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
17804because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
17805also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
17806started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
17807Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
17808the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
17809do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
17810by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
17811choice for debugging.
17812
17813@value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
17814or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
17815protocol.
17816
17817@quotation
17818@emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
17819Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
17820@value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
17821target system with the same privileges as the user running
17822@code{gdbserver}.
17823@end quotation
17824
17825@subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
17826@cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
17827@cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
17828
17829Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
17830program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
17831@code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
17832strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
17833system does all the symbol handling.
17834
17835To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
17836the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
17837syntax is:
17838
17839@smallexample
17840target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
17841@end smallexample
17842
17843@var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
17844hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
17845stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
17846For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
17847@samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
17848@file{/dev/com1}:
17849
17850@smallexample
17851target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
17852@end smallexample
17853
17854@code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
17855with it.
17856
17857To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
17858
17859@smallexample
17860target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
17861@end smallexample
17862
17863The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
17864specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
17865TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
17866expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
17867(Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
17868you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
17869TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
17870reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
17871conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
17872and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
17873@code{target remote} command.
17874
17875The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
17876with ssh:
17877
17878@smallexample
17879(gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
17880@end smallexample
17881
17882The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
17883and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
17884a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
17885You could elide it if you want to.
17886
17887Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
17888@code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
17889display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
17890Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
17891
17892@subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
17893@cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
17894@cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
17895
17896On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
17897This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
17898
17899@smallexample
17900target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
17901@end smallexample
17902
17903@var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
17904to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
17905
17906@pindex pidof
17907You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
17908@code{pidof} utility:
17909
17910@smallexample
17911target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
17912@end smallexample
17913
17914In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
17915has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
17916@code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
17917
17918@subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
17919@cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
17920@cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
17921
17922When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
17923@code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
17924program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
17925and @code{gdbserver} exits.
17926
17927If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
17928enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
17929detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
17930though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
17931commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
17932The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
17933remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
17934arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
17935redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
17936
17937@cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
17938To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
17939or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
17940Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
17941the program you want to debug.
17942
17943In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
17944use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
17945@code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
17946conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
17947connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
17948@option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
17949
17950@subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
17951
17952This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
17953
17954@code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
17955terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
17956extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
17957@value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
17958which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
17959mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
17960cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
17961stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
17962
17963When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
17964Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
17965completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
17966
17967@cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
17968By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
17969additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
17970with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
17971connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
17972means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
17973first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
17974connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
17975connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
17976@option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
17977multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
17978instance closes its port after the first connection.
17979
17980@subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
17981
17982@cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17983The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
17984status information about the debugging process.
17985@cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17986The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
17987remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
17988@code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
17989
17990@cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
17991The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
17992for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
17993wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
17994@kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
17995
17996@code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
17997command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
17998program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
17999runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
18000
18001You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
18002its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
18003this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
18004with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
18005
18006For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
18007the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
18008environment:
18009
18010@smallexample
18011$ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
18012@end smallexample
18013
18014@subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
18015
18016Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
18017
18018First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
18019your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
18020@code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
18021was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
18022
18023The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
18024and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
18025system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
18026are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
18027during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
18028files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
18029programs.
18030
18031Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18032For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
18033the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
18034text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
18035@samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
18036command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
18037already on the target.
18038
18039@subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
18040@cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
18041@anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
18042
18043During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
18044@code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
18045Here are the available commands.
18046
18047@table @code
18048@item monitor help
18049List the available monitor commands.
18050
18051@item monitor set debug 0
18052@itemx monitor set debug 1
18053Disable or enable general debugging messages.
18054
18055@item monitor set remote-debug 0
18056@itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
18057Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
18058protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
18059
18060@item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
18061@cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
18062When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
18063directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
18064libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
18065@samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
18066
18067The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
18068not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
18069
18070@item monitor exit
18071Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
18072@code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
18073detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
18074Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
18075of a multi-process mode debug session.
18076
18077@end table
18078
18079@subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18080@cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18081
18082On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
18083tracepoints and static tracepoints.
18084
18085For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
18086@dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
18087This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
18088@code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
18089requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
18090support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
18091@url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
18092is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
18093standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
18094@code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
18095to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
18096using @option{--with-ust=no}.
18097
18098There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
18099
18100@table @code
18101@item Specifying it as dependency at link time
18102
18103You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
18104library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
18105@code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
18106
18107@item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
18108
18109You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
18110your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
18111support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
18112cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
18113in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
18114@option{--wrapper} command line option.
18115
18116@item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
18117
18118On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
18119by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
18120of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
18121systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
18122command for that. For example:
18123
18124@smallexample
18125(@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
18126@end smallexample
18127
18128Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
18129available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
18130@end table
18131
18132On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
18133systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
18134remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
18135loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
18136program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
18137case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
18138features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
18139libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
18140main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
18141@code{gdbserver} like so:
18142
18143@smallexample
18144$ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
18145@end smallexample
18146
18147Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
18148
18149@smallexample
18150$ gdb myprogram
18151(@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
181520x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
18153(@value{GDBP}) b main
18154(@value{GDBP}) continue
18155@end smallexample
18156
18157The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
18158process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
18159command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
18160process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
18161tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
18162tracing.
18163
18164@node Remote Configuration
18165@section Remote Configuration
18166
18167@kindex set remote
18168@kindex show remote
18169This section documents the configuration options available when
18170debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
18171extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
18172system-call-allowed}.
18173
18174@table @code
18175@item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
18176@cindex address size for remote targets
18177@cindex bits in remote address
18178Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
18179number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
18180that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
18181default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
18182
18183@item show remoteaddresssize
18184Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
18185
18186@item set remotebaud @var{n}
18187@cindex baud rate for remote targets
18188Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
18189value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
18190remote targets.
18191
18192@item show remotebaud
18193Show the current speed of the remote connection.
18194
18195@item set remotebreak
18196@cindex interrupt remote programs
18197@cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
18198@anchor{set remotebreak}
18199If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
18200when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
18201on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
18202character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
18203expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
18204
18205@item show remotebreak
18206Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
18207interrupt the remote program.
18208
18209@item set remoteflow on
18210@itemx set remoteflow off
18211@kindex set remoteflow
18212Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
18213on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
18214
18215@item show remoteflow
18216@kindex show remoteflow
18217Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
18218
18219@item set remotelogbase @var{base}
18220Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
18221communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
18222@code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
18223@code{ascii}.
18224
18225@item show remotelogbase
18226Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
18227protocol.
18228
18229@item set remotelogfile @var{file}
18230@cindex record serial communications on file
18231Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
18232default is not to record at all.
18233
18234@item show remotelogfile.
18235Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
18236serial communications.
18237
18238@item set remotetimeout @var{num}
18239@cindex timeout for serial communications
18240@cindex remote timeout
18241Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
18242@var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
18243
18244@item show remotetimeout
18245Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
18246responses.
18247
18248@cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
18249@cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
18250@anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
18251@anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
18252@item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
18253@itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
18254Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
18255watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
18256
18257@cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
18258@cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
18259@anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
18260@item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
18261Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
18262a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
18263as unlimited.
18264
18265@item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
18266Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
18267a remote hardware watchpoint.
18268
18269@item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
18270@itemx show remote exec-file
18271@anchor{set remote exec-file}
18272@cindex executable file, for remote target
18273Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
18274extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
18275target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
18276filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
18277
18278@item set remote interrupt-sequence
18279@cindex interrupt remote programs
18280@cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
18281Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
18282@samp{BREAK-g} as the
18283sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
18284@samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
18285is high level of serial line for some certain time.
18286Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
18287It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
18288
18289@item show interrupt-sequence
18290Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
18291is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
18292@code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
18293also known as Magic SysRq g.
18294
18295@item set remote interrupt-on-connect
18296@cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
18297Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
18298@value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
18299Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
18300which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
18301
18302@item show interrupt-on-connect
18303Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
18304to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
18305
18306@kindex set tcp
18307@kindex show tcp
18308@item set tcp auto-retry on
18309@cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
18310Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
18311debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
18312condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
18313before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
18314enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
18315to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
18316@code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
18317
18318@item set tcp auto-retry off
18319Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
18320
18321@item show tcp auto-retry
18322Show the current auto-retry setting.
18323
18324@item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
18325@itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
18326@cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
18327@cindex timeout, for remote target connection
18328Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
18329@var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
18330(enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
18331that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
18332value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
18333@value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
18334unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
18335
18336@item show tcp connect-timeout
18337Show the current connection timeout setting.
18338@end table
18339
18340@cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
18341The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
18342your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
18343can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
18344packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
18345packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
18346or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
18347all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
18348see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
18349
18350During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
18351If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
18352in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
18353@value{GDBN} developers.
18354
18355For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
18356packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
18357are:
18358
18359@multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
18360@item Command Name
18361@tab Remote Packet
18362@tab Related Features
18363
18364@item @code{fetch-register}
18365@tab @code{p}
18366@tab @code{info registers}
18367
18368@item @code{set-register}
18369@tab @code{P}
18370@tab @code{set}
18371
18372@item @code{binary-download}
18373@tab @code{X}
18374@tab @code{load}, @code{set}
18375
18376@item @code{read-aux-vector}
18377@tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
18378@tab @code{info auxv}
18379
18380@item @code{symbol-lookup}
18381@tab @code{qSymbol}
18382@tab Detecting multiple threads
18383
18384@item @code{attach}
18385@tab @code{vAttach}
18386@tab @code{attach}
18387
18388@item @code{verbose-resume}
18389@tab @code{vCont}
18390@tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
18391
18392@item @code{run}
18393@tab @code{vRun}
18394@tab @code{run}
18395
18396@item @code{software-breakpoint}
18397@tab @code{Z0}
18398@tab @code{break}
18399
18400@item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
18401@tab @code{Z1}
18402@tab @code{hbreak}
18403
18404@item @code{write-watchpoint}
18405@tab @code{Z2}
18406@tab @code{watch}
18407
18408@item @code{read-watchpoint}
18409@tab @code{Z3}
18410@tab @code{rwatch}
18411
18412@item @code{access-watchpoint}
18413@tab @code{Z4}
18414@tab @code{awatch}
18415
18416@item @code{target-features}
18417@tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
18418@tab @code{set architecture}
18419
18420@item @code{library-info}
18421@tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
18422@tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
18423
18424@item @code{memory-map}
18425@tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18426@tab @code{info mem}
18427
18428@item @code{read-sdata-object}
18429@tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18430@tab @code{print $_sdata}
18431
18432@item @code{read-spu-object}
18433@tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18434@tab @code{info spu}
18435
18436@item @code{write-spu-object}
18437@tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18438@tab @code{info spu}
18439
18440@item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18441@tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18442@tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18443
18444@item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18445@tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18446@tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18447
18448@item @code{threads}
18449@tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18450@tab @code{info threads}
18451
18452@item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18453@tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18454@tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18455
18456@item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18457@tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18458@tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18459
18460@item @code{search-memory}
18461@tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18462@tab @code{find}
18463
18464@item @code{supported-packets}
18465@tab @code{qSupported}
18466@tab Remote communications parameters
18467
18468@item @code{pass-signals}
18469@tab @code{QPassSignals}
18470@tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18471
18472@item @code{program-signals}
18473@tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18474@tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18475
18476@item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18477@tab @code{vFile:close}
18478@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18479
18480@item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18481@tab @code{vFile:open}
18482@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18483
18484@item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18485@tab @code{vFile:pread}
18486@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18487
18488@item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18489@tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18490@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18491
18492@item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18493@tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18494@tab @code{remote delete}
18495
18496@item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18497@tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18498@tab Host I/O
18499
18500@item @code{noack-packet}
18501@tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18502@tab Packet acknowledgment
18503
18504@item @code{osdata}
18505@tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18506@tab @code{info os}
18507
18508@item @code{query-attached}
18509@tab @code{qAttached}
18510@tab Querying remote process attach state.
18511
18512@item @code{trace-buffer-size}
18513@tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
18514@tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
18515
18516@item @code{trace-status}
18517@tab @code{qTStatus}
18518@tab @code{tstatus}
18519
18520@item @code{traceframe-info}
18521@tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18522@tab Traceframe info
18523
18524@item @code{install-in-trace}
18525@tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18526@tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18527
18528@item @code{disable-randomization}
18529@tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18530@tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18531
18532@item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18533@tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18534@tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18535@end multitable
18536
18537@node Remote Stub
18538@section Implementing a Remote Stub
18539
18540@cindex debugging stub, example
18541@cindex remote stub, example
18542@cindex stub example, remote debugging
18543The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18544communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18545@value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18546these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18547implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18548with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18549organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18550
18551@cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18552To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18553@dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18554prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18555program, you need:
18556
18557@enumerate
18558@item
18559A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18560have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18561your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18562
18563@item
18564A C subroutine library to support your program's
18565subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18566
18567@item
18568A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18569download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18570manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18571documentation.
18572@end enumerate
18573
18574The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18575communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18576machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18577
18578@table @emph
18579@item On the host,
18580@value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18581else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18582(@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18583
18584@item On the target,
18585you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18586implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18587subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18588
18589On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18590@code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18591@xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18592@end table
18593
18594The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18595machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18596@sc{sparc} boards.
18597
18598@cindex remote serial stub list
18599These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18600
18601@table @code
18602
18603@item i386-stub.c
18604@cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18605@cindex Intel
18606@cindex i386
18607For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18608
18609@item m68k-stub.c
18610@cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18611@cindex Motorola 680x0
18612@cindex m680x0
18613For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18614
18615@item sh-stub.c
18616@cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18617@cindex Renesas
18618@cindex SH
18619For Renesas SH architectures.
18620
18621@item sparc-stub.c
18622@cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18623@cindex Sparc
18624For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18625
18626@item sparcl-stub.c
18627@cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18628@cindex Fujitsu
18629@cindex SparcLite
18630For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18631
18632@end table
18633
18634The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18635recently added stubs.
18636
18637@menu
18638* Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18639* Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18640* Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18641@end menu
18642
18643@node Stub Contents
18644@subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18645
18646@cindex remote serial stub
18647The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18648subroutines:
18649
18650@table @code
18651@item set_debug_traps
18652@findex set_debug_traps
18653@cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18654This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18655program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18656program's startup code.
18657
18658@item handle_exception
18659@findex handle_exception
18660@cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18661This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18662explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18663run when a trap is triggered.
18664
18665@code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18666execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18667with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18668protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18669representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18670information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18671retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18672execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18673@code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18674machine.
18675
18676@item breakpoint
18677@cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18678Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18679breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18680way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18681machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18682pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18683@code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18684simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18685again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18686your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18687@value{GDBN} session gets control.
18688
18689Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18690to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18691start of your debugging session.
18692@end table
18693
18694@node Bootstrapping
18695@subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18696
18697@cindex remote stub, support routines
18698The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18699chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18700debugging target machine.
18701
18702First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18703serial port.
18704
18705@table @code
18706@item int getDebugChar()
18707@findex getDebugChar
18708Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18709It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18710different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18711
18712@item void putDebugChar(int)
18713@findex putDebugChar
18714Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18715It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18716different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18717@end table
18718
18719@cindex control C, and remote debugging
18720@cindex interrupting remote targets
18721If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18722running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18723for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18724character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18725remote system to stop.
18726
18727Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18728probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18729is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18730@value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18731
18732Other routines you need to supply are:
18733
18734@table @code
18735@item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18736@findex exceptionHandler
18737Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18738handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18739way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18740are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18741containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18742@var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18743its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18744might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18745exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18746@var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18747and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18748you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18749should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18750
18751For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18752gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18753should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18754@sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18755help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18756
18757@item void flush_i_cache()
18758@findex flush_i_cache
18759On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18760instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18761instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18762
18763On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18764function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18765@end table
18766
18767@noindent
18768You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18769
18770@table @code
18771@item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18772@findex memset
18773This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18774memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18775@code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18776either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18777@end table
18778
18779If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18780library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18781but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18782subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18783
18784
18785@node Debug Session
18786@subsection Putting it All Together
18787
18788@cindex remote serial debugging summary
18789In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18790steps.
18791
18792@enumerate
18793@item
18794Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
18795(@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
18796@display
18797@code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
18798@code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
18799@end display
18800
18801@item
18802Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
18803procedure is called:
18804
18805@smallexample
18806set_debug_traps();
18807breakpoint();
18808@end smallexample
18809
18810On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
18811automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
18812breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
18813@code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
18814after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
18815doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
18816progress.
18817
18818@item
18819For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
18820@code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
18821
18822@smallexample
18823void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
18824@end smallexample
18825
18826@noindent
18827but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
18828function in your program, that function is called when
18829@code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
18830error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
18831one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
18832
18833@item
18834Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
18835your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
18836
18837@item
18838Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
18839the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
18840
18841@item
18842@c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
18843@c document that. FIXME.
18844Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
18845whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
18846
18847@item
18848Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
18849(@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18850
18851@end enumerate
18852
18853@node Configurations
18854@chapter Configuration-Specific Information
18855
18856While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
18857cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
18858describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
18859
18860There are three major categories of configurations: native
18861configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
18862operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
18863different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
18864are quite different from each other.
18865
18866@menu
18867* Native::
18868* Embedded OS::
18869* Embedded Processors::
18870* Architectures::
18871@end menu
18872
18873@node Native
18874@section Native
18875
18876This section describes details specific to particular native
18877configurations.
18878
18879@menu
18880* HP-UX:: HP-UX
18881* BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
18882* SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
18883* DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
18884* Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
18885* Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
18886* Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
18887@end menu
18888
18889@node HP-UX
18890@subsection HP-UX
18891
18892On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
18893begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
18894name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
18895
18896
18897@node BSD libkvm Interface
18898@subsection BSD libkvm Interface
18899
18900@cindex libkvm
18901@cindex kernel memory image
18902@cindex kernel crash dump
18903
18904BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
18905interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
18906memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
18907uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
18908dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
18909special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
18910the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
18911@code{kvm} target:
18912
18913@smallexample
18914(@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
18915@end smallexample
18916
18917For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
18918argument:
18919
18920@smallexample
18921(@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
18922@end smallexample
18923
18924Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
18925available:
18926
18927@table @code
18928@kindex kvm
18929@item kvm pcb
18930Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
18931
18932@item kvm proc
18933Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
18934modern FreeBSD systems.
18935@end table
18936
18937@node SVR4 Process Information
18938@subsection SVR4 Process Information
18939@cindex /proc
18940@cindex examine process image
18941@cindex process info via @file{/proc}
18942
18943Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
18944@samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
18945process using file-system subroutines.
18946
18947If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
18948facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
18949information about the process running your program, or about any
18950process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
18951@sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, and Irix, but
18952not HP-UX, for example.
18953
18954This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
18955that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
18956
18957@table @code
18958@kindex info proc
18959@cindex process ID
18960@item info proc
18961@itemx info proc @var{process-id}
18962Summarize available information about any running process. If a
18963process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
18964that process; otherwise display information about the program being
18965debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
18966line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
18967executable file's absolute file name.
18968
18969On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
18970@samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
18971within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
18972a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
18973needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
18974a process ID rather than a thread ID).
18975
18976@item info proc cmdline
18977@cindex info proc cmdline
18978Show the original command line of the process. This command is
18979specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18980
18981@item info proc cwd
18982@cindex info proc cwd
18983Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
18984specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18985
18986@item info proc exe
18987@cindex info proc exe
18988Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
18989to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18990
18991@item info proc mappings
18992@cindex memory address space mappings
18993Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
18994information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
18995rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
18996includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
18997memory access rights to that range.
18998
18999@item info proc stat
19000@itemx info proc status
19001@cindex process detailed status information
19002These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
19003the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
19004how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
19005the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
19006consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
19007value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
19008(type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
19009
19010@item info proc all
19011Show all the information about the process described under all of the
19012above @code{info proc} subcommands.
19013
19014@ignore
19015@comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
19016@comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
19017@comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
19018@kindex info proc times
19019@item info proc times
19020Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
19021its children.
19022
19023@kindex info proc id
19024@item info proc id
19025Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
19026the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
19027@end ignore
19028
19029@item set procfs-trace
19030@kindex set procfs-trace
19031@cindex @code{procfs} API calls
19032This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
19033
19034@item show procfs-trace
19035@kindex show procfs-trace
19036Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
19037
19038@item set procfs-file @var{file}
19039@kindex set procfs-file
19040Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
19041@var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
19042contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
19043standard output.
19044
19045@item show procfs-file
19046@kindex show procfs-file
19047Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
19048
19049@item proc-trace-entry
19050@itemx proc-trace-exit
19051@itemx proc-untrace-entry
19052@itemx proc-untrace-exit
19053@kindex proc-trace-entry
19054@kindex proc-trace-exit
19055@kindex proc-untrace-entry
19056@kindex proc-untrace-exit
19057These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
19058from the @code{syscall} interface.
19059
19060@item info pidlist
19061@kindex info pidlist
19062@cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
19063For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
19064processes and all the threads within each process.
19065
19066@item info meminfo
19067@kindex info meminfo
19068@cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
19069For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
19070@end table
19071
19072@node DJGPP Native
19073@subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
19074@cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
19075@cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
19076@cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
19077
19078@cindex DPMI
19079@sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
19080MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
19081that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
19082top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
19083
19084@value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
19085defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
19086subsection describes those commands.
19087
19088@table @code
19089@kindex info dos
19090@item info dos
19091This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
19092information about the target system and important OS structures.
19093
19094@kindex sysinfo
19095@cindex MS-DOS system info
19096@cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
19097@item info dos sysinfo
19098This command displays assorted information about the underlying
19099platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
19100DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
19101
19102@cindex GDT
19103@cindex LDT
19104@cindex IDT
19105@cindex segment descriptor tables
19106@cindex descriptor tables display
19107@item info dos gdt
19108@itemx info dos ldt
19109@itemx info dos idt
19110These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
19111and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
19112tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
19113that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
19114descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
19115descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
19116rights.
19117
19118A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
19119segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
19120allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
19121conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
19122additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
19123
19124@cindex garbled pointers
19125These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
19126Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
19127displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
19128display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
19129example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
19130debugged program's data segment:
19131
19132@smallexample
19133@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
19134@exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
19135@end smallexample
19136
19137@noindent
19138This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
19139the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
19140
19141@cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
19142@item info dos pde
19143@itemx info dos pte
19144These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
19145Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
19146data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
19147into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
19148page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
19149may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
19150Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
19151that is currently in use.
19152
19153Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
19154Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
19155the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
19156@kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
19157Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
19158means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
19159the specified entry in the Page Directory.
19160
19161@cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
19162These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
19163Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
19164controller.
19165
19166These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
19167
19168@cindex physical address from linear address
19169@item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
19170This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
19171address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
19172already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
19173because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
19174segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
19175the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
19176
19177@smallexample
19178@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
19179@exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
19180@exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
19181@end smallexample
19182
19183@noindent
19184This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
19185whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
19186attributes of that page.
19187
19188Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
19189since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
19190address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
19191be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
19192declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
19193@code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
19194
19195Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
19196transfer buffer:
19197
19198@smallexample
19199@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
19200@exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
19201@exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
19202@end smallexample
19203
19204@noindent
19205(The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
192063rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
19207clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
19208memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
19209linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
19210
19211This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
19212@end table
19213
19214@cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
19215In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
19216debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
19217to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
19218
19219@table @code
19220@kindex set com1base
19221@kindex set com1irq
19222@kindex set com2base
19223@kindex set com2irq
19224@kindex set com3base
19225@kindex set com3irq
19226@kindex set com4base
19227@kindex set com4irq
19228@item set com1base @var{addr}
19229This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
19230port.
19231
19232@item set com1irq @var{irq}
19233This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
19234for the @file{COM1} serial port.
19235
19236There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
19237etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
19238other 3 COM ports.
19239
19240@kindex show com1base
19241@kindex show com1irq
19242@kindex show com2base
19243@kindex show com2irq
19244@kindex show com3base
19245@kindex show com3irq
19246@kindex show com4base
19247@kindex show com4irq
19248The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
19249display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
19250lines used by the COM ports.
19251
19252@item info serial
19253@kindex info serial
19254@cindex DOS serial port status
19255This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
19256port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
19257IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
19258counts of various errors encountered so far.
19259@end table
19260
19261
19262@node Cygwin Native
19263@subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
19264@cindex MS Windows debugging
19265@cindex native Cygwin debugging
19266@cindex Cygwin-specific commands
19267
19268@value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
19269DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
19270
19271@cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
19272@cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
19273MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
19274special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
19275by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
19276supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
19277sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
19278ignores @kbd{C-c}.
19279
19280There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
19281this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
19282described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
19283
19284@table @code
19285@kindex info w32
19286@item info w32
19287This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
19288information about the target system and important OS structures.
19289
19290@item info w32 selector
19291This command displays information returned by
19292the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
19293It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
19294a long value to give the information about this given selector.
19295Without argument, this command displays information
19296about the six segment registers.
19297
19298@item info w32 thread-information-block
19299This command displays thread specific information stored in the
19300Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
19301selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
19302
19303@kindex info dll
19304@item info dll
19305This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
19306
19307@kindex dll-symbols
19308@item dll-symbols
19309This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
19310add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
19311
19312@kindex set cygwin-exceptions
19313@cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
19314@cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
19315@item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
19316If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
19317happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
19318@value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
19319exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
19320``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
19321Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
19322@value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
19323
19324@kindex show cygwin-exceptions
19325@item show cygwin-exceptions
19326Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
19327inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
19328
19329@kindex set new-console
19330@item set new-console @var{mode}
19331If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
19332be started in a new console on next start.
19333If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
19334be started in the same console as the debugger.
19335
19336@kindex show new-console
19337@item show new-console
19338Displays whether a new console is used
19339when the debuggee is started.
19340
19341@kindex set new-group
19342@item set new-group @var{mode}
19343This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
19344start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
19345This affects the way the Windows OS handles
19346@samp{Ctrl-C}.
19347
19348@kindex show new-group
19349@item show new-group
19350Displays current value of new-group boolean.
19351
19352@kindex set debugevents
19353@item set debugevents
19354This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
19355to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
19356signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
19357unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
19358Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
19359
19360@kindex set debugexec
19361@item set debugexec
19362This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
19363(such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
19364
19365@kindex set debugexceptions
19366@item set debugexceptions
19367This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
19368debuggee seen by the debugger.
19369
19370@kindex set debugmemory
19371@item set debugmemory
19372This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
19373and writes by the debugger.
19374
19375@kindex set shell
19376@item set shell
19377This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
19378via a shell or directly (default value is on).
19379
19380@kindex show shell
19381@item show shell
19382Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
19383
19384@end table
19385
19386@menu
19387* Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
19388@end menu
19389
19390@node Non-debug DLL Symbols
19391@subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
19392@cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
19393@cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
19394
19395Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
19396not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
19397@file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
19398symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
19399information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
19400describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
19401``minimal symbols''.
19402
19403Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
19404will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
19405start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
19406program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
19407@value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
19408see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
19409@code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
19410explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
19411cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
19412which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
19413
19414@subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
19415
19416In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
19417tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
19418DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
19419also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
19420sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
19421(particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
19422necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
19423contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
19424exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
19425
19426Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
19427though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
19428symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
19429some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
19430@code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
19431(@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
19432
19433@smallexample
19434(@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
19435All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
19436
19437Non-debugging symbols:
194380x77e885f4 CreateFileA
194390x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
19440@end smallexample
19441
19442@smallexample
19443(@value{GDBP}) info function !
19444All functions matching regular expression "!":
19445
19446Non-debugging symbols:
194470x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
194480x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
194490x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
19450[etc...]
19451@end smallexample
19452
19453@subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19454
19455Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19456type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19457refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19458contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19459contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19460means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19461a function within a DLL without a running program.
19462
19463Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19464automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19465variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19466type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19467problem:
19468
19469@smallexample
19470(@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19471$1 = 268572168
19472@end smallexample
19473
19474@smallexample
19475(@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
194760x10021610: "\230y\""
19477@end smallexample
19478
19479And two possible solutions:
19480
19481@smallexample
19482(@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19483$2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19484@end smallexample
19485
19486@smallexample
19487(@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
194880x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19489(@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
194900x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19491(@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
194920x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19493@end smallexample
19494
19495Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19496starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19497examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19498function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19499to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19500
19501@smallexample
19502(@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19503Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19504@end smallexample
19505
19506The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19507break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19508safe.
19509
19510@node Hurd Native
19511@subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19512@cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19513
19514This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19515@sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19516
19517@table @code
19518@item set signals
19519@itemx set sigs
19520@kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19521@kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19522This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19523@value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19524affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19525@code{signals}.
19526
19527@item show signals
19528@itemx show sigs
19529@kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19530@kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19531Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19532
19533@item set signal-thread
19534@itemx set sigthread
19535@kindex set signal-thread
19536@kindex set sigthread
19537This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19538thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19539process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19540signal-thread}.
19541
19542@item show signal-thread
19543@itemx show sigthread
19544@kindex show signal-thread
19545@kindex show sigthread
19546These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19547delivered a signal.
19548
19549@item set stopped
19550@kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19551This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19552as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19553continued by delivering a signal to it.
19554
19555@item show stopped
19556@kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19557This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19558stopped.
19559
19560@item set exceptions
19561@kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19562Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19563When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19564single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19565trapping on.
19566
19567@item show exceptions
19568@kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19569Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19570
19571@item set task pause
19572@kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19573@cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19574@cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19575This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19576Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19577whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19578effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19579to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19580thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19581
19582@item show task pause
19583@kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19584Show the current state of task suspension.
19585
19586@item set task detach-suspend-count
19587@cindex task suspend count
19588@cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19589This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19590@value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19591
19592@item show task detach-suspend-count
19593Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19594
19595@item set task exception-port
19596@itemx set task excp
19597@cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19598This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19599forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19600rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19601
19602@item set noninvasive
19603@cindex noninvasive task options
19604This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19605invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19606is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19607@code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19608
19609@item info send-rights
19610@itemx info receive-rights
19611@itemx info port-rights
19612@itemx info port-sets
19613@itemx info dead-names
19614@itemx info ports
19615@itemx info psets
19616@cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19617@cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19618@cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19619@cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19620@cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19621These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19622receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19623There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19624port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19625
19626@item set thread pause
19627@kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19628@cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19629@cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19630This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19631control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19632thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19633off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19634Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19635control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19636task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19637only the current thread.
19638
19639@item show thread pause
19640@kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19641This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19642
19643@item set thread run
19644This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19645
19646@item show thread run
19647Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19648
19649@item set thread detach-suspend-count
19650@cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19651@cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19652This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19653thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19654found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19655takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19656
19657@item show thread detach-suspend-count
19658Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19659detaching.
19660
19661@item set thread exception-port
19662@itemx set thread excp
19663Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19664overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19665@code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19666
19667@item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19668Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19669value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19670changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19671
19672@item set thread default
19673@itemx show thread default
19674@cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19675Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19676default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19677thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19678variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19679threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19680the non-default commands.
19681@end table
19682
19683@node Darwin
19684@subsection Darwin
19685@cindex Darwin
19686
19687@value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19688
19689@table @code
19690@item set debug darwin @var{num}
19691@kindex set debug darwin
19692When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19693the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19694
19695@item show debug darwin
19696@kindex show debug darwin
19697Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19698
19699@item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19700@kindex set debug mach-o
19701When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19702@value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19703file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19704values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19705problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19706usage.
19707
19708@item show debug mach-o
19709@kindex show debug mach-o
19710Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19711
19712@item set mach-exceptions on
19713@itemx set mach-exceptions off
19714@kindex set mach-exceptions
19715On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19716mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19717Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19718better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19719
19720@item show mach-exceptions
19721@kindex show mach-exceptions
19722Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19723@end table
19724
19725
19726@node Embedded OS
19727@section Embedded Operating Systems
19728
19729This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19730embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19731architectures.
19732
19733@menu
19734* VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19735@end menu
19736
19737@value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19738various real-time operating systems.
19739
19740@node VxWorks
19741@subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19742
19743@cindex VxWorks
19744
19745@table @code
19746
19747@kindex target vxworks
19748@item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19749A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19750is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19751
19752@end table
19753
19754On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19755current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19756
19757@value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19758VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19759the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19760both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19761@code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19762installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19763@value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19764
19765@table @code
19766@item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19767@kindex vxworks-timeout
19768All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19769This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19770seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19771your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19772of a thin network line.
19773@end table
19774
19775The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19776this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19777procedures.
19778
19779@findex INCLUDE_RDB
19780To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19781to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19782library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19783VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19784kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19785source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19786information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19787manual.
19788@c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19789
19790Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19791your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19792run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
19793@code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
19794
19795@value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19796
19797@smallexample
19798(vxgdb)
19799@end smallexample
19800
19801@menu
19802* VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
19803* VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
19804* VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
19805@end menu
19806
19807@node VxWorks Connection
19808@subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
19809
19810The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
19811network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
19812
19813@smallexample
19814(vxgdb) target vxworks tt
19815@end smallexample
19816
19817@need 750
19818@value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19819
19820@smallexample
19821Attaching remote machine across net...
19822Connected to tt.
19823@end smallexample
19824
19825@need 1000
19826@value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
19827loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
19828these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
19829path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
19830to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
19831
19832@smallexample
19833prog.o: No such file or directory.
19834@end smallexample
19835
19836When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
19837the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
19838command again.
19839
19840@node VxWorks Download
19841@subsubsection VxWorks Download
19842
19843@cindex download to VxWorks
19844If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
19845object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
19846@code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
19847incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
19848command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
19849to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
19850table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
19851the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
19852filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
19853Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
19854to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
19855the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
19856@file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
19857and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
19858program, type this on VxWorks:
19859
19860@smallexample
19861-> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
19862@end smallexample
19863
19864@noindent
19865Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19866
19867@smallexample
19868(vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
19869(vxgdb) load prog.o
19870@end smallexample
19871
19872@value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
19873
19874@smallexample
19875Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
19876@end smallexample
19877
19878You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
19879after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
19880this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
19881auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
19882history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
19883debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
19884table.)
19885
19886@node VxWorks Attach
19887@subsubsection Running Tasks
19888
19889@cindex running VxWorks tasks
19890You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
19891follows:
19892
19893@smallexample
19894(vxgdb) attach @var{task}
19895@end smallexample
19896
19897@noindent
19898where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
19899or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
19900the time of attachment.
19901
19902@node Embedded Processors
19903@section Embedded Processors
19904
19905This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
19906configurations.
19907
19908@cindex send command to simulator
19909Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
19910allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
19911
19912@table @code
19913@item sim @var{command}
19914@kindex sim@r{, a command}
19915Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
19916documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
19917acceptable commands.
19918@end table
19919
19920
19921@menu
19922* ARM:: ARM RDI
19923* M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
19924* M68K:: Motorola M68K
19925* MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
19926* MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
19927* PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
19928* PA:: HP PA Embedded
19929* Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
19930* Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
19931* Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
19932* AVR:: Atmel AVR
19933* CRIS:: CRIS
19934* Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
19935@end menu
19936
19937@node ARM
19938@subsection ARM
19939@cindex ARM RDI
19940
19941@table @code
19942@kindex target rdi
19943@item target rdi @var{dev}
19944ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
19945use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
19946monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
19947
19948@kindex target rdp
19949@item target rdp @var{dev}
19950ARM Demon monitor.
19951
19952@end table
19953
19954@value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
19955
19956@table @code
19957@item set arm disassembler
19958@kindex set arm
19959This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
19960@code{"std"} style is the standard style.
19961
19962@item show arm disassembler
19963@kindex show arm
19964Show the current disassembly style.
19965
19966@item set arm apcs32
19967@cindex ARM 32-bit mode
19968This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
19969
19970@item show arm apcs32
19971Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
19972
19973@item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
19974This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
19975argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
19976
19977@table @code
19978@item auto
19979Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
19980@item softfpa
19981Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
19982processors.
19983@item fpa
19984GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
19985@item softvfp
19986Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
19987@item vfp
19988VFP co-processor.
19989@end table
19990
19991@item show arm fpu
19992Show the current type of the FPU.
19993
19994@item set arm abi
19995This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
19996
19997@item show arm abi
19998Show the currently used ABI.
19999
20000@item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20001@value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
20002whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
20003@value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
20004available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
20005use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
20006register).
20007
20008@item show arm fallback-mode
20009Show the current fallback instruction mode.
20010
20011@item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20012This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
20013instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
20014causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
20015of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
20016
20017@item show arm force-mode
20018Show the current forced instruction mode.
20019
20020@item set debug arm
20021Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
20022target support subsystem.
20023
20024@item show debug arm
20025Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
20026@end table
20027
20028The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
20029using the RDI interface:
20030
20031@table @code
20032@item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20033@kindex rdilogfile
20034@cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
20035Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
20036With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
20037no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
20038@file{rdi.log}.
20039
20040@item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
20041@kindex rdilogenable
20042Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
20043enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
20044no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
20045ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
20046are logged to a file.
20047
20048@item set rdiromatzero
20049@kindex set rdiromatzero
20050@cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
20051Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
20052vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
20053(the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
20054effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
20055
20056@item show rdiromatzero
20057@kindex show rdiromatzero
20058Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
20059
20060@item set rdiheartbeat
20061@kindex set rdiheartbeat
20062@cindex RDI heartbeat
20063Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
20064turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
20065well as the Angel monitor.
20066
20067@item show rdiheartbeat
20068@kindex show rdiheartbeat
20069Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
20070@end table
20071
20072@table @code
20073@item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
20074The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
20075
20076@table @code
20077@item --swi-support=@var{type}
20078Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
20079@var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
20080The default value is @code{all}.
20081
20082@table @code
20083@item none
20084@item demon
20085@item angel
20086@item redboot
20087@item all
20088@end table
20089@end table
20090@end table
20091
20092@node M32R/D
20093@subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
20094
20095@table @code
20096@kindex target m32r
20097@item target m32r @var{dev}
20098Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
20099
20100@kindex target m32rsdi
20101@item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
20102Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
20103@end table
20104
20105The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
20106
20107@table @code
20108@item set download-path @var{path}
20109@kindex set download-path
20110@cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
20111Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20112
20113@item show download-path
20114@kindex show download-path
20115Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20116
20117@item set board-address @var{addr}
20118@kindex set board-address
20119@cindex M32-EVA target board address
20120Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
20121
20122@item show board-address
20123@kindex show board-address
20124Show the current IP address of the target board.
20125
20126@item set server-address @var{addr}
20127@kindex set server-address
20128@cindex download server address (M32R)
20129Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
20130host machine.
20131
20132@item show server-address
20133@kindex show server-address
20134Display the IP address of the download server.
20135
20136@item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20137@kindex upload@r{, M32R}
20138Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
20139upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
20140executable file is uploaded.
20141
20142@item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20143@kindex tload@r{, M32R}
20144Test the @code{upload} command.
20145@end table
20146
20147The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
20148
20149@table @code
20150@item sdireset
20151@kindex sdireset
20152@cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
20153This command resets the SDI connection.
20154
20155@item sdistatus
20156@kindex sdistatus
20157This command shows the SDI connection status.
20158
20159@item debug_chaos
20160@kindex debug_chaos
20161@cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
20162Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
20163
20164@item use_debug_dma
20165@kindex use_debug_dma
20166Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
20167
20168@item use_mon_code
20169@kindex use_mon_code
20170Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
20171
20172@item use_ib_break
20173@kindex use_ib_break
20174Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
20175
20176@item use_dbt_break
20177@kindex use_dbt_break
20178Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
20179@end table
20180
20181@node M68K
20182@subsection M68k
20183
20184The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
20185target command for the following ROM monitor.
20186
20187@table @code
20188
20189@kindex target dbug
20190@item target dbug @var{dev}
20191dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
20192
20193@end table
20194
20195@node MicroBlaze
20196@subsection MicroBlaze
20197@cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
20198@cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
20199
20200The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
20201FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
20202usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
20203Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
20204This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
20205the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
20206communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
20207presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
20208@code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
20209this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
20210commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
20211
20212Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
20213
20214@table @code
20215@item target remote :1234
20216Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
20217on the same system as @code{xmd}.
20218
20219@item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
20220Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
20221running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
20222
20223@item load
20224Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
20225
20226@item set debug microblaze @var{n}
20227Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
20228
20229@item show debug microblaze @var{n}
20230Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
20231@end table
20232
20233@node MIPS Embedded
20234@subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
20235
20236@cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
20237@value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
20238@acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
20239you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
20240
20241@need 1000
20242Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
20243
20244@table @code
20245@item target mips @var{port}
20246@kindex target mips @var{port}
20247To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
20248name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
20249command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
20250the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
20251been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
20252download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
20253
20254For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
20255port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
20256debugger:
20257
20258@smallexample
20259host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
20260@value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
20261(@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
20262(@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
20263(@value{GDBP}) run
20264@end smallexample
20265
20266@item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
20267On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
20268connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
20269concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
20270@samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
20271
20272@item target pmon @var{port}
20273@kindex target pmon @var{port}
20274PMON ROM monitor.
20275
20276@item target ddb @var{port}
20277@kindex target ddb @var{port}
20278NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
20279
20280@item target lsi @var{port}
20281@kindex target lsi @var{port}
20282LSI variant of PMON.
20283
20284@kindex target r3900
20285@item target r3900 @var{dev}
20286Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
20287
20288@kindex target array
20289@item target array @var{dev}
20290Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
20291
20292@end table
20293
20294
20295@noindent
20296@value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
20297
20298@table @code
20299@item set mipsfpu double
20300@itemx set mipsfpu single
20301@itemx set mipsfpu none
20302@itemx set mipsfpu auto
20303@itemx show mipsfpu
20304@kindex set mipsfpu
20305@kindex show mipsfpu
20306@cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
20307@cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
20308If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
20309coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
20310need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
20311file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
20312functions which return floating point values. It also allows
20313@value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
20314functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
20315with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
20316processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
20317double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
20318@samp{set mipsfpu double}.
20319
20320In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
20321floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
20322and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
20323
20324As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
20325@samp{show mipsfpu}.
20326
20327@item set timeout @var{seconds}
20328@itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
20329@itemx show timeout
20330@itemx show retransmit-timeout
20331@cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20332@cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20333@kindex set timeout
20334@kindex show timeout
20335@kindex set retransmit-timeout
20336@kindex show retransmit-timeout
20337You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
20338remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
20339default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
20340waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
20341retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
20342You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
20343retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
20344@value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
20345
20346The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
20347is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
20348forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
20349to run before stopping.
20350
20351@item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
20352@kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20353@cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
20354Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
20355it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
20356characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
20357
20358@item show syn-garbage-limit
20359@kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20360Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
20361trying to synchronize with the remote system.
20362
20363@item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
20364@kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20365@cindex remote monitor prompt
20366Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
20367remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
20368@table @asis
20369@item pmon target
20370@samp{PMON}
20371@item ddb target
20372@samp{NEC010}
20373@item lsi target
20374@samp{PMON>}
20375@end table
20376
20377@item show monitor-prompt
20378@kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20379Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
20380remote monitor.
20381
20382@item set monitor-warnings
20383@kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20384Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
20385has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
20386display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
20387PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
20388
20389@item show monitor-warnings
20390@kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20391Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
20392
20393@item pmon @var{command}
20394@kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20395@cindex send PMON command
20396This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
20397monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
20398@end table
20399
20400@node PowerPC Embedded
20401@subsection PowerPC Embedded
20402
20403@cindex DVC register
20404@value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20405implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20406
20407@smallexample
20408(@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20409 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20410@end smallexample
20411
20412The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20413such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20414debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20415variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20416is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20417or newer.
20418
20419When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20420ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20421in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20422watching variables of scalar types.
20423
20424You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20425region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20426
20427@smallexample
20428(@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20429(@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20430@end smallexample
20431
20432PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20433about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20434
20435@cindex ranged breakpoint
20436PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20437@dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20438the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20439the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20440use the @code{break-range} command.
20441
20442@value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20443
20444@table @code
20445@kindex break-range
20446@item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20447Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20448@var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20449a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20450location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20451for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20452The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20453executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20454(including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20455
20456@kindex set powerpc
20457@item set powerpc soft-float
20458@itemx show powerpc soft-float
20459Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20460convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20461on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20462
20463@item set powerpc vector-abi
20464@itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20465Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20466arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20467@samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20468@samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20469registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20470based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20471
20472@item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20473@itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20474Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20475of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20476address of its first byte.
20477
20478@kindex target dink32
20479@item target dink32 @var{dev}
20480DINK32 ROM monitor.
20481
20482@kindex target ppcbug
20483@item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20484@kindex target ppcbug1
20485@item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20486PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20487
20488@kindex target sds
20489@item target sds @var{dev}
20490SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20491@end table
20492
20493@cindex SDS protocol
20494The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20495by @value{GDBN}:
20496
20497@table @code
20498@item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20499@kindex set sdstimeout
20500Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20501default is 2 seconds.
20502
20503@item show sdstimeout
20504@kindex show sdstimeout
20505Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20506
20507@item sds @var{command}
20508@kindex sds@r{, a command}
20509Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20510@end table
20511
20512
20513@node PA
20514@subsection HP PA Embedded
20515
20516@table @code
20517
20518@kindex target op50n
20519@item target op50n @var{dev}
20520OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20521
20522@kindex target w89k
20523@item target w89k @var{dev}
20524W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20525
20526@end table
20527
20528@node Sparclet
20529@subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20530
20531@cindex Sparclet
20532
20533@value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20534Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20535@value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20536both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20537@code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20538
20539@table @code
20540@item remotetimeout @var{args}
20541@kindex remotetimeout
20542@value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20543This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20544seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20545@end table
20546
20547@cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20548When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20549information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20550load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20551@samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20552
20553@smallexample
20554sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20555@end smallexample
20556
20557You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20558
20559@smallexample
20560sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20561@end smallexample
20562
20563@cindex running, on Sparclet
20564Once you have set
20565your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20566run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20567(or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20568
20569@value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20570
20571@smallexample
20572(gdbslet)
20573@end smallexample
20574
20575@menu
20576* Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20577* Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20578* Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20579* Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20580@end menu
20581
20582@node Sparclet File
20583@subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20584
20585The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20586
20587@smallexample
20588(gdbslet) file prog
20589@end smallexample
20590
20591@need 1000
20592@value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20593@value{GDBN} locates
20594the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20595path.
20596If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20597files will be searched as well.
20598@value{GDBN} locates
20599the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20600path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20601If it fails
20602to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20603
20604@smallexample
20605prog: No such file or directory.
20606@end smallexample
20607
20608When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20609the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20610@code{target} command again.
20611
20612@node Sparclet Connection
20613@subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20614
20615The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20616To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20617
20618@smallexample
20619(gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20620Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20621main () at ../prog.c:3
20622@end smallexample
20623
20624@need 750
20625@value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20626
20627@smallexample
20628Connected to ttya.
20629@end smallexample
20630
20631@node Sparclet Download
20632@subsubsection Sparclet Download
20633
20634@cindex download to Sparclet
20635Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20636you can use the @value{GDBN}
20637@code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20638The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20639command.
20640Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20641address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20642offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20643of each of the file's sections.
20644For instance, if the program
20645@file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20646and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20647
20648@smallexample
20649(gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20650Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20651@end smallexample
20652
20653If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20654to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20655to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20656
20657@node Sparclet Execution
20658@subsubsection Running and Debugging
20659
20660@cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20661You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20662commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20663manual for the list of commands.
20664
20665@smallexample
20666(gdbslet) b main
20667Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20668(gdbslet) run
20669Starting program: prog
20670Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
206713 char *symarg = 0;
20672(gdbslet) step
206734 char *execarg = "hello!";
20674(gdbslet)
20675@end smallexample
20676
20677@node Sparclite
20678@subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20679
20680@table @code
20681
20682@kindex target sparclite
20683@item target sparclite @var{dev}
20684Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20685You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20686For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20687remote protocol.
20688
20689@end table
20690
20691@node Z8000
20692@subsection Zilog Z8000
20693
20694@cindex Z8000
20695@cindex simulator, Z8000
20696@cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20697
20698When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20699a Z8000 simulator.
20700
20701For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20702unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20703segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20704appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20705
20706@table @code
20707@item target sim @var{args}
20708@kindex sim
20709@kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20710Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20711options, specify them via @var{args}.
20712@end table
20713
20714@noindent
20715After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20716CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20717@code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20718to run your program, and so on.
20719
20720As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20721(@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20722additional items of information as specially named registers:
20723
20724@table @code
20725
20726@item cycles
20727Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20728
20729@item insts
20730Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20731
20732@item time
20733Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20734
20735@end table
20736
20737You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20738conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20739conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20740simulated clock ticks.
20741
20742@node AVR
20743@subsection Atmel AVR
20744@cindex AVR
20745
20746When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20747following AVR-specific commands:
20748
20749@table @code
20750@item info io_registers
20751@kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20752@cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20753This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20754each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20755@end table
20756
20757@node CRIS
20758@subsection CRIS
20759@cindex CRIS
20760
20761When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20762following CRIS-specific commands:
20763
20764@table @code
20765@item set cris-version @var{ver}
20766@cindex CRIS version
20767Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20768The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20769case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20770
20771@item show cris-version
20772Show the current CRIS version.
20773
20774@item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20775@cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20776Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20777Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20778@code{R59}.
20779
20780@item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20781Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20782
20783@item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20784@cindex CRIS mode
20785Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20786debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20787@samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20788
20789@item show cris-mode
20790Show the current CRIS mode.
20791@end table
20792
20793@node Super-H
20794@subsection Renesas Super-H
20795@cindex Super-H
20796
20797For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
20798commands:
20799
20800@table @code
20801@item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
20802@kindex set sh calling-convention
20803Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
20804Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
20805With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
20806convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
20807that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
20808is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
20809is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
20810regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
20811default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
20812does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
20813
20814@item show sh calling-convention
20815@kindex show sh calling-convention
20816Show the current calling convention setting.
20817
20818@end table
20819
20820
20821@node Architectures
20822@section Architectures
20823
20824This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
20825all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
20826
20827@menu
20828* AArch64::
20829* i386::
20830* Alpha::
20831* MIPS::
20832* HPPA:: HP PA architecture
20833* SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20834* PowerPC::
20835@end menu
20836
20837@node AArch64
20838@subsection AArch64
20839@cindex AArch64 support
20840
20841When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
20842following special commands:
20843
20844@table @code
20845@item set debug aarch64
20846@kindex set debug aarch64
20847This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
20848messages are to be displayed.
20849
20850@item show debug aarch64
20851Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
20852
20853@end table
20854
20855@node i386
20856@subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
20857
20858@table @code
20859@item set struct-convention @var{mode}
20860@kindex set struct-convention
20861@cindex struct return convention
20862@cindex struct/union returned in registers
20863Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
20864@code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
20865@var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
20866default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
20867are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
20868@code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
20869be returned in a register.
20870
20871@item show struct-convention
20872@kindex show struct-convention
20873Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
20874from functions.
20875@end table
20876
20877@node Alpha
20878@subsection Alpha
20879
20880See the following section.
20881
20882@node MIPS
20883@subsection @acronym{MIPS}
20884
20885@cindex stack on Alpha
20886@cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
20887@cindex Alpha stack
20888@cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
20889Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
20890sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
20891find the beginning of a function.
20892
20893@cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
20894To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
20895@value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
20896you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
20897commands:
20898
20899@table @code
20900@cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
20901@item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
20902Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
20903search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
20904default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
20905larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
20906and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
20907this command when debugging a stripped executable.
20908
20909@item show heuristic-fence-post
20910Display the current limit.
20911@end table
20912
20913@noindent
20914These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
20915for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
20916
20917Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
20918programs:
20919
20920@table @code
20921@item set mips abi @var{arg}
20922@kindex set mips abi
20923@cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
20924Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
20925values of @var{arg} are:
20926
20927@table @samp
20928@item auto
20929The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
20930default).
20931@item o32
20932@item o64
20933@item n32
20934@item n64
20935@item eabi32
20936@item eabi64
20937@end table
20938
20939@item show mips abi
20940@kindex show mips abi
20941Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20942
20943@item set mips compression @var{arg}
20944@kindex set mips compression
20945@cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
20946Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
20947@acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
20948inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
20949internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
20950when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
20951the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
20952Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
20953provided by the executable.
20954
20955Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
20956The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
20957executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
20958identified as such.
20959
20960This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
20961debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
20962implicitly from an executable.
20963
20964The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
20965identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
20966@acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
20967are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
20968compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
20969
20970@item show mips compression
20971@kindex show mips compression
20972Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
20973@value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20974
20975@item set mipsfpu
20976@itemx show mipsfpu
20977@xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
20978
20979@item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
20980@kindex set mips mask-address
20981@cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
20982This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
20983@acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
20984@samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
20985setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
20986
20987@item show mips mask-address
20988@kindex show mips mask-address
20989Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
20990not.
20991
20992@item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20993@kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20994This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
20995transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
20996that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
20997and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
20998
20999@item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21000@kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21001Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
21002
21003@item set debug mips
21004@kindex set debug mips
21005This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
21006target code in @value{GDBN}.
21007
21008@item show debug mips
21009@kindex show debug mips
21010Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
21011@end table
21012
21013
21014@node HPPA
21015@subsection HPPA
21016@cindex HPPA support
21017
21018When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
21019following special commands:
21020
21021@table @code
21022@item set debug hppa
21023@kindex set debug hppa
21024This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
21025messages are to be displayed.
21026
21027@item show debug hppa
21028Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
21029
21030@item maint print unwind @var{address}
21031@kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
21032This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
21033given @var{address}.
21034
21035@end table
21036
21037
21038@node SPU
21039@subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21040@cindex Cell Broadband Engine
21041@cindex SPU
21042
21043When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
21044it provides the following special commands:
21045
21046@table @code
21047@item info spu event
21048@kindex info spu
21049Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
21050and pending event status.
21051
21052@item info spu signal
21053Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
21054signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
21055notification channels.
21056
21057@item info spu mailbox
21058Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
21059in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
21060SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
21061
21062@item info spu dma
21063Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21064DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21065and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21066
21067@item info spu proxydma
21068Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21069Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21070and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21071
21072@end table
21073
21074When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
21075on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
21076special commands:
21077
21078@table @code
21079@item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
21080@kindex set spu
21081Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
21082will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
21083function. The default is @code{off}.
21084
21085@item show spu stop-on-load
21086@kindex show spu
21087Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
21088
21089@item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
21090Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
21091@code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
21092cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
21093view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
21094does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
21095
21096@item show spu auto-flush-cache
21097Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
21098
21099@end table
21100
21101@node PowerPC
21102@subsection PowerPC
21103@cindex PowerPC architecture
21104
21105When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
21106pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
21107numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
21108in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
21109@code{f0} or @code{f2}.
21110
21111The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
21112by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
21113@code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
21114
21115For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
21116wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
21117
21118
21119@node Controlling GDB
21120@chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
21121
21122You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
21123@code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
21124data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
21125described here.
21126
21127@menu
21128* Prompt:: Prompt
21129* Editing:: Command editing
21130* Command History:: Command history
21131* Screen Size:: Screen size
21132* Numbers:: Numbers
21133* ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
21134* Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
21135* Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
21136* Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
21137* Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
21138@end menu
21139
21140@node Prompt
21141@section Prompt
21142
21143@cindex prompt
21144
21145@value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
21146called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
21147can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
21148instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
21149the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
21150which one you are talking to.
21151
21152@emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
21153prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
21154or a prompt that does not.
21155
21156@table @code
21157@kindex set prompt
21158@item set prompt @var{newprompt}
21159Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
21160
21161@kindex show prompt
21162@item show prompt
21163Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
21164@end table
21165
21166Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
21167prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
21168are:
21169
21170@table @code
21171@kindex set extended-prompt
21172@item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
21173Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
21174@xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
21175substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
21176string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
21177is displayed.
21178
21179For example:
21180
21181@smallexample
21182set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
21183@end smallexample
21184
21185Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
21186@var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
21187
21188@kindex show extended-prompt
21189@item show extended-prompt
21190Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
21191the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
21192corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
21193@end table
21194
21195@node Editing
21196@section Command Editing
21197@cindex readline
21198@cindex command line editing
21199
21200@value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
21201@sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
21202command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
21203or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
21204substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
21205debugging sessions.
21206
21207You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
21208command @code{set}.
21209
21210@table @code
21211@kindex set editing
21212@cindex editing
21213@item set editing
21214@itemx set editing on
21215Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
21216
21217@item set editing off
21218Disable command line editing.
21219
21220@kindex show editing
21221@item show editing
21222Show whether command line editing is enabled.
21223@end table
21224
21225@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21226@xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
21227@end ifset
21228@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21229@xref{Command Line Editing},
21230@end ifclear
21231for more details about the Readline
21232interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
21233encouraged to read that chapter.
21234
21235@node Command History
21236@section Command History
21237@cindex command history
21238
21239@value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
21240debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
21241happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
21242history facility.
21243
21244@value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
21245package, to provide the history facility.
21246@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21247@xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
21248@end ifset
21249@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21250@xref{Using History Interactively},
21251@end ifclear
21252for the detailed description of the History library.
21253
21254To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
21255the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
21256(@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
21257means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
21258affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
21259pressed on a line by itself.
21260
21261@cindex @code{server}, command prefix
21262The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
21263history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
21264use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
21265
21266Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
21267history.
21268
21269@table @code
21270@cindex history substitution
21271@cindex history file
21272@kindex set history filename
21273@cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
21274@item set history filename @var{fname}
21275Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
21276This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
21277list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
21278exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
21279the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
21280to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
21281@file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
21282is not set.
21283
21284@cindex save command history
21285@kindex set history save
21286@item set history save
21287@itemx set history save on
21288Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
21289@code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
21290
21291@item set history save off
21292Stop recording command history in a file.
21293
21294@cindex history size
21295@kindex set history size
21296@cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
21297@item set history size @var{size}
21298@itemx set history size unlimited
21299Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
21300This defaults to the value of the environment variable
21301@code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set. If @var{size}
21302is @code{unlimited}, the number of commands @value{GDBN} keeps in the
21303history list is unlimited.
21304@end table
21305
21306History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
21307@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21308@xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
21309@end ifset
21310@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21311@xref{Event Designators},
21312@end ifclear
21313for more details.
21314
21315@cindex history expansion, turn on/off
21316Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
21317is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
21318@code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
21319follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
21320a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
21321history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
21322@kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
21323
21324The commands to control history expansion are:
21325
21326@table @code
21327@item set history expansion on
21328@itemx set history expansion
21329@kindex set history expansion
21330Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
21331
21332@item set history expansion off
21333Disable history expansion.
21334
21335@c @group
21336@kindex show history
21337@item show history
21338@itemx show history filename
21339@itemx show history save
21340@itemx show history size
21341@itemx show history expansion
21342These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
21343@code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
21344@c @end group
21345@end table
21346
21347@table @code
21348@kindex show commands
21349@cindex show last commands
21350@cindex display command history
21351@item show commands
21352Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21353
21354@item show commands @var{n}
21355Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21356
21357@item show commands +
21358Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21359@end table
21360
21361@node Screen Size
21362@section Screen Size
21363@cindex size of screen
21364@cindex pauses in output
21365
21366Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21367information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21368@value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21369output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21370to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21371determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21372printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21373rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21374
21375Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21376driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21377together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21378@code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21379you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21380width} commands:
21381
21382@table @code
21383@kindex set height
21384@kindex set width
21385@kindex show width
21386@kindex show height
21387@item set height @var{lpp}
21388@itemx set height unlimited
21389@itemx show height
21390@itemx set width @var{cpl}
21391@itemx set width unlimited
21392@itemx show width
21393These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21394a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21395commands display the current settings.
21396
21397If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
21398@value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
21399output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
21400buffer.
21401
21402Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
21403width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
21404
21405@item set pagination on
21406@itemx set pagination off
21407@kindex set pagination
21408Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21409pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
21410running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21411Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21412
21413@item show pagination
21414@kindex show pagination
21415Show the current pagination mode.
21416@end table
21417
21418@node Numbers
21419@section Numbers
21420@cindex number representation
21421@cindex entering numbers
21422
21423You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21424@value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21425@samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21426begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21427@samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
2142810; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21429format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21430both input and output with the commands described below.
21431
21432@table @code
21433@kindex set input-radix
21434@item set input-radix @var{base}
21435Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21436for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21437specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21438example, any of
21439
21440@smallexample
21441set input-radix 012
21442set input-radix 10.
21443set input-radix 0xa
21444@end smallexample
21445
21446@noindent
21447sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21448leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21449@samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21450interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21451@samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21452change the radix.
21453
21454@kindex set output-radix
21455@item set output-radix @var{base}
21456Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21457for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21458specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21459
21460@kindex show input-radix
21461@item show input-radix
21462Display the current default base for numeric input.
21463
21464@kindex show output-radix
21465@item show output-radix
21466Display the current default base for numeric display.
21467
21468@item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21469@itemx show radix
21470@kindex set radix
21471@kindex show radix
21472These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21473of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21474the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21475default value of 10.
21476
21477@end table
21478
21479@node ABI
21480@section Configuring the Current ABI
21481
21482@value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21483application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21484conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21485current ABI.
21486
21487@cindex OS ABI
21488@kindex set osabi
21489@kindex show osabi
21490@cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
21491
21492One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21493system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21494@value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21495but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21496One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21497an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21498not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21499platform provides.
21500
21501When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
21502``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
21503@code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
21504The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
21505
21506@table @code
21507@item show osabi
21508Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21509
21510@item set osabi
21511With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21512
21513@item set osabi @var{abi}
21514Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21515@end table
21516
21517@cindex float promotion
21518
21519Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21520function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21521(i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21522according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21523(i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21524@code{double} and then passed.
21525
21526Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21527a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21528as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21529
21530@table @code
21531@kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21532@item set coerce-float-to-double
21533@itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21534Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21535to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21536
21537@item set coerce-float-to-double off
21538Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21539functions.
21540
21541@kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21542@item show coerce-float-to-double
21543Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21544@end table
21545
21546@kindex set cp-abi
21547@kindex show cp-abi
21548@value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21549objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21550used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21551programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21552multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21553program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21554Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21555before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21556``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21557use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21558``auto''.
21559
21560@table @code
21561@item show cp-abi
21562Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21563
21564@item set cp-abi
21565With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21566
21567@item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21568@itemx set cp-abi auto
21569Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21570@end table
21571
21572@node Auto-loading
21573@section Automatically loading associated files
21574@cindex auto-loading
21575
21576@value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21577without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21578@dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21579@value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21580results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21581sources).
21582
21583Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21584file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21585(@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21586
21587For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21588control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21589
21590@table @code
21591@anchor{set auto-load off}
21592@kindex set auto-load off
21593@item set auto-load off
21594Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21595You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21596(@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21597@smallexample
21598$ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21599@end smallexample
21600
21601Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21602and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21603still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21604To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21605@option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21606@code{set auto-load no}.
21607
21608@anchor{show auto-load}
21609@kindex show auto-load
21610@item show auto-load
21611Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21612or disabled.
21613
21614@smallexample
21615(gdb) show auto-load
21616gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21617libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21618local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21619 is on.
21620python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21621safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21622 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21623scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21624 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21625@end smallexample
21626
21627@anchor{info auto-load}
21628@kindex info auto-load
21629@item info auto-load
21630Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21631not.
21632
21633@smallexample
21634(gdb) info auto-load
21635gdb-scripts:
21636Loaded Script
21637Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21638libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21639local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21640 loaded.
21641python-scripts:
21642Loaded Script
21643Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21644@end smallexample
21645@end table
21646
21647These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21648
21649@itemize @bullet
21650@item
21651@xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21652@item
21653@xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21654@item
21655@xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21656controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21657@item
21658@xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21659controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21660@item
21661@xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21662@end itemize
21663
21664These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21665
21666@multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21667@item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21668@tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21669@item @xref{show auto-load}.
21670@tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21671@item @xref{info auto-load}.
21672@tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21673@item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21674@tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21675@item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21676@tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21677@item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21678@tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21679@item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21680@tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21681@item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21682@tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21683@item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21684@tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21685@item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21686@tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21687@item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21688@tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21689@item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21690@tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21691@item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21692@tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21693@item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21694@tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21695@item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21696@tab Control for thread debugging library.
21697@item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21698@tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21699@item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21700@tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21701@item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21702@tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21703@item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21704@tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21705@item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21706@tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21707@end multitable
21708
21709@menu
21710* Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21711* libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21712* objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21713* Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21714* Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21715@xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21716@end menu
21717
21718@node Init File in the Current Directory
21719@subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21720@cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21721
21722By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21723from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21724see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21725
21726Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21727configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21728
21729@table @code
21730@anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21731@kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21732@item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21733Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21734(@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21735
21736@anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21737@kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21738@item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21739Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21740current directory is enabled or disabled.
21741
21742@anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21743@kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21744@item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21745Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21746current directory have been auto-loaded.
21747@end table
21748
21749@node libthread_db.so.1 file
21750@subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21751@cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21752
21753This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21754
21755@value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21756to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21757
21758The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21759without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21760libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21761@samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21762auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21763library.
21764
21765Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21766@code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21767
21768@table @code
21769@anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21770@kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21771@item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21772Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21773
21774@anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
21775@kindex show auto-load libthread-db
21776@item show auto-load libthread-db
21777Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
21778enabled or disabled.
21779
21780@anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
21781@kindex info auto-load libthread-db
21782@item info auto-load libthread-db
21783Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
21784for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
21785@end table
21786
21787@node objfile-gdb.gdb file
21788@subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
21789@cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
21790
21791@value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
21792canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
21793auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
21794
21795Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
21796@code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21797
21798For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
21799description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
21800
21801@table @code
21802@anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
21803@kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
21804@item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
21805Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
21806
21807@anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
21808@kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
21809@item show auto-load gdb-scripts
21810Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
21811disabled.
21812
21813@anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
21814@kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
21815@cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
21816@item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
21817Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
21818auto-loaded.
21819@end table
21820
21821If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
21822matching names are printed.
21823
21824@node Auto-loading safe path
21825@subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
21826@cindex auto-loading safe-path
21827
21828As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
21829an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
21830@value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
21831directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
21832Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
21833
21834If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
21835get loaded:
21836
21837@smallexample
21838$ ./gdb -q ./gdb
21839Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
21840warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
21841 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21842 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21843warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
21844 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21845 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21846@end smallexample
21847
21848@noindent
21849To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
21850invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
21851
21852@smallexample
21853$ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
21854@end smallexample
21855
21856The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
21857
21858@table @code
21859@anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
21860@kindex set auto-load safe-path
21861@item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
21862Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
21863loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
21864Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
21865directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
21866(@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
21867If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
21868its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
21869
21870The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
21871systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
21872to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
21873
21874@anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
21875@kindex show auto-load safe-path
21876@item show auto-load safe-path
21877Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
21878scripts.
21879
21880@anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
21881@kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
21882@item add-auto-load-safe-path
21883Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
21884loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
21885host platform path separator in use.
21886@end table
21887
21888This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
21889to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
21890substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21891The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
21892@value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
21893
21894Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
21895corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
21896@option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
21897This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
21898system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
21899their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
21900init file in the current directory
21901(@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
21902
21903To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
21904example, you could use one of the following ways:
21905
21906@table @asis
21907@item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
21908Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
21909You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
21910by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
21911
21912@item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
21913Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
21914@value{GDBN} session.
21915
21916@item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
21917Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21918This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
21919from trusted sources.
21920
21921@item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
21922During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
21923This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
21924trusted sources.
21925@end table
21926
21927On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
21928also suppresses any such warning messages:
21929
21930@table @asis
21931@item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
21932You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21933
21934@item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
21935Disable auto-loading globally for the user
21936(@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
21937use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
21938@end table
21939
21940This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
21941@value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
21942their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
21943entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
21944own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
21945recommended to be entered.
21946
21947@node Auto-loading verbose mode
21948@subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
21949@cindex auto-loading verbose mode
21950
21951For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
21952be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
21953execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
21954all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
21955be printed.
21956
21957For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21958(@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
21959may not be too obvious while setting it up.
21960
21961@smallexample
21962(gdb) set debug auto-load on
21963(gdb) file ~/src/t/true
21964auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
21965 for objfile "/tmp/true".
21966auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
21967auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
21968auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
21969warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
21970 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
21971@end smallexample
21972
21973@table @code
21974@anchor{set debug auto-load}
21975@kindex set debug auto-load
21976@item set debug auto-load [on|off]
21977Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
21978
21979@anchor{show debug auto-load}
21980@kindex show debug auto-load
21981@item show debug auto-load
21982Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
21983on or off.
21984@end table
21985
21986@node Messages/Warnings
21987@section Optional Warnings and Messages
21988
21989@cindex verbose operation
21990@cindex optional warnings
21991By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
21992running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
21993command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
21994internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
21995
21996Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
21997which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
21998see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21999
22000@table @code
22001@kindex set verbose
22002@item set verbose on
22003Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22004
22005@item set verbose off
22006Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22007
22008@kindex show verbose
22009@item show verbose
22010Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
22011@end table
22012
22013By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
22014object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
22015find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
22016Symbol Files}).
22017
22018@table @code
22019
22020@kindex set complaints
22021@item set complaints @var{limit}
22022Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
22023unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
22024@var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
22025to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
22026
22027@kindex show complaints
22028@item show complaints
22029Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
22030
22031@end table
22032
22033@anchor{confirmation requests}
22034By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
22035lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
22036you try to run a program which is already running:
22037
22038@smallexample
22039(@value{GDBP}) run
22040The program being debugged has been started already.
22041Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
22042@end smallexample
22043
22044If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
22045commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
22046
22047@table @code
22048
22049@kindex set confirm
22050@cindex flinching
22051@cindex confirmation
22052@cindex stupid questions
22053@item set confirm off
22054Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
22055the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
22056automatically disables confirmation requests.
22057
22058@item set confirm on
22059Enables confirmation requests (the default).
22060
22061@kindex show confirm
22062@item show confirm
22063Displays state of confirmation requests.
22064
22065@end table
22066
22067@cindex command tracing
22068If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
22069useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
22070printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
22071quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
22072
22073@table @code
22074@kindex set trace-commands
22075@cindex command scripts, debugging
22076@item set trace-commands on
22077Enable command tracing.
22078@item set trace-commands off
22079Disable command tracing.
22080@item show trace-commands
22081Display the current state of command tracing.
22082@end table
22083
22084@node Debugging Output
22085@section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
22086@cindex optional debugging messages
22087
22088@value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
22089various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
22090interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
22091section documents those commands.
22092
22093@table @code
22094@kindex set exec-done-display
22095@item set exec-done-display
22096Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
22097completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
22098asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
22099@kindex show exec-done-display
22100@item show exec-done-display
22101Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
22102notification.
22103@kindex set debug
22104@cindex ARM AArch64
22105@item set debug aarch64
22106Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
22107The default is off.
22108@kindex show debug
22109@item show debug aarch64
22110Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22111ARM AArch64.
22112@cindex gdbarch debugging info
22113@cindex architecture debugging info
22114@item set debug arch
22115Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
22116@item show debug arch
22117Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
22118@item set debug aix-thread
22119@cindex AIX threads
22120Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
22121module.
22122@item show debug aix-thread
22123Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
22124@item set debug check-physname
22125@cindex physname
22126Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
22127debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
22128each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
22129different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
22130When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
22131both ways and display any discrepancies.
22132@item show debug check-physname
22133Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
22134@item set debug coff-pe-read
22135@cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
22136Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
22137exported symbols. The default is off.
22138@item show debug coff-pe-read
22139Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22140reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22141@item set debug dwarf2-die
22142@cindex DWARF2 DIEs
22143Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
22144The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
22145A value of zero turns off the display.
22146@item show debug dwarf2-die
22147Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
22148@item set debug dwarf2-read
22149@cindex DWARF2 Reading
22150Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
22151DWARF debug info. The default is off.
22152@item show debug dwarf2-read
22153Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
22154@item set debug displaced
22155@cindex displaced stepping debugging info
22156Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
22157displaced stepping support. The default is off.
22158@item show debug displaced
22159Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
22160related to displaced stepping.
22161@item set debug event
22162@cindex event debugging info
22163Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
22164default is off.
22165@item show debug event
22166Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
22167info.
22168@item set debug expression
22169@cindex expression debugging info
22170Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
22171expression parsing. The default is off.
22172@item show debug expression
22173Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
22174@value{GDBN} expression parsing.
22175@item set debug frame
22176@cindex frame debugging info
22177Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
22178default is off.
22179@item show debug frame
22180Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
22181info.
22182@item set debug gnu-nat
22183@cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
22184Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
22185@item show debug gnu-nat
22186Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
22187@item set debug infrun
22188@cindex inferior debugging info
22189Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
22190The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
22191for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
22192@item show debug infrun
22193Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
22194@item set debug jit
22195@cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
22196Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
22197@item show debug jit
22198Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
22199@item set debug lin-lwp
22200@cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
22201@cindex Linux lightweight processes
22202Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
22203@item show debug lin-lwp
22204Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
22205@item set debug mach-o
22206@cindex Mach-O symbols processing
22207Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
22208processing. The default is off.
22209@item show debug mach-o
22210Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22211reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22212@item set debug notification
22213@cindex remote async notification debugging info
22214Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
22215The default is off.
22216@item show debug notification
22217Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
22218@item set debug observer
22219@cindex observer debugging info
22220Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
22221includes info such as the notification of observable events.
22222@item show debug observer
22223Displays the current state of observer debugging.
22224@item set debug overload
22225@cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
22226Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
22227info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
22228is off.
22229@item show debug overload
22230Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
22231debugging info.
22232@cindex expression parser, debugging info
22233@cindex debug expression parser
22234@item set debug parser
22235Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
22236Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
22237parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
22238details. The default is off.
22239@item show debug parser
22240Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
22241@cindex packets, reporting on stdout
22242@cindex serial connections, debugging
22243@cindex debug remote protocol
22244@cindex remote protocol debugging
22245@cindex display remote packets
22246@item set debug remote
22247Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
22248the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
22249@value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
22250@item show debug remote
22251Displays the state of display of remote packets.
22252@item set debug serial
22253Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
22254default is off.
22255@item show debug serial
22256Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
22257info.
22258@item set debug solib-frv
22259@cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
22260Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
22261@item show debug solib-frv
22262Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
22263messages.
22264@item set debug symtab-create
22265@cindex symbol table creation
22266Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
22267The default is off.
22268@item show debug symtab-create
22269Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
22270@item set debug target
22271@cindex target debugging info
22272Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
22273includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
22274default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
22275value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
22276until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
22277@item show debug target
22278Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
22279info.
22280@item set debug timestamp
22281@cindex timestampping debugging info
22282Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
22283When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
22284message.
22285@item show debug timestamp
22286Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
22287debugging info.
22288@item set debugvarobj
22289@cindex variable object debugging info
22290Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
22291info. The default is off.
22292@item show debugvarobj
22293Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
22294debugging info.
22295@item set debug xml
22296@cindex XML parser debugging
22297Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
22298@item show debug xml
22299Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
22300@end table
22301
22302@node Other Misc Settings
22303@section Other Miscellaneous Settings
22304@cindex miscellaneous settings
22305
22306@table @code
22307@kindex set interactive-mode
22308@item set interactive-mode
22309If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
22310in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
22311for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
22312the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
22313in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
22314If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
22315its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
22316is, non-interactively otherwise.
22317
22318In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
22319correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
22320in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
22321inside a cygwin window.
22322
22323@kindex show interactive-mode
22324@item show interactive-mode
22325Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
22326@end table
22327
22328@node Extending GDB
22329@chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
22330@cindex extending GDB
22331
22332@value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
22333on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
22334Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
22335existing commands.
22336
22337To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
22338of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
22339can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
22340the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
22341are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22342@xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
22343
22344You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
22345setting:
22346
22347@table @code
22348@kindex set script-extension
22349@kindex show script-extension
22350@item set script-extension off
22351All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22352
22353@item set script-extension soft
22354The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22355extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
22356evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
22357the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
22358
22359@item set script-extension strict
22360The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22361extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
22362language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
22363
22364@item show script-extension
22365Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
22366
22367@end table
22368
22369@menu
22370* Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
22371* Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22372* Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
22373@end menu
22374
22375@node Sequences
22376@section Canned Sequences of Commands
22377
22378Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
22379Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
22380commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
22381files.
22382
22383@menu
22384* Define:: How to define your own commands
22385* Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
22386* Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
22387* Output:: Commands for controlled output
22388@end menu
22389
22390@node Define
22391@subsection User-defined Commands
22392
22393@cindex user-defined command
22394@cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
22395A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
22396which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22397@code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22398separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22399via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22400
22401@smallexample
22402define adder
22403 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22404end
22405@end smallexample
22406
22407@noindent
22408To execute the command use:
22409
22410@smallexample
22411adder 1 2 3
22412@end smallexample
22413
22414@noindent
22415This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22416its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22417reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22418functions calls.
22419
22420@cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22421@cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22422In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22423been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22424
22425@smallexample
22426define adder
22427 if $argc == 2
22428 print $arg0 + $arg1
22429 end
22430 if $argc == 3
22431 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22432 end
22433end
22434@end smallexample
22435
22436@table @code
22437
22438@kindex define
22439@item define @var{commandname}
22440Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22441by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22442@var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22443numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22444prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22445a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22446
22447The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22448which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22449commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22450
22451@kindex document
22452@kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22453@item document @var{commandname}
22454Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22455accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22456defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22457reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22458After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22459@var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22460
22461You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22462documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22463does not change the documentation.
22464
22465@kindex dont-repeat
22466@cindex don't repeat command
22467@item dont-repeat
22468Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22469command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22470(@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22471
22472@kindex help user-defined
22473@item help user-defined
22474List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22475COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22476included (if any).
22477
22478@kindex show user
22479@item show user
22480@itemx show user @var{commandname}
22481Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22482not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22483definitions for all user-defined commands.
22484This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22485
22486@cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22487@kindex show max-user-call-depth
22488@kindex set max-user-call-depth
22489@item show max-user-call-depth
22490@itemx set max-user-call-depth
22491The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22492levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22493infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22494This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22495@end table
22496
22497In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22498use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22499
22500When user-defined commands are executed, the
22501commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22502stops execution of the user-defined command.
22503
22504If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22505without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22506commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22507messages when used in a user-defined command.
22508
22509@node Hooks
22510@subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22511@cindex command hooks
22512@cindex hooks, for commands
22513@cindex hooks, pre-command
22514
22515@kindex hook
22516You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22517command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22518command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22519before that command.
22520
22521@cindex hooks, post-command
22522@kindex hookpost
22523A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22524Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22525@samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22526that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22527pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22528
22529It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22530occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22531
22532@c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22533@c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22534
22535@kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22536In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22537(@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22538execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22539displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22540
22541For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22542single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22543you could define:
22544
22545@smallexample
22546define hook-stop
22547handle SIGALRM nopass
22548end
22549
22550define hook-run
22551handle SIGALRM pass
22552end
22553
22554define hook-continue
22555handle SIGALRM pass
22556end
22557@end smallexample
22558
22559As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22560command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22561you could define:
22562
22563@smallexample
22564define hook-echo
22565echo <<<---
22566end
22567
22568define hookpost-echo
22569echo --->>>\n
22570end
22571
22572(@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22573<<<---Hello World--->>>
22574(@value{GDBP})
22575
22576@end smallexample
22577
22578You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22579not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22580name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22581@c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22582@c or not?
22583You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22584@code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22585@samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22586
22587If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22588@value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22589(before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22590
22591If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22592get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22593
22594@node Command Files
22595@subsection Command Files
22596
22597@cindex command files
22598@cindex scripting commands
22599A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22600@value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22601also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22602does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22603terminal.
22604
22605You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22606command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22607scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22608using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22609@xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22610
22611@table @code
22612@kindex source
22613@cindex execute commands from a file
22614@item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22615Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22616@end table
22617
22618The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22619unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22620@emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22621printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22622execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22623
22624@value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22625If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22626directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22627(specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22628except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22629is not relevant to scripts.
22630
22631If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22632on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22633The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22634search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22635and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22636look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22637The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22638For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22639the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22640look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22641For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22642it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22643@file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22644will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22645
22646If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22647each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22648@var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22649
22650Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22651without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22652normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22653when called from command files.
22654
22655@value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22656mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22657standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22658not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22659the next command.
22660
22661@smallexample
22662gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22663@end smallexample
22664
22665(The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22666will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22667would be directed to @file{log}.
22668
22669Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22670commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22671complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22672variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22673built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22674deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22675complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22676conditionally, etc.
22677
22678@table @code
22679@kindex if
22680@kindex else
22681@item if
22682@itemx else
22683This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22684commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22685expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22686are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22687There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22688of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22689end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22690
22691@kindex while
22692@item while
22693This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22694@code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22695to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22696line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22697@dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22698executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22699
22700@kindex loop_break
22701@item loop_break
22702This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22703Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22704line.
22705
22706@kindex loop_continue
22707@item loop_continue
22708This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22709in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22710branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22711the controlling expression.
22712
22713@kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22714@item end
22715Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22716@code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22717@end table
22718
22719
22720@node Output
22721@subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22722
22723During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22724@value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22725explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22726describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22727want.
22728
22729@table @code
22730@kindex echo
22731@item echo @var{text}
22732@c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22733@c because it is not in ANSI.
22734Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22735@var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22736newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22737In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22738by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22739string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22740trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22741To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22742@samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22743
22744A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22745the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22746
22747@smallexample
22748echo This is some text\n\
22749which is continued\n\
22750onto several lines.\n
22751@end smallexample
22752
22753produces the same output as
22754
22755@smallexample
22756echo This is some text\n
22757echo which is continued\n
22758echo onto several lines.\n
22759@end smallexample
22760
22761@kindex output
22762@item output @var{expression}
22763Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22764newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22765value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22766on expressions.
22767
22768@item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
22769Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
22770the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
22771Formats}, for more information.
22772
22773@kindex printf
22774@item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22775Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22776the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
22777@var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
22778which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
22779specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
22780executing the code below:
22781
22782@smallexample
22783printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
22784@end smallexample
22785
22786As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
22787are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
22788by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
22789evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
22790style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
22791printed.
22792
22793For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
22794
22795@smallexample
22796printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
22797@end smallexample
22798
22799@code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
22800specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
22801character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
22802
22803@itemize @bullet
22804@item
22805The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
22806
22807@item
22808The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
22809width.
22810
22811@item
22812The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
22813@code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
22814
22815@item
22816The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
22817supported.
22818
22819@item
22820The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
22821
22822@item
22823The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
22824@end itemize
22825
22826@noindent
22827Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
22828underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
22829the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
22830supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
22831
22832As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
22833sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
22834@samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
22835single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
22836supported.
22837
22838Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
22839(@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
22840together with a floating point specifier.
22841letters:
22842
22843@itemize @bullet
22844@item
22845@samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
22846
22847@item
22848@samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
22849
22850@item
22851@samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
22852@end itemize
22853
22854If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
22855support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
22856such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
22857
22858In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
22859available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
22860
22861Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
22862@smallexample
22863printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
22864@end smallexample
22865
22866@kindex eval
22867@item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22868Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22869the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
22870
22871@end table
22872
22873@node Python
22874@section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22875@cindex python scripting
22876@cindex scripting with python
22877
22878You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
22879Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
22880@value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
22881
22882@cindex python directory
22883Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
22884@file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
22885the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
22886This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
22887is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
22888the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
22889
22890Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
22891are written in Python and are located in the
22892@file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
22893@file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
22894automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
22895
22896@menu
22897* Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
22898* Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
22899* Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
22900* Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
22901@end menu
22902
22903@node Python Commands
22904@subsection Python Commands
22905@cindex python commands
22906@cindex commands to access python
22907
22908@value{GDBN} provides two commands for accessing the Python interpreter,
22909and one related setting:
22910
22911@table @code
22912@kindex python-interactive
22913@kindex pi
22914@item python-interactive @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22915@itemx pi @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22916Without an argument, the @code{python-interactive} command can be used
22917to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to @value{GDBN},
22918type the @code{EOF} character (e.g., @kbd{Ctrl-D} on an empty prompt).
22919
22920Alternatively, a single-line Python command can be given as an
22921argument and evaluated. If the command is an expression, the result
22922will be printed; otherwise, nothing will be printed. For example:
22923
22924@smallexample
22925(@value{GDBP}) python-interactive 2 + 3
229265
22927@end smallexample
22928
22929@kindex python
22930@kindex py
22931@item python @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22932@itemx py @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22933The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
22934
22935If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
22936argument as a Python command. For example:
22937
22938@smallexample
22939(@value{GDBP}) python print 23
2294023
22941@end smallexample
22942
22943If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
22944multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
22945script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
22946@code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
22947containing @code{end}. For example:
22948
22949@smallexample
22950(@value{GDBP}) python
22951Type python script
22952End with a line saying just "end".
22953>print 23
22954>end
2295523
22956@end smallexample
22957
22958@kindex set python print-stack
22959@item set python print-stack
22960By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
22961Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
22962controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
22963full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
22964and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
22965the message component of the error is printed.
22966@end table
22967
22968It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
22969interpreter:
22970
22971@table @code
22972@item source @file{script-name}
22973The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
22974to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
22975the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
22976
22977@item python execfile ("script-name")
22978This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
22979and thus is always available.
22980@end table
22981
22982@node Python API
22983@subsection Python API
22984@cindex python api
22985@cindex programming in python
22986
22987You can get quick online help for @value{GDBN}'s Python API by issuing
22988the command @w{@kbd{python help (gdb)}}.
22989
22990Functions and methods which have two or more optional arguments allow
22991them to be specified using keyword syntax. This allows passing some
22992optional arguments while skipping others. Example:
22993@w{@code{gdb.some_function ('foo', bar = 1, baz = 2)}}.
22994
22995@menu
22996* Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
22997* Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
22998* Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
22999* Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
23000* Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
23001* Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
23002* Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
23003* Type Printing API:: Pretty-printing types.
23004* Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
23005* Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
23006* Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
23007* Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
23008* Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
23009* Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
23010* Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
23011* Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
23012* Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
23013* Blocks In Python:: Accessing blocks from Python.
23014* Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
23015* Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
23016* Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
23017* Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
23018 using Python.
23019* Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
23020* Architectures In Python:: Python representation of architectures.
23021@end menu
23022
23023@node Basic Python
23024@subsubsection Basic Python
23025
23026@cindex python stdout
23027@cindex python pagination
23028At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
23029@code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
23030A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
23031output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
23032situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
23033
23034Some care must be taken when writing Python code to run in
23035@value{GDBN}. Two things worth noting in particular:
23036
23037@itemize @bullet
23038@item
23039@value{GDBN} install handlers for @code{SIGCHLD} and @code{SIGINT}.
23040Python code must not override these, or even change the options using
23041@code{sigaction}. If your program changes the handling of these
23042signals, @value{GDBN} will most likely stop working correctly. Note
23043that it is unfortunately common for GUI toolkits to install a
23044@code{SIGCHLD} handler.
23045
23046@item
23047@value{GDBN} takes care to mark its internal file descriptors as
23048close-on-exec. However, this cannot be done in a thread-safe way on
23049all platforms. Your Python programs should be aware of this and
23050should both create new file descriptors with the close-on-exec flag
23051set and arrange to close unneeded file descriptors before starting a
23052child process.
23053@end itemize
23054
23055@cindex python functions
23056@cindex python module
23057@cindex gdb module
23058@value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
23059methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
23060@value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
23061use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
23062
23063@findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
23064@defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
23065A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
23066@end defvar
23067
23068@findex gdb.execute
23069@defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
23070Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
23071If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
23072translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
23073
23074@var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
23075command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
23076It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
23077
23078By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
23079@value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
23080@code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
23081returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
23082return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
23083@value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
23084and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
23085@end defun
23086
23087@findex gdb.breakpoints
23088@defun gdb.breakpoints ()
23089Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
23090@xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
23091@end defun
23092
23093@findex gdb.parameter
23094@defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
23095Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
23096string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
23097spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
23098@samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
23099
23100If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
23101@code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
23102parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
23103type, and returned.
23104@end defun
23105
23106@findex gdb.history
23107@defun gdb.history (number)
23108Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
23109History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
23110If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
23111and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
23112find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
23113return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
23114doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
23115raised.
23116
23117If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
23118@code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
23119@end defun
23120
23121@findex gdb.parse_and_eval
23122@defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
23123Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
23124evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23125@var{expression} must be a string.
23126
23127This function can be useful when implementing a new command
23128(@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
23129command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
23130compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
23131convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23132@end defun
23133
23134@findex gdb.find_pc_line
23135@defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
23136Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
23137@var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
23138value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
23139@code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
23140will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
23141@end defun
23142
23143@findex gdb.post_event
23144@defun gdb.post_event (event)
23145Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
23146@value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
23147some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
23148posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
23149were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
23150processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
23151
23152@value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
23153threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
23154functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
23155this. For example:
23156
23157@smallexample
23158(@value{GDBP}) python
23159>import threading
23160>
23161>class Writer():
23162> def __init__(self, message):
23163> self.message = message;
23164> def __call__(self):
23165> gdb.write(self.message)
23166>
23167>class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
23168> def run (self):
23169> gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
23170>
23171>class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
23172> def run (self):
23173> gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
23174>
23175>MyThread1().start()
23176>MyThread2().start()
23177>end
23178(@value{GDBP}) Hello World
23179@end smallexample
23180@end defun
23181
23182@findex gdb.write
23183@defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
23184Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
23185optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
23186stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
23187values are:
23188
23189@table @code
23190@findex STDOUT
23191@findex gdb.STDOUT
23192@item gdb.STDOUT
23193@value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23194
23195@findex STDERR
23196@findex gdb.STDERR
23197@item gdb.STDERR
23198@value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23199
23200@findex STDLOG
23201@findex gdb.STDLOG
23202@item gdb.STDLOG
23203@value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23204@end table
23205
23206Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23207call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
23208relevant stream.
23209@end defun
23210
23211@findex gdb.flush
23212@defun gdb.flush ()
23213Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
23214contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
23215contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
23216buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
23217default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
23218stream values are:
23219
23220@table @code
23221@findex STDOUT
23222@findex gdb.STDOUT
23223@item gdb.STDOUT
23224@value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23225
23226@findex STDERR
23227@findex gdb.STDERR
23228@item gdb.STDERR
23229@value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23230
23231@findex STDLOG
23232@findex gdb.STDLOG
23233@item gdb.STDLOG
23234@value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23235
23236@end table
23237
23238Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23239call this function for the relevant stream.
23240@end defun
23241
23242@findex gdb.target_charset
23243@defun gdb.target_charset ()
23244Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
23245Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
23246that @samp{auto} is never returned.
23247@end defun
23248
23249@findex gdb.target_wide_charset
23250@defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
23251Return the name of the current target wide character set
23252(@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
23253@code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
23254never returned.
23255@end defun
23256
23257@findex gdb.solib_name
23258@defun gdb.solib_name (address)
23259Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
23260as a string, or @code{None}.
23261@end defun
23262
23263@findex gdb.decode_line
23264@defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
23265Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
23266current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
23267tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
23268holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
23269the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
23270either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
23271that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
23272objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
23273provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
23274@code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
23275@end defun
23276
23277@defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
23278@anchor{prompt_hook}
23279
23280If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
23281assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
23282@value{GDBN}.
23283
23284The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
23285prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
23286a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
23287string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
23288the current prompt.
23289
23290Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
23291such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
23292related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
23293@end defun
23294
23295@node Exception Handling
23296@subsubsection Exception Handling
23297@cindex python exceptions
23298@cindex exceptions, python
23299
23300When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
23301uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
23302@value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
23303@code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
23304terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
23305exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
23306backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
23307
23308@smallexample
23309(@value{GDBP}) python print foo
23310Traceback (most recent call last):
23311 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
23312NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
23313@end smallexample
23314
23315@value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
23316Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
23317Python exception depends on the error.
23318
23319@ftable @code
23320@item gdb.error
23321This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
23322It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
23323versions of @value{GDBN}.
23324
23325If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
23326specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
23327
23328@item gdb.MemoryError
23329This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
23330operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
23331
23332@item KeyboardInterrupt
23333User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
23334prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
23335@end ftable
23336
23337In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
23338message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
23339statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
23340traceback.
23341
23342@findex gdb.GdbError
23343When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
23344it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
23345traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
23346command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
23347to handle this case. Example:
23348
23349@smallexample
23350(gdb) python
23351>class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
23352> """Greet the whole world."""
23353> def __init__ (self):
23354> super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
23355> def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
23356> argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
23357> if len (argv) != 0:
23358> raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
23359> print "Hello, World!"
23360>HelloWorld ()
23361>end
23362(gdb) hello-world 42
23363hello-world takes no arguments
23364@end smallexample
23365
23366@node Values From Inferior
23367@subsubsection Values From Inferior
23368@cindex values from inferior, with Python
23369@cindex python, working with values from inferior
23370
23371@cindex @code{gdb.Value}
23372@value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
23373an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
23374for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
23375fetching values when necessary.
23376
23377Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
23378Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
23379an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
23380
23381@smallexample
23382bar = some_val + 2
23383@end smallexample
23384
23385@noindent
23386As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
23387whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
23388
23389Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
23390be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
23391@code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
23392can access its @code{foo} element with:
23393
23394@smallexample
23395bar = some_val['foo']
23396@end smallexample
23397
23398Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
23399
23400A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
23401inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
23402the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
23403by that prototype.
23404
23405For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
23406representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
23407execute this function, call it like so:
23408
23409@smallexample
23410result = some_val (10,20)
23411@end smallexample
23412
23413Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
23414@code{gdb.Value}.
23415
23416The following attributes are provided:
23417
23418@defvar Value.address
23419If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
23420@code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
23421this attribute holds @code{None}.
23422@end defvar
23423
23424@cindex optimized out value in Python
23425@defvar Value.is_optimized_out
23426This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
23427this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
23428@end defvar
23429
23430@defvar Value.type
23431The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23432@code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23433@end defvar
23434
23435@defvar Value.dynamic_type
23436The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23437type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23438value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23439which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23440reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23441referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23442respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23443type.
23444
23445Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23446that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23447it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23448(@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23449@end defvar
23450
23451@defvar Value.is_lazy
23452The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23453@code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23454@value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23455For example:
23456
23457@smallexample
23458myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23459@end smallexample
23460
23461The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23462fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23463method is invoked.
23464@end defvar
23465
23466The following methods are provided:
23467
23468@defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23469Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23470this object initializer. Specifically:
23471
23472@table @asis
23473@item Python boolean
23474A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23475language.
23476
23477@item Python integer
23478A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23479current architecture.
23480
23481@item Python long
23482A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23483current architecture.
23484
23485@item Python float
23486A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23487current architecture.
23488
23489@item Python string
23490A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23491target encoding.
23492
23493@item @code{gdb.Value}
23494If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23495
23496@item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23497If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23498Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23499its result is used.
23500@end table
23501@end defun
23502
23503@defun Value.cast (type)
23504Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23505casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23506be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23507reason, this method throws an exception.
23508@end defun
23509
23510@defun Value.dereference ()
23511For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23512whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23513@code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23514
23515@smallexample
23516int *foo;
23517@end smallexample
23518
23519@noindent
23520then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23521@code{foo} points to like this:
23522
23523@smallexample
23524bar = foo.dereference ()
23525@end smallexample
23526
23527The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23528value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23529
23530A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23531returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23532by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23533values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23534differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23535behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23536unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23537reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23538as
23539
23540@smallexample
23541typedef int *intptr;
23542...
23543int val = 10;
23544intptr ptr = &val;
23545intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23546@end smallexample
23547
23548Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23549@code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23550to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23551corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23552@code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23553object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23554
23555@smallexample
23556py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23557py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23558py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23559@end smallexample
23560
23561The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23562corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23563corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23564be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23565to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23566@code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23567the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23568example). The results are however identical when applied on
23569@code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23570objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23571@end defun
23572
23573@defun Value.referenced_value ()
23574For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23575@code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23576pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23577@code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23578identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23579@code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23580values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23581in your C@t{++} program as
23582
23583@smallexample
23584int val = 10;
23585int &ref = val;
23586@end smallexample
23587
23588@noindent
23589then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23590corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23591@code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23592identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23593
23594@smallexample
23595py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23596er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23597py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23598@end smallexample
23599
23600The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23601corresponding to @code{val}.
23602@end defun
23603
23604@defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23605Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23606operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23607@end defun
23608
23609@defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23610Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23611operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23612@end defun
23613
23614@defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23615If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23616converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23617throw an exception.
23618
23619Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23620@code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23621language.
23622
23623For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23624array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23625by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23626argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23627ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23628
23629If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23630naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23631@code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23632the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23633@code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23634to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23635@var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23636(@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23637will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23638
23639The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23640argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23641
23642If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23643fetched and converted to the given length.
23644@end defun
23645
23646@defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23647If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23648converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23649In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23650
23651If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23652naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23653@samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23654@var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23655recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23656
23657When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23658used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23659@var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23660@value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23661the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23662please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23663
23664If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23665fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23666the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23667and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23668@end defun
23669
23670@defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23671If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23672(@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23673fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23674will produce a Python exception.
23675
23676If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23677has no effect.
23678
23679This method does not return a value.
23680@end defun
23681
23682
23683@node Types In Python
23684@subsubsection Types In Python
23685@cindex types in Python
23686@cindex Python, working with types
23687
23688@tindex gdb.Type
23689@value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23690@code{gdb.Type}.
23691
23692The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23693module:
23694
23695@findex gdb.lookup_type
23696@defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23697This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23698type to look up. It must be a string.
23699
23700If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23701Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23702
23703Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23704If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23705@end defun
23706
23707If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23708of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23709For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23710a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23711
23712@smallexample
23713bar = some_type['foo']
23714@end smallexample
23715
23716@code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23717description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23718@code{gdb.Field} class.
23719
23720An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23721
23722@defvar Type.code
23723The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23724@code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23725@end defvar
23726
23727@defvar Type.sizeof
23728The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23729target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23730unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23731@end defvar
23732
23733@defvar Type.tag
23734The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23735@code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23736languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23737@code{None} is returned.
23738@end defvar
23739
23740The following methods are provided:
23741
23742@defun Type.fields ()
23743For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23744types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23745have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23746field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23747represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23748into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23749
23750Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23751@table @code
23752@item bitpos
23753This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23754C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23755position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23756enumeration member's integer representation.
23757
23758@item name
23759The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23760
23761@item artificial
23762This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23763it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23764always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
23765
23766@item is_base_class
23767This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
23768structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
23769if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
23770@code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
23771
23772@item bitsize
23773If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
23774non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
23775this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
23776
23777@item type
23778The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
23779but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
23780@end table
23781@end defun
23782
23783@defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23784Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
23785type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23786the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23787given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
23788second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
23789must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23790@end defun
23791
23792@defun Type.vector (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23793Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a vector of this
23794type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23795the vector; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23796given, the first argument is the lower bound of the vector, and the
23797second argument is the upper bound of the vector. A vector's length
23798must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23799
23800The difference between an @code{array} and a @code{vector} is that
23801arrays behave like in C: when used in expressions they decay to a pointer
23802to the first element whereas vectors are treated as first class values.
23803@end defun
23804
23805@defun Type.const ()
23806Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23807@code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
23808@end defun
23809
23810@defun Type.volatile ()
23811Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23812@code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
23813@end defun
23814
23815@defun Type.unqualified ()
23816Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
23817variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
23818@code{volatile}.
23819@end defun
23820
23821@defun Type.range ()
23822Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
23823low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
23824the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
23825@code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23826@end defun
23827
23828@defun Type.reference ()
23829Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
23830type.
23831@end defun
23832
23833@defun Type.pointer ()
23834Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
23835type.
23836@end defun
23837
23838@defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
23839Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
23840after removing all layers of typedefs.
23841@end defun
23842
23843@defun Type.target ()
23844Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
23845of this type.
23846
23847For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
23848object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
23849the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
23850the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
23851the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
23852target type is the aliased type.
23853
23854If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
23855exception.
23856@end defun
23857
23858@defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
23859If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
23860return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
23861@var{n}th template argument.
23862
23863If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
23864exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
23865
23866If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23867Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23868@end defun
23869
23870
23871Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
23872into. The available type categories are represented by constants
23873defined in the @code{gdb} module:
23874
23875@table @code
23876@findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
23877@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23878@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23879The type is a pointer.
23880
23881@findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23882@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23883@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23884The type is an array.
23885
23886@findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23887@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23888@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23889The type is a structure.
23890
23891@findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
23892@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23893@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23894The type is a union.
23895
23896@findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23897@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23898@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23899The type is an enum.
23900
23901@findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23902@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23903@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23904A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
23905
23906@findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23907@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23908@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23909The type is a function.
23910
23911@findex TYPE_CODE_INT
23912@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23913@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23914The type is an integer type.
23915
23916@findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
23917@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23918@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23919A floating point type.
23920
23921@findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
23922@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23923@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23924The special type @code{void}.
23925
23926@findex TYPE_CODE_SET
23927@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23928@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23929A Pascal set type.
23930
23931@findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23932@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23933@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23934A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
23935
23936@findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
23937@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23938@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23939A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
23940language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
23941
23942@findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23943@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23944@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23945A string of bits. It is deprecated.
23946
23947@findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23948@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23949@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23950An unknown or erroneous type.
23951
23952@findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23953@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23954@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23955A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
23956
23957@findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23958@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23959@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23960A pointer-to-member-function.
23961
23962@findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23963@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23964@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23965A pointer-to-member.
23966
23967@findex TYPE_CODE_REF
23968@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23969@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23970A reference type.
23971
23972@findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23973@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23974@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23975A character type.
23976
23977@findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23978@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23979@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23980A boolean type.
23981
23982@findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23983@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23984@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23985A complex float type.
23986
23987@findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23988@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23989@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23990A typedef to some other type.
23991
23992@findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23993@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23994@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23995A C@t{++} namespace.
23996
23997@findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23998@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23999@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24000A decimal floating point type.
24001
24002@findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24003@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24004@item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24005A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
24006convenience functions.
24007@end table
24008
24009Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
24010Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
24011
24012@node Pretty Printing API
24013@subsubsection Pretty Printing API
24014
24015An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
24016
24017A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
24018specific interface, defined here.
24019
24020@defun pretty_printer.children (self)
24021@value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
24022children of the pretty-printer's value.
24023
24024This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
24025protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
24026two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
24027second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
24028object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
24029
24030This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
24031as though the value has no children.
24032@end defun
24033
24034@defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
24035The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
24036formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
24037consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
24038printed.
24039
24040This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
24041string.
24042
24043Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
24044
24045@table @samp
24046@item array
24047Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
24048uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
24049@code{set print array}.
24050
24051@item map
24052Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
24053children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
24054values.
24055
24056@item string
24057Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
24058printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
24059kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
24060string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
24061adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
24062@code{set print elements}, and the like.
24063@end table
24064@end defun
24065
24066@defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
24067@value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
24068representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
24069
24070When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
24071then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
24072@code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
24073the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
24074depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
24075print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
24076the result of @code{children}.
24077
24078If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
24079
24080Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
24081then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
24082another pretty-printer.
24083
24084If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
24085@code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
24086the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
24087pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
24088strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
24089
24090Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
24091are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
24092
24093If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
24094@end defun
24095
24096@value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
24097default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
24098
24099@findex gdb.default_visualizer
24100@defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
24101This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
24102pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
24103printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
24104@end defun
24105
24106@node Selecting Pretty-Printers
24107@subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
24108
24109The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
24110functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
24111as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
24112printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
24113Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
24114Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
24115attribute.
24116
24117Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
24118argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
24119interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
24120cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
24121@code{None}.
24122
24123@value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
24124@code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
24125each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
24126until it receives a pretty-printer object.
24127If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
24128searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
24129calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
24130After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
24131@code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
24132object is returned.
24133
24134The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
24135given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
24136and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
24137object is returned.
24138
24139For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
24140For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
24141the pretty-printer is out of date.
24142
24143The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
24144@value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
24145printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
24146a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
24147with a broken printer.
24148
24149Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
24150attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
24151is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
24152the printer is enabled.
24153
24154@node Writing a Pretty-Printer
24155@subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
24156@cindex writing a pretty-printer
24157
24158A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
24159if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
24160
24161Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
24162written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
24163must provide.
24164
24165@smallexample
24166class StdStringPrinter(object):
24167 "Print a std::string"
24168
24169 def __init__(self, val):
24170 self.val = val
24171
24172 def to_string(self):
24173 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
24174
24175 def display_hint(self):
24176 return 'string'
24177@end smallexample
24178
24179And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
24180example above might be written.
24181
24182@smallexample
24183def str_lookup_function(val):
24184 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
24185 if lookup_tag == None:
24186 return None
24187 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
24188 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
24189 return StdStringPrinter(val)
24190 return None
24191@end smallexample
24192
24193The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
24194match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
24195printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
24196returns @code{None}.
24197
24198We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
24199package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
24200further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
24201This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
24202your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
24203different names.
24204
24205You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
24206can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
24207ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
24208printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
24209the current objfile.
24210
24211Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
24212inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
24213Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
24214@value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
24215Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
24216because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
24217printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
24218printers for the specific version of the library used by each
24219inferior.
24220
24221To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
24222this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
24223
24224@smallexample
24225def register_printers(objfile):
24226 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
24227@end smallexample
24228
24229@noindent
24230And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
24231
24232@smallexample
24233import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
24234gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
24235@end smallexample
24236
24237The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
24238There are a few things that can be improved on.
24239The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
24240list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
24241lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
24242
24243Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
24244several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
24245in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
24246several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
24247If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
24248@dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
24249
24250The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
24251problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
24252Here is another example that handles multiple types.
24253
24254These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
24255
24256@smallexample
24257struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
24258struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
24259@end smallexample
24260
24261Here are the printers:
24262
24263@smallexample
24264class fooPrinter:
24265 """Print a foo object."""
24266
24267 def __init__(self, val):
24268 self.val = val
24269
24270 def to_string(self):
24271 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
24272 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
24273
24274class barPrinter:
24275 """Print a bar object."""
24276
24277 def __init__(self, val):
24278 self.val = val
24279
24280 def to_string(self):
24281 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
24282 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
24283@end smallexample
24284
24285This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
24286@code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
24287the object that handles the lookup.
24288
24289@smallexample
24290import gdb.printing
24291
24292def build_pretty_printer():
24293 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
24294 "my_library")
24295 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
24296 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
24297 return pp
24298@end smallexample
24299
24300And here is the autoload support:
24301
24302@smallexample
24303import gdb.printing
24304import my_library
24305gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
24306 gdb.current_objfile(),
24307 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
24308@end smallexample
24309
24310Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
24311corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
24312
24313@smallexample
24314(gdb) info pretty-printer
24315my_library.so:
24316 my_library
24317 foo
24318 bar
24319@end smallexample
24320
24321@node Type Printing API
24322@subsubsection Type Printing API
24323@cindex type printing API for Python
24324
24325@value{GDBN} provides a way for Python code to customize type display.
24326This is mainly useful for substituting canonical typedef names for
24327types.
24328
24329@cindex type printer
24330A @dfn{type printer} is just a Python object conforming to a certain
24331protocol. A simple base class implementing the protocol is provided;
24332see @ref{gdb.types}. A type printer must supply at least:
24333
24334@defivar type_printer enabled
24335A boolean which is True if the printer is enabled, and False
24336otherwise. This is manipulated by the @code{enable type-printer}
24337and @code{disable type-printer} commands.
24338@end defivar
24339
24340@defivar type_printer name
24341The name of the type printer. This must be a string. This is used by
24342the @code{enable type-printer} and @code{disable type-printer}
24343commands.
24344@end defivar
24345
24346@defmethod type_printer instantiate (self)
24347This is called by @value{GDBN} at the start of type-printing. It is
24348only called if the type printer is enabled. This method must return a
24349new object that supplies a @code{recognize} method, as described below.
24350@end defmethod
24351
24352
24353When displaying a type, say via the @code{ptype} command, @value{GDBN}
24354will compute a list of type recognizers. This is done by iterating
24355first over the per-objfile type printers (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}),
24356followed by the per-progspace type printers (@pxref{Progspaces In
24357Python}), and finally the global type printers.
24358
24359@value{GDBN} will call the @code{instantiate} method of each enabled
24360type printer. If this method returns @code{None}, then the result is
24361ignored; otherwise, it is appended to the list of recognizers.
24362
24363Then, when @value{GDBN} is going to display a type name, it iterates
24364over the list of recognizers. For each one, it calls the recognition
24365function, stopping if the function returns a non-@code{None} value.
24366The recognition function is defined as:
24367
24368@defmethod type_recognizer recognize (self, type)
24369If @var{type} is not recognized, return @code{None}. Otherwise,
24370return a string which is to be printed as the name of @var{type}.
24371@var{type} will be an instance of @code{gdb.Type} (@pxref{Types In
24372Python}).
24373@end defmethod
24374
24375@value{GDBN} uses this two-pass approach so that type printers can
24376efficiently cache information without holding on to it too long. For
24377example, it can be convenient to look up type information in a type
24378printer and hold it for a recognizer's lifetime; if a single pass were
24379done then type printers would have to make use of the event system in
24380order to avoid holding information that could become stale as the
24381inferior changed.
24382
24383@node Inferiors In Python
24384@subsubsection Inferiors In Python
24385@cindex inferiors in Python
24386
24387@findex gdb.Inferior
24388Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
24389(@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
24390information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
24391via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
24392
24393The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24394module:
24395
24396@defun gdb.inferiors ()
24397Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
24398@end defun
24399
24400@defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
24401Return an object representing the current inferior.
24402@end defun
24403
24404A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
24405
24406@defvar Inferior.num
24407ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
24408@end defvar
24409
24410@defvar Inferior.pid
24411Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
24412system.
24413@end defvar
24414
24415@defvar Inferior.was_attached
24416Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
24417started by @value{GDBN} itself.
24418@end defvar
24419
24420A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
24421
24422@defun Inferior.is_valid ()
24423Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
24424@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
24425if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
24426@code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
24427at the time the method is called.
24428@end defun
24429
24430@defun Inferior.threads ()
24431This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
24432when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
24433return an empty tuple.
24434@end defun
24435
24436@findex Inferior.read_memory
24437@defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
24438Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
24439@var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
24440or a string. It can be modified and given to the
24441@code{Inferior.write_memory} function. In @code{Python} 3, the return
24442value is a @code{memoryview} object.
24443@end defun
24444
24445@findex Inferior.write_memory
24446@defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
24447Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
24448@var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
24449which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
24450object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
24451determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
24452@end defun
24453
24454@findex gdb.search_memory
24455@defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
24456Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
24457the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
24458@var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
24459which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
24460object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
24461containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
24462the pattern could not be found.
24463@end defun
24464
24465@node Events In Python
24466@subsubsection Events In Python
24467@cindex inferior events in Python
24468
24469@value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
24470notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
24471the inferior.
24472
24473An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
24474type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
24475of the change. All the existing events are described below.
24476
24477In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
24478with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
24479@code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
24480provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
24481
24482@defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
24483Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
24484called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
24485@end defun
24486
24487@defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
24488Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
24489will no longer receive notifications of events.
24490@end defun
24491
24492Here is an example:
24493
24494@smallexample
24495def exit_handler (event):
24496 print "event type: exit"
24497 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
24498
24499gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
24500@end smallexample
24501
24502In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
24503registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
24504called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
24505of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
24506@code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
24507the inferior.
24508
24509The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
24510details of the events they emit:
24511
24512@table @code
24513
24514@item events.cont
24515Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24516
24517Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24518mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
24519@code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
24520events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
24521Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
24522@code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
24523
24524@defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
24525In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
24526involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
24527@end defvar
24528
24529Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24530
24531This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
24532inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
24533
24534@item events.exited
24535Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
24536@code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
24537@defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
24538An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
24539has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
24540@value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
24541the attribute does not exist.
24542@end defvar
24543@defvar ExitedEvent inferior
24544A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
24545@end defvar
24546
24547@item events.stop
24548Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24549
24550Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
24551extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
24552will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24553mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
24554
24555Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24556
24557This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
24558signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
24559
24560@defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
24561A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
24562signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
24563the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24564@end defvar
24565
24566Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24567
24568@code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
24569been hit, and has the following attributes:
24570
24571@defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
24572A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
24573@code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
24574@xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
24575@end defvar
24576@defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
24577A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
24578This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
24579in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
24580@end defvar
24581
24582@item events.new_objfile
24583Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
24584been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
24585
24586@defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
24587A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
24588@xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
24589@end defvar
24590
24591@end table
24592
24593@node Threads In Python
24594@subsubsection Threads In Python
24595@cindex threads in python
24596
24597@findex gdb.InferiorThread
24598Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
24599controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
24600
24601The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24602module:
24603
24604@findex gdb.selected_thread
24605@defun gdb.selected_thread ()
24606This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
24607is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
24608@end defun
24609
24610A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
24611
24612@defvar InferiorThread.name
24613The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
24614@code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
24615OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
24616returns @code{None}.
24617
24618This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
24619object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
24620user-specified thread name.
24621@end defvar
24622
24623@defvar InferiorThread.num
24624ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
24625@end defvar
24626
24627@defvar InferiorThread.ptid
24628ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
24629tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
24630is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
24631Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
24632does not use that identifier.
24633@end defvar
24634
24635A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
24636
24637@defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
24638Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
24639@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
24640invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
24641is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
24642exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24643@end defun
24644
24645@defun InferiorThread.switch ()
24646This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
24647by this object.
24648@end defun
24649
24650@defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
24651Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
24652@end defun
24653
24654@defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
24655Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
24656@end defun
24657
24658@defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
24659Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
24660@end defun
24661
24662@node Commands In Python
24663@subsubsection Commands In Python
24664
24665@cindex commands in python
24666@cindex python commands
24667You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
24668command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
24669class, most commonly using a subclass.
24670
24671@defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
24672The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
24673with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
24674subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24675
24676@var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
24677multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24678commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
24679an exception is raised.
24680
24681There is no support for multi-line commands.
24682
24683@var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24684defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
24685new command in the help system.
24686
24687@var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
24688one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
24689tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
24690given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
24691@code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
24692error will occur when completion is attempted.
24693
24694@var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
24695command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
24696registered.
24697
24698The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
24699documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
24700documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
24701not documented.'' is used.
24702@end defun
24703
24704@cindex don't repeat Python command
24705@defun Command.dont_repeat ()
24706By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
24707blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
24708behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
24709to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
24710@end defun
24711
24712@defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
24713This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
24714
24715@var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
24716leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
24717
24718@var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
24719command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
24720that the command came from elsewhere.
24721
24722If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
24723@code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
24724
24725@findex gdb.string_to_argv
24726To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
24727@code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
24728@value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
24729It is recommended to use this for consistency.
24730Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
24731Example:
24732
24733@smallexample
24734print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
24735['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
24736@end smallexample
24737
24738@end defun
24739
24740@cindex completion of Python commands
24741@defun Command.complete (text, word)
24742This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
24743completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
24744this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
24745(@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
24746complete}).
24747
24748The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
24749holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
24750@var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
24751using a word-breaking heuristic.
24752
24753The @code{complete} method can return several values:
24754@itemize @bullet
24755@item
24756If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
24757used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
24758contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
24759allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
24760string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
24761sequence are ignored.
24762
24763@item
24764If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
24765below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
24766function is invoked, and its result is used.
24767
24768@item
24769All other results are treated as though there were no available
24770completions.
24771@end itemize
24772@end defun
24773
24774When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
24775some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
24776commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
24777listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
24778command. The available classifications are represented by constants
24779defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24780
24781@table @code
24782@findex COMMAND_NONE
24783@findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24784@item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24785The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
24786this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
24787
24788@findex COMMAND_RUNNING
24789@findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24790@item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24791The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
24792@code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
24793Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24794commands in this category.
24795
24796@findex COMMAND_DATA
24797@findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24798@item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24799The command is related to data or variables. For example,
24800@code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
24801@kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
24802in this category.
24803
24804@findex COMMAND_STACK
24805@findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24806@item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24807The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
24808@code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
24809category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
24810list of commands in this category.
24811
24812@findex COMMAND_FILES
24813@findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24814@item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24815This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
24816@code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
24817Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24818commands in this category.
24819
24820@findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
24821@findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24822@item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24823This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
24824things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
24825but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
24826@code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
24827@kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24828commands in this category.
24829
24830@findex COMMAND_STATUS
24831@findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24832@item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24833The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
24834state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
24835and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
24836@value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
24837
24838@findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24839@findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24840@item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24841The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
24842@code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24843breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
24844this category.
24845
24846@findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24847@findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24848@item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24849The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
24850@code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
24851@kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24852commands in this category.
24853
24854@findex COMMAND_USER
24855@findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
24856@item gdb.COMMAND_USER
24857The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
24858does not fit in one of the other categories.
24859Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
24860a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
24861(@pxref{Sequences}).
24862
24863@findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
24864@findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24865@item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24866The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
24867general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
24868@code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24869obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
24870category.
24871
24872@findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24873@findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24874@item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24875The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
24876@code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
24877Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24878commands in this category.
24879@end table
24880
24881A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
24882specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
24883from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
24884constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24885
24886@table @code
24887@findex COMPLETE_NONE
24888@findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24889@item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24890This constant means that no completion should be done.
24891
24892@findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
24893@findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24894@item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24895This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
24896
24897@findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
24898@findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24899@item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24900This constant means that location completion should be done.
24901@xref{Specify Location}.
24902
24903@findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
24904@findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24905@item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24906This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
24907command names.
24908
24909@findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24910@findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24911@item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24912This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
24913as the source.
24914@end table
24915
24916The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
24917implemented in Python:
24918
24919@smallexample
24920class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
24921 """Greet the whole world."""
24922
24923 def __init__ (self):
24924 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
24925
24926 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
24927 print "Hello, World!"
24928
24929HelloWorld ()
24930@end smallexample
24931
24932The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24933registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24934Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24935@code{gdb} module explicitly.
24936
24937@node Parameters In Python
24938@subsubsection Parameters In Python
24939
24940@cindex parameters in python
24941@cindex python parameters
24942@tindex gdb.Parameter
24943@tindex Parameter
24944You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
24945parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
24946class.
24947
24948Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
24949@code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
24950
24951There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
24952@value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
24953@code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
24954behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
24955can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
24956
24957@defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
24958The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
24959parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
24960from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24961
24962@var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
24963of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24964parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
24965@code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
24966@code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
24967parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
24968@value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
24969
24970If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
24971can be found, an exception is raised.
24972
24973@var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24974(@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
24975categorize the new parameter in the help system.
24976
24977@var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
24978defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
24979parameter; this information is used for input validation and
24980completion.
24981
24982If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
24983@var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
24984represent the possible values for the parameter.
24985
24986If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
24987of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
24988
24989The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
24990documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
24991there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
24992@end defun
24993
24994@defvar Parameter.set_doc
24995If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24996the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
24997examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24998have no effect.
24999@end defvar
25000
25001@defvar Parameter.show_doc
25002If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
25003the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
25004examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
25005have no effect.
25006@end defvar
25007
25008@defvar Parameter.value
25009The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
25010parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
25011attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
25012@end defvar
25013
25014There are two methods that should be implemented in any
25015@code{Parameter} class. These are:
25016
25017@defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
25018@value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
25019been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
25020The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
25021value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
25022@end defun
25023
25024@defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
25025@value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
25026@code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
25027argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
25028current value. This method must return a string.
25029@end defun
25030
25031When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
25032available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25033module:
25034
25035@table @code
25036@findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
25037@findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25038@item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25039The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
25040and @code{False} are the only valid values.
25041
25042@findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25043@findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25044@item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25045The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
25046Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
25047@samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
25048
25049@findex PARAM_UINTEGER
25050@findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25051@item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25052The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
25053interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
25054
25055@findex PARAM_INTEGER
25056@findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25057@item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25058The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
25059to mean ``unlimited''.
25060
25061@findex PARAM_STRING
25062@findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
25063@item gdb.PARAM_STRING
25064The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
25065sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
25066translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
25067host charset.
25068
25069@findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25070@findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25071@item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25072The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
25073passed through untranslated.
25074
25075@findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25076@findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25077@item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25078The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
25079
25080@findex PARAM_FILENAME
25081@findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25082@item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25083The value is a filename. This is just like
25084@code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
25085
25086@findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
25087@findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25088@item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25089The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
25090is interpreted as itself.
25091
25092@findex PARAM_ENUM
25093@findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25094@item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25095The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
25096constants provided when the parameter is created.
25097@end table
25098
25099@node Functions In Python
25100@subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
25101
25102@cindex writing convenience functions
25103@cindex convenience functions in python
25104@cindex python convenience functions
25105@tindex gdb.Function
25106@tindex Function
25107You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
25108in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
25109class @code{gdb.Function}.
25110
25111@defun Function.__init__ (name)
25112The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
25113@value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
25114a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
25115variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
25116the given @var{name}.
25117
25118The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
25119string for the new class.
25120@end defun
25121
25122@defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
25123When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
25124to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
25125@code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
25126predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
25127available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
25128standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
25129function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
25130
25131The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
25132expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
25133to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
25134@end defun
25135
25136The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
25137be implemented in Python:
25138
25139@smallexample
25140class Greet (gdb.Function):
25141 """Return string to greet someone.
25142Takes a name as argument."""
25143
25144 def __init__ (self):
25145 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
25146
25147 def invoke (self, name):
25148 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
25149
25150Greet ()
25151@end smallexample
25152
25153The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
25154registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
25155Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
25156@code{gdb} module explicitly.
25157
25158Now you can use the function in an expression:
25159
25160@smallexample
25161(gdb) print $greet("Bob")
25162$1 = "Hello, Bob!"
25163@end smallexample
25164
25165@node Progspaces In Python
25166@subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
25167
25168@cindex progspaces in python
25169@tindex gdb.Progspace
25170@tindex Progspace
25171A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
25172of an address space.
25173It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
25174@xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25175@xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
25176about program spaces.
25177
25178The following progspace-related functions are available in the
25179@code{gdb} module:
25180
25181@findex gdb.current_progspace
25182@defun gdb.current_progspace ()
25183This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
25184@xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
25185@end defun
25186
25187@findex gdb.progspaces
25188@defun gdb.progspaces ()
25189Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
25190@end defun
25191
25192Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
25193class.
25194
25195@defvar Progspace.filename
25196The file name of the progspace as a string.
25197@end defvar
25198
25199@defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
25200The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
25201used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
25202function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
25203search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
25204which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
25205information.
25206@end defvar
25207
25208@defvar Progspace.type_printers
25209The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
25210@xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
25211@end defvar
25212
25213@node Objfiles In Python
25214@subsubsection Objfiles In Python
25215
25216@cindex objfiles in python
25217@tindex gdb.Objfile
25218@tindex Objfile
25219@value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
25220symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
25221executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
25222separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
25223@value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
25224
25225The following objfile-related functions are available in the
25226@code{gdb} module:
25227
25228@findex gdb.current_objfile
25229@defun gdb.current_objfile ()
25230When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
25231sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
25232function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
25233this function returns @code{None}.
25234@end defun
25235
25236@findex gdb.objfiles
25237@defun gdb.objfiles ()
25238Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
25239@xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25240@end defun
25241
25242Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
25243class.
25244
25245@defvar Objfile.filename
25246The file name of the objfile as a string.
25247@end defvar
25248
25249@defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
25250The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
25251used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
25252function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
25253search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
25254which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
25255information.
25256@end defvar
25257
25258@defvar Objfile.type_printers
25259The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
25260@xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
25261@end defvar
25262
25263A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
25264
25265@defun Objfile.is_valid ()
25266Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
25267@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
25268if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
25269longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
25270if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25271@end defun
25272
25273@node Frames In Python
25274@subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
25275
25276@cindex frames in python
25277When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
25278stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
25279represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
25280while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
25281to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
25282exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
25283
25284Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
25285operator, like:
25286
25287@smallexample
25288(@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
25289True
25290@end smallexample
25291
25292The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
25293
25294@findex gdb.selected_frame
25295@defun gdb.selected_frame ()
25296Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
25297@end defun
25298
25299@findex gdb.newest_frame
25300@defun gdb.newest_frame ()
25301Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
25302@end defun
25303
25304@defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
25305Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
25306frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
25307@code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
25308@end defun
25309
25310A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
25311
25312@defun Frame.is_valid ()
25313Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
25314A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
25315exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
25316an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25317@end defun
25318
25319@defun Frame.name ()
25320Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
25321obtained.
25322@end defun
25323
25324@defun Frame.architecture ()
25325Returns the @code{gdb.Architecture} object corresponding to the frame's
25326architecture. @xref{Architectures In Python}.
25327@end defun
25328
25329@defun Frame.type ()
25330Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
25331@table @code
25332@item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
25333An ordinary stack frame.
25334
25335@item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
25336A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
25337inferior function call.
25338
25339@item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
25340A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
25341into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
25342
25343@item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
25344A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
25345
25346@item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
25347A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
25348it calls into a signal handler.
25349
25350@item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
25351A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
25352
25353@item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
25354This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
25355newest frame.
25356@end table
25357@end defun
25358
25359@defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
25360Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
25361more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
25362@code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
25363function to a string. The value can be one of:
25364
25365@table @code
25366@item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
25367No particular reason (older frames should be available).
25368
25369@item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
25370The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
25371
25372@item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
25373This frame is the outermost.
25374
25375@item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
25376Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
25377values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
25378
25379@item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
25380This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
25381but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
25382unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
25383
25384@item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
25385This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
25386that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
25387frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
25388this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
25389stack corruption.
25390
25391@item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
25392The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
25393one to unwind further.
25394
25395@item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
25396Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
25397of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
25398for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
25399the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
25400versions. Using it, you could write:
25401@smallexample
25402reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
25403reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
25404if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
25405 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
25406@end smallexample
25407@end table
25408
25409@end defun
25410
25411@defun Frame.pc ()
25412Returns the frame's resume address.
25413@end defun
25414
25415@defun Frame.block ()
25416Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25417@end defun
25418
25419@defun Frame.function ()
25420Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
25421@xref{Symbols In Python}.
25422@end defun
25423
25424@defun Frame.older ()
25425Return the frame that called this frame.
25426@end defun
25427
25428@defun Frame.newer ()
25429Return the frame called by this frame.
25430@end defun
25431
25432@defun Frame.find_sal ()
25433Return the frame's symtab and line object.
25434@xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
25435@end defun
25436
25437@defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
25438Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
25439argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
25440block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
25441determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
25442must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
25443@code{gdb.Block} object.
25444@end defun
25445
25446@defun Frame.select ()
25447Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
25448Stack}.
25449@end defun
25450
25451@node Blocks In Python
25452@subsubsection Accessing blocks from Python.
25453
25454@cindex blocks in python
25455@tindex gdb.Block
25456
25457In @value{GDBN}, symbols are stored in blocks. A block corresponds
25458roughly to a scope in the source code. Blocks are organized
25459hierarchically, and are represented individually in Python as a
25460@code{gdb.Block}. Blocks rely on debugging information being
25461available.
25462
25463A frame has a block. Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more
25464in-depth discussion of frames.
25465
25466The outermost block is known as the @dfn{global block}. The global
25467block typically holds public global variables and functions.
25468
25469The block nested just inside the global block is the @dfn{static
25470block}. The static block typically holds file-scoped variables and
25471functions.
25472
25473@value{GDBN} provides a method to get a block's superblock, but there
25474is currently no way to examine the sub-blocks of a block, or to
25475iterate over all the blocks in a symbol table (@pxref{Symbol Tables In
25476Python}).
25477
25478Here is a short example that should help explain blocks:
25479
25480@smallexample
25481/* This is in the global block. */
25482int global;
25483
25484/* This is in the static block. */
25485static int file_scope;
25486
25487/* 'function' is in the global block, and 'argument' is
25488 in a block nested inside of 'function'. */
25489int function (int argument)
25490@{
25491 /* 'local' is in a block inside 'function'. It may or may
25492 not be in the same block as 'argument'. */
25493 int local;
25494
25495 @{
25496 /* 'inner' is in a block whose superblock is the one holding
25497 'local'. */
25498 int inner;
25499
25500 /* If this call is expanded by the compiler, you may see
25501 a nested block here whose function is 'inline_function'
25502 and whose superblock is the one holding 'inner'. */
25503 inline_function ();
25504 @}
25505@}
25506@end smallexample
25507
25508A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
25509(@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
25510should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
25511given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
25512infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
25513table.
25514
25515The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25516module:
25517
25518@findex gdb.block_for_pc
25519@defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
25520Return the innermost @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc}
25521value. If the block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified,
25522the function will return @code{None}.
25523@end defun
25524
25525A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
25526
25527@defun Block.is_valid ()
25528Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
25529@code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
25530refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
25531@code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
25532the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
25533during iteration over symbols of the block.
25534@end defun
25535
25536A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
25537
25538@defvar Block.start
25539The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25540@end defvar
25541
25542@defvar Block.end
25543The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25544@end defvar
25545
25546@defvar Block.function
25547The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
25548block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
25549attribute is not writable.
25550
25551For ordinary function blocks, the superblock is the static block.
25552However, you should note that it is possible for a function block to
25553have a superblock that is not the static block -- for instance this
25554happens for an inlined function.
25555@end defvar
25556
25557@defvar Block.superblock
25558The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
25559this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25560@end defvar
25561
25562@defvar Block.global_block
25563The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25564writable.
25565@end defvar
25566
25567@defvar Block.static_block
25568The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25569writable.
25570@end defvar
25571
25572@defvar Block.is_global
25573@code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
25574@code{False} if not. This attribute is not
25575writable.
25576@end defvar
25577
25578@defvar Block.is_static
25579@code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
25580@code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
25581@end defvar
25582
25583@node Symbols In Python
25584@subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
25585
25586@cindex symbols in python
25587@tindex gdb.Symbol
25588
25589@value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
25590entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
25591Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
25592@code{gdb.Symbol} object.
25593
25594The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25595module:
25596
25597@findex gdb.lookup_symbol
25598@defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
25599This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
25600restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
25601arguments.
25602
25603@var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
25604optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
25605in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
25606@code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
25607is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
25608the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
25609domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
25610in this chapter.
25611
25612The result is a tuple of two elements.
25613The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25614is not found.
25615If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
25616is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
25617otherwise it is @code{False}.
25618If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
25619@end defun
25620
25621@findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
25622@defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
25623This function searches for a global symbol by name.
25624The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
25625
25626@var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
25627The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
25628The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
25629module and described later in this chapter.
25630
25631The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25632is not found.
25633@end defun
25634
25635A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
25636
25637@defvar Symbol.type
25638The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
25639This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
25640@xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25641@end defvar
25642
25643@defvar Symbol.symtab
25644The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
25645represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
25646Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25647@end defvar
25648
25649@defvar Symbol.line
25650The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
25651This is an integer.
25652@end defvar
25653
25654@defvar Symbol.name
25655The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
25656@end defvar
25657
25658@defvar Symbol.linkage_name
25659The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
25660This attribute is not writable.
25661@end defvar
25662
25663@defvar Symbol.print_name
25664The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
25665@code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
25666asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
25667@end defvar
25668
25669@defvar Symbol.addr_class
25670The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
25671of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
25672@code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
25673@end defvar
25674
25675@defvar Symbol.needs_frame
25676This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
25677(@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
25678local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
25679@end defvar
25680
25681@defvar Symbol.is_argument
25682@code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
25683@end defvar
25684
25685@defvar Symbol.is_constant
25686@code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
25687@end defvar
25688
25689@defvar Symbol.is_function
25690@code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
25691@end defvar
25692
25693@defvar Symbol.is_variable
25694@code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
25695@end defvar
25696
25697A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
25698
25699@defun Symbol.is_valid ()
25700Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
25701@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
25702the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
25703All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
25704invalid at the time the method is called.
25705@end defun
25706
25707@defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
25708Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
25709functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
25710appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
25711its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
25712given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
25713exception.
25714@end defun
25715
25716The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25717as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25718
25719@table @code
25720@findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25721@findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25722@item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25723This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
25724following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
25725in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25726@findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25727@findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25728@item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25729This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
25730type values.
25731@findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25732@findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25733@item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25734This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
25735@findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25736@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25737@item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25738This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
25739@findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25740@findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25741@item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25742This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
25743contains everything minus functions and types.
25744@findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25745@findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25746@item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
25747This domain contains all functions.
25748@findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25749@findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25750@item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25751This domain contains all types.
25752@end table
25753
25754The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25755as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25756
25757@table @code
25758@findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25759@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25760@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25761If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
25762the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25763@findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25764@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25765@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25766Value is constant int.
25767@findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25768@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25769@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25770Value is at a fixed address.
25771@findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25772@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25773@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25774Value is in a register.
25775@findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25776@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25777@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25778Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
25779symbol inside the frame's argument list.
25780@findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25781@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25782@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25783Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
25784@code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
25785offset, not the value itself.
25786@findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25787@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25788@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25789Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
25790the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
25791itself.
25792@findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25793@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25794@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25795Value is a local variable.
25796@findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25797@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25798@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25799Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
25800have this class.
25801@findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25802@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25803@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25804Value is a block.
25805@findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25806@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25807@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25808Value is a byte-sequence.
25809@findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25810@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25811@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25812Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
25813determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
25814referenced.
25815@findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25816@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25817@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25818The value does not actually exist in the program.
25819@findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25820@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25821@item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25822The value's address is a computed location.
25823@end table
25824
25825@node Symbol Tables In Python
25826@subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
25827
25828@cindex symbol tables in python
25829@tindex gdb.Symtab
25830@tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
25831
25832Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
25833is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
25834@code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
25835from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
25836@xref{Frames In Python}.
25837
25838For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
25839@ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
25840
25841A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
25842
25843@defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
25844The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
25845This attribute is not writable.
25846@end defvar
25847
25848@defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
25849Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
25850current source line. This attribute is not writable.
25851@end defvar
25852
25853@defvar Symtab_and_line.last
25854Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
25855source line. This attribute is not writable.
25856@end defvar
25857
25858@defvar Symtab_and_line.line
25859Indicates the current line number for this object. This
25860attribute is not writable.
25861@end defvar
25862
25863A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
25864
25865@defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
25866Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
25867@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
25868invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
25869exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
25870@code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
25871invalid at the time the method is called.
25872@end defun
25873
25874A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
25875
25876@defvar Symtab.filename
25877The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
25878@end defvar
25879
25880@defvar Symtab.objfile
25881The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25882This attribute is not writable.
25883@end defvar
25884
25885A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
25886
25887@defun Symtab.is_valid ()
25888Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
25889@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
25890the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
25891longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
25892if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25893@end defun
25894
25895@defun Symtab.fullname ()
25896Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
25897@end defun
25898
25899@defun Symtab.global_block ()
25900Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
25901@xref{Blocks In Python}.
25902@end defun
25903
25904@defun Symtab.static_block ()
25905Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
25906@xref{Blocks In Python}.
25907@end defun
25908
25909@node Breakpoints In Python
25910@subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
25911
25912@cindex breakpoints in python
25913@tindex gdb.Breakpoint
25914
25915Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
25916class.
25917
25918@defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
25919Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
25920location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
25921watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
25922@code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
25923command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
25924from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
25925either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
25926defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
25927allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
25928will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
25929output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
25930@code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
25931argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
25932@code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
25933assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
25934@end defun
25935
25936@defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
25937The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
25938particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
25939If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
25940it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
25941breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
25942@code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
25943breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
25944
25945If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
25946@code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
25947return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
25948methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
25949if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
25950@code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
25951
25952You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
25953next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
25954active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
25955rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
25956at this time.
25957
25958Example @code{stop} implementation:
25959
25960@smallexample
25961class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
25962 def stop (self):
25963 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
25964 if inf_val == 3:
25965 return True
25966 return False
25967@end smallexample
25968@end defun
25969
25970The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
25971@code{gdb} module:
25972
25973@table @code
25974@findex WP_READ
25975@findex gdb.WP_READ
25976@item gdb.WP_READ
25977Read only watchpoint.
25978
25979@findex WP_WRITE
25980@findex gdb.WP_WRITE
25981@item gdb.WP_WRITE
25982Write only watchpoint.
25983
25984@findex WP_ACCESS
25985@findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
25986@item gdb.WP_ACCESS
25987Read/Write watchpoint.
25988@end table
25989
25990@defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
25991Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
25992@code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
25993if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
25994exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
25995watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
25996inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
25997@end defun
25998
25999@defun Breakpoint.delete
26000Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
26001invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
26002to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
26003@end defun
26004
26005@defvar Breakpoint.enabled
26006This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
26007@code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
26008@end defvar
26009
26010@defvar Breakpoint.silent
26011This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
26012@code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
26013
26014Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
26015first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
26016@code{silent} attribute.
26017@end defvar
26018
26019@defvar Breakpoint.thread
26020If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
26021id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
26022@code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26023@end defvar
26024
26025@defvar Breakpoint.task
26026If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
26027id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
26028language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
26029is writable.
26030@end defvar
26031
26032@defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
26033This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26034This attribute is writable.
26035@end defvar
26036
26037@defvar Breakpoint.number
26038This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
26039the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
26040@end defvar
26041
26042@defvar Breakpoint.type
26043This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
26044determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
26045writable.
26046@end defvar
26047
26048@defvar Breakpoint.visible
26049This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
26050when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
26051attribute is not writable.
26052@end defvar
26053
26054The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
26055module:
26056
26057@table @code
26058@findex BP_BREAKPOINT
26059@findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
26060@item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
26061Normal code breakpoint.
26062
26063@findex BP_WATCHPOINT
26064@findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
26065@item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
26066Watchpoint breakpoint.
26067
26068@findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26069@findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26070@item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26071Hardware assisted watchpoint.
26072
26073@findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26074@findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26075@item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26076Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
26077
26078@findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26079@findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26080@item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26081Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
26082@end table
26083
26084@defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
26085This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26086This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
26087@end defvar
26088
26089@defvar Breakpoint.location
26090This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
26091the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
26092(that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
26093attribute is not writable.
26094@end defvar
26095
26096@defvar Breakpoint.expression
26097This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
26098the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
26099expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
26100is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26101@end defvar
26102
26103@defvar Breakpoint.condition
26104This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
26105the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
26106value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26107@end defvar
26108
26109@defvar Breakpoint.commands
26110This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
26111there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
26112commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
26113attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26114@end defvar
26115
26116@node Finish Breakpoints in Python
26117@subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
26118
26119@cindex python finish breakpoints
26120@tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
26121
26122A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
26123a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
26124extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
26125and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
26126@code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
26127Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
26128thread selected.
26129
26130@defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
26131Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
26132object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
26133newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
26134become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
26135details about this argument.
26136@end defun
26137
26138@defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
26139In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
26140@code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
26141thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
26142situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
26143
26144You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
26145method:
26146
26147@smallexample
26148class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
26149 def stop (self):
26150 print "normal finish"
26151 return True
26152
26153 def out_of_scope ():
26154 print "abnormal finish"
26155@end smallexample
26156@end defun
26157
26158@defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
26159When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
26160used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
26161attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
26162value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
26163type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
26164is not writable.
26165@end defvar
26166
26167@node Lazy Strings In Python
26168@subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
26169
26170@cindex lazy strings in python
26171@tindex gdb.LazyString
26172
26173A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
26174encoded until it is needed.
26175
26176A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
26177@code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
26178that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
26179to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
26180difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
26181a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
26182differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
26183retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
26184wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
26185
26186A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
26187
26188@defun LazyString.value ()
26189Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
26190will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
26191retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
26192@code{gdb.LazyString}.
26193@end defun
26194
26195@defvar LazyString.address
26196This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
26197writable.
26198@end defvar
26199
26200@defvar LazyString.length
26201This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
26202length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
26203first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
26204@end defvar
26205
26206@defvar LazyString.encoding
26207This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
26208when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
26209set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
26210most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
26211is not writable.
26212@end defvar
26213
26214@defvar LazyString.type
26215This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
26216type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
26217resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
26218@code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
26219writable.
26220@end defvar
26221
26222@node Architectures In Python
26223@subsubsection Python representation of architectures
26224@cindex Python architectures
26225
26226@value{GDBN} uses architecture specific parameters and artifacts in a
26227number of its various computations. An architecture is represented
26228by an instance of the @code{gdb.Architecture} class.
26229
26230A @code{gdb.Architecture} class has the following methods:
26231
26232@defun Architecture.name ()
26233Return the name (string value) of the architecture.
26234@end defun
26235
26236@defun Architecture.disassemble (@var{start_pc} @r{[}, @var{end_pc} @r{[}, @var{count}@r{]]})
26237Return a list of disassembled instructions starting from the memory
26238address @var{start_pc}. The optional arguments @var{end_pc} and
26239@var{count} determine the number of instructions in the returned list.
26240If both the optional arguments @var{end_pc} and @var{count} are
26241specified, then a list of at most @var{count} disassembled instructions
26242whose start address falls in the closed memory address interval from
26243@var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If @var{end_pc} is not
26244specified, but @var{count} is specified, then @var{count} number of
26245instructions starting from the address @var{start_pc} are returned. If
26246@var{count} is not specified but @var{end_pc} is specified, then all
26247instructions whose start address falls in the closed memory address
26248interval from @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If neither
26249@var{end_pc} nor @var{count} are specified, then a single instruction at
26250@var{start_pc} is returned. For all of these cases, each element of the
26251returned list is a Python @code{dict} with the following string keys:
26252
26253@table @code
26254
26255@item addr
26256The value corresponding to this key is a Python long integer capturing
26257the memory address of the instruction.
26258
26259@item asm
26260The value corresponding to this key is a string value which represents
26261the instruction with assembly language mnemonics. The assembly
26262language flavor used is the same as that specified by the current CLI
26263variable @code{disassembly-flavor}. @xref{Machine Code}.
26264
26265@item length
26266The value corresponding to this key is the length (integer value) of the
26267instruction in bytes.
26268
26269@end table
26270@end defun
26271
26272@node Python Auto-loading
26273@subsection Python Auto-loading
26274@cindex Python auto-loading
26275
26276When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
26277command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
26278@value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
26279@file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
26280and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26281(@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
26282
26283The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
26284debugging commands and scripts.
26285
26286Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
26287and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
26288
26289@table @code
26290@anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
26291@kindex set auto-load python-scripts
26292@item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
26293Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
26294
26295@anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
26296@kindex show auto-load python-scripts
26297@item show auto-load python-scripts
26298Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
26299
26300@anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
26301@kindex info auto-load python-scripts
26302@cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
26303@item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
26304Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
26305
26306Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
26307the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
26308(@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
26309This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
26310tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
26311an error message for each one is problematic.
26312
26313If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
26314
26315Example:
26316
26317@smallexample
26318(gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
26319Loaded Script
26320Yes py-section-script.py
26321 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
26322No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
26323@end smallexample
26324@end table
26325
26326When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
26327@dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
26328function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
26329registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
26330
26331@menu
26332* objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
26333* dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26334* Which flavor to choose?::
26335@end menu
26336
26337@node objfile-gdb.py file
26338@subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
26339@cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
26340
26341When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
26342a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
26343where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
26344that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
26345@code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
26346readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
26347
26348If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
26349@var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
26350
26351Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
26352@code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26353
26354For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
26355scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
26356found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
26357its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
26358is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
26359between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
26360
26361@table @code
26362@anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
26363@kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
26364@item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
26365Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
26366may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
26367(@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
26368
26369Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
26370@code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
26371
26372@anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
26373This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
26374@code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
26375configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
26376
26377Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
26378@var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
26379reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
26380determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
26381@file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
26382delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
26383platform.
26384
26385The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
26386systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
26387to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
26388
26389@anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
26390@kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
26391@item show auto-load scripts-directory
26392Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
26393@end table
26394
26395@value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
26396@value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
26397@var{objfile} is opened.
26398So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
26399is evaluated more than once.
26400
26401@node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
26402@subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26403@cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26404
26405For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
26406when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
26407it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
26408If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
26409
26410@value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
26411current directory and then along the source search path
26412(@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
26413except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
26414directory is not relevant to scripts.
26415
26416Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
26417for example, this GCC macro:
26418
26419@example
26420/* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
26421#define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
26422 asm("\
26423.pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
26424.byte 1\n\
26425.asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
26426.popsection \n\
26427");
26428@end example
26429
26430@noindent
26431Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
26432
26433@example
26434DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
26435@end example
26436
26437The script name may include directories if desired.
26438
26439Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
26440@code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26441
26442If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
26443using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
26444
26445@node Which flavor to choose?
26446@subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
26447
26448Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
26449be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
26450
26451Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
26452
26453@itemize @bullet
26454@item
26455Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
26456
26457@item
26458Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
26459
26460Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
26461in the source search path.
26462For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
26463isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
26464
26465@item
26466Doesn't require source code additions.
26467@end itemize
26468
26469Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
26470
26471@itemize @bullet
26472@item
26473Works with static linking.
26474
26475Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
26476trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
26477objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
26478scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
26479
26480@item
26481Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
26482
26483Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
26484shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
26485
26486@item
26487Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
26488
26489In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
26490libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
26491@file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
26492cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
26493@code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
26494top of the source tree to the source search path.
26495@end itemize
26496
26497@node Python modules
26498@subsection Python modules
26499@cindex python modules
26500
26501@value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
26502
26503@menu
26504* gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
26505* gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
26506* gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
26507@end menu
26508
26509@node gdb.printing
26510@subsubsection gdb.printing
26511@cindex gdb.printing
26512
26513This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
26514pretty-printers.
26515
26516@table @code
26517@item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
26518This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
26519@samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
26520Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
26521
26522@item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
26523For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
26524corresponding API for the subprinters.
26525
26526@item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
26527Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
26528regular expressions.
26529@xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
26530
26531@item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
26532A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
26533@value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
26534work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
26535constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
26536the @code{enum} type to look up.
26537
26538@item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
26539Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
26540If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
26541is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
26542if a printer with the same name already exists.
26543@end table
26544
26545@node gdb.types
26546@subsubsection gdb.types
26547@cindex gdb.types
26548
26549This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
26550@code{gdb.Type} objects.
26551
26552@table @code
26553@item get_basic_type (@var{type})
26554Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
26555and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
26556
26557C@t{++} example:
26558
26559@smallexample
26560typedef const int const_int;
26561const_int foo (3);
26562const_int& foo_ref (foo);
26563int main () @{ return 0; @}
26564@end smallexample
26565
26566Then in gdb:
26567
26568@smallexample
26569(gdb) start
26570(gdb) python import gdb.types
26571(gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
26572(gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
26573int
26574@end smallexample
26575
26576@item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
26577Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
26578(e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
26579
26580@item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
26581Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
26582
26583@item deep_items (@var{type})
26584Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
26585@code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
26586by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
26587union fields. For example:
26588
26589@smallexample
26590struct A
26591@{
26592 int a;
26593 union @{
26594 int b0;
26595 int b1;
26596 @};
26597@};
26598@end smallexample
26599
26600@noindent
26601Then in @value{GDBN}:
26602@smallexample
26603(@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
26604(@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
26605(@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
26606@{['a', '']@}
26607(@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
26608@{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
26609@end smallexample
26610
26611@item get_type_recognizers ()
26612Return a list of the enabled type recognizers for the current context.
26613This is called by @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process
26614(@pxref{Type Printing API}).
26615
26616@item apply_type_recognizers (recognizers, type_obj)
26617Apply the type recognizers, @var{recognizers}, to the type object
26618@var{type_obj}. If any recognizer returns a string, return that
26619string. Otherwise, return @code{None}. This is called by
26620@value{GDBN} during the type-printing process (@pxref{Type Printing
26621API}).
26622
26623@item register_type_printer (locus, printer)
26624This is a convenience function to register a type printer.
26625@var{printer} is the type printer to register. It must implement the
26626type printer protocol. @var{locus} is either a @code{gdb.Objfile}, in
26627which case the printer is registered with that objfile; a
26628@code{gdb.Progspace}, in which case the printer is registered with
26629that progspace; or @code{None}, in which case the printer is
26630registered globally.
26631
26632@item TypePrinter
26633This is a base class that implements the type printer protocol. Type
26634printers are encouraged, but not required, to derive from this class.
26635It defines a constructor:
26636
26637@defmethod TypePrinter __init__ (self, name)
26638Initialize the type printer with the given name. The new printer
26639starts in the enabled state.
26640@end defmethod
26641
26642@end table
26643
26644@node gdb.prompt
26645@subsubsection gdb.prompt
26646@cindex gdb.prompt
26647
26648This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
26649
26650@table @code
26651@item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
26652Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
26653escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
26654``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
26655
26656The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
26657
26658@table @code
26659@item \\
26660Substitute a backslash.
26661@item \e
26662Substitute an ESC character.
26663@item \f
26664Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
26665@item \n
26666Substitute a newline.
26667@item \p
26668Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
26669@item \r
26670Substitute a carriage return.
26671@item \t
26672Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
26673@item \v
26674Substitute the version of GDB.
26675@item \w
26676Substitute the current working directory.
26677@item \[
26678Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
26679typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
26680length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
26681blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
26682@item \]
26683End a sequence of non-printing characters.
26684@end table
26685
26686For example:
26687
26688@smallexample
26689substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
26690 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
26691@end smallexample
26692
26693@exdent will return the string:
26694
26695@smallexample
26696"frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
26697@end smallexample
26698@end table
26699
26700@node Aliases
26701@section Creating new spellings of existing commands
26702@cindex aliases for commands
26703
26704It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
26705For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
26706a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
26707that involves less typing.
26708
26709@value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
26710of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
26711abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
26712
26713Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
26714of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
26715@samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
26716
26717You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
26718
26719@table @code
26720
26721@kindex alias
26722@item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
26723
26724@end table
26725
26726@var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
26727Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
26728underscores.
26729
26730@var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
26731that is being aliased.
26732
26733The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
26734of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
26735lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
26736
26737The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
26738and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
26739
26740Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
26741of a command so that there is less to type.
26742Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
26743shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
26744and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
26745The following will accomplish this.
26746
26747@smallexample
26748(gdb) alias -a di = disas
26749@end smallexample
26750
26751Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
26752With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
26753for it with the @samp{document} command.
26754An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
26755
26756Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
26757@samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
26758This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
26759of a command.
26760
26761@smallexample
26762(gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
26763(gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
26764(gdb) set p elms 20
26765(gdb) show p elms
26766Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
26767@end smallexample
26768
26769Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
26770and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
26771command, then you need to define the latter separately.
26772
26773Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
26774@var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
26775
26776@smallexample
26777(gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
26778@end smallexample
26779
26780Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
26781alias for a more complex command.
26782This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
26783
26784@smallexample
26785(gdb) alias spe = set print elements
26786(gdb) spe 20
26787@end smallexample
26788
26789@node Interpreters
26790@chapter Command Interpreters
26791@cindex command interpreters
26792
26793@value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
26794infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
26795between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
26796
26797@value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
26798interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
26799and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
26800describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
26801
26802By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
26803However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
26804interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
26805startup options. Defined interpreters include:
26806
26807@table @code
26808@item console
26809@cindex console interpreter
26810The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
26811used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
26812@value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
26813
26814@item mi
26815@cindex mi interpreter
26816The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
26817by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
26818or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
26819Interface}.
26820
26821@item mi2
26822@cindex mi2 interpreter
26823The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
26824
26825@item mi1
26826@cindex mi1 interpreter
26827The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
26828
26829@end table
26830
26831@cindex invoke another interpreter
26832The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
26833switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
26834precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
26835enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
26836@value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
26837the IDE inoperable!
26838
26839@kindex interpreter-exec
26840Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
26841commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
26842command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
26843@code{interpreter-exec} command:
26844
26845@smallexample
26846interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
26847@end smallexample
26848
26849@sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
26850@value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
26851
26852@node TUI
26853@chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
26854@cindex TUI
26855@cindex Text User Interface
26856
26857@menu
26858* TUI Overview:: TUI overview
26859* TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
26860* TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
26861* TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
26862* TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
26863@end menu
26864
26865The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
26866interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
26867file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
26868commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
26869on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
26870is available.
26871
26872The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
26873@samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
26874You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
26875using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
26876@xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
26877
26878@node TUI Overview
26879@section TUI Overview
26880
26881In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
26882
26883@table @emph
26884@item command
26885This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
26886prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
26887managed using readline.
26888
26889@item source
26890The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
26891line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
26892
26893@item assembly
26894The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
26895
26896@item register
26897This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
26898when their values change.
26899@end table
26900
26901The source and assembly windows show the current program position
26902by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
26903Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
26904indicates the breakpoint type:
26905
26906@table @code
26907@item B
26908Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26909
26910@item b
26911Breakpoint which was never hit.
26912
26913@item H
26914Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26915
26916@item h
26917Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
26918@end table
26919
26920The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
26921
26922@table @code
26923@item +
26924Breakpoint is enabled.
26925
26926@item -
26927Breakpoint is disabled.
26928@end table
26929
26930The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
26931thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
26932changes.
26933
26934These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
26935window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
26936layouts:
26937
26938@itemize @bullet
26939@item
26940source only,
26941
26942@item
26943assembly only,
26944
26945@item
26946source and assembly,
26947
26948@item
26949source and registers, or
26950
26951@item
26952assembly and registers.
26953@end itemize
26954
26955A status line above the command window shows the following information:
26956
26957@table @emph
26958@item target
26959Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
26960(@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
26961
26962@item process
26963Gives the current process or thread number.
26964When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
26965
26966@item function
26967Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
26968The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
26969When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
26970the string @code{??} is displayed.
26971
26972@item line
26973Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
26974When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
26975
26976@item pc
26977Indicates the current program counter address.
26978@end table
26979
26980@node TUI Keys
26981@section TUI Key Bindings
26982@cindex TUI key bindings
26983
26984The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
26985@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
26986(@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
26987@end ifset
26988@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
26989(@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
26990@end ifclear
26991The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
26992@value{GDBN} standard mode.
26993
26994@table @kbd
26995@kindex C-x C-a
26996@item C-x C-a
26997@kindex C-x a
26998@itemx C-x a
26999@kindex C-x A
27000@itemx C-x A
27001Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
27002the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
27003its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
27004the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
27005The screen is then refreshed.
27006
27007@kindex C-x 1
27008@item C-x 1
27009Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
27010either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
27011is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
27012
27013Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
27014
27015@kindex C-x 2
27016@item C-x 2
27017Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
27018layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
27019When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
27020previous layout and the new one.
27021
27022Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
27023
27024@kindex C-x o
27025@item C-x o
27026Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
27027(like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
27028gives the focus to the next TUI window.
27029
27030Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
27031
27032@kindex C-x s
27033@item C-x s
27034Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
27035keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
27036@end table
27037
27038The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
27039
27040@table @asis
27041@kindex PgUp
27042@item @key{PgUp}
27043Scroll the active window one page up.
27044
27045@kindex PgDn
27046@item @key{PgDn}
27047Scroll the active window one page down.
27048
27049@kindex Up
27050@item @key{Up}
27051Scroll the active window one line up.
27052
27053@kindex Down
27054@item @key{Down}
27055Scroll the active window one line down.
27056
27057@kindex Left
27058@item @key{Left}
27059Scroll the active window one column left.
27060
27061@kindex Right
27062@item @key{Right}
27063Scroll the active window one column right.
27064
27065@kindex C-L
27066@item @kbd{C-L}
27067Refresh the screen.
27068@end table
27069
27070Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
27071are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
27072window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
27073other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
27074and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
27075
27076@node TUI Single Key Mode
27077@section TUI Single Key Mode
27078@cindex TUI single key mode
27079
27080The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
27081frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
27082switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
27083
27084@table @kbd
27085@kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27086@item c
27087continue
27088
27089@kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27090@item d
27091down
27092
27093@kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27094@item f
27095finish
27096
27097@kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27098@item n
27099next
27100
27101@kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27102@item q
27103exit the SingleKey mode.
27104
27105@kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27106@item r
27107run
27108
27109@kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27110@item s
27111step
27112
27113@kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27114@item u
27115up
27116
27117@kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27118@item v
27119info locals
27120
27121@kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27122@item w
27123where
27124@end table
27125
27126Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
27127The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
27128it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
27129with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
27130SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
27131this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
27132
27133
27134@node TUI Commands
27135@section TUI-specific Commands
27136@cindex TUI commands
27137
27138The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
27139These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
27140the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
27141of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
27142
27143Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
27144terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
27145interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
27146these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
27147possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
27148
27149@table @code
27150@item info win
27151@kindex info win
27152List and give the size of all displayed windows.
27153
27154@item layout next
27155@kindex layout
27156Display the next layout.
27157
27158@item layout prev
27159Display the previous layout.
27160
27161@item layout src
27162Display the source window only.
27163
27164@item layout asm
27165Display the assembly window only.
27166
27167@item layout split
27168Display the source and assembly window.
27169
27170@item layout regs
27171Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
27172
27173@item focus next
27174@kindex focus
27175Make the next window active for scrolling.
27176
27177@item focus prev
27178Make the previous window active for scrolling.
27179
27180@item focus src
27181Make the source window active for scrolling.
27182
27183@item focus asm
27184Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
27185
27186@item focus regs
27187Make the register window active for scrolling.
27188
27189@item focus cmd
27190Make the command window active for scrolling.
27191
27192@item refresh
27193@kindex refresh
27194Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
27195
27196@item tui reg float
27197@kindex tui reg
27198Show the floating point registers in the register window.
27199
27200@item tui reg general
27201Show the general registers in the register window.
27202
27203@item tui reg next
27204Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
27205their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
27206following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
27207@code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
27208
27209@item tui reg system
27210Show the system registers in the register window.
27211
27212@item update
27213@kindex update
27214Update the source window and the current execution point.
27215
27216@item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
27217@itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
27218@kindex winheight
27219Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
27220lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
27221decrease it.
27222
27223@item tabset @var{nchars}
27224@kindex tabset
27225Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
27226@end table
27227
27228@node TUI Configuration
27229@section TUI Configuration Variables
27230@cindex TUI configuration variables
27231
27232Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
27233
27234@table @code
27235@item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
27236@kindex set tui border-kind
27237Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
27238The possible values are the following:
27239@table @code
27240@item space
27241Use a space character to draw the border.
27242
27243@item ascii
27244Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
27245
27246@item acs
27247Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
27248drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
27249@end table
27250
27251@item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
27252@kindex set tui border-mode
27253@itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
27254@kindex set tui active-border-mode
27255Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
27256or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
27257@table @code
27258@item normal
27259Use normal attributes to display the border.
27260
27261@item standout
27262Use standout mode.
27263
27264@item reverse
27265Use reverse video mode.
27266
27267@item half
27268Use half bright mode.
27269
27270@item half-standout
27271Use half bright and standout mode.
27272
27273@item bold
27274Use extra bright or bold mode.
27275
27276@item bold-standout
27277Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
27278@end table
27279@end table
27280
27281@node Emacs
27282@chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
27283
27284@cindex Emacs
27285@cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
27286A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
27287edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
27288@value{GDBN}.
27289
27290To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
27291executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
27292@value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
27293created Emacs buffer.
27294@c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
27295
27296Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
27297things:
27298
27299@itemize @bullet
27300@item
27301All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
27302the GUD buffer.
27303
27304This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
27305and output done by the program you are debugging.
27306
27307This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
27308commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
27309in this way.
27310
27311All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
27312with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
27313way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
27314stop.
27315
27316@item
27317@value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
27318
27319Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
27320source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
27321left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
27322source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
27323and the source.
27324
27325Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
27326usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
27327@end itemize
27328
27329We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
27330a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
27331that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
27332@xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
27333
27334If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
27335gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
27336your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
27337sets your current working directory to the directory associated
27338with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
27339program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
27340some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
27341@value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
27342buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
27343
27344The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
27345line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
27346that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
27347,Commands to Specify Files}.
27348
27349By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
27350need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
27351keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
27352customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
27353one you want.
27354
27355In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
27356addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
27357
27358@table @kbd
27359@item C-h m
27360Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
27361
27362@item C-c C-s
27363Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
27364update the display window to show the current file and location.
27365
27366@item C-c C-n
27367Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
27368calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
27369to show the current file and location.
27370
27371@item C-c C-i
27372Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
27373display window accordingly.
27374
27375@item C-c C-f
27376Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
27377@code{finish} command.
27378
27379@item C-c C-r
27380Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
27381command.
27382
27383@item C-c <
27384Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
27385(@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
27386like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
27387
27388@item C-c >
27389Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
27390@value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
27391@end table
27392
27393In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
27394tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
27395
27396In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
27397separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
27398Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
27399become the current frame and display the associated source in the
27400source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
27401selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
27402speedbar displays watch expressions.
27403
27404If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
27405it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
27406request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
27407the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
27408frame.
27409
27410The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
27411which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
27412the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
27413communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
27414delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
27415to correspond properly with the code.
27416
27417A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
27418given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
27419Emacs Manual}).
27420
27421@node GDB/MI
27422@chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
27423
27424@unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
27425
27426@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
27427@sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
27428@value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
27429@option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
27430is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
27431use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
27432
27433This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
27434in the form of a reference manual.
27435
27436Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
27437features described below are incomplete and subject to change
27438(@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
27439
27440@unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
27441
27442@cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
27443This chapter uses the following notation:
27444
27445@itemize @bullet
27446@item
27447@code{|} separates two alternatives.
27448
27449@item
27450@code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
27451it may or may not be given.
27452
27453@item
27454@code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
27455may repeat zero or more times.
27456
27457@item
27458@code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
27459may repeat one or more times.
27460
27461@item
27462@code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
27463@end itemize
27464
27465@ignore
27466@heading Dependencies
27467@end ignore
27468
27469@menu
27470* GDB/MI General Design::
27471* GDB/MI Command Syntax::
27472* GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
27473* GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
27474* GDB/MI Output Records::
27475* GDB/MI Simple Examples::
27476* GDB/MI Command Description Format::
27477* GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
27478* GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
27479* GDB/MI Program Context::
27480* GDB/MI Thread Commands::
27481* GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
27482* GDB/MI Program Execution::
27483* GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
27484* GDB/MI Variable Objects::
27485* GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
27486* GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
27487* GDB/MI Symbol Query::
27488* GDB/MI File Commands::
27489@ignore
27490* GDB/MI Kod Commands::
27491* GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
27492* GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
27493@end ignore
27494* GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
27495* GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
27496* GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
27497@end menu
27498
27499@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27500@node GDB/MI General Design
27501@section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
27502@cindex GDB/MI General Design
27503
27504Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
27505parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
27506and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
27507indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
27508For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
27509requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
27510response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
27511Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
27512target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
27513a command and reported as part of that command response.
27514
27515The important examples of notifications are:
27516@itemize @bullet
27517
27518@item
27519Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
27520target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
27521be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
27522commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
27523different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
27524happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
27525command itself was successfully executed.
27526
27527@item
27528Console output, and status notifications. Console output
27529notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
27530diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
27531report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
27532this information in command response would mean no output is produced
27533until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
27534
27535@item
27536General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
27537the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
27538a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
27539be included in command response, using notification allows for more
27540orthogonal frontend design.
27541
27542@end itemize
27543
27544There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
27545@value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
27546the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
27547processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
27548we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
27549the user interface.
27550
27551
27552@menu
27553* Context management::
27554* Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
27555* Thread groups::
27556@end menu
27557
27558@node Context management
27559@subsection Context management
27560
27561In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
27562done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
27563Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
27564be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
27565and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
27566because a command line user would not want to specify that information
27567explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
27568@value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
27569to what thread and frame are the current ones.
27570
27571In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
27572useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
27573itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
27574each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
27575want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
27576increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
27577frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
27578should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
27579make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
27580@samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
27581for thread and frame to operate on.
27582
27583Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
27584a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
27585operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
27586current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
27587it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
27588another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
27589the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
27590one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
27591change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
27592No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
27593
27594Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
27595frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
27596right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
27597simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
27598before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
27599to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
27600if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
27601thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
27602optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
27603sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
27604selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
27605change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
27606problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
27607all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
27608right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
27609@samp{--frame} options.
27610
27611@node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
27612@subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
27613
27614On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
27615even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
27616command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
27617specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
27618@code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
27619either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
27620frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
27621find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
27622@code{-list-target-features} command.
27623
27624Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
27625many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
27626running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
27627when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
27628it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
27629are running.
27630
27631When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
27632target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
27633some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
27634stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
27635modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
27636that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
27637@code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
27638context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
27639stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
27640@samp{--thread} option).
27641
27642Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
27643highly target dependent. However, the two commands
27644@code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
27645to find the state of a thread, will always work.
27646
27647@node Thread groups
27648@subsection Thread groups
27649@value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
27650On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
27651hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
27652processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
27653mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
27654
27655The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
27656target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
27657accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
27658thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
27659neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
27660current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
27661that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
27662into processes.
27663
27664To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
27665hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
27666@dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
27667thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
27668and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
27669command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
27670thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
27671debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
27672to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
27673the members of specific thread group.
27674
27675To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
27676wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
27677introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
27678@value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
27679@code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
27680groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
27681In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
27682after attaching to that thread group.
27683
27684Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
27685Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
27686type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
27687such thread groups.
27688
27689@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27690@node GDB/MI Command Syntax
27691@section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
27692
27693@menu
27694* GDB/MI Input Syntax::
27695* GDB/MI Output Syntax::
27696@end menu
27697
27698@node GDB/MI Input Syntax
27699@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
27700
27701@cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
27702@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
27703@table @code
27704@item @var{command} @expansion{}
27705@code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
27706
27707@item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
27708@code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
27709@var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
27710
27711@item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
27712@code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
27713@code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
27714
27715@item @var{token} @expansion{}
27716"any sequence of digits"
27717
27718@item @var{option} @expansion{}
27719@code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
27720
27721@item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
27722@code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
27723
27724@item @var{operation} @expansion{}
27725@emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
27726
27727@item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
27728@emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
27729"-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
27730
27731@item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
27732@code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
27733
27734@item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27735@code{CR | CR-LF}
27736@end table
27737
27738@noindent
27739Notes:
27740
27741@itemize @bullet
27742@item
27743The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
27744output is described below.
27745
27746@item
27747The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
27748finishes.
27749
27750@item
27751Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
27752list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
27753followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
27754parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
27755@samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
27756@end itemize
27757
27758Pragmatics:
27759
27760@itemize @bullet
27761@item
27762We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
27763
27764@item
27765We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
27766@end itemize
27767
27768@node GDB/MI Output Syntax
27769@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
27770
27771@cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
27772@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
27773The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
27774followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
27775is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
27776terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
27777
27778If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
27779corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
27780@var{token}.
27781
27782@table @code
27783@item @var{output} @expansion{}
27784@code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
27785
27786@item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
27787@code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27788
27789@item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
27790@code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
27791
27792@item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
27793@code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
27794
27795@item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
27796@code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
27797
27798@item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
27799@code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
27800
27801@item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
27802@code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
27803
27804@item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
27805@code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27806
27807@item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
27808@code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
27809
27810@item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
27811@code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
27812depending on the needs---this is still in development).
27813
27814@item @var{result} @expansion{}
27815@code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
27816
27817@item @var{variable} @expansion{}
27818@code{ @var{string} }
27819
27820@item @var{value} @expansion{}
27821@code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
27822
27823@item @var{const} @expansion{}
27824@code{@var{c-string}}
27825
27826@item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
27827@code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
27828
27829@item @var{list} @expansion{}
27830@code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
27831@var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
27832
27833@item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
27834@code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
27835
27836@item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
27837@code{"~" @var{c-string}}
27838
27839@item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
27840@code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
27841
27842@item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
27843@code{"&" @var{c-string}}
27844
27845@item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27846@code{CR | CR-LF}
27847
27848@item @var{token} @expansion{}
27849@emph{any sequence of digits}.
27850@end table
27851
27852@noindent
27853Notes:
27854
27855@itemize @bullet
27856@item
27857All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
27858
27859@item
27860The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
27861for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
27862may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
27863output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
27864all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
27865target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
27866prior command.
27867
27868@item
27869@cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27870@var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
27871progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
27872prefixed by @samp{+}.
27873
27874@item
27875@cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27876@var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
27877(stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
27878@samp{*}.
27879
27880@item
27881@cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27882@var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
27883client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
27884output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
27885
27886@item
27887@cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27888@var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
27889console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
27890output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
27891
27892@item
27893@cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27894@var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
27895All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
27896
27897@item
27898@cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27899@var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
27900instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
27901the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
27902
27903@item
27904@cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27905New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
27906@var{values}.
27907
27908
27909@end itemize
27910
27911@xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
27912details about the various output records.
27913
27914@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27915@node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
27916@section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
27917
27918@cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
27919@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
27920
27921For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
27922but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
27923that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
27924command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
27925@code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
27926@samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
27927
27928This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
27929recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
27930(@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
27931
27932@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27933@node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
27934@section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
27935@cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
27936
27937The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
27938program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
27939
27940Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
27941by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
27942to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
27943section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
27944might change.
27945
27946Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
27947for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
27948list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
27949parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
27950
27951@itemize @bullet
27952@item
27953New MI commands may be added.
27954
27955@item
27956New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
27957
27958@item
27959The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
27960@code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
27961
27962@c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
27963@c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
27964
27965@c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
27966@c resolve inconsistencies.
27967@end itemize
27968
27969If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
27970will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
27971output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
27972@value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
27973responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
27974
27975@c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
27976@c version?
27977
27978The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
27979end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
27980follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
27981@email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
27982@cindex mailing lists
27983
27984@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27985@node GDB/MI Output Records
27986@section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
27987
27988@menu
27989* GDB/MI Result Records::
27990* GDB/MI Stream Records::
27991* GDB/MI Async Records::
27992* GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
27993* GDB/MI Frame Information::
27994* GDB/MI Thread Information::
27995* GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
27996@end menu
27997
27998@node GDB/MI Result Records
27999@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
28000
28001@cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28002@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
28003In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
28004@sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
28005
28006@table @code
28007@findex ^done
28008@item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
28009The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
28010values.
28011
28012@item "^running"
28013@findex ^running
28014This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
28015was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
28016target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
28017all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
28018identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
28019which threads are resumed.
28020
28021@item "^connected"
28022@findex ^connected
28023@value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
28024
28025@item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
28026@findex ^error
28027The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
28028error message.
28029
28030@item "^exit"
28031@findex ^exit
28032@value{GDBN} has terminated.
28033
28034@end table
28035
28036@node GDB/MI Stream Records
28037@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
28038
28039@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
28040@cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28041@value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
28042target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
28043funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
28044
28045Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
28046identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
28047Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
28048@code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
28049line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
28050
28051@table @code
28052@item "~" @var{string-output}
28053The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
28054CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
28055
28056@item "@@" @var{string-output}
28057The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
28058target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
28059asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
28060
28061@item "&" @var{string-output}
28062The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
28063internals.
28064@end table
28065
28066@node GDB/MI Async Records
28067@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
28068
28069@cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28070@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
28071@dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
28072additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
28073consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
28074target activity (e.g., target stopped).
28075
28076The following is the list of possible async records:
28077
28078@table @code
28079
28080@item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
28081The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
28082specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
28083are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
28084running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
28085The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
28086only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
28087several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
28088all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
28089be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
28090
28091@item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
28092The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
28093following values:
28094
28095@table @code
28096@item breakpoint-hit
28097A breakpoint was reached.
28098@item watchpoint-trigger
28099A watchpoint was triggered.
28100@item read-watchpoint-trigger
28101A read watchpoint was triggered.
28102@item access-watchpoint-trigger
28103An access watchpoint was triggered.
28104@item function-finished
28105An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28106@item location-reached
28107An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28108@item watchpoint-scope
28109A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
28110@item end-stepping-range
28111An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
28112similar CLI command was accomplished.
28113@item exited-signalled
28114The inferior exited because of a signal.
28115@item exited
28116The inferior exited.
28117@item exited-normally
28118The inferior exited normally.
28119@item signal-received
28120A signal was received by the inferior.
28121@item solib-event
28122The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
28123This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
28124set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
28125in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
28126@item fork
28127The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
28128(@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28129@item vfork
28130The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
28131(@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28132@item syscall-entry
28133The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
28134syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28135@item syscall-entry
28136The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
28137@code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28138@item exec
28139The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
28140(@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28141@end table
28142
28143The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
28144-- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
28145mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
28146stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
28147If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
28148value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
28149field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
28150always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
28151several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
28152processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
28153if such information is not available.
28154
28155@item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
28156@itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
28157A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
28158contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
28159group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
28160process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
28161cannot be used in any way.
28162
28163@item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
28164A thread group became associated with a running program,
28165either because the program was just started or the thread group
28166was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
28167@value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
28168contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
28169
28170@item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
28171A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
28172either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
28173from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
28174thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
28175only when the inferior exited with some code.
28176
28177@item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
28178@itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
28179A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
28180contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
28181field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
28182
28183@item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
28184Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
28185command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
28186command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
28187to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
28188invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
28189@code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
28190
28191We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
28192highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
28193that thread.
28194
28195@item =library-loaded,...
28196Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
28197notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
28198@var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
28199opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
28200@var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
28201library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
28202debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
28203@var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
28204and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
28205@var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
28206group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
28207absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
28208thread groups.
28209
28210@item =library-unloaded,...
28211Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
28212has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
28213the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
28214The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
28215thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
28216absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
28217thread groups.
28218
28219@item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
28220@itemx =traceframe-changed,end
28221Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
28222@var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
28223frame is @var{tpnum}.
28224
28225@item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
28226Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
28227initial value @var{initial}.
28228
28229@item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
28230@itemx =tsv-deleted
28231Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
28232trace state variables are deleted.
28233
28234@item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
28235Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
28236the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
28237trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
28238value of trace state variable is known.
28239
28240@item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
28241@itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
28242@itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
28243Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
28244respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
28245user.
28246
28247The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
28248breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
28249@var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
28250
28251Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
28252command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
28253
28254@item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
28255@itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
28256Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
28257inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
28258group corresponding to the affected inferior.
28259
28260@item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
28261Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
28262changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
28263the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
28264For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
28265is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
28266
28267@item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
28268Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
28269written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
28270thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
28271@code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
28272executable code.
28273@end table
28274
28275@node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
28276@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
28277
28278When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
28279tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
28280following fields:
28281
28282@table @code
28283@item number
28284The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
28285of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
28286@samp{1.2}.
28287
28288@item type
28289The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
28290@samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
28291
28292@item catch-type
28293If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
28294indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
28295
28296@item disp
28297This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
28298the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
28299meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
28300
28301@item enabled
28302This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
28303value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
28304Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
28305
28306@item addr
28307The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
28308giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
28309breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
28310multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
28311be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
28312
28313@item func
28314If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
28315If not known, this field is not present.
28316
28317@item filename
28318The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
28319If not known, this field is not present.
28320
28321@item fullname
28322The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
28323known. If not known, this field is not present.
28324
28325@item line
28326The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
28327If not known, this field is not present.
28328
28329@item at
28330If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
28331provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
28332by a symbol name.
28333
28334@item pending
28335If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
28336text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
28337
28338@item evaluated-by
28339Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
28340@samp{target}.
28341
28342@item thread
28343If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
28344thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
28345
28346@item task
28347If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
28348field will hold the task identifier.
28349
28350@item cond
28351If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
28352
28353@item ignore
28354The ignore count of the breakpoint.
28355
28356@item enable
28357The enable count of the breakpoint.
28358
28359@item traceframe-usage
28360FIXME.
28361
28362@item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
28363For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
28364
28365@item mask
28366For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
28367
28368@item pass
28369A tracepoint's pass count.
28370
28371@item original-location
28372The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
28373This field is optional.
28374
28375@item times
28376The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
28377
28378@item installed
28379This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
28380meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
28381is not.
28382
28383@item what
28384Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
28385
28386@end table
28387
28388For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
28389(@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
28390
28391@smallexample
28392-> -break-insert main
28393<- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28394 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28395 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28396 times="0"@}
28397<- (gdb)
28398@end smallexample
28399
28400@node GDB/MI Frame Information
28401@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
28402
28403Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
28404frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
28405fields:
28406
28407@table @code
28408@item level
28409The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
28410zero. This field is always present.
28411
28412@item func
28413The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
28414be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
28415
28416@item addr
28417The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
28418
28419@item file
28420The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
28421address. This field may be absent.
28422
28423@item line
28424The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
28425may be absent.
28426
28427@item from
28428The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
28429corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
28430
28431@end table
28432
28433@node GDB/MI Thread Information
28434@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
28435
28436Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
28437uses a tuple with the following fields:
28438
28439@table @code
28440@item id
28441The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
28442always present.
28443
28444@item target-id
28445Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
28446
28447@item details
28448Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
28449It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
28450frontend. This field is optional.
28451
28452@item state
28453Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
28454thread is presently running. This field is always present.
28455
28456@item core
28457The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
28458thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
28459@end table
28460
28461@node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
28462@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
28463
28464Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
28465stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
28466@value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
28467the @code{exception-name} field.
28468
28469@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28470@node GDB/MI Simple Examples
28471@section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
28472@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
28473
28474This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
28475the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
28476following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
28477the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
28478
28479Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
28480readability, they don't appear in the real output.
28481
28482@subheading Setting a Breakpoint
28483
28484Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
28485information of the breakpoint.
28486
28487@smallexample
28488-> -break-insert main
28489<- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28490 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28491 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28492 times="0"@}
28493<- (gdb)
28494@end smallexample
28495
28496@subheading Program Execution
28497
28498Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
28499reason that execution stopped.
28500
28501@smallexample
28502-> -exec-run
28503<- ^running
28504<- (gdb)
28505<- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
28506 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
28507 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
28508 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
28509<- (gdb)
28510-> -exec-continue
28511<- ^running
28512<- (gdb)
28513<- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
28514<- (gdb)
28515@end smallexample
28516
28517@subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
28518
28519Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
28520
28521@smallexample
28522-> (gdb)
28523<- -gdb-exit
28524<- ^exit
28525@end smallexample
28526
28527Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
28528take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
28529performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
28530or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
28531@value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
28532fails to exit in reasonable time.
28533
28534@subheading A Bad Command
28535
28536Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
28537
28538@smallexample
28539-> -rubbish
28540<- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
28541<- (gdb)
28542@end smallexample
28543
28544
28545@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28546@node GDB/MI Command Description Format
28547@section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
28548
28549The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
28550commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
28551
28552@subheading Motivation
28553
28554The motivation for this collection of commands.
28555
28556@subheading Introduction
28557
28558A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
28559
28560@subheading Commands
28561
28562For each command in the block, the following is described:
28563
28564@subsubheading Synopsis
28565
28566@smallexample
28567 -command @var{args}@dots{}
28568@end smallexample
28569
28570@subsubheading Result
28571
28572@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28573
28574The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
28575
28576@subsubheading Example
28577
28578Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
28579not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
28580
28581
28582@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28583@node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
28584@section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
28585
28586@cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
28587@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
28588This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
28589breakpoints.
28590
28591@subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
28592@findex -break-after
28593
28594@subsubheading Synopsis
28595
28596@smallexample
28597 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
28598@end smallexample
28599
28600The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
28601hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
28602the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
28603@samp{-break-list} command below.
28604
28605@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28606
28607The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
28608
28609@subsubheading Example
28610
28611@smallexample
28612(gdb)
28613-break-insert main
28614^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28615enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
28616fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28617times="0"@}
28618(gdb)
28619-break-after 1 3
28620~
28621^done
28622(gdb)
28623-break-list
28624^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28625hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28626@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28627@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28628@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28629@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28630@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28631body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28632addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28633line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
28634(gdb)
28635@end smallexample
28636
28637@ignore
28638@subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
28639@findex -break-catch
28640@end ignore
28641
28642@subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
28643@findex -break-commands
28644
28645@subsubheading Synopsis
28646
28647@smallexample
28648 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
28649@end smallexample
28650
28651Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
28652@var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
28653are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
28654commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
28655functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
28656some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
28657
28658@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28659
28660The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
28661
28662@subsubheading Example
28663
28664@smallexample
28665(gdb)
28666-break-insert main
28667^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28668enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
28669fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28670times="0"@}
28671(gdb)
28672-break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
28673^done
28674(gdb)
28675@end smallexample
28676
28677@subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
28678@findex -break-condition
28679
28680@subsubheading Synopsis
28681
28682@smallexample
28683 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
28684@end smallexample
28685
28686Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
28687@var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
28688@samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
28689command below).
28690
28691@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28692
28693The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
28694
28695@subsubheading Example
28696
28697@smallexample
28698(gdb)
28699-break-condition 1 1
28700^done
28701(gdb)
28702-break-list
28703^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28704hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28705@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28706@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28707@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28708@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28709@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28710body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28711addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28712line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
28713(gdb)
28714@end smallexample
28715
28716@subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
28717@findex -break-delete
28718
28719@subsubheading Synopsis
28720
28721@smallexample
28722 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28723@end smallexample
28724
28725Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
28726list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
28727
28728@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28729
28730The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
28731
28732@subsubheading Example
28733
28734@smallexample
28735(gdb)
28736-break-delete 1
28737^done
28738(gdb)
28739-break-list
28740^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28741hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28742@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28743@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28744@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28745@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28746@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28747body=[]@}
28748(gdb)
28749@end smallexample
28750
28751@subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
28752@findex -break-disable
28753
28754@subsubheading Synopsis
28755
28756@smallexample
28757 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28758@end smallexample
28759
28760Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
28761break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
28762
28763@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28764
28765The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
28766
28767@subsubheading Example
28768
28769@smallexample
28770(gdb)
28771-break-disable 2
28772^done
28773(gdb)
28774-break-list
28775^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28776hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28777@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28778@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28779@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28780@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28781@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28782body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28783addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28784line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28785(gdb)
28786@end smallexample
28787
28788@subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
28789@findex -break-enable
28790
28791@subsubheading Synopsis
28792
28793@smallexample
28794 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28795@end smallexample
28796
28797Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
28798
28799@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28800
28801The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
28802
28803@subsubheading Example
28804
28805@smallexample
28806(gdb)
28807-break-enable 2
28808^done
28809(gdb)
28810-break-list
28811^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28812hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28813@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28814@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28815@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28816@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28817@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28818body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28819addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28820line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28821(gdb)
28822@end smallexample
28823
28824@subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
28825@findex -break-info
28826
28827@subsubheading Synopsis
28828
28829@smallexample
28830 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
28831@end smallexample
28832
28833@c REDUNDANT???
28834Get information about a single breakpoint.
28835
28836The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
28837Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
28838table.
28839
28840@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28841
28842The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
28843
28844@subsubheading Example
28845N.A.
28846
28847@subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
28848@findex -break-insert
28849
28850@subsubheading Synopsis
28851
28852@smallexample
28853 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
28854 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28855 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
28856@end smallexample
28857
28858@noindent
28859If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
28860
28861@itemize @bullet
28862@item function
28863@c @item +offset
28864@c @item -offset
28865@c @item linenum
28866@item filename:linenum
28867@item filename:function
28868@item *address
28869@end itemize
28870
28871The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28872
28873@table @samp
28874@item -t
28875Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28876@item -h
28877Insert a hardware breakpoint.
28878@item -f
28879If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
28880refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28881breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28882an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28883cannot be parsed.
28884@item -d
28885Create a disabled breakpoint.
28886@item -a
28887Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
28888is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
28889@item -c @var{condition}
28890Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28891@item -i @var{ignore-count}
28892Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
28893@item -p @var{thread-id}
28894Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
28895@end table
28896
28897@subsubheading Result
28898
28899@xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
28900resulting breakpoint.
28901
28902Note: this format is open to change.
28903@c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28904
28905@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28906
28907The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
28908@samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
28909
28910@subsubheading Example
28911
28912@smallexample
28913(gdb)
28914-break-insert main
28915^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
28916fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28917times="0"@}
28918(gdb)
28919-break-insert -t foo
28920^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
28921fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28922times="0"@}
28923(gdb)
28924-break-list
28925^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28926hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28927@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28928@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28929@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28930@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28931@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28932body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28933addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
28934fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28935times="0"@},
28936bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28937addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
28938fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28939times="0"@}]@}
28940(gdb)
28941@c -break-insert -r foo.*
28942@c ~int foo(int, int);
28943@c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
28944@c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28945@c times="0"@}
28946@c (gdb)
28947@end smallexample
28948
28949@subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
28950@findex -break-list
28951
28952@subsubheading Synopsis
28953
28954@smallexample
28955 -break-list
28956@end smallexample
28957
28958Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
28959
28960@table @samp
28961@item Number
28962number of the breakpoint
28963@item Type
28964type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
28965@item Disposition
28966should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
28967or @samp{nokeep}
28968@item Enabled
28969is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
28970@item Address
28971memory location at which the breakpoint is set
28972@item What
28973logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
28974name, line number
28975@item Thread-groups
28976list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
28977@item Times
28978number of times the breakpoint has been hit
28979@end table
28980
28981If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
28982@code{body} field is an empty list.
28983
28984@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28985
28986The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
28987
28988@subsubheading Example
28989
28990@smallexample
28991(gdb)
28992-break-list
28993^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28994hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28995@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28996@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28997@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28998@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28999@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29000body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29001addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29002times="0"@},
29003bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29004addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29005line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29006(gdb)
29007@end smallexample
29008
29009Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
29010
29011@smallexample
29012(gdb)
29013-break-list
29014^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29015hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29016@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29017@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29018@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29019@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29020@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29021body=[]@}
29022(gdb)
29023@end smallexample
29024
29025@subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
29026@findex -break-passcount
29027
29028@subsubheading Synopsis
29029
29030@smallexample
29031 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
29032@end smallexample
29033
29034Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
29035@var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
29036is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
29037command @samp{passcount}.
29038
29039@subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
29040@findex -break-watch
29041
29042@subsubheading Synopsis
29043
29044@smallexample
29045 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
29046@end smallexample
29047
29048Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
29049@dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
29050read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
29051option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
29052trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
29053either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
29054i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
29055@xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
29056
29057Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
29058breakpoints inserted.
29059
29060@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29061
29062The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
29063@samp{rwatch}.
29064
29065@subsubheading Example
29066
29067Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
29068
29069@smallexample
29070(gdb)
29071-break-watch x
29072^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
29073(gdb)
29074-exec-continue
29075^running
29076(gdb)
29077*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
29078value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
29079frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29080fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
29081(gdb)
29082@end smallexample
29083
29084Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
29085the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
29086for the watchpoint going out of scope.
29087
29088@smallexample
29089(gdb)
29090-break-watch C
29091^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
29092(gdb)
29093-exec-continue
29094^running
29095(gdb)
29096*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
29097wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
29098frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29099file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29100fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
29101(gdb)
29102-exec-continue
29103^running
29104(gdb)
29105*stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
29106frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
29107value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29108file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29109fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29110(gdb)
29111@end smallexample
29112
29113Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
29114execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
29115deleted.
29116
29117@smallexample
29118(gdb)
29119-break-watch C
29120^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
29121(gdb)
29122-break-list
29123^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29124hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29125@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29126@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29127@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29128@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29129@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29130body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29131addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29132file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29133fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
29134times="1"@},
29135bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
29136enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29137(gdb)
29138-exec-continue
29139^running
29140(gdb)
29141*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
29142value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
29143frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29144file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29145fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
29146(gdb)
29147-break-list
29148^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29149hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29150@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29151@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29152@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29153@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29154@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29155body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29156addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29157file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29158fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
29159times="1"@},
29160bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
29161enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
29162(gdb)
29163-exec-continue
29164^running
29165^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
29166frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
29167value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29168file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29169fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29170(gdb)
29171-break-list
29172^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29173hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29174@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29175@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29176@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29177@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29178@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29179body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29180addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29181file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29182fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
29183thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
29184(gdb)
29185@end smallexample
29186
29187
29188@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29189@node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
29190@section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
29191
29192This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
29193catchpoints.
29194
29195@subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
29196@findex -catch-load
29197
29198@subsubheading Synopsis
29199
29200@smallexample
29201 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
29202@end smallexample
29203
29204Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
29205the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
29206Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
29207in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
29208expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
29209
29210
29211@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29212
29213The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
29214
29215@subsubheading Example
29216
29217@smallexample
29218-catch-load -t foo.so
29219^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
29220what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
29221(gdb)
29222@end smallexample
29223
29224
29225@subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
29226@findex -catch-unload
29227
29228@subsubheading Synopsis
29229
29230@smallexample
29231 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
29232@end smallexample
29233
29234Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
29235used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
29236Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
29237created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
29238expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
29239
29240@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29241
29242The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
29243
29244@subsubheading Example
29245
29246@smallexample
29247-catch-unload -d bar.so
29248^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
29249what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
29250(gdb)
29251@end smallexample
29252
29253
29254@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29255@node GDB/MI Program Context
29256@section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
29257
29258@subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
29259@findex -exec-arguments
29260
29261
29262@subsubheading Synopsis
29263
29264@smallexample
29265 -exec-arguments @var{args}
29266@end smallexample
29267
29268Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
29269@samp{-exec-run}.
29270
29271@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29272
29273The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
29274
29275@subsubheading Example
29276
29277@smallexample
29278(gdb)
29279-exec-arguments -v word
29280^done
29281(gdb)
29282@end smallexample
29283
29284
29285@ignore
29286@subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
29287@findex -exec-show-arguments
29288
29289@subsubheading Synopsis
29290
29291@smallexample
29292 -exec-show-arguments
29293@end smallexample
29294
29295Print the arguments of the program.
29296
29297@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29298
29299The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
29300
29301@subsubheading Example
29302N.A.
29303@end ignore
29304
29305
29306@subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
29307@findex -environment-cd
29308
29309@subsubheading Synopsis
29310
29311@smallexample
29312 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
29313@end smallexample
29314
29315Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
29316
29317@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29318
29319The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
29320
29321@subsubheading Example
29322
29323@smallexample
29324(gdb)
29325-environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
29326^done
29327(gdb)
29328@end smallexample
29329
29330
29331@subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
29332@findex -environment-directory
29333
29334@subsubheading Synopsis
29335
29336@smallexample
29337 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
29338@end smallexample
29339
29340Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
29341If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
29342search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
29343@samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
29344occurs as normal.
29345Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
29346multiple directories in a single command
29347results in the directories added to the beginning of the
29348search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
29349If blanks are needed as
29350part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
29351the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
29352by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
29353character must not be used
29354in any directory name.
29355If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
29356
29357@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29358
29359The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
29360
29361@subsubheading Example
29362
29363@smallexample
29364(gdb)
29365-environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
29366^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
29367(gdb)
29368-environment-directory ""
29369^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
29370(gdb)
29371-environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
29372^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
29373(gdb)
29374-environment-directory -r
29375^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
29376(gdb)
29377@end smallexample
29378
29379
29380@subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
29381@findex -environment-path
29382
29383@subsubheading Synopsis
29384
29385@smallexample
29386 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
29387@end smallexample
29388
29389Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
29390If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
29391search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
29392supplied in addition to the
29393@samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
29394occurs as normal.
29395Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
29396multiple directories in a single command
29397results in the directories added to the beginning of the
29398search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
29399If blanks are needed as
29400part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
29401the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
29402by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
29403character must not be used
29404in any directory name.
29405If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
29406
29407
29408@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29409
29410The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
29411
29412@subsubheading Example
29413
29414@smallexample
29415(gdb)
29416-environment-path
29417^done,path="/usr/bin"
29418(gdb)
29419-environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
29420^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
29421(gdb)
29422-environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
29423^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
29424(gdb)
29425@end smallexample
29426
29427
29428@subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
29429@findex -environment-pwd
29430
29431@subsubheading Synopsis
29432
29433@smallexample
29434 -environment-pwd
29435@end smallexample
29436
29437Show the current working directory.
29438
29439@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29440
29441The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
29442
29443@subsubheading Example
29444
29445@smallexample
29446(gdb)
29447-environment-pwd
29448^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
29449(gdb)
29450@end smallexample
29451
29452@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29453@node GDB/MI Thread Commands
29454@section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
29455
29456
29457@subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
29458@findex -thread-info
29459
29460@subsubheading Synopsis
29461
29462@smallexample
29463 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
29464@end smallexample
29465
29466Reports information about either a specific thread, if
29467the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
29468threads. When printing information about all threads,
29469also reports the current thread.
29470
29471@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29472
29473The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
29474about all threads.
29475
29476@subsubheading Result
29477
29478The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
29479defined for a given thread:
29480
29481@table @samp
29482@item current
29483This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
29484
29485@item id
29486The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
29487
29488@item target-id
29489The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
29490
29491@item details
29492Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
29493field is optional.
29494
29495@item name
29496The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
29497@code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
29498@value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
29499name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
29500field is omitted.
29501
29502@item frame
29503The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
29504
29505@item state
29506The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
29507values:
29508
29509@table @code
29510@item stopped
29511The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
29512threads.
29513
29514@item running
29515The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
29516threads.
29517
29518@end table
29519
29520@item core
29521If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
29522then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
29523
29524@end table
29525
29526@subsubheading Example
29527
29528@smallexample
29529-thread-info
29530^done,threads=[
29531@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
29532 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
29533 args=[]@},state="running"@},
29534@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
29535 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
29536 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
29537 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
29538 state="running"@}],
29539current-thread-id="1"
29540(gdb)
29541@end smallexample
29542
29543@subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
29544@findex -thread-list-ids
29545
29546@subsubheading Synopsis
29547
29548@smallexample
29549 -thread-list-ids
29550@end smallexample
29551
29552Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
29553end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
29554
29555This command is retained for historical reasons, the
29556@code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
29557
29558@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29559
29560Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
29561
29562@subsubheading Example
29563
29564@smallexample
29565(gdb)
29566-thread-list-ids
29567^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29568current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
29569(gdb)
29570@end smallexample
29571
29572
29573@subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
29574@findex -thread-select
29575
29576@subsubheading Synopsis
29577
29578@smallexample
29579 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
29580@end smallexample
29581
29582Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
29583current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
29584
29585This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
29586@samp{--thread} option to each command.
29587
29588@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29589
29590The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
29591
29592@subsubheading Example
29593
29594@smallexample
29595(gdb)
29596-exec-next
29597^running
29598(gdb)
29599*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
29600file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
29601(gdb)
29602-thread-list-ids
29603^done,
29604thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29605number-of-threads="3"
29606(gdb)
29607-thread-select 3
29608^done,new-thread-id="3",
29609frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
29610args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
29611@{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
29612(gdb)
29613@end smallexample
29614
29615@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29616@node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
29617@section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
29618
29619@subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
29620@findex -ada-task-info
29621
29622@subsubheading Synopsis
29623
29624@smallexample
29625 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
29626@end smallexample
29627
29628Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
29629@var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
29630
29631@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29632
29633The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
29634about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
29635
29636@subsubheading Result
29637
29638The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
29639defined for each Ada task:
29640
29641@table @samp
29642@item current
29643This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
29644
29645@item id
29646The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
29647
29648@item task-id
29649The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
29650
29651@item thread-id
29652The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
29653
29654This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
29655on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
29656thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
29657
29658@item parent-id
29659This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
29660In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
29661
29662@item priority
29663The base priority of the task.
29664
29665@item state
29666The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
29667possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
29668
29669@item name
29670The name of the task.
29671
29672@end table
29673
29674@subsubheading Example
29675
29676@smallexample
29677-ada-task-info
29678^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
29679hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
29680@{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
29681@{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
29682@{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
29683@{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
29684@{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
29685@{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
29686@{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
29687body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
29688state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
29689(gdb)
29690@end smallexample
29691
29692@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29693@node GDB/MI Program Execution
29694@section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
29695
29696These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
29697record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
29698asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
29699other cases.
29700
29701@subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
29702@findex -exec-continue
29703
29704@subsubheading Synopsis
29705
29706@smallexample
29707 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
29708@end smallexample
29709
29710Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
29711to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
29712@samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
29713it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
29714@itemize @bullet
29715@item
29716breakpoints or watchpoints
29717@item
29718signals or exceptions
29719@item
29720the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
29721@item
29722the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
29723@end itemize
29724In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
29725Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
29726value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
29727specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
29728ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
29729specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
29730
29731@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29732
29733The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
29734
29735@subsubheading Example
29736
29737@smallexample
29738-exec-continue
29739^running
29740(gdb)
29741@@Hello world
29742*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
29743func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
29744line="13"@}
29745(gdb)
29746@end smallexample
29747
29748
29749@subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
29750@findex -exec-finish
29751
29752@subsubheading Synopsis
29753
29754@smallexample
29755 -exec-finish [--reverse]
29756@end smallexample
29757
29758Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
29759function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
29760If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
29761execution of the inferior program until the point where current
29762function was called.
29763
29764@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29765
29766The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
29767
29768@subsubheading Example
29769
29770Function returning @code{void}.
29771
29772@smallexample
29773-exec-finish
29774^running
29775(gdb)
29776@@hello from foo
29777*stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29778file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
29779(gdb)
29780@end smallexample
29781
29782Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
29783@value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
29784value itself.
29785
29786@smallexample
29787-exec-finish
29788^running
29789(gdb)
29790*stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
29791args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
29792file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29793gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
29794(gdb)
29795@end smallexample
29796
29797
29798@subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
29799@findex -exec-interrupt
29800
29801@subsubheading Synopsis
29802
29803@smallexample
29804 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
29805@end smallexample
29806
29807Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
29808associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
29809that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
29810appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
29811interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
29812
29813Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
29814asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
29815@samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
29816reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
29817
29818In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
29819All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
29820@samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
29821option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
29822
29823@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29824
29825The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
29826
29827@subsubheading Example
29828
29829@smallexample
29830(gdb)
29831111-exec-continue
29832111^running
29833
29834(gdb)
29835222-exec-interrupt
29836222^done
29837(gdb)
29838111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
29839frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29840fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
29841(gdb)
29842
29843(gdb)
29844-exec-interrupt
29845^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
29846(gdb)
29847@end smallexample
29848
29849@subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
29850@findex -exec-jump
29851
29852@subsubheading Synopsis
29853
29854@smallexample
29855 -exec-jump @var{location}
29856@end smallexample
29857
29858Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
29859parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
29860different forms of @var{location}.
29861
29862@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29863
29864The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
29865
29866@subsubheading Example
29867
29868@smallexample
29869-exec-jump foo.c:10
29870*running,thread-id="all"
29871^running
29872@end smallexample
29873
29874
29875@subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
29876@findex -exec-next
29877
29878@subsubheading Synopsis
29879
29880@smallexample
29881 -exec-next [--reverse]
29882@end smallexample
29883
29884Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29885of the next source line is reached.
29886
29887If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29888of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
29889source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
29890function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
29891source line where the function was called.
29892
29893
29894@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29895
29896The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
29897
29898@subsubheading Example
29899
29900@smallexample
29901-exec-next
29902^running
29903(gdb)
29904*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
29905(gdb)
29906@end smallexample
29907
29908
29909@subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
29910@findex -exec-next-instruction
29911
29912@subsubheading Synopsis
29913
29914@smallexample
29915 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
29916@end smallexample
29917
29918Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
29919call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
29920instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
29921printed as well.
29922
29923If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29924of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
29925previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
29926it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
29927(from the current stack frame) is reached.
29928
29929@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29930
29931The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
29932
29933@subsubheading Example
29934
29935@smallexample
29936(gdb)
29937-exec-next-instruction
29938^running
29939
29940(gdb)
29941*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29942addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
29943(gdb)
29944@end smallexample
29945
29946
29947@subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
29948@findex -exec-return
29949
29950@subsubheading Synopsis
29951
29952@smallexample
29953 -exec-return
29954@end smallexample
29955
29956Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
29957Displays the new current frame.
29958
29959@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29960
29961The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
29962
29963@subsubheading Example
29964
29965@smallexample
29966(gdb)
29967200-break-insert callee4
29968200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
29969file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29970(gdb)
29971000-exec-run
29972000^running
29973(gdb)
29974000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29975frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29976file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29977fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29978(gdb)
29979205-break-delete
29980205^done
29981(gdb)
29982111-exec-return
29983111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
29984args=[@{name="strarg",
29985value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29986file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29987fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29988(gdb)
29989@end smallexample
29990
29991
29992@subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
29993@findex -exec-run
29994
29995@subsubheading Synopsis
29996
29997@smallexample
29998 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
29999@end smallexample
30000
30001Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
30002executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
30003exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
30004the program has exited exceptionally.
30005
30006When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
30007@samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
30008group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
30009If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
30010
30011@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30012
30013The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
30014
30015@subsubheading Examples
30016
30017@smallexample
30018(gdb)
30019-break-insert main
30020^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30021(gdb)
30022-exec-run
30023^running
30024(gdb)
30025*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30026frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
30027fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30028(gdb)
30029@end smallexample
30030
30031@noindent
30032Program exited normally:
30033
30034@smallexample
30035(gdb)
30036-exec-run
30037^running
30038(gdb)
30039x = 55
30040*stopped,reason="exited-normally"
30041(gdb)
30042@end smallexample
30043
30044@noindent
30045Program exited exceptionally:
30046
30047@smallexample
30048(gdb)
30049-exec-run
30050^running
30051(gdb)
30052x = 55
30053*stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
30054(gdb)
30055@end smallexample
30056
30057Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
30058@code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
30059
30060@smallexample
30061(gdb)
30062*stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
30063signal-meaning="Interrupt"
30064@end smallexample
30065
30066
30067@c @subheading -exec-signal
30068
30069
30070@subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
30071@findex -exec-step
30072
30073@subsubheading Synopsis
30074
30075@smallexample
30076 -exec-step [--reverse]
30077@end smallexample
30078
30079Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
30080of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
30081function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
30082function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
30083execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
30084previously executed source line.
30085
30086@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30087
30088The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
30089
30090@subsubheading Example
30091
30092Stepping into a function:
30093
30094@smallexample
30095-exec-step
30096^running
30097(gdb)
30098*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30099frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
30100@{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
30101fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
30102(gdb)
30103@end smallexample
30104
30105Regular stepping:
30106
30107@smallexample
30108-exec-step
30109^running
30110(gdb)
30111*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
30112(gdb)
30113@end smallexample
30114
30115
30116@subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
30117@findex -exec-step-instruction
30118
30119@subsubheading Synopsis
30120
30121@smallexample
30122 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
30123@end smallexample
30124
30125Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
30126@samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
30127inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
30128The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
30129whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
30130former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
30131as well.
30132
30133@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30134
30135The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
30136
30137@subsubheading Example
30138
30139@smallexample
30140(gdb)
30141-exec-step-instruction
30142^running
30143
30144(gdb)
30145*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30146frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30147fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
30148(gdb)
30149-exec-step-instruction
30150^running
30151
30152(gdb)
30153*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30154frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30155fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
30156(gdb)
30157@end smallexample
30158
30159
30160@subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
30161@findex -exec-until
30162
30163@subsubheading Synopsis
30164
30165@smallexample
30166 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
30167@end smallexample
30168
30169Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
30170argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
30171until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
30172reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
30173
30174@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30175
30176The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
30177
30178@subsubheading Example
30179
30180@smallexample
30181(gdb)
30182-exec-until recursive2.c:6
30183^running
30184(gdb)
30185x = 55
30186*stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
30187file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
30188(gdb)
30189@end smallexample
30190
30191@ignore
30192@subheading -file-clear
30193Is this going away????
30194@end ignore
30195
30196@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30197@node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
30198@section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
30199
30200
30201@subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
30202@findex -stack-info-frame
30203
30204@subsubheading Synopsis
30205
30206@smallexample
30207 -stack-info-frame
30208@end smallexample
30209
30210Get info on the selected frame.
30211
30212@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30213
30214The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
30215(without arguments).
30216
30217@subsubheading Example
30218
30219@smallexample
30220(gdb)
30221-stack-info-frame
30222^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
30223file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30224fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
30225(gdb)
30226@end smallexample
30227
30228@subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
30229@findex -stack-info-depth
30230
30231@subsubheading Synopsis
30232
30233@smallexample
30234 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
30235@end smallexample
30236
30237Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
30238is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
30239
30240@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30241
30242There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
30243
30244@subsubheading Example
30245
30246For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
30247
30248@smallexample
30249(gdb)
30250-stack-info-depth
30251^done,depth="12"
30252(gdb)
30253-stack-info-depth 4
30254^done,depth="4"
30255(gdb)
30256-stack-info-depth 12
30257^done,depth="12"
30258(gdb)
30259-stack-info-depth 11
30260^done,depth="11"
30261(gdb)
30262-stack-info-depth 13
30263^done,depth="12"
30264(gdb)
30265@end smallexample
30266
30267@subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
30268@findex -stack-list-arguments
30269
30270@subsubheading Synopsis
30271
30272@smallexample
30273 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
30274 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
30275@end smallexample
30276
30277Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
30278and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
30279@var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
30280call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
30281at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
30282larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
30283@var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
30284which case only existing frames will be returned.
30285
30286If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30287the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30288values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30289type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30290structures and unions.
30291
30292Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
30293deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
30294
30295@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30296
30297@value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
30298@samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
30299functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
30300
30301@subsubheading Example
30302
30303@smallexample
30304(gdb)
30305-stack-list-frames
30306^done,
30307stack=[
30308frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30309file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30310fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
30311frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
30312file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30313fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
30314frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
30315file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30316fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
30317frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
30318file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30319fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
30320frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
30321file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30322fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
30323(gdb)
30324-stack-list-arguments 0
30325^done,
30326stack-args=[
30327frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
30328frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
30329frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
30330frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
30331frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
30332(gdb)
30333-stack-list-arguments 1
30334^done,
30335stack-args=[
30336frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
30337frame=@{level="1",
30338 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
30339frame=@{level="2",args=[
30340@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30341@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
30342@{frame=@{level="3",args=[
30343@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30344@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
30345@{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
30346frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
30347(gdb)
30348-stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
30349^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
30350(gdb)
30351-stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
30352^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
30353args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30354@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
30355(gdb)
30356@end smallexample
30357
30358@c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
30359
30360
30361@subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
30362@findex -stack-list-frames
30363
30364@subsubheading Synopsis
30365
30366@smallexample
30367 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
30368@end smallexample
30369
30370List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
30371following info:
30372
30373@table @samp
30374@item @var{level}
30375The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
30376@item @var{addr}
30377The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
30378@item @var{func}
30379Function name.
30380@item @var{file}
30381File name of the source file where the function lives.
30382@item @var{fullname}
30383The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
30384@item @var{line}
30385Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
30386@item @var{from}
30387The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
30388if the frame's function is not known.
30389@end table
30390
30391If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
30392whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
30393levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
30394are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
30395an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
30396frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
30397actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
30398
30399@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30400
30401The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
30402
30403@subsubheading Example
30404
30405Full stack backtrace:
30406
30407@smallexample
30408(gdb)
30409-stack-list-frames
30410^done,stack=
30411[frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
30412 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
30413frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30414 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30415frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30416 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30417frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30418 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30419frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30420 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30421frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30422 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30423frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30424 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30425frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30426 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30427frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30428 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30429frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30430 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30431frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30432 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30433frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
30434 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
30435(gdb)
30436@end smallexample
30437
30438Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
30439
30440@smallexample
30441(gdb)
30442-stack-list-frames 3 5
30443^done,stack=
30444[frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30445 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30446frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30447 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30448frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30449 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
30450(gdb)
30451@end smallexample
30452
30453Show a single frame:
30454
30455@smallexample
30456(gdb)
30457-stack-list-frames 3 3
30458^done,stack=
30459[frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30460 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
30461(gdb)
30462@end smallexample
30463
30464
30465@subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
30466@findex -stack-list-locals
30467
30468@subsubheading Synopsis
30469
30470@smallexample
30471 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
30472@end smallexample
30473
30474Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
30475@var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30476the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30477values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30478type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30479structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
30480display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
30481other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
30482more detail.
30483
30484This command is deprecated in favor of the
30485@samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
30486
30487@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30488
30489@samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
30490
30491@subsubheading Example
30492
30493@smallexample
30494(gdb)
30495-stack-list-locals 0
30496^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
30497(gdb)
30498-stack-list-locals --all-values
30499^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
30500 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
30501-stack-list-locals --simple-values
30502^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
30503 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
30504(gdb)
30505@end smallexample
30506
30507@subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
30508@findex -stack-list-variables
30509
30510@subsubheading Synopsis
30511
30512@smallexample
30513 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
30514@end smallexample
30515
30516Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
30517@var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30518the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30519values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30520type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30521structures and unions.
30522
30523@subsubheading Example
30524
30525@smallexample
30526(gdb)
30527-stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
30528^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
30529(gdb)
30530@end smallexample
30531
30532
30533@subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
30534@findex -stack-select-frame
30535
30536@subsubheading Synopsis
30537
30538@smallexample
30539 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
30540@end smallexample
30541
30542Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
30543the stack.
30544
30545This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
30546option to every command.
30547
30548@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30549
30550The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
30551@samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
30552
30553@subsubheading Example
30554
30555@smallexample
30556(gdb)
30557-stack-select-frame 2
30558^done
30559(gdb)
30560@end smallexample
30561
30562@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30563@node GDB/MI Variable Objects
30564@section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
30565
30566@ignore
30567
30568@subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30569
30570For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
30571expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
30572used by @code{Insight}.
30573
30574The two main reasons for that are:
30575
30576@enumerate 1
30577@item
30578It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
30579
30580@item
30581It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
30582now).
30583@end enumerate
30584
30585The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
30586slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
30587describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
30588hints about their use.
30589
30590@emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
30591expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
30592least, the following operations:
30593
30594@itemize @bullet
30595@item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
30596@item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
30597@item @code{-stack-list-locals}
30598@item @code{-stack-select-frame}
30599@end itemize
30600
30601@end ignore
30602
30603@subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
30604
30605@cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30606
30607Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
30608changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
30609work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
30610simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
30611is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
30612frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
30613expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
30614expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
30615variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
30616operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
30617object, or to change display format.
30618
30619Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
30620that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
30621a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
30622element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
30623children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
30624leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
30625objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
30626is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
30627child will be created.
30628
30629For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
30630string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
30631obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
30632that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
30633contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
30634
30635A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
30636the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
30637variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
30638operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
30639be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
30640objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
30641real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
30642variables that frontend has created.
30643
30644The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
30645might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
30646and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
30647relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
30648to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
30649visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
30650called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
30651implicitly updated.
30652
30653Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
30654fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
30655object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
30656variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
30657variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
30658expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
30659frame. Consider this example:
30660
30661@smallexample
30662void do_work(...)
30663@{
30664 struct work_state state;
30665
30666 if (...)
30667 do_work(...);
30668@}
30669@end smallexample
30670
30671If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
30672this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
30673object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
30674@code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
30675object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
30676
30677If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
30678refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
30679thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
30680variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
30681thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
30682and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
30683
30684The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
30685access this functionality:
30686
30687@multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
30688@item @strong{Operation}
30689@tab @strong{Description}
30690
30691@item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
30692@tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
30693@item @code{-var-create}
30694@tab create a variable object
30695@item @code{-var-delete}
30696@tab delete the variable object and/or its children
30697@item @code{-var-set-format}
30698@tab set the display format of this variable
30699@item @code{-var-show-format}
30700@tab show the display format of this variable
30701@item @code{-var-info-num-children}
30702@tab tells how many children this object has
30703@item @code{-var-list-children}
30704@tab return a list of the object's children
30705@item @code{-var-info-type}
30706@tab show the type of this variable object
30707@item @code{-var-info-expression}
30708@tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
30709@item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
30710@tab print full expression that this variable object represents
30711@item @code{-var-show-attributes}
30712@tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
30713@item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
30714@tab get the value of this variable
30715@item @code{-var-assign}
30716@tab set the value of this variable
30717@item @code{-var-update}
30718@tab update the variable and its children
30719@item @code{-var-set-frozen}
30720@tab set frozeness attribute
30721@item @code{-var-set-update-range}
30722@tab set range of children to display on update
30723@end multitable
30724
30725In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
30726how it can be used.
30727
30728@subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
30729
30730@subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
30731@findex -enable-pretty-printing
30732
30733@smallexample
30734-enable-pretty-printing
30735@end smallexample
30736
30737@value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
30738MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
30739implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
30740request that this functionality be enabled.
30741
30742Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
30743
30744Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
30745this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
30746
30747This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
30748may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
30749
30750@subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
30751@findex -var-create
30752
30753@subsubheading Synopsis
30754
30755@smallexample
30756 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
30757 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
30758@end smallexample
30759
30760This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
30761a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
30762register.
30763
30764The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
30765referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
30766system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
30767unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
30768The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
30769
30770The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
30771specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
30772frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
30773object must be created.
30774
30775@var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
30776begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
30777
30778@itemize @bullet
30779@item
30780@samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
30781
30782@item
30783@samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
30784
30785@item
30786@samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
30787@end itemize
30788
30789@cindex dynamic varobj
30790A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
30791case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
30792have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
30793@code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
30794will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
30795compatibility for existing clients.
30796
30797@subsubheading Result
30798
30799This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
30800are:
30801
30802@table @samp
30803@item name
30804The name of the varobj.
30805
30806@item numchild
30807The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
30808reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
30809@samp{has_more} attribute.
30810
30811@item value
30812The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
30813aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
30814will not be interesting.
30815
30816@item type
30817The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
30818would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
30819(@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30820@emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30821@emph{declared} one.
30822
30823@item thread-id
30824If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
30825thread's identifier.
30826
30827@item has_more
30828For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
30829children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
30830
30831@item dynamic
30832This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30833varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30834then this attribute will not be present.
30835
30836@item displayhint
30837A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30838value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30839@code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30840@end table
30841
30842Typical output will look like this:
30843
30844@smallexample
30845 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
30846 has_more="@var{has_more}"
30847@end smallexample
30848
30849
30850@subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
30851@findex -var-delete
30852
30853@subsubheading Synopsis
30854
30855@smallexample
30856 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
30857@end smallexample
30858
30859Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
30860With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
30861
30862Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
30863
30864
30865@subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
30866@findex -var-set-format
30867
30868@subsubheading Synopsis
30869
30870@smallexample
30871 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
30872@end smallexample
30873
30874Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
30875@var{format-spec}.
30876
30877@anchor{-var-set-format}
30878The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
30879
30880@smallexample
30881 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
30882 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
30883@end smallexample
30884
30885The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
30886based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
30887for pointers, etc.).
30888
30889For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
30890variable itself, and the children are not affected.
30891
30892@subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
30893@findex -var-show-format
30894
30895@subsubheading Synopsis
30896
30897@smallexample
30898 -var-show-format @var{name}
30899@end smallexample
30900
30901Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
30902
30903@smallexample
30904 @var{format} @expansion{}
30905 @var{format-spec}
30906@end smallexample
30907
30908
30909@subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
30910@findex -var-info-num-children
30911
30912@subsubheading Synopsis
30913
30914@smallexample
30915 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
30916@end smallexample
30917
30918Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
30919
30920@smallexample
30921 numchild=@var{n}
30922@end smallexample
30923
30924Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
30925It will return the current number of children, but more children may
30926be available.
30927
30928
30929@subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
30930@findex -var-list-children
30931
30932@subsubheading Synopsis
30933
30934@smallexample
30935 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
30936@end smallexample
30937@anchor{-var-list-children}
30938
30939Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
30940create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
30941a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
30942@code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
30943@var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
30944values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
30945value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
30946and unions.
30947
30948@var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
30949to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
30950reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
30951at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
30952reported.
30953
30954If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
30955@code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
30956For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
30957intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
30958update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
30959front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
30960then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
30961different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
30962the visible items.
30963
30964For each child the following results are returned:
30965
30966@table @var
30967
30968@item name
30969Name of the variable object created for this child.
30970
30971@item exp
30972The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
30973For example this may be the name of a structure member.
30974
30975For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
30976expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
30977
30978For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
30979designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
30980@samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
30981type and value are not present.
30982
30983A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
30984pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
30985available at all with a dynamic varobj.
30986
30987@item numchild
30988Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
309890.
30990
30991@item type
30992The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
30993(@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30994@emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30995@emph{declared} one.
30996
30997@item value
30998If values were requested, this is the value.
30999
31000@item thread-id
31001If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
31002Otherwise this result is not present.
31003
31004@item frozen
31005If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
31006@end table
31007
31008The result may have its own attributes:
31009
31010@table @samp
31011@item displayhint
31012A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31013value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31014@code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31015
31016@item has_more
31017This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
31018remaining after the end of the selected range.
31019@end table
31020
31021@subsubheading Example
31022
31023@smallexample
31024(gdb)
31025 -var-list-children n
31026 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
31027 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
31028(gdb)
31029 -var-list-children --all-values n
31030 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
31031 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
31032@end smallexample
31033
31034
31035@subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
31036@findex -var-info-type
31037
31038@subsubheading Synopsis
31039
31040@smallexample
31041 -var-info-type @var{name}
31042@end smallexample
31043
31044Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
31045returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
31046@value{GDBN} CLI:
31047
31048@smallexample
31049 type=@var{typename}
31050@end smallexample
31051
31052
31053@subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
31054@findex -var-info-expression
31055
31056@subsubheading Synopsis
31057
31058@smallexample
31059 -var-info-expression @var{name}
31060@end smallexample
31061
31062Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
31063variable object in user interface. The string is generally
31064not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
31065
31066For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
31067@code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
31068
31069@smallexample
31070(gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
31071^done,lang="C",exp="1"
31072@end smallexample
31073
31074@noindent
31075Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
31076
31077Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
31078includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
31079is of limited use.
31080
31081@subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
31082@findex -var-info-path-expression
31083
31084@subsubheading Synopsis
31085
31086@smallexample
31087 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
31088@end smallexample
31089
31090Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
31091context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
31092Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
31093result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
31094the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
31095watchpoint from a variable object.
31096
31097This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
31098and will give an error when invoked on one.
31099
31100For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
31101@code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
31102@code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
31103@code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
31104@code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
31105@smallexample
31106(gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
31107^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
31108@end smallexample
31109
31110@subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
31111@findex -var-show-attributes
31112
31113@subsubheading Synopsis
31114
31115@smallexample
31116 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
31117@end smallexample
31118
31119List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
31120
31121@smallexample
31122 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
31123@end smallexample
31124
31125@noindent
31126where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
31127
31128@subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
31129@findex -var-evaluate-expression
31130
31131@subsubheading Synopsis
31132
31133@smallexample
31134 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
31135@end smallexample
31136
31137Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
31138object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
31139can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
31140this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
31141(@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
31142the current display format will be used. The current display format
31143can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
31144
31145@smallexample
31146 value=@var{value}
31147@end smallexample
31148
31149Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
31150before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
31151
31152@subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
31153@findex -var-assign
31154
31155@subsubheading Synopsis
31156
31157@smallexample
31158 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
31159@end smallexample
31160
31161Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
31162by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
31163value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
31164subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
31165
31166@subsubheading Example
31167
31168@smallexample
31169(gdb)
31170-var-assign var1 3
31171^done,value="3"
31172(gdb)
31173-var-update *
31174^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
31175(gdb)
31176@end smallexample
31177
31178@subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
31179@findex -var-update
31180
31181@subsubheading Synopsis
31182
31183@smallexample
31184 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
31185@end smallexample
31186
31187Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
31188@var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
31189list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
31190be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
31191@code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
31192@code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
31193object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
31194for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
31195@var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
31196names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
31197as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
31198recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
31199number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
31200
31201With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
31202currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
31203diagnostic.
31204
31205If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
31206only the selected range of children will be reported.
31207
31208@code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
31209@samp{changelist}.
31210
31211Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
31212
31213@table @samp
31214@item name
31215The name of the varobj.
31216
31217@item value
31218If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
31219present and will hold the value of the varobj.
31220
31221@item in_scope
31222@anchor{-var-update}
31223This field is a string which may take one of three values:
31224
31225@table @code
31226@item "true"
31227The variable object's current value is valid.
31228
31229@item "false"
31230The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
31231hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
31232scope.
31233
31234@item "invalid"
31235The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
31236This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
31237either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
31238command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
31239objects.
31240@end table
31241
31242In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
31243be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
31244
31245@item type_changed
31246This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
31247changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
31248be @samp{false}.
31249
31250When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
31251become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
31252deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
31253range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
31254unset.
31255
31256@item new_type
31257If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
31258hold the new type.
31259
31260@item new_num_children
31261For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
31262type changed, this will be the new number of children.
31263
31264The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
31265valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
31266@value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
31267instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
31268children which may be available.
31269
31270The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
31271number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
31272detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
31273only happen at the end of the update range).
31274
31275@item displayhint
31276The display hint, if any.
31277
31278@item has_more
31279This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
31280available outside the varobj's update range.
31281
31282@item dynamic
31283This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31284varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31285then this attribute will not be present.
31286
31287@item new_children
31288If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
31289update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
31290be listed in this attribute.
31291@end table
31292
31293@subsubheading Example
31294
31295@smallexample
31296(gdb)
31297-var-assign var1 3
31298^done,value="3"
31299(gdb)
31300-var-update --all-values var1
31301^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
31302type_changed="false"@}]
31303(gdb)
31304@end smallexample
31305
31306@subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
31307@findex -var-set-frozen
31308@anchor{-var-set-frozen}
31309
31310@subsubheading Synopsis
31311
31312@smallexample
31313 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
31314@end smallexample
31315
31316Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
31317@var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
31318frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
31319frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
31320implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
31321a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
31322@code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
31323values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
31324implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
31325Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
31326@code{-var-update} does.
31327
31328@subsubheading Example
31329
31330@smallexample
31331(gdb)
31332-var-set-frozen V 1
31333^done
31334(gdb)
31335@end smallexample
31336
31337@subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
31338@findex -var-set-update-range
31339@anchor{-var-set-update-range}
31340
31341@subsubheading Synopsis
31342
31343@smallexample
31344 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
31345@end smallexample
31346
31347Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
31348@code{-var-update}.
31349
31350@var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
31351@var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
31352children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
31353(zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
31354
31355@subsubheading Example
31356
31357@smallexample
31358(gdb)
31359-var-set-update-range V 1 2
31360^done
31361@end smallexample
31362
31363@subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
31364@findex -var-set-visualizer
31365@anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
31366
31367@subsubheading Synopsis
31368
31369@smallexample
31370 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
31371@end smallexample
31372
31373Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
31374
31375@var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
31376@samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
31377
31378If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
31379This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
31380single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
31381the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
31382Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
31383When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
31384pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
31385
31386The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
31387select a visualizer by following the built-in process
31388(@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
31389a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
31390
31391This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
31392command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
31393can be used to check this.
31394
31395@subsubheading Example
31396
31397Resetting the visualizer:
31398
31399@smallexample
31400(gdb)
31401-var-set-visualizer V None
31402^done
31403@end smallexample
31404
31405Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
31406
31407@smallexample
31408(gdb)
31409-var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
31410^done
31411@end smallexample
31412
31413Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
31414can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
31415
31416@smallexample
31417(gdb)
31418-var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
31419^done
31420@end smallexample
31421
31422@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31423@node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
31424@section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
31425
31426@cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
31427@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
31428This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
31429examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
31430
31431@c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
31432@c @subheading -data-assign
31433@c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
31434@c @subsubheading GDB Command
31435@c set variable
31436@c @subsubheading Example
31437@c N.A.
31438
31439@subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
31440@findex -data-disassemble
31441
31442@subsubheading Synopsis
31443
31444@smallexample
31445 -data-disassemble
31446 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
31447 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
31448 -- @var{mode}
31449@end smallexample
31450
31451@noindent
31452Where:
31453
31454@table @samp
31455@item @var{start-addr}
31456is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
31457@item @var{end-addr}
31458is the end address
31459@item @var{filename}
31460is the name of the file to disassemble
31461@item @var{linenum}
31462is the line number to disassemble around
31463@item @var{lines}
31464is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
31465the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
31466specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
31467@var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
31468@var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
31469displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
31470@var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
31471are displayed.
31472@item @var{mode}
31473is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
31474disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
31475mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
31476@end table
31477
31478@subsubheading Result
31479
31480The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
31481@samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
31482used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
31483
31484For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
31485following fields:
31486
31487@table @code
31488@item address
31489The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
31490
31491@item func-name
31492The name of the function this instruction is within.
31493
31494@item offset
31495The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
31496
31497@item inst
31498The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
31499
31500@item opcodes
31501This field is only present for mode 2. This contains the raw opcode
31502bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
31503
31504@end table
31505
31506For modes 1 and 3 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
31507@samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
31508
31509@table @code
31510@item line
31511The line number within @samp{file}.
31512
31513@item file
31514The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
31515file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
31516used.
31517
31518@item fullname
31519Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
31520using the source file search path
31521(@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
31522and after resolving all the symbolic links.
31523
31524If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
31525present in the debug information.
31526
31527@item line_asm_insn
31528This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
31529@samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
31530@code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
31531@samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
31532@samp{opcodes}.
31533
31534@end table
31535
31536Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
31537manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
31538adjust its format.
31539
31540@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31541
31542The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
31543
31544@subsubheading Example
31545
31546Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
31547
31548@smallexample
31549(gdb)
31550-data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
31551^done,
31552asm_insns=[
31553@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31554inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31555@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31556inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31557@{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
31558inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
31559@{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
31560inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31561@{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
31562inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
31563(gdb)
31564@end smallexample
31565
31566Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
31567@code{main}.
31568
31569@smallexample
31570-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
31571^done,asm_insns=[
31572@{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31573inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31574@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31575inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31576@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31577inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31578[@dots{}]
31579@{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
31580@{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
31581(gdb)
31582@end smallexample
31583
31584Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
31585
31586@smallexample
31587(gdb)
31588-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
31589^done,asm_insns=[
31590@{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31591inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31592@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31593inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31594@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31595inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
31596(gdb)
31597@end smallexample
31598
31599Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
31600
31601@smallexample
31602(gdb)
31603-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
31604^done,asm_insns=[
31605src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
31606file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31607fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31608line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
31609func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
31610src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
31611file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31612fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31613line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
31614func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31615@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31616inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
31617(gdb)
31618@end smallexample
31619
31620
31621@subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
31622@findex -data-evaluate-expression
31623
31624@subsubheading Synopsis
31625
31626@smallexample
31627 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
31628@end smallexample
31629
31630Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
31631inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
31632If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
31633
31634@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31635
31636The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
31637@samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
31638@samp{gdb_eval} command.
31639
31640@subsubheading Example
31641
31642In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
31643@dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
31644Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
31645output.
31646
31647@smallexample
31648211-data-evaluate-expression A
31649211^done,value="1"
31650(gdb)
31651311-data-evaluate-expression &A
31652311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
31653(gdb)
31654411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
31655411^done,value="4"
31656(gdb)
31657511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
31658511^done,value="4"
31659(gdb)
31660@end smallexample
31661
31662
31663@subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
31664@findex -data-list-changed-registers
31665
31666@subsubheading Synopsis
31667
31668@smallexample
31669 -data-list-changed-registers
31670@end smallexample
31671
31672Display a list of the registers that have changed.
31673
31674@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31675
31676@value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
31677has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
31678
31679@subsubheading Example
31680
31681On a PPC MBX board:
31682
31683@smallexample
31684(gdb)
31685-exec-continue
31686^running
31687
31688(gdb)
31689*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
31690func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
31691line="5"@}
31692(gdb)
31693-data-list-changed-registers
31694^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
31695"10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
31696"24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
31697(gdb)
31698@end smallexample
31699
31700
31701@subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
31702@findex -data-list-register-names
31703
31704@subsubheading Synopsis
31705
31706@smallexample
31707 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
31708@end smallexample
31709
31710Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
31711are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
31712integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
31713names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
31714consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
31715include empty register names.
31716
31717@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31718
31719@value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
31720@samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
31721corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
31722
31723@subsubheading Example
31724
31725For the PPC MBX board:
31726@smallexample
31727(gdb)
31728-data-list-register-names
31729^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
31730"r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
31731"r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
31732"r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
31733"f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
31734"f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
31735"", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
31736(gdb)
31737-data-list-register-names 1 2 3
31738^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
31739(gdb)
31740@end smallexample
31741
31742@subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
31743@findex -data-list-register-values
31744
31745@subsubheading Synopsis
31746
31747@smallexample
31748 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
31749@end smallexample
31750
31751Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
31752which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
31753list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
31754numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
31755
31756Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
31757
31758@table @code
31759@item x
31760Hexadecimal
31761@item o
31762Octal
31763@item t
31764Binary
31765@item d
31766Decimal
31767@item r
31768Raw
31769@item N
31770Natural
31771@end table
31772
31773@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31774
31775The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
31776all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
31777
31778@subsubheading Example
31779
31780For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
31781don't appear in the actual output):
31782
31783@smallexample
31784(gdb)
31785-data-list-register-values r 64 65
31786^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31787@{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
31788(gdb)
31789-data-list-register-values x
31790^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
31791@{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31792@{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
31793@{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
31794@{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
31795@{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
31796@{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
31797@{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
31798@{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
31799@{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31800@{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
31801@{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
31802@{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
31803@{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
31804@{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
31805@{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
31806@{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
31807@{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
31808@{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
31809@{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
31810@{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
31811@{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
31812@{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
31813@{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
31814@{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
31815@{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
31816@{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
31817@{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
31818@{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
31819@{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
31820@{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
31821@{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
31822@{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31823@{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
31824@{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
31825@{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
31826(gdb)
31827@end smallexample
31828
31829
31830@subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
31831@findex -data-read-memory
31832
31833This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
31834
31835@subsubheading Synopsis
31836
31837@smallexample
31838 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31839 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
31840 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
31841@end smallexample
31842
31843@noindent
31844where:
31845
31846@table @samp
31847@item @var{address}
31848An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31849read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31850quoted using the C convention.
31851
31852@item @var{word-format}
31853The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
31854same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
31855,Output Formats}).
31856
31857@item @var{word-size}
31858The size of each memory word in bytes.
31859
31860@item @var{nr-rows}
31861The number of rows in the output table.
31862
31863@item @var{nr-cols}
31864The number of columns in the output table.
31865
31866@item @var{aschar}
31867If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
31868value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
31869member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
31870characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
31871
31872@item @var{byte-offset}
31873An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
31874@end table
31875
31876This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
31877@var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
31878@code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
31879(returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
31880of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
31881using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
31882in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
31883@samp{addr}.
31884
31885The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
31886@samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
31887@samp{prev-page}.
31888
31889@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31890
31891The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
31892@samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
31893
31894@subsubheading Example
31895
31896Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
31897@code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
31898word. Display each word in hex.
31899
31900@smallexample
31901(gdb)
319029-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
319039^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
31904next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
31905prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
31906@{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
31907@{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
31908@{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
31909(gdb)
31910@end smallexample
31911
31912Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
31913display as a single word formatted in decimal.
31914
31915@smallexample
31916(gdb)
319175-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
319185^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
31919next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
31920next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
31921@{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
31922(gdb)
31923@end smallexample
31924
31925Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
31926as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
31927used as the non-printable character.
31928
31929@smallexample
31930(gdb)
319314-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
319324^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
31933next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
31934next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
31935@{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31936@{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31937@{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31938@{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31939@{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
31940@{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
31941@{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
31942@{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
31943(gdb)
31944@end smallexample
31945
31946@subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
31947@findex -data-read-memory-bytes
31948
31949@subsubheading Synopsis
31950
31951@smallexample
31952 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31953 @var{address} @var{count}
31954@end smallexample
31955
31956@noindent
31957where:
31958
31959@table @samp
31960@item @var{address}
31961An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31962read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31963quoted using the C convention.
31964
31965@item @var{count}
31966The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
31967
31968@item @var{byte-offset}
31969The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
31970reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
31971so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
31972perform address arithmetics itself.
31973
31974@end table
31975
31976This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
31977specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
31978map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
31979Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
31980regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
31981@value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
31982
31983In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
31984and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
31985every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
31986attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
31987of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
31988well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
31989has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
31990@value{GDBN} will not read it.
31991
31992The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
31993the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
31994list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
31995and has the following fields:
31996
31997@table @code
31998@item begin
31999The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32000
32001@item end
32002The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32003
32004@item offset
32005The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
32006the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
32007
32008@item contents
32009The contents of the memory block, in hex.
32010
32011@end table
32012
32013
32014
32015@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32016
32017The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
32018
32019@subsubheading Example
32020
32021@smallexample
32022(gdb)
32023-data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
32024^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
32025 end="0xbffff15e",
32026 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
32027(gdb)
32028@end smallexample
32029
32030
32031@subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
32032@findex -data-write-memory-bytes
32033
32034@subsubheading Synopsis
32035
32036@smallexample
32037 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
32038 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
32039@end smallexample
32040
32041@noindent
32042where:
32043
32044@table @samp
32045@item @var{address}
32046An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32047read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32048quoted using the C convention.
32049
32050@item @var{contents}
32051The hex-encoded bytes to write.
32052
32053@item @var{count}
32054Optional argument indicating the number of bytes to be written. If @var{count}
32055is greater than @var{contents}' length, @value{GDBN} will repeatedly
32056write @var{contents} until it fills @var{count} bytes.
32057
32058@end table
32059
32060@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32061
32062There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32063
32064@subsubheading Example
32065
32066@smallexample
32067(gdb)
32068-data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
32069^done
32070(gdb)
32071@end smallexample
32072
32073@smallexample
32074(gdb)
32075-data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
32076^done
32077(gdb)
32078@end smallexample
32079
32080@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32081@node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
32082@section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
32083
32084The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
32085tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
32086
32087@subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
32088@findex -trace-find
32089
32090@subsubheading Synopsis
32091
32092@smallexample
32093 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
32094@end smallexample
32095
32096Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
32097@var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
32098modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
32099
32100@table @samp
32101
32102@item none
32103No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
32104
32105@item frame-number
32106An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
32107that index.
32108
32109@item tracepoint-number
32110An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
32111trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
32112
32113@item pc
32114An address is required as parameter. Finds
32115next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
32116address.
32117
32118@item pc-inside-range
32119Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
32120frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
32121specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32122
32123@item pc-outside-range
32124Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
32125next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
32126the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
32127
32128@item line
32129Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
32130Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
32131the specified location.
32132
32133@end table
32134
32135If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
32136have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
32137
32138@table @samp
32139@item found
32140This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
32141on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
32142
32143@item traceframe
32144The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
32145the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
32146
32147@item tracepoint
32148The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
32149the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
32150
32151@item frame
32152The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
32153frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
32154@xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
32155
32156@end table
32157
32158@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32159
32160The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
32161
32162@subheading -trace-define-variable
32163@findex -trace-define-variable
32164
32165@subsubheading Synopsis
32166
32167@smallexample
32168 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
32169@end smallexample
32170
32171Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
32172@var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
32173trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
32174with the @samp{$} character.
32175
32176@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32177
32178The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
32179
32180@subheading -trace-list-variables
32181@findex -trace-list-variables
32182
32183@subsubheading Synopsis
32184
32185@smallexample
32186 -trace-list-variables
32187@end smallexample
32188
32189Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
32190table has the following fields:
32191
32192@table @samp
32193@item name
32194The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
32195
32196@item initial
32197The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
32198field is always present.
32199
32200@item current
32201The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
32202signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
32203not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
32204presently running.
32205
32206@end table
32207
32208@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32209
32210The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
32211
32212@subsubheading Example
32213
32214@smallexample
32215(gdb)
32216-trace-list-variables
32217^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
32218hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
32219 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
32220 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
32221body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
32222 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
32223(gdb)
32224@end smallexample
32225
32226@subheading -trace-save
32227@findex -trace-save
32228
32229@subsubheading Synopsis
32230
32231@smallexample
32232 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
32233@end smallexample
32234
32235Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
32236@samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
32237in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
32238to perform the save.
32239
32240@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32241
32242The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
32243
32244
32245@subheading -trace-start
32246@findex -trace-start
32247
32248@subsubheading Synopsis
32249
32250@smallexample
32251 -trace-start
32252@end smallexample
32253
32254Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
32255have any fields.
32256
32257@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32258
32259The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
32260
32261@subheading -trace-status
32262@findex -trace-status
32263
32264@subsubheading Synopsis
32265
32266@smallexample
32267 -trace-status
32268@end smallexample
32269
32270Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
32271the following fields:
32272
32273@table @samp
32274
32275@item supported
32276May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
32277supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
32278@samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
32279of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
32280started. This field is always present.
32281
32282@item running
32283May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
32284tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
32285if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
32286
32287@item stop-reason
32288Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
32289may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
32290value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
32291the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
32292the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
32293tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
32294The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
32295tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
32296This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
32297
32298@item stopping-tracepoint
32299The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
32300present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
32301@samp{passcount}.
32302
32303@item frames
32304@itemx frames-created
32305The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
32306in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
32307during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
32308circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
32309
32310@item buffer-size
32311@itemx buffer-free
32312These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
32313remaining space. These fields are optional.
32314
32315@item circular
32316The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
32317trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
32318necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
32319and may fill up.
32320
32321@item disconnected
32322The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
32323tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
32324that the trace run will stop.
32325
32326@item trace-file
32327The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
32328optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
32329
32330@end table
32331
32332@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32333
32334The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
32335
32336@subheading -trace-stop
32337@findex -trace-stop
32338
32339@subsubheading Synopsis
32340
32341@smallexample
32342 -trace-stop
32343@end smallexample
32344
32345Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
32346fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
32347@samp{running} fields are not output.
32348
32349@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32350
32351The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
32352
32353
32354@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32355@node GDB/MI Symbol Query
32356@section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
32357
32358
32359@ignore
32360@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
32361@findex -symbol-info-address
32362
32363@subsubheading Synopsis
32364
32365@smallexample
32366 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
32367@end smallexample
32368
32369Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
32370
32371@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32372
32373The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
32374
32375@subsubheading Example
32376N.A.
32377
32378
32379@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
32380@findex -symbol-info-file
32381
32382@subsubheading Synopsis
32383
32384@smallexample
32385 -symbol-info-file
32386@end smallexample
32387
32388Show the file for the symbol.
32389
32390@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32391
32392There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
32393@samp{gdb_find_file}.
32394
32395@subsubheading Example
32396N.A.
32397
32398
32399@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
32400@findex -symbol-info-function
32401
32402@subsubheading Synopsis
32403
32404@smallexample
32405 -symbol-info-function
32406@end smallexample
32407
32408Show which function the symbol lives in.
32409
32410@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32411
32412@samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
32413
32414@subsubheading Example
32415N.A.
32416
32417
32418@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
32419@findex -symbol-info-line
32420
32421@subsubheading Synopsis
32422
32423@smallexample
32424 -symbol-info-line
32425@end smallexample
32426
32427Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
32428
32429@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32430
32431The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
32432@code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
32433
32434@subsubheading Example
32435N.A.
32436
32437
32438@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
32439@findex -symbol-info-symbol
32440
32441@subsubheading Synopsis
32442
32443@smallexample
32444 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
32445@end smallexample
32446
32447Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
32448
32449@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32450
32451The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
32452
32453@subsubheading Example
32454N.A.
32455
32456
32457@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
32458@findex -symbol-list-functions
32459
32460@subsubheading Synopsis
32461
32462@smallexample
32463 -symbol-list-functions
32464@end smallexample
32465
32466List the functions in the executable.
32467
32468@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32469
32470@samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
32471@samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32472
32473@subsubheading Example
32474N.A.
32475@end ignore
32476
32477
32478@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
32479@findex -symbol-list-lines
32480
32481@subsubheading Synopsis
32482
32483@smallexample
32484 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
32485@end smallexample
32486
32487Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
32488addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
32489ascending PC order.
32490
32491@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32492
32493There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32494
32495@subsubheading Example
32496@smallexample
32497(gdb)
32498-symbol-list-lines basics.c
32499^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
32500(gdb)
32501@end smallexample
32502
32503
32504@ignore
32505@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
32506@findex -symbol-list-types
32507
32508@subsubheading Synopsis
32509
32510@smallexample
32511 -symbol-list-types
32512@end smallexample
32513
32514List all the type names.
32515
32516@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32517
32518The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
32519@samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32520
32521@subsubheading Example
32522N.A.
32523
32524
32525@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
32526@findex -symbol-list-variables
32527
32528@subsubheading Synopsis
32529
32530@smallexample
32531 -symbol-list-variables
32532@end smallexample
32533
32534List all the global and static variable names.
32535
32536@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32537
32538@samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32539
32540@subsubheading Example
32541N.A.
32542
32543
32544@subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
32545@findex -symbol-locate
32546
32547@subsubheading Synopsis
32548
32549@smallexample
32550 -symbol-locate
32551@end smallexample
32552
32553@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32554
32555@samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
32556
32557@subsubheading Example
32558N.A.
32559
32560
32561@subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
32562@findex -symbol-type
32563
32564@subsubheading Synopsis
32565
32566@smallexample
32567 -symbol-type @var{variable}
32568@end smallexample
32569
32570Show type of @var{variable}.
32571
32572@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32573
32574The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
32575@samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
32576
32577@subsubheading Example
32578N.A.
32579@end ignore
32580
32581
32582@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32583@node GDB/MI File Commands
32584@section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
32585
32586This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
32587and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
32588
32589@subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
32590@findex -file-exec-and-symbols
32591
32592@subsubheading Synopsis
32593
32594@smallexample
32595 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
32596@end smallexample
32597
32598Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
32599which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
32600command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
32601are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
32602error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
32603notification.
32604
32605@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32606
32607The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
32608
32609@subsubheading Example
32610
32611@smallexample
32612(gdb)
32613-file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32614^done
32615(gdb)
32616@end smallexample
32617
32618
32619@subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
32620@findex -file-exec-file
32621
32622@subsubheading Synopsis
32623
32624@smallexample
32625 -file-exec-file @var{file}
32626@end smallexample
32627
32628Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
32629@samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
32630from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
32631about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
32632notification.
32633
32634@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32635
32636The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
32637
32638@subsubheading Example
32639
32640@smallexample
32641(gdb)
32642-file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32643^done
32644(gdb)
32645@end smallexample
32646
32647
32648@ignore
32649@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
32650@findex -file-list-exec-sections
32651
32652@subsubheading Synopsis
32653
32654@smallexample
32655 -file-list-exec-sections
32656@end smallexample
32657
32658List the sections of the current executable file.
32659
32660@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32661
32662The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
32663information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
32664@samp{gdb_load_info}.
32665
32666@subsubheading Example
32667N.A.
32668@end ignore
32669
32670
32671@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
32672@findex -file-list-exec-source-file
32673
32674@subsubheading Synopsis
32675
32676@smallexample
32677 -file-list-exec-source-file
32678@end smallexample
32679
32680List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
32681to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
32682information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
32683whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
32684
32685@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32686
32687The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
32688
32689@subsubheading Example
32690
32691@smallexample
32692(gdb)
32693123-file-list-exec-source-file
32694123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
32695(gdb)
32696@end smallexample
32697
32698
32699@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
32700@findex -file-list-exec-source-files
32701
32702@subsubheading Synopsis
32703
32704@smallexample
32705 -file-list-exec-source-files
32706@end smallexample
32707
32708List the source files for the current executable.
32709
32710It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
32711name) of a source file.
32712
32713@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32714
32715The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
32716@code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
32717
32718@subsubheading Example
32719@smallexample
32720(gdb)
32721-file-list-exec-source-files
32722^done,files=[
32723@{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
32724@{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
32725@{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
32726(gdb)
32727@end smallexample
32728
32729@ignore
32730@subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
32731@findex -file-list-shared-libraries
32732
32733@subsubheading Synopsis
32734
32735@smallexample
32736 -file-list-shared-libraries
32737@end smallexample
32738
32739List the shared libraries in the program.
32740
32741@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32742
32743The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
32744
32745@subsubheading Example
32746N.A.
32747
32748
32749@subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
32750@findex -file-list-symbol-files
32751
32752@subsubheading Synopsis
32753
32754@smallexample
32755 -file-list-symbol-files
32756@end smallexample
32757
32758List symbol files.
32759
32760@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32761
32762The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
32763
32764@subsubheading Example
32765N.A.
32766@end ignore
32767
32768
32769@subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
32770@findex -file-symbol-file
32771
32772@subsubheading Synopsis
32773
32774@smallexample
32775 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
32776@end smallexample
32777
32778Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
32779used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
32780produced, except for a completion notification.
32781
32782@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32783
32784The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
32785
32786@subsubheading Example
32787
32788@smallexample
32789(gdb)
32790-file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32791^done
32792(gdb)
32793@end smallexample
32794
32795@ignore
32796@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32797@node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
32798@section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
32799
32800The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
32801
32802@c @subheading -overlay-auto
32803
32804@c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
32805
32806@c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
32807
32808@c @subheading -overlay-map
32809
32810@c @subheading -overlay-off
32811
32812@c @subheading -overlay-on
32813
32814@c @subheading -overlay-unmap
32815
32816@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32817@node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
32818@section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
32819
32820Signal handling commands are not implemented.
32821
32822@c @subheading -signal-handle
32823
32824@c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
32825
32826@c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
32827@end ignore
32828
32829
32830@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32831@node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
32832@section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
32833
32834
32835@subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
32836@findex -target-attach
32837
32838@subsubheading Synopsis
32839
32840@smallexample
32841 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
32842@end smallexample
32843
32844Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
32845@value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
32846group, the id previously returned by
32847@samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
32848
32849@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32850
32851The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
32852
32853@subsubheading Example
32854@smallexample
32855(gdb)
32856-target-attach 34
32857=thread-created,id="1"
32858*stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
32859^done
32860(gdb)
32861@end smallexample
32862
32863@ignore
32864@subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
32865@findex -target-compare-sections
32866
32867@subsubheading Synopsis
32868
32869@smallexample
32870 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
32871@end smallexample
32872
32873Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
32874Without the argument, all sections are compared.
32875
32876@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32877
32878The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
32879
32880@subsubheading Example
32881N.A.
32882@end ignore
32883
32884
32885@subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
32886@findex -target-detach
32887
32888@subsubheading Synopsis
32889
32890@smallexample
32891 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
32892@end smallexample
32893
32894Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
32895If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
32896the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
32897
32898@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32899
32900The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
32901
32902@subsubheading Example
32903
32904@smallexample
32905(gdb)
32906-target-detach
32907^done
32908(gdb)
32909@end smallexample
32910
32911
32912@subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
32913@findex -target-disconnect
32914
32915@subsubheading Synopsis
32916
32917@smallexample
32918 -target-disconnect
32919@end smallexample
32920
32921Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
32922generally not resumed.
32923
32924@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32925
32926The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
32927
32928@subsubheading Example
32929
32930@smallexample
32931(gdb)
32932-target-disconnect
32933^done
32934(gdb)
32935@end smallexample
32936
32937
32938@subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
32939@findex -target-download
32940
32941@subsubheading Synopsis
32942
32943@smallexample
32944 -target-download
32945@end smallexample
32946
32947Loads the executable onto the remote target.
32948It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
32949
32950@table @samp
32951@item section
32952The name of the section.
32953@item section-sent
32954The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
32955@item section-size
32956The size of the section.
32957@item total-sent
32958The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
32959@item total-size
32960The size of the overall executable to download.
32961@end table
32962
32963@noindent
32964Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
32965@sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
32966
32967In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
32968downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
32969
32970@table @samp
32971@item section
32972The name of the section.
32973@item section-size
32974The size of the section.
32975@item total-size
32976The size of the overall executable to download.
32977@end table
32978
32979@noindent
32980At the end, a summary is printed.
32981
32982@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32983
32984The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
32985
32986@subsubheading Example
32987
32988Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
32989have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
32990
32991@smallexample
32992(gdb)
32993-target-download
32994+download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
32995+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
32996total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
32997+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
32998total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
32999+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
33000total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
33001+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
33002total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
33003+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
33004total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
33005+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
33006total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
33007+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
33008total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
33009+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
33010total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
33011+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
33012total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
33013+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
33014total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
33015+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
33016total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
33017+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
33018total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
33019+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
33020total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
33021+download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33022+download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33023+download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
33024+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
33025total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
33026+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
33027total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
33028+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
33029total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
33030+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
33031total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
33032+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
33033total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
33034+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
33035total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
33036^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
33037write-rate="429"
33038(gdb)
33039@end smallexample
33040
33041
33042@ignore
33043@subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
33044@findex -target-exec-status
33045
33046@subsubheading Synopsis
33047
33048@smallexample
33049 -target-exec-status
33050@end smallexample
33051
33052Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
33053not, for instance).
33054
33055@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33056
33057There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
33058
33059@subsubheading Example
33060N.A.
33061
33062
33063@subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
33064@findex -target-list-available-targets
33065
33066@subsubheading Synopsis
33067
33068@smallexample
33069 -target-list-available-targets
33070@end smallexample
33071
33072List the possible targets to connect to.
33073
33074@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33075
33076The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
33077
33078@subsubheading Example
33079N.A.
33080
33081
33082@subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
33083@findex -target-list-current-targets
33084
33085@subsubheading Synopsis
33086
33087@smallexample
33088 -target-list-current-targets
33089@end smallexample
33090
33091Describe the current target.
33092
33093@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33094
33095The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
33096other things).
33097
33098@subsubheading Example
33099N.A.
33100
33101
33102@subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
33103@findex -target-list-parameters
33104
33105@subsubheading Synopsis
33106
33107@smallexample
33108 -target-list-parameters
33109@end smallexample
33110
33111@c ????
33112@end ignore
33113
33114@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33115
33116No equivalent.
33117
33118@subsubheading Example
33119N.A.
33120
33121
33122@subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
33123@findex -target-select
33124
33125@subsubheading Synopsis
33126
33127@smallexample
33128 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
33129@end smallexample
33130
33131Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
33132
33133@table @samp
33134@item @var{type}
33135The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
33136@item @var{parameters}
33137Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
33138Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
33139@end table
33140
33141The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
33142which the target program is, in the following form:
33143
33144@smallexample
33145^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
33146 args=[@var{arg list}]
33147@end smallexample
33148
33149@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33150
33151The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
33152
33153@subsubheading Example
33154
33155@smallexample
33156(gdb)
33157-target-select remote /dev/ttya
33158^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
33159(gdb)
33160@end smallexample
33161
33162@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33163@node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
33164@section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
33165
33166
33167@subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
33168@findex -target-file-put
33169
33170@subsubheading Synopsis
33171
33172@smallexample
33173 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
33174@end smallexample
33175
33176Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
33177@value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
33178
33179@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33180
33181The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
33182
33183@subsubheading Example
33184
33185@smallexample
33186(gdb)
33187-target-file-put localfile remotefile
33188^done
33189(gdb)
33190@end smallexample
33191
33192
33193@subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
33194@findex -target-file-get
33195
33196@subsubheading Synopsis
33197
33198@smallexample
33199 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
33200@end smallexample
33201
33202Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
33203on the host system.
33204
33205@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33206
33207The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
33208
33209@subsubheading Example
33210
33211@smallexample
33212(gdb)
33213-target-file-get remotefile localfile
33214^done
33215(gdb)
33216@end smallexample
33217
33218
33219@subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
33220@findex -target-file-delete
33221
33222@subsubheading Synopsis
33223
33224@smallexample
33225 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
33226@end smallexample
33227
33228Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
33229
33230@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33231
33232The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
33233
33234@subsubheading Example
33235
33236@smallexample
33237(gdb)
33238-target-file-delete remotefile
33239^done
33240(gdb)
33241@end smallexample
33242
33243
33244@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33245@node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
33246@section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
33247
33248@c @subheading -gdb-complete
33249
33250@subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
33251@findex -gdb-exit
33252
33253@subsubheading Synopsis
33254
33255@smallexample
33256 -gdb-exit
33257@end smallexample
33258
33259Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
33260
33261@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33262
33263Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
33264
33265@subsubheading Example
33266
33267@smallexample
33268(gdb)
33269-gdb-exit
33270^exit
33271@end smallexample
33272
33273
33274@ignore
33275@subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
33276@findex -exec-abort
33277
33278@subsubheading Synopsis
33279
33280@smallexample
33281 -exec-abort
33282@end smallexample
33283
33284Kill the inferior running program.
33285
33286@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33287
33288The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
33289
33290@subsubheading Example
33291N.A.
33292@end ignore
33293
33294
33295@subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
33296@findex -gdb-set
33297
33298@subsubheading Synopsis
33299
33300@smallexample
33301 -gdb-set
33302@end smallexample
33303
33304Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
33305@c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
33306
33307@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33308
33309The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
33310
33311@subsubheading Example
33312
33313@smallexample
33314(gdb)
33315-gdb-set $foo=3
33316^done
33317(gdb)
33318@end smallexample
33319
33320
33321@subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
33322@findex -gdb-show
33323
33324@subsubheading Synopsis
33325
33326@smallexample
33327 -gdb-show
33328@end smallexample
33329
33330Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
33331
33332@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33333
33334The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
33335
33336@subsubheading Example
33337
33338@smallexample
33339(gdb)
33340-gdb-show annotate
33341^done,value="0"
33342(gdb)
33343@end smallexample
33344
33345@c @subheading -gdb-source
33346
33347
33348@subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
33349@findex -gdb-version
33350
33351@subsubheading Synopsis
33352
33353@smallexample
33354 -gdb-version
33355@end smallexample
33356
33357Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
33358
33359@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33360
33361The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
33362default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
33363
33364@subsubheading Example
33365
33366@c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
33367@c box in TeX.
33368@smallexample
33369(gdb)
33370-gdb-version
33371~GNU gdb 5.2.1
33372~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33373~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
33374~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
33375~ certain conditions.
33376~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33377~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
33378~ details.
33379~This GDB was configured as
33380 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
33381^done
33382(gdb)
33383@end smallexample
33384
33385@subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
33386@findex -list-features
33387
33388Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
33389this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
33390or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
33391important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
33392of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
33393startup.
33394
33395The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
33396available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
33397have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
33398is given below.
33399
33400Example output:
33401
33402@smallexample
33403(gdb) -list-features
33404^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
33405@end smallexample
33406
33407The current list of features is:
33408
33409@table @samp
33410@item frozen-varobjs
33411Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
33412as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
33413of @code{-varobj-create}.
33414@item pending-breakpoints
33415Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
33416command.
33417@item python
33418Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
33419pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
33420@samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
33421@item thread-info
33422Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
33423@item data-read-memory-bytes
33424Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
33425@code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
33426@item breakpoint-notifications
33427Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
33428CLI will be announced via async records.
33429@item ada-task-info
33430Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
33431@end table
33432
33433@subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
33434@findex -list-target-features
33435
33436Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
33437target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
33438unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
33439features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
33440a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
33441@code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
33442may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
33443Example output:
33444
33445@smallexample
33446(gdb) -list-features
33447^done,result=["async"]
33448@end smallexample
33449
33450The current list of features is:
33451
33452@table @samp
33453@item async
33454Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
33455execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
33456while the target is running.
33457
33458@item reverse
33459Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
33460@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
33461
33462@end table
33463
33464@subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
33465@findex -list-thread-groups
33466
33467@subheading Synopsis
33468
33469@smallexample
33470-list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
33471@end smallexample
33472
33473Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
33474group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
33475When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
33476thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
33477top-level thread groups.
33478
33479Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
33480With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
33481available on the target.
33482
33483The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
33484a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
33485as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
33486Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
33487each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
33488requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
33489are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
33490of the @samp{group} result is described below.
33491
33492To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
33493together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
33494and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
33495permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
33496will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
33497@samp{threads} field.
33498
33499In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
33500the following caveats:
33501
33502@itemize @bullet
33503@item
33504When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
33505be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
33506anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
33507
33508@item
33509When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
33510be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
33511be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
33512not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
33513The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
33514is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
33515
33516@end itemize
33517
33518The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
33519have the following fields:
33520
33521@table @code
33522@item id
33523Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
33524The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
33525convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
33526
33527@item type
33528The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
33529valid type.
33530
33531@item pid
33532The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
33533for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
33534
33535@item num_children
33536The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
33537absent for an available thread group.
33538
33539@item threads
33540This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
33541thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
33542specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
33543
33544@item cores
33545This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
33546thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
33547such information is not available.
33548
33549@item executable
33550The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
33551The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
33552and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
33553
33554@end table
33555
33556@subheading Example
33557
33558@smallexample
33559@value{GDBP}
33560-list-thread-groups
33561^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
33562-list-thread-groups 17
33563^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
33564 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
33565@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
33566 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
33567 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
33568-list-thread-groups --available
33569^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
33570-list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
33571 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33572 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33573 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
33574-list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
33575^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33576 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33577 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
33578@end smallexample
33579
33580@subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
33581@findex -info-os
33582
33583@subsubheading Synopsis
33584
33585@smallexample
33586-info-os [ @var{type} ]
33587@end smallexample
33588
33589If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
33590operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
33591supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
33592of data of that type.
33593
33594The types of information available depend on the target operating
33595system.
33596
33597@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33598
33599The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
33600
33601@subsubheading Example
33602
33603When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
33604like this:
33605
33606@smallexample
33607@value{GDBP}
33608-info-os
33609^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
33610hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
33611 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
33612 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
33613body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
33614 col2="Processes"@},
33615 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
33616 col2="Process groups"@},
33617 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
33618 col2="Threads"@},
33619 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
33620 col2="File descriptors"@},
33621 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
33622 col2="Sockets"@},
33623 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
33624 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
33625 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
33626 col2="Semaphores"@},
33627 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
33628 col2="Message queues"@},
33629 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
33630 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
33631@value{GDBP}
33632-info-os processes
33633^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
33634hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
33635 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
33636 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
33637 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
33638body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
33639 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
33640 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
33641 ...
33642 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
33643 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
33644(gdb)
33645@end smallexample
33646
33647(Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
33648does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
33649for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
33650popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
33651@code{info os} omits it.)
33652
33653@subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
33654@findex -add-inferior
33655
33656@subheading Synopsis
33657
33658@smallexample
33659-add-inferior
33660@end smallexample
33661
33662Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
33663inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
33664be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
33665(@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
33666field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
33667thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
33668
33669@subheading Example
33670
33671@smallexample
33672@value{GDBP}
33673-add-inferior
33674^done,thread-group="i3"
33675@end smallexample
33676
33677@subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
33678@findex -interpreter-exec
33679
33680@subheading Synopsis
33681
33682@smallexample
33683-interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
33684@end smallexample
33685@anchor{-interpreter-exec}
33686
33687Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
33688
33689@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33690
33691The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
33692
33693@subheading Example
33694
33695@smallexample
33696(gdb)
33697-interpreter-exec console "break main"
33698&"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
33699&"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
33700~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
33701^done
33702(gdb)
33703@end smallexample
33704
33705@subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
33706@findex -inferior-tty-set
33707
33708@subheading Synopsis
33709
33710@smallexample
33711-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33712@end smallexample
33713
33714Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
33715
33716@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33717
33718The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
33719
33720@subheading Example
33721
33722@smallexample
33723(gdb)
33724-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33725^done
33726(gdb)
33727@end smallexample
33728
33729@subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
33730@findex -inferior-tty-show
33731
33732@subheading Synopsis
33733
33734@smallexample
33735-inferior-tty-show
33736@end smallexample
33737
33738Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
33739
33740@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33741
33742The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
33743
33744@subheading Example
33745
33746@smallexample
33747(gdb)
33748-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33749^done
33750(gdb)
33751-inferior-tty-show
33752^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
33753(gdb)
33754@end smallexample
33755
33756@subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
33757@findex -enable-timings
33758
33759@subheading Synopsis
33760
33761@smallexample
33762-enable-timings [yes | no]
33763@end smallexample
33764
33765Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
33766command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
33767developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
33768equivalent to @samp{yes}.
33769
33770@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33771
33772No equivalent.
33773
33774@subheading Example
33775
33776@smallexample
33777(gdb)
33778-enable-timings
33779^done
33780(gdb)
33781-break-insert main
33782^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
33783addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
33784fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
33785times="0"@},
33786time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
33787(gdb)
33788-enable-timings no
33789^done
33790(gdb)
33791-exec-run
33792^running
33793(gdb)
33794*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
33795frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
33796@{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
33797fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
33798(gdb)
33799@end smallexample
33800
33801@node Annotations
33802@chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
33803
33804This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
33805designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
33806similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
33807relatively high level.
33808
33809The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
33810(@pxref{GDB/MI}).
33811
33812@ignore
33813This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
33814@end ignore
33815
33816@menu
33817* Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
33818* Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
33819* Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
33820* Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
33821* Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
33822* Annotations for Running::
33823 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
33824* Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
33825@end menu
33826
33827@node Annotations Overview
33828@section What is an Annotation?
33829@cindex annotations
33830
33831Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
33832characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
33833information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
33834is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
33835information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
33836additional information, and a newline. The additional information
33837cannot contain newline characters.
33838
33839Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
33840characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
33841no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
33842@samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
33843annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
33844means those three characters as output.
33845
33846The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
33847@option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
33848how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
33849values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
33850is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
33851subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
33852for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
33853been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
33854Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
33855
33856@table @code
33857@kindex set annotate
33858@item set annotate @var{level}
33859The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
33860annotations to the specified @var{level}.
33861
33862@item show annotate
33863@kindex show annotate
33864Show the current annotation level.
33865@end table
33866
33867This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
33868
33869A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
33870
33871@smallexample
33872$ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
33873GNU gdb 6.0
33874Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33875GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
33876and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
33877under certain conditions.
33878Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33879There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
33880for details.
33881This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
33882
33883^Z^Zpre-prompt
33884(@value{GDBP})
33885^Z^Zprompt
33886@kbd{quit}
33887
33888^Z^Zpost-prompt
33889$
33890@end smallexample
33891
33892Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
33893@value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
33894denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
33895output from @value{GDBN}.
33896
33897@node Server Prefix
33898@section The Server Prefix
33899@cindex server prefix
33900
33901If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
33902the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
33903command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
33904means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
33905a transparent manner.
33906
33907The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
33908the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
33909value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
33910@code{print} command.
33911
33912Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
33913(@pxref{confirmation requests}).
33914
33915@node Prompting
33916@section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
33917
33918@cindex annotations for prompts
33919When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
33920to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
33921over, etc.
33922
33923Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
33924input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
33925denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
33926annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
33927annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
33928associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
33929features the following annotations:
33930
33931@smallexample
33932^Z^Zpre-prompt
33933^Z^Zprompt
33934^Z^Zpost-prompt
33935@end smallexample
33936
33937The input types are
33938
33939@table @code
33940@findex pre-prompt annotation
33941@findex prompt annotation
33942@findex post-prompt annotation
33943@item prompt
33944When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
33945
33946@findex pre-commands annotation
33947@findex commands annotation
33948@findex post-commands annotation
33949@item commands
33950When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
33951command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
33952
33953@findex pre-overload-choice annotation
33954@findex overload-choice annotation
33955@findex post-overload-choice annotation
33956@item overload-choice
33957When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
33958
33959@findex pre-query annotation
33960@findex query annotation
33961@findex post-query annotation
33962@item query
33963When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
33964
33965@findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
33966@findex prompt-for-continue annotation
33967@findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
33968@item prompt-for-continue
33969When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
33970expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
33971prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
33972presence of annotations.
33973@end table
33974
33975@node Errors
33976@section Errors
33977@cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
33978
33979@findex quit annotation
33980@smallexample
33981^Z^Zquit
33982@end smallexample
33983
33984This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
33985
33986@findex error annotation
33987@smallexample
33988^Z^Zerror
33989@end smallexample
33990
33991This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
33992
33993Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
33994in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
33995@code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
33996cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
33997cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
33998does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
33999to the top level.
34000
34001@findex error-begin annotation
34002A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
34003
34004@smallexample
34005^Z^Zerror-begin
34006@end smallexample
34007
34008Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
34009message.
34010
34011Warning messages are not yet annotated.
34012@c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
34013@c range_error(), and possibly other places.
34014
34015@node Invalidation
34016@section Invalidation Notices
34017
34018@cindex annotations for invalidation messages
34019The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
34020changed.
34021
34022@table @code
34023@findex frames-invalid annotation
34024@item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
34025
34026The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
34027have changed.
34028
34029@findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
34030@item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
34031
34032The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
34033deleted a breakpoint.
34034@end table
34035
34036@node Annotations for Running
34037@section Running the Program
34038@cindex annotations for running programs
34039
34040@findex starting annotation
34041@findex stopping annotation
34042When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
34043@code{step} or @code{continue},
34044
34045@smallexample
34046^Z^Zstarting
34047@end smallexample
34048
34049is output. When the program stops,
34050
34051@smallexample
34052^Z^Zstopped
34053@end smallexample
34054
34055is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
34056annotations describe how the program stopped.
34057
34058@table @code
34059@findex exited annotation
34060@item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
34061The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
34062successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
34063
34064@findex signalled annotation
34065@findex signal-name annotation
34066@findex signal-name-end annotation
34067@findex signal-string annotation
34068@findex signal-string-end annotation
34069@item ^Z^Zsignalled
34070The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
34071annotation continues:
34072
34073@smallexample
34074@var{intro-text}
34075^Z^Zsignal-name
34076@var{name}
34077^Z^Zsignal-name-end
34078@var{middle-text}
34079^Z^Zsignal-string
34080@var{string}
34081^Z^Zsignal-string-end
34082@var{end-text}
34083@end smallexample
34084
34085@noindent
34086where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
34087@code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
34088as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
34089@var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
34090user's benefit and have no particular format.
34091
34092@findex signal annotation
34093@item ^Z^Zsignal
34094The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
34095just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
34096terminated with it.
34097
34098@findex breakpoint annotation
34099@item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
34100The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
34101
34102@findex watchpoint annotation
34103@item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
34104The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
34105@end table
34106
34107@node Source Annotations
34108@section Displaying Source
34109@cindex annotations for source display
34110
34111@findex source annotation
34112The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
34113
34114@smallexample
34115^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
34116@end smallexample
34117
34118where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
34119file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
34120first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
34121within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
34122debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
34123@var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
34124line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
34125@var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
34126source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
34127followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
34128depend on the language).
34129
34130@node JIT Interface
34131@chapter JIT Compilation Interface
34132@cindex just-in-time compilation
34133@cindex JIT compilation interface
34134
34135This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
34136interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
34137executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
34138performance while maintaining platform independence.
34139
34140Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
34141portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
34142object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
34143and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
34144@value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
34145symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
34146
34147If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
34148it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
34149you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
34150of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
34151LLVM JIT.
34152
34153Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
34154JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
34155variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
34156attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
34157find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
34158out about additional code.
34159
34160@menu
34161* Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
34162* Registering Code:: Steps to register code
34163* Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
34164* Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
34165@end menu
34166
34167@node Declarations
34168@section JIT Declarations
34169
34170These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
34171implement the interface:
34172
34173@smallexample
34174typedef enum
34175@{
34176 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
34177 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
34178 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
34179@} jit_actions_t;
34180
34181struct jit_code_entry
34182@{
34183 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
34184 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
34185 const char *symfile_addr;
34186 uint64_t symfile_size;
34187@};
34188
34189struct jit_descriptor
34190@{
34191 uint32_t version;
34192 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
34193 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
34194 uint32_t action_flag;
34195 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
34196 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
34197@};
34198
34199/* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
34200void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
34201
34202/* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
34203 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
34204struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
34205@end smallexample
34206
34207If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
34208modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
34209a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
34210
34211@node Registering Code
34212@section Registering Code
34213
34214To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
34215
34216@itemize @bullet
34217@item
34218Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
34219information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
34220
34221@item
34222Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
34223file.
34224
34225@item
34226Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
34227
34228@item
34229Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
34230
34231@item
34232Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
34233@code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
34234@end itemize
34235
34236When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
34237@code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
34238new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
34239@value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
34240
34241@node Unregistering Code
34242@section Unregistering Code
34243
34244If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
34245
34246@itemize @bullet
34247@item
34248Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
34249
34250@item
34251Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
34252
34253@item
34254Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
34255@code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
34256@end itemize
34257
34258If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
34259and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
34260
34261@node Custom Debug Info
34262@section Custom Debug Info
34263@cindex custom JIT debug info
34264@cindex JIT debug info reader
34265
34266Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
34267or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
34268debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
34269issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
34270format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
34271by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
34272such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
34273@file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
34274@file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
34275
34276The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
34277not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
34278runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
34279@code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
34280the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
34281object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
34282compiler.
34283
34284@menu
34285* Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
34286* Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
34287@end menu
34288
34289@node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34290@subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34291@kindex jit-reader-load
34292@kindex jit-reader-unload
34293
34294Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
34295and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
34296
34297@table @code
34298@item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
34299Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}. @var{reader} is a shared
34300object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
34301the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
34302pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
34303system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
34304@file{/usr/local/lib}).
34305
34306Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
34307reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
34308reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
34309the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
34310@code{jit-reader-load}.
34311
34312@item jit-reader-unload
34313Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
34314
34315@end table
34316
34317@node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34318@subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34319@cindex writing JIT debug info readers
34320
34321As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
34322certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
34323
34324@file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
34325required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
34326@value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
34327the system include directory.
34328
34329Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
34330can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
34331@code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
34332
34333The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
34334which is expected to be a function with the prototype
34335
34336@findex gdb_init_reader
34337@smallexample
34338extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
34339@end smallexample
34340
34341@cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
34342
34343@code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
34344functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
34345generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
34346(@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
34347(@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
34348reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
34349
34350@smallexample
34351struct gdb_reader_funcs
34352@{
34353 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
34354 int reader_version;
34355
34356 /* For use by the reader. */
34357 void *priv_data;
34358
34359 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
34360 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
34361 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
34362 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
34363@};
34364@end smallexample
34365
34366@cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
34367@cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
34368
34369The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
34370@value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
34371passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
34372and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
34373@code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
34374files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
34375gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
34376frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
34377frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
34378target's address space.
34379
34380@node In-Process Agent
34381@chapter In-Process Agent
34382@cindex debugging agent
34383The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
34384because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
34385as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
34386multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
34387and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
34388example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
34389timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
34390it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
34391long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
34392If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
34393introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
34394code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
34395behavior without interrupting it.
34396
34397Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
34398some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
34399reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
34400@dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
34401process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
34402itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
34403performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
34404interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
34405because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
34406
34407The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
34408(@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
34409agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
34410data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
34411
34412@anchor{Control Agent}
34413You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
34414debugging with the following commands:
34415
34416@table @code
34417@kindex set agent on
34418@item set agent on
34419Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
34420debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
34421by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
34422if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
34423and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
34424conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
34425
34426@kindex set agent off
34427@item set agent off
34428Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
34429of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
34430
34431@kindex show agent
34432@item show agent
34433Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
34434the in-process agent.
34435@end table
34436
34437@menu
34438* In-Process Agent Protocol::
34439@end menu
34440
34441@node In-Process Agent Protocol
34442@section In-Process Agent Protocol
34443@cindex in-process agent protocol
34444
34445The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
34446GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
34447used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
34448In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
34449(@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
34450in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
34451some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
34452of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
34453types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
34454
34455@menu
34456* IPA Protocol Objects::
34457* IPA Protocol Commands::
34458@end menu
34459
34460@node IPA Protocol Objects
34461@subsection IPA Protocol Objects
34462@cindex ipa protocol objects
34463
34464The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
34465complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
34466
34467The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
34468or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
34469two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
34470However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
34471
34472@enumerate
34473@item
34474word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
34475compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
34476@item
34477ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
34478GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
34479the other one.
34480@end enumerate
34481
34482Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
34483
34484@enumerate
34485@item
34486agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
34487(@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
34488@anchor{agent expression object}
34489@item
34490tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
34491(@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
34492memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
34493@anchor{tracepoint action object}
34494@item
34495tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
34496@anchor{tracepoint object}
34497
34498@end enumerate
34499
34500The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
34501object:
34502
34503@multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
34504@headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
34505@item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
34506@item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
34507@item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
34508@item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
34509@item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34510@item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
34511address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
34512of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
34513@item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
34514@item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
34515memory address for collecting.
34516@item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
34517@item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34518@item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
34519@item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34520@item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
34521@item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34522@item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
34523@item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
34524@item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
34525@item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
34526@item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
34527@item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
34528@item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
34529@item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
34530@item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
34531@item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
34532@item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
34533@item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
34534@item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
34535@item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
34536@ref{agent expression object}
34537@tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
34538@ref{agent expression object}
34539@item actions @tab variable
34540@tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
34541@end multitable
34542
34543@node IPA Protocol Commands
34544@subsection IPA Protocol Commands
34545@cindex ipa protocol commands
34546
34547The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
34548specification. They don't exist in real commands.
34549
34550@table @samp
34551
34552@item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
34553Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
34554(@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
34555head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
34556in IPA finally.
34557
34558Replies:
34559@table @samp
34560@item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
34561@var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
34562@var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
34563@var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
34564@var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
34565@var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
34566@item E @var{NN}
34567for an error
34568
34569@end table
34570
34571@item close
34572Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
34573is about to kill inferiors.
34574
34575@item qTfSTM
34576@xref{qTfSTM}.
34577@item qTsSTM
34578@xref{qTsSTM}.
34579@item qTSTMat
34580@xref{qTSTMat}.
34581@item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
34582Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
34583
34584Replies:
34585@table @samp
34586@item E @var{NN}
34587for an error
34588@end table
34589@item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
34590Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
34591@end table
34592
34593@node GDB Bugs
34594@chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
34595@cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
34596@cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
34597
34598Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
34599
34600Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
34601may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
34602the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
34603reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
34604
34605In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
34606information that enables us to fix the bug.
34607
34608@menu
34609* Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
34610* Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
34611@end menu
34612
34613@node Bug Criteria
34614@section Have You Found a Bug?
34615@cindex bug criteria
34616
34617If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
34618
34619@itemize @bullet
34620@cindex fatal signal
34621@cindex debugger crash
34622@cindex crash of debugger
34623@item
34624If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
34625@value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
34626
34627@cindex error on valid input
34628@item
34629If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
34630bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
34631somewhere in the connection to the target.)
34632
34633@cindex invalid input
34634@item
34635If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
34636that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
34637``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
34638for traditional practice''.
34639
34640@item
34641If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
34642for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
34643@end itemize
34644
34645@node Bug Reporting
34646@section How to Report Bugs
34647@cindex bug reports
34648@cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
34649
34650A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
34651If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
34652contact that organization first.
34653
34654You can find contact information for many support companies and
34655individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
34656distribution.
34657@c should add a web page ref...
34658
34659@ifset BUGURL
34660@ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
34661In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34662@value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
34663@uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
34664page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
34665be used.
34666
34667@strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
34668@samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
34669not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
34670@samp{bug-gdb}.
34671
34672The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
34673serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
34674the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
34675newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
34676problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
34677path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
34678we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
34679bug reports to the mailing list.
34680@end ifset
34681@ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
34682In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34683@value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
34684@end ifclear
34685@end ifset
34686
34687The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
34688@strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
34689fact or leave it out, state it!
34690
34691Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
34692problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
34693assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
34694Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
34695stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
34696name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
34697of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
34698the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
34699easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
34700
34701Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
34702bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
34703you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
34704self-contained.
34705
34706Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
34707bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
34708@emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
34709bugs properly.
34710
34711To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
34712
34713@itemize @bullet
34714@item
34715The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
34716with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
34717version}.
34718
34719Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
34720the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
34721
34722@item
34723The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
34724version number.
34725
34726@item
34727The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
34728@value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
34729@option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
34730@code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
34731
34732@item
34733What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
34734``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
34735
34736@item
34737What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
34738debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
34739C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
34740to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
34741those compilers.
34742
34743@item
34744The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
34745observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
34746you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
34747Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
34748
34749If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
34750and then we might not encounter the bug.
34751
34752@item
34753A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
34754reproduce the bug.
34755
34756@item
34757A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
34758incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
34759
34760Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
34761will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
34762not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
34763a chance to make a mistake.
34764
34765Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
34766say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
34767copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
34768the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
34769crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
34770ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
34771us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
34772to draw any conclusion from our observations.
34773
34774@pindex script
34775@cindex recording a session script
34776To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
34777such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
34778Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
34779include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
34780
34781Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
34782inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
34783
34784@item
34785If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
34786diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
34787it by context, not by line number.
34788
34789The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
34790sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
34791
34792@end itemize
34793
34794Here are some things that are not necessary:
34795
34796@itemize @bullet
34797@item
34798A description of the envelope of the bug.
34799
34800Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
34801which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
34802changes will not affect it.
34803
34804This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
34805will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
34806with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
34807We recommend that you save your time for something else.
34808
34809Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
34810of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
34811output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
34812less time, and so on.
34813
34814However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
34815report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
34816
34817@item
34818A patch for the bug.
34819
34820A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
34821the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
34822a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
34823to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
34824
34825Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
34826construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
34827through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
34828to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
34829
34830And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
34831patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
34832help us to understand.
34833
34834@item
34835A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
34836
34837Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
34838things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
34839@end itemize
34840
34841@c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
34842@c and consists of the two following files:
34843@c rluser.texi
34844@c hsuser.texi
34845@c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
34846@c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
34847@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
34848@include rluser.texi
34849@include hsuser.texi
34850@end ifclear
34851
34852@node In Memoriam
34853@appendix In Memoriam
34854
34855The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
34856contributors:
34857
34858@table @code
34859@item Fred Fish
34860Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
34861to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
34862the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
34863
34864@item Michael Snyder
34865Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
34866with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
34867to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
34868adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
34869@end table
34870
34871Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
34872enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
34873
34874@node Formatting Documentation
34875@appendix Formatting Documentation
34876
34877@cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
34878@cindex reference card
34879The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
34880for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
34881subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
34882@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
34883release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
34884you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
34885
34886The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
34887can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
34888
34889@smallexample
34890make refcard.dvi
34891@end smallexample
34892
34893The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
34894mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
34895that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
34896high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
34897your @sc{dvi} output program.
34898
34899@cindex documentation
34900
34901All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
34902distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
34903a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
34904on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
34905formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
34906and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
34907
34908@value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
34909version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
34910file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
34911subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
34912necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
34913but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
34914Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
34915@sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
34916
34917If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
34918Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
34919@code{makeinfo}.
34920
34921If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
34922@value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
34923version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
34924
34925@smallexample
34926cd gdb
34927make gdb.info
34928@end smallexample
34929
34930If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
34931a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
34932Texinfo definitions file.
34933
34934@TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
34935produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
34936document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
34937has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
34938command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
34939(for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
34940require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
34941
34942@TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
34943@file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
34944written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
34945typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
34946and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
34947directory.
34948
34949If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
34950typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
34951subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
34952@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
34953
34954@smallexample
34955make gdb.dvi
34956@end smallexample
34957
34958Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
34959
34960@node Installing GDB
34961@appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
34962@cindex installation
34963
34964@menu
34965* Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
34966* Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
34967* Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
34968* Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
34969* Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
34970* System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
34971@end menu
34972
34973@node Requirements
34974@section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
34975@cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
34976
34977Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
34978Other packages will be used only if they are found.
34979
34980@heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
34981@table @asis
34982@item ISO C90 compiler
34983@value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
34984working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
34985
34986@end table
34987
34988@heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
34989@table @asis
34990@item Expat
34991@anchor{Expat}
34992@value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
34993included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
34994can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
34995The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
34996standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
34997use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
34998
34999Expat is used for:
35000
35001@itemize @bullet
35002@item
35003Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
35004@item
35005Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
35006@item
35007Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
35008or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
35009@item
35010MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
35011@item
35012Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
35013@item
35014Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format})
35015@end itemize
35016
35017@item zlib
35018@cindex compressed debug sections
35019@value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
35020compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
35021of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
35022is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
35023information in such binaries.
35024
35025The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
35026distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
35027@url{http://zlib.net}.
35028
35029@item iconv
35030@value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
35031Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
35032on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
35033other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
35034
35035If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
35036in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
35037This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
35038directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
35039
35040On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
35041have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
35042@option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
35043
35044@value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
35045arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
35046in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
35047if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
35048implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
35049by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
35050Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
35051Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
35052@end table
35053
35054@node Running Configure
35055@section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
35056@cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
35057@value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
35058of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
35059build the @code{gdb} program.
35060@iftex
35061@c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
35062@footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
35063look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
35064installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
35065@end iftex
35066
35067The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
35068@value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
35069appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
35070
35071For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
35072@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
35073
35074@table @code
35075@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
35076script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
35077
35078@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
35079the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
35080
35081@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
35082source for the Binary File Descriptor library
35083
35084@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
35085@sc{gnu} include files
35086
35087@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
35088source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
35089
35090@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
35091source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
35092
35093@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
35094source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
35095
35096@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
35097source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
35098
35099@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
35100source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
35101@end table
35102
35103The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
35104from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
35105this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
35106
35107First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
35108if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
35109identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
35110argument.
35111
35112For example:
35113
35114@smallexample
35115cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
35116./configure @var{host}
35117make
35118@end smallexample
35119
35120@noindent
35121where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
35122@samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
35123(You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
35124correct value by examining your system.)
35125
35126Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
35127@file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
35128libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
35129binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
35130
35131@need 750
35132@file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
35133system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
35134shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
35135
35136@smallexample
35137sh configure @var{host}
35138@end smallexample
35139
35140If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
35141directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
35142@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
35143@file{configure}
35144creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
35145you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
35146
35147You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
35148source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
35149@file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
35150that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
35151if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
35152of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
35153configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
35154directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
35155about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
35156
35157You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
35158However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
35159the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
35160that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
35161let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
35162
35163@node Separate Objdir
35164@section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
35165
35166If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
35167you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
35168host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
35169allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
35170rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
35171handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
35172@code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
35173program specified there.
35174
35175To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
35176with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
35177(You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
35178itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
35179would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
35180the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
35181
35182For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
35183separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
35184
35185@smallexample
35186@group
35187cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
35188mkdir ../gdb-sun4
35189cd ../gdb-sun4
35190../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
35191make
35192@end group
35193@end smallexample
35194
35195When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
35196directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
35197(and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
35198the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
35199directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
35200@file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
35201
35202Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
35203instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
35204like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
35205one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
35206build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
35207
35208One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
35209directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
35210@value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
35211programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
35212You specify a cross-debugging target by
35213giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
35214
35215When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
35216it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
35217called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
35218
35219The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
35220directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
35221directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
35222directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
35223will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
35224
35225When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
35226directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
35227if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
35228with each other.
35229
35230@node Config Names
35231@section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
35232
35233The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
35234script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
35235aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
35236of information in the following pattern:
35237
35238@smallexample
35239@var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
35240@end smallexample
35241
35242For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
35243or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
35244option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
35245
35246The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
35247any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
35248aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
35249@code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
35250script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
35251abbreviations---for example:
35252
35253@smallexample
35254% sh config.sub i386-linux
35255i386-pc-linux-gnu
35256% sh config.sub alpha-linux
35257alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
35258% sh config.sub hp9k700
35259hppa1.1-hp-hpux
35260% sh config.sub sun4
35261sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
35262% sh config.sub sun3
35263m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
35264% sh config.sub i986v
35265Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
35266@end smallexample
35267
35268@noindent
35269@code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
35270directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
35271
35272@node Configure Options
35273@section @file{configure} Options
35274
35275Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
35276are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
35277several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
35278Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
35279
35280@smallexample
35281configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
35282 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35283 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35284 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
35285 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
35286 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
35287 @var{host}
35288@end smallexample
35289
35290@noindent
35291You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
35292@samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
35293@samp{--}.
35294
35295@table @code
35296@item --help
35297Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
35298
35299@item --prefix=@var{dir}
35300Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
35301@file{@var{dir}}.
35302
35303@item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
35304Configure the source to install programs under directory
35305@file{@var{dir}}.
35306
35307@c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
35308@need 2000
35309@item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
35310@strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
35311@code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
35312Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
35313@value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
35314build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
35315directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
35316the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
35317directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
35318the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
35319@var{dirname}.
35320
35321@item --norecursion
35322Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
35323propagate configuration to subdirectories.
35324
35325@item --target=@var{target}
35326Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
35327@var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
35328programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
35329
35330There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
35331
35332@item @var{host} @dots{}
35333Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
35334
35335There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
35336@end table
35337
35338There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
35339needed for special purposes only.
35340
35341@node System-wide configuration
35342@section System-wide configuration and settings
35343@cindex system-wide init file
35344
35345@value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
35346this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
35347@value{GDBN} does during startup}).
35348
35349Here is the corresponding configure option:
35350
35351@table @code
35352@item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
35353Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
35354@var{file}.
35355@end table
35356
35357If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
35358it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
35359
35360@itemize @bullet
35361@item
35362If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
35363it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
35364are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
35365if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
35366init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
35367@file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
35368
35369@item
35370By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
35371it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
35372@option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35373then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35374wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
35375@end itemize
35376
35377If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
35378@option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
35379data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
35380time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
35381system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
35382@option{--data-directory} command-line option.
35383Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
35384initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
35385started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
35386reread.
35387
35388@node Maintenance Commands
35389@appendix Maintenance Commands
35390@cindex maintenance commands
35391@cindex internal commands
35392
35393In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
35394includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
35395that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
35396provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
35397messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
35398
35399@table @code
35400@kindex maint agent
35401@kindex maint agent-eval
35402@item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35403@itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35404Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
35405This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
35406(@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
35407expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
35408@samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
35409to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
35410globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
35411of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
35412the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
35413addition and return the sum.
35414If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
35415If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
35416
35417@kindex maint agent-printf
35418@item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
35419Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
35420into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
35421This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
35422printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
35423
35424@kindex maint info breakpoints
35425@item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
35426Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
35427breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
35428internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
35429breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
35430is shown:
35431
35432@table @code
35433@item breakpoint
35434Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
35435
35436@item watchpoint
35437Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
35438
35439@item longjmp
35440Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
35441@code{longjmp} calls.
35442
35443@item longjmp resume
35444Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
35445
35446@item until
35447Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
35448
35449@item finish
35450Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
35451
35452@item shlib events
35453Shared library events.
35454
35455@end table
35456
35457@kindex maint info bfds
35458@item maint info bfds
35459This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
35460@value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
35461
35462@kindex set displaced-stepping
35463@kindex show displaced-stepping
35464@cindex displaced stepping support
35465@cindex out-of-line single-stepping
35466@item set displaced-stepping
35467@itemx show displaced-stepping
35468Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
35469if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
35470over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
35471an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
35472breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
35473
35474@table @code
35475@item set displaced-stepping on
35476If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
35477displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
35478
35479@item set displaced-stepping off
35480@value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
35481even if such is supported by the target architecture.
35482
35483@cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
35484@item set displaced-stepping auto
35485This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
35486only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
35487architecture supports displaced stepping.
35488@end table
35489
35490@kindex maint check-symtabs
35491@item maint check-symtabs
35492Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
35493
35494@kindex maint cplus first_component
35495@item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
35496Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
35497
35498@kindex maint cplus namespace
35499@item maint cplus namespace
35500Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
35501
35502@kindex maint demangle
35503@item maint demangle @var{name}
35504Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
35505
35506@kindex maint deprecate
35507@kindex maint undeprecate
35508@cindex deprecated commands
35509@item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
35510@itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
35511Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
35512cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
35513argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
35514favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
35515the replacement as part of the warning.
35516
35517@kindex maint dump-me
35518@item maint dump-me
35519@cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
35520Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
35521This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
35522with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
35523
35524@kindex maint internal-error
35525@kindex maint internal-warning
35526@item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35527@itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35528Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
35529or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
35530or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
35531internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
35532either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
35533@value{GDBN} session.
35534
35535These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
35536used as the text of the error or warning message.
35537
35538Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
35539
35540@smallexample
35541(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
35542@dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
35543A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
35544debugging may prove unreliable.
35545Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35546Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35547(@value{GDBP})
35548@end smallexample
35549
35550@cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
35551@cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
35552
35553@kindex maint set internal-error
35554@kindex maint show internal-error
35555@kindex maint set internal-warning
35556@kindex maint show internal-warning
35557@item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35558@itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
35559@itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35560@itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
35561When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
35562gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
35563core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
35564override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
35565described in the table below.
35566
35567@table @samp
35568@item quit
35569You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35570quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
35571
35572@item corefile
35573You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35574create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
35575@end table
35576
35577@kindex maint packet
35578@item maint packet @var{text}
35579If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
35580then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
35581displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
35582@samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
35583checksum.
35584
35585@kindex maint print architecture
35586@item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35587Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
35588@var{file} names the file where the output goes.
35589
35590@kindex maint print c-tdesc
35591@item maint print c-tdesc
35592Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
35593a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
35594when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
35595
35596@kindex maint print dummy-frames
35597@item maint print dummy-frames
35598Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
35599
35600@smallexample
35601(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
35602@dots{}
35603(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
35604Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
3560558 return (a + b);
35606The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
35607@dots{}
35608(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
356090x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
35610 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
35611 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
35612(@value{GDBP})
35613@end smallexample
35614
35615Takes an optional file parameter.
35616
35617@kindex maint print registers
35618@kindex maint print raw-registers
35619@kindex maint print cooked-registers
35620@kindex maint print register-groups
35621@kindex maint print remote-registers
35622@item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35623@itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35624@itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35625@itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35626@itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35627Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
35628
35629The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
35630the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
35631cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
35632including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
35633to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
35634groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
35635print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
35636and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
35637@value{GDBN} Internals}.
35638
35639These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
35640write the information.
35641
35642@kindex maint print reggroups
35643@item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35644Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
35645optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
35646information.
35647
35648The register groups info looks like this:
35649
35650@smallexample
35651(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
35652 Group Type
35653 general user
35654 float user
35655 all user
35656 vector user
35657 system user
35658 save internal
35659 restore internal
35660@end smallexample
35661
35662@kindex flushregs
35663@item flushregs
35664This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
35665
35666@kindex maint print objfiles
35667@cindex info for known object files
35668@item maint print objfiles
35669Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
35670command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
35671and symtabs.
35672
35673@kindex maint print section-scripts
35674@cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
35675@item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
35676Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
35677If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
35678matching @var{regexp}.
35679For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
35680and the full path if known.
35681@xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
35682
35683@kindex maint print statistics
35684@cindex bcache statistics
35685@item maint print statistics
35686This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
35687about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
35688statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
35689of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
35690defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
35691the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
35692used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
35693sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
35694average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
35695savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
35696lengths.
35697
35698@kindex maint print target-stack
35699@cindex target stack description
35700@item maint print target-stack
35701A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
35702kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
35703so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
35704In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
35705until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
35706address.
35707
35708This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
35709the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
35710
35711@kindex maint print type
35712@cindex type chain of a data type
35713@item maint print type @var{expr}
35714Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
35715can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
35716that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
35717a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
35718data structures, including its flags and contained types.
35719
35720@kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
35721@kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
35722@item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
35723@item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
35724Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
35725information.
35726
35727The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
35728describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
35729@code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
35730expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
35731too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
35732always see the disassembly form.
35733
35734Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
35735
35736@smallexample
35737(gdb) info addr argc
35738Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
35739 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
35740@end smallexample
35741
35742For more information on these expressions, see
35743@uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
35744
35745@kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
35746@kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
35747@item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
35748@itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
35749Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
35750
35751@cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
35752In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
35753produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
35754reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
35755This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
35756cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
35757compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
35758memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
35759slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
35760
35761@kindex maint set profile
35762@kindex maint show profile
35763@cindex profiling GDB
35764@item maint set profile
35765@itemx maint show profile
35766Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
35767
35768Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
35769command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
35770collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
35771exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
35772if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
35773(often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
35774data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
35775
35776Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
35777compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
35778
35779@kindex maint set show-debug-regs
35780@kindex maint show show-debug-regs
35781@cindex hardware debug registers
35782@item maint set show-debug-regs
35783@itemx maint show show-debug-regs
35784Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
35785registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
35786enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
35787removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
35788triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
35789
35790@kindex maint set show-all-tib
35791@kindex maint show show-all-tib
35792@item maint set show-all-tib
35793@itemx maint show show-all-tib
35794Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
35795at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
35796command.
35797
35798@kindex maint set per-command
35799@kindex maint show per-command
35800@item maint set per-command
35801@itemx maint show per-command
35802@cindex resources used by commands
35803
35804@value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
35805This is useful in debugging performance problems.
35806
35807@table @code
35808@item maint set per-command space [on|off]
35809@itemx maint show per-command space
35810Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
35811If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
35812took, following the command's own output.
35813This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
35814@option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
35815
35816@item maint set per-command time [on|off]
35817@itemx maint show per-command time
35818Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
35819for each command.
35820If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
35821took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
35822Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
35823Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
35824CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
35825Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
35826the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
35827to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
35828spent by the program been debugged.
35829This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
35830@option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
35831
35832@item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
35833@itemx maint show per-command symtab
35834Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
35835for each command.
35836If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
35837
35838@enumerate a
35839@item
35840number of symbol tables
35841@item
35842number of primary symbol tables
35843@item
35844number of blocks in the blockvector
35845@end enumerate
35846@end table
35847
35848@kindex maint space
35849@cindex memory used by commands
35850@item maint space @var{value}
35851An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
35852A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
35853
35854@kindex maint time
35855@cindex time of command execution
35856@item maint time @var{value}
35857An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
35858A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
35859
35860@kindex maint translate-address
35861@item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
35862Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
35863@var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
35864@value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
35865the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
35866the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
35867command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
35868
35869If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
35870is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
35871executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
35872
35873@end table
35874
35875The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
35876@value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
35877
35878@table @code
35879@item set watchdog @var{nsec}
35880@kindex set watchdog
35881@cindex watchdog timer
35882@cindex timeout for commands
35883Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
35884target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
35885reports and error and the command is aborted.
35886
35887@item show watchdog
35888Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
35889@end table
35890
35891@node Remote Protocol
35892@appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
35893
35894@menu
35895* Overview::
35896* Packets::
35897* Stop Reply Packets::
35898* General Query Packets::
35899* Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
35900* Tracepoint Packets::
35901* Host I/O Packets::
35902* Interrupts::
35903* Notification Packets::
35904* Remote Non-Stop::
35905* Packet Acknowledgment::
35906* Examples::
35907* File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
35908* Library List Format::
35909* Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
35910* Memory Map Format::
35911* Thread List Format::
35912* Traceframe Info Format::
35913* Branch Trace Format::
35914@end menu
35915
35916@node Overview
35917@section Overview
35918
35919There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
35920protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
35921machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
35922recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
35923
35924In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
35925transmitted and received data, respectively.
35926
35927@cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
35928@cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
35929@cindex remote serial protocol
35930All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
35931and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
35932@var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
35933@samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
35934@samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
35935
35936@smallexample
35937@code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35938@end smallexample
35939@noindent
35940
35941@cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
35942@noindent
35943The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
35944characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
35945eight bit unsigned checksum).
35946
35947Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
35948specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
35949
35950@smallexample
35951@code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35952@end smallexample
35953
35954@cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
35955@noindent
35956That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
35957has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
35958since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
35959
35960When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
35961response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
35962the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
35963retransmission):
35964
35965@smallexample
35966-> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35967<- @code{+}
35968@end smallexample
35969@noindent
35970
35971The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
35972once a connection is established.
35973@xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
35974
35975The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
35976debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
35977the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
35978when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
35979threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
35980behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
35981execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
35982
35983@var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
35984exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
35985exceptions).
35986
35987@cindex remote protocol, field separator
35988Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
35989@samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
35990@sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
35991
35992Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
35993@samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
35994would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
35995
35996@cindex remote protocol, binary data
35997@anchor{Binary Data}
35998Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
35999digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
36000protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
36001Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
36002connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
36003binary data.
36004
36005The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
36006as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
36007character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
36008For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
36009bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
36010@code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
36011@samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
36012must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
36013is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
36014(described next).
36015
36016Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
36017Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
36018instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
36019repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
36020binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
36021@code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
36022produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
36023code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
36024encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
36025@samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
36026after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
360273}} more times.
36028
36029The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
36030greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
36031seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
36032five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
36033@samp{0*"00}.
36034
36035The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
36036error number. That number is not well defined.
36037
36038@cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
36039For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
36040(@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
36041protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
36042on that response.
36043
36044At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
36045commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
36046for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
36047can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
36048(step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
36049support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
36050
36051@node Packets
36052@section Packets
36053
36054The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
36055@var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
36056@xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
36057I/O extension of the remote protocol.
36058
36059Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
36060syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
36061include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
36062part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
36063separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
36064@var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
36065bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
36066@var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
36067@samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
36068@var{baz}.
36069
36070@cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
36071@anchor{thread-id syntax}
36072Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
36073a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
36074interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
36075can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
36076pick any thread.
36077
36078In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
36079which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
36080process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
36081The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
36082format described above: a positive number with target-specific
36083interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
36084to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
36085indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
36086@samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
36087error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
36088@samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
36089for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
36090ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
36091
36092The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
36093@value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
36094feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
36095more information.
36096
36097Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
36098letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
36099
36100Here are the packet descriptions.
36101
36102@table @samp
36103
36104@item !
36105@cindex @samp{!} packet
36106@anchor{extended mode}
36107Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
36108persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
36109debugged.
36110
36111Reply:
36112@table @samp
36113@item OK
36114The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
36115@end table
36116
36117@item ?
36118@cindex @samp{?} packet
36119Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
36120step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
36121target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
36122
36123Reply:
36124@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36125
36126@item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
36127@cindex @samp{A} packet
36128Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
36129specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
36130@var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
36131
36132Reply:
36133@table @samp
36134@item OK
36135The arguments were set.
36136@item E @var{NN}
36137An error occurred.
36138@end table
36139
36140@item b @var{baud}
36141@cindex @samp{b} packet
36142(Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
36143Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
36144
36145JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
36146received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
36147problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
36148
36149Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
36150it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
36151some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
36152switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
36153of view, nothing actually happened.}
36154
36155@item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
36156@cindex @samp{B} packet
36157Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
36158breakpoint at @var{addr}.
36159
36160Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
36161(@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
36162
36163@cindex @samp{bc} packet
36164@anchor{bc}
36165@item bc
36166Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
36167@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
36168
36169Reply:
36170@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36171
36172@cindex @samp{bs} packet
36173@anchor{bs}
36174@item bs
36175Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
36176@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
36177
36178Reply:
36179@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36180
36181@item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36182@cindex @samp{c} packet
36183Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
36184resume at current address.
36185
36186This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36187packet}.
36188
36189Reply:
36190@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36191
36192@item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36193@cindex @samp{C} packet
36194Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
36195@samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
36196
36197This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36198packet}.
36199
36200Reply:
36201@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36202
36203@item d
36204@cindex @samp{d} packet
36205Toggle debug flag.
36206
36207Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
36208(@pxref{General Query Packets}).
36209
36210@item D
36211@itemx D;@var{pid}
36212@cindex @samp{D} packet
36213The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
36214remote system. It is sent to the remote target
36215before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
36216
36217The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
36218protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
36219detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
36220big-endian hex string.
36221
36222Reply:
36223@table @samp
36224@item OK
36225for success
36226@item E @var{NN}
36227for an error
36228@end table
36229
36230@item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
36231@cindex @samp{F} packet
36232A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
36233This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
36234Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
36235
36236@item g
36237@anchor{read registers packet}
36238@cindex @samp{g} packet
36239Read general registers.
36240
36241Reply:
36242@table @samp
36243@item @var{XX@dots{}}
36244Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
36245with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
36246each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
36247determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
36248@code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
36249specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
36250
36251When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
36252Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
36253literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
36254that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
36255is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
362564 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
36257registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
36258have been collected, and both have zero value:
36259
36260@smallexample
36261-> @code{g}
36262<- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
36263@end smallexample
36264
36265@item E @var{NN}
36266for an error.
36267@end table
36268
36269@item G @var{XX@dots{}}
36270@cindex @samp{G} packet
36271Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
36272description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
36273
36274Reply:
36275@table @samp
36276@item OK
36277for success
36278@item E @var{NN}
36279for an error
36280@end table
36281
36282@item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
36283@cindex @samp{H} packet
36284Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
36285@samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
36286it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
36287is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
36288option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
36289@var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
36290@ref{thread-id syntax}.
36291
36292Reply:
36293@table @samp
36294@item OK
36295for success
36296@item E @var{NN}
36297for an error
36298@end table
36299
36300@c FIXME: JTC:
36301@c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
36302@c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
36303@c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
36304@c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
36305@c described. For example:
36306@c
36307@c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
36308@c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
36309@c otherwise returns current registers.
36310@c
36311@c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
36312@c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
36313@c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
36314
36315@item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
36316@anchor{cycle step packet}
36317@cindex @samp{i} packet
36318Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
36319present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
36320step starting at that address.
36321
36322@item I
36323@cindex @samp{I} packet
36324Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
36325step packet}.
36326
36327@item k
36328@cindex @samp{k} packet
36329Kill request.
36330
36331FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
36332thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
36333thread?)}.
36334
36335@item m @var{addr},@var{length}
36336@cindex @samp{m} packet
36337Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
36338Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
36339
36340The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
36341data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
36342and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
36343use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
36344suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
36345@cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
36346@cindex size of remote memory accesses
36347@cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
36348
36349Reply:
36350@table @samp
36351@item @var{XX@dots{}}
36352Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
36353number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
36354server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
36355@item E @var{NN}
36356@var{NN} is errno
36357@end table
36358
36359@item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36360@cindex @samp{M} packet
36361Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
36362@var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
36363hexadecimal number.
36364
36365Reply:
36366@table @samp
36367@item OK
36368for success
36369@item E @var{NN}
36370for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
36371written).
36372@end table
36373
36374@item p @var{n}
36375@cindex @samp{p} packet
36376Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
36377@xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
36378register value is encoded.
36379
36380Reply:
36381@table @samp
36382@item @var{XX@dots{}}
36383the register's value
36384@item E @var{NN}
36385for an error
36386@item @w{}
36387Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
36388@end table
36389
36390@item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
36391@anchor{write register packet}
36392@cindex @samp{P} packet
36393Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
36394number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
36395digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
36396
36397Reply:
36398@table @samp
36399@item OK
36400for success
36401@item E @var{NN}
36402for an error
36403@end table
36404
36405@item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36406@itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36407@cindex @samp{q} packet
36408@cindex @samp{Q} packet
36409General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
36410described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
36411
36412@item r
36413@cindex @samp{r} packet
36414Reset the entire system.
36415
36416Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
36417
36418@item R @var{XX}
36419@cindex @samp{R} packet
36420Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
36421This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36422
36423The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
36424
36425@item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36426@cindex @samp{s} packet
36427Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
36428@var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
36429
36430This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36431packet}.
36432
36433Reply:
36434@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36435
36436@item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36437@anchor{step with signal packet}
36438@cindex @samp{S} packet
36439Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
36440requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
36441
36442This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36443packet}.
36444
36445Reply:
36446@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36447
36448@item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
36449@cindex @samp{t} packet
36450Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
36451@var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
36452@var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
36453
36454@item T @var{thread-id}
36455@cindex @samp{T} packet
36456Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36457
36458Reply:
36459@table @samp
36460@item OK
36461thread is still alive
36462@item E @var{NN}
36463thread is dead
36464@end table
36465
36466@item v
36467Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
36468up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
36469
36470@item vAttach;@var{pid}
36471@cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
36472Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
36473The process ID is a
36474hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
36475threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
36476attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
36477
36478@c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
36479@c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
36480@c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
36481@c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
36482@c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
36483@c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
36484@c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
36485@c stopping or restarting threads.
36486
36487This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36488
36489Reply:
36490@table @samp
36491@item E @var{nn}
36492for an error
36493@item @r{Any stop packet}
36494for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36495@item OK
36496for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
36497@end table
36498
36499@item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
36500@cindex @samp{vCont} packet
36501@anchor{vCont packet}
36502Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
36503If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
36504threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
36505specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
36506in their current state in non-stop mode.
36507Specifying multiple
36508default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
36509Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36510
36511Currently supported actions are:
36512
36513@table @samp
36514@item c
36515Continue.
36516@item C @var{sig}
36517Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36518@item s
36519Step.
36520@item S @var{sig}
36521Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36522@item t
36523Stop.
36524@end table
36525
36526The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
36527@samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
36528not supported in @samp{vCont}.
36529
36530The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
36531(@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
36532A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
36533When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
36534the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
36535signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
36536as an implementation detail.
36537
36538The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
36539multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
36540this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
36541in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
36542@var{thread-id}.
36543
36544Reply:
36545@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36546
36547@item vCont?
36548@cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
36549Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
36550
36551Reply:
36552@table @samp
36553@item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
36554The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
36555command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
36556@item @w{}
36557The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
36558@end table
36559
36560@item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
36561@cindex @samp{vFile} packet
36562Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
36563see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
36564
36565@item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
36566@cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
36567Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
36568@var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
36569its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
36570flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
36571Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
36572together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
36573stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
36574packet is received.
36575
36576Reply:
36577@table @samp
36578@item OK
36579for success
36580@item E @var{NN}
36581for an error
36582@end table
36583
36584@item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36585@cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
36586Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
36587is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
36588packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
36589@samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
36590not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
36591(although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
36592have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
36593@samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
36594neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
36595target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
36596
36597
36598Reply:
36599@table @samp
36600@item OK
36601for success
36602@item E.memtype
36603for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
36604@item E @var{NN}
36605for an error
36606@end table
36607
36608@item vFlashDone
36609@cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
36610Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
36611The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
36612@samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
36613@samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
36614regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
36615request is completed.
36616
36617@item vKill;@var{pid}
36618@cindex @samp{vKill} packet
36619Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
36620hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
36621preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
36622supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
36623
36624Reply:
36625@table @samp
36626@item E @var{nn}
36627for an error
36628@item OK
36629for success
36630@end table
36631
36632@item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
36633@cindex @samp{vRun} packet
36634Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
36635command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
36636@var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
36637(e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
36638state.
36639
36640@c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
36641
36642This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36643
36644Reply:
36645@table @samp
36646@item E @var{nn}
36647for an error
36648@item @r{Any stop packet}
36649for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36650@end table
36651
36652@item vStopped
36653@cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
36654@xref{Notification Packets}.
36655
36656@item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36657@anchor{X packet}
36658@cindex @samp{X} packet
36659Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
36660@var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
36661@samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
36662
36663Reply:
36664@table @samp
36665@item OK
36666for success
36667@item E @var{NN}
36668for an error
36669@end table
36670
36671@item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
36672@itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
36673@anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
36674@cindex @samp{z} packet
36675@cindex @samp{Z} packets
36676Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
36677watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
36678
36679Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
36680separately.
36681
36682@emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
36683for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
36684remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
36685@samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
36686avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
36687be implemented in an idempotent way.}
36688
36689@item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36690@itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
36691@cindex @samp{z0} packet
36692@cindex @samp{Z0} packet
36693Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
36694@var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
36695
36696A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
36697@var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
36698@var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
36699the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
36700and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
36701architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
36702@var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
36703form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
36704conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
36705the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
36706
36707The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
36708concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
36709
36710@table @samp
36711
36712@item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36713@var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
36714actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
36715
36716@end table
36717
36718The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
36719run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
36720The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
36721nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
36722continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
36723Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
36724separators. Each expression has the following form:
36725
36726@table @samp
36727
36728@item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36729@var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
36730actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
36731
36732@end table
36733
36734see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
36735
36736@emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
36737code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
36738overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
36739target, is not defined.}
36740
36741Reply:
36742@table @samp
36743@item OK
36744success
36745@item @w{}
36746not supported
36747@item E @var{NN}
36748for an error
36749@end table
36750
36751@item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36752@itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
36753@cindex @samp{z1} packet
36754@cindex @samp{Z1} packet
36755Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
36756address @var{addr}.
36757
36758A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
36759dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
36760and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
36761
36762@emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
36763movement.}
36764
36765Reply:
36766@table @samp
36767@item OK
36768success
36769@item @w{}
36770not supported
36771@item E @var{NN}
36772for an error
36773@end table
36774
36775@item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36776@itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36777@cindex @samp{z2} packet
36778@cindex @samp{Z2} packet
36779Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36780@var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36781
36782Reply:
36783@table @samp
36784@item OK
36785success
36786@item @w{}
36787not supported
36788@item E @var{NN}
36789for an error
36790@end table
36791
36792@item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36793@itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36794@cindex @samp{z3} packet
36795@cindex @samp{Z3} packet
36796Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36797@var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36798
36799Reply:
36800@table @samp
36801@item OK
36802success
36803@item @w{}
36804not supported
36805@item E @var{NN}
36806for an error
36807@end table
36808
36809@item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36810@itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36811@cindex @samp{z4} packet
36812@cindex @samp{Z4} packet
36813Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36814@var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36815
36816Reply:
36817@table @samp
36818@item OK
36819success
36820@item @w{}
36821not supported
36822@item E @var{NN}
36823for an error
36824@end table
36825
36826@end table
36827
36828@node Stop Reply Packets
36829@section Stop Reply Packets
36830@cindex stop reply packets
36831
36832The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
36833@samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
36834receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
36835and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
36836when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
36837number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
36838@value{GDBN} source code.
36839
36840As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
36841reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
36842syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
36843components.
36844
36845@table @samp
36846
36847@item S @var{AA}
36848The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
36849number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
36850@var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
36851
36852@item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
36853@cindex @samp{T} packet reply
36854The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
36855number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
36856@samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
36857and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
36858round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
36859this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
36860
36861@itemize @bullet
36862@item
36863If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
36864corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
36865series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
36866two-digit hex number.
36867
36868@item
36869If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
36870the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36871
36872@item
36873If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
36874the core on which the stop event was detected.
36875
36876@item
36877If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
36878specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
36879reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
36880signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
36881
36882@item
36883Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
36884and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
36885future.
36886@end itemize
36887
36888The currently defined stop reasons are:
36889
36890@table @samp
36891@item watch
36892@itemx rwatch
36893@itemx awatch
36894The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
36895hex.
36896
36897@cindex shared library events, remote reply
36898@item library
36899The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
36900@value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
36901list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
36902
36903@cindex replay log events, remote reply
36904@item replaylog
36905The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
36906logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
36907beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
36908will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
36909for more information.
36910@end table
36911
36912@item W @var{AA}
36913@itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
36914The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
36915applicable to certain targets.
36916
36917The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
36918process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
36919multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
36920The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36921
36922@item X @var{AA}
36923@itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
36924The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
36925
36926The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
36927terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
36928support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
36929extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36930
36931@item O @var{XX}@dots{}
36932@samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
36933written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
36934while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
36935for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
36936
36937@item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
36938@var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
36939be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
36940correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
36941@xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
36942system calls.
36943
36944@samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
36945this very system call.
36946
36947The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
36948call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
36949with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
36950reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
36951or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
36952Protocol Extension}, for more details.
36953
36954@end table
36955
36956@node General Query Packets
36957@section General Query Packets
36958@cindex remote query requests
36959
36960Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
36961packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
36962query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
36963sending information to and from the stub.
36964
36965The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
36966indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
36967@value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
36968definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
36969conventions:
36970
36971@itemize @bullet
36972@item
36973The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
36974@item
36975Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
36976letter.
36977@item
36978The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
36979lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
36980the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
36981foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
36982@end itemize
36983
36984The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
36985parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
36986separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
36987full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
36988in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
36989with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
36990packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
36991for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
36992are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
36993existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
36994packet.}.
36995
36996Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
36997has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
36998explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
36999templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
37000@value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
37001
37002Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
37003
37004@table @samp
37005
37006@item QAgent:1
37007@itemx QAgent:0
37008Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
37009delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
37010
37011@item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
37012@cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
37013Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
37014target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
37015pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
37016@samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
37017@samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
37018indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
37019indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
37020own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
37021insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
37022
37023@item qC
37024@cindex current thread, remote request
37025@cindex @samp{qC} packet
37026Return the current thread ID.
37027
37028Reply:
37029@table @samp
37030@item QC @var{thread-id}
37031Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
37032@ref{thread-id syntax}.
37033@item @r{(anything else)}
37034Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
37035@end table
37036
37037@item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
37038@cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
37039@cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
37040Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
37041IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
37042significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
37043@code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
37044
37045@emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
37046files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
37047Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
37048separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
37049significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
37050detect trailing zeros.
37051
37052Reply:
37053@table @samp
37054@item E @var{NN}
37055An error (such as memory fault)
37056@item C @var{crc32}
37057The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
37058@end table
37059
37060@item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
37061@cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
37062@cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
37063Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
37064of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
37065to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
37066debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
37067of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
37068processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
37069with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
37070randomization.
37071
37072This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37073
37074Reply:
37075@table @samp
37076@item OK
37077The request succeeded.
37078
37079@item E @var{nn}
37080An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37081
37082@item @w{}
37083An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
37084by the stub.
37085@end table
37086
37087This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37088by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37089This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
37090address space randomization.
37091
37092@item qfThreadInfo
37093@itemx qsThreadInfo
37094@cindex list active threads, remote request
37095@cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
37096@cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
37097Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
37098may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
37099works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
37100obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
37101be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
37102sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
37103
37104NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
37105
37106Reply:
37107@table @samp
37108@item m @var{thread-id}
37109A single thread ID
37110@item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
37111a comma-separated list of thread IDs
37112@item l
37113(lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37114@end table
37115
37116In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37117more thread IDs, separated by commas.
37118@value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
37119ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
37120with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
37121Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
37122fields.
37123
37124@item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
37125@cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
37126@cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
37127Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
37128by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
37129
37130@var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
37131thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
37132
37133@var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
37134thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
37135information associated with the variable.)
37136
37137@var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
37138load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
37139a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
37140object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
37141Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
37142differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
37143
37144Reply:
37145@table @samp
37146@item @var{XX}@dots{}
37147Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
37148local storage requested.
37149
37150@item E @var{nn}
37151An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37152
37153@item @w{}
37154An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
37155@end table
37156
37157@item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
37158@cindex get thread information block address
37159@cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
37160Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
37161
37162@var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
37163
37164Reply:
37165@table @samp
37166@item @var{XX}@dots{}
37167Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
37168thread information block.
37169
37170@item E @var{nn}
37171An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
37172address could not be retrieved.
37173
37174@item @w{}
37175An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
37176@end table
37177
37178@item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
37179Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
37180digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
37181subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
37182number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
37183(eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
37184returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
37185
37186Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
37187
37188Reply:
37189@table @samp
37190@item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
37191Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
37192returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
37193and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
37194digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
37195is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
37196digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
37197@end table
37198
37199@item qOffsets
37200@cindex section offsets, remote request
37201@cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
37202Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
37203image.
37204
37205Reply:
37206@table @samp
37207@item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
37208Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
37209Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
37210If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
37211@samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
37212segments by the supplied offsets.
37213
37214@emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
37215@value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
37216to the @code{Bss} section.}
37217
37218@item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
37219Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
37220contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
37221@samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
37222conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
37223@var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
37224does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
37225as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
37226kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
37227@end table
37228
37229@item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
37230@cindex thread information, remote request
37231@cindex @samp{qP} packet
37232Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
37233encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
37234(@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
37235
37236Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
37237(see below).
37238
37239Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
37240
37241@item QNonStop:1
37242@itemx QNonStop:0
37243@cindex non-stop mode, remote request
37244@cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
37245@anchor{QNonStop}
37246Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
37247@xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
37248
37249Reply:
37250@table @samp
37251@item OK
37252The request succeeded.
37253
37254@item E @var{nn}
37255An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37256
37257@item @w{}
37258An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
37259the stub.
37260@end table
37261
37262This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37263by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37264Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
37265@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
37266
37267@item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
37268@cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
37269@cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
37270@anchor{QPassSignals}
37271Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
37272Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
37273(@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
37274strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
37275the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
37276reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
37277combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
37278new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
37279@var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
37280
37281Reply:
37282@table @samp
37283@item OK
37284The request succeeded.
37285
37286@item E @var{nn}
37287An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37288
37289@item @w{}
37290An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
37291the stub.
37292@end table
37293
37294Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
37295command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
37296This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37297by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37298
37299@item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
37300@cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
37301@cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
37302@anchor{QProgramSignals}
37303Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
37304Others should be silently discarded.
37305
37306In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
37307signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
37308example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
37309stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
37310@value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
37311by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
37312signals.
37313
37314This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
37315resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
37316
37317Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
37318(@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
37319strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
37320@samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
37321@samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
37322
37323Reply:
37324@table @samp
37325@item OK
37326The request succeeded.
37327
37328@item E @var{nn}
37329An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37330
37331@item @w{}
37332An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
37333by the stub.
37334@end table
37335
37336Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
37337command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
37338This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37339by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37340
37341@item qRcmd,@var{command}
37342@cindex execute remote command, remote request
37343@cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
37344@var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
37345execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
37346string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
37347with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
37348packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
37349stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
37350
37351Reply:
37352@table @samp
37353@item OK
37354A command response with no output.
37355@item @var{OUTPUT}
37356A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
37357@item E @var{NN}
37358Indicate a badly formed request.
37359@item @w{}
37360An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
37361@end table
37362
37363(Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
37364command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
37365conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
37366packets.)
37367
37368@item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
37369@cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
37370@ifnotinfo
37371@cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
37372@end ifnotinfo
37373@cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
37374@anchor{qSearch memory}
37375Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
37376@var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
37377@var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
37378
37379Reply:
37380@table @samp
37381@item 0
37382The pattern was not found.
37383@item 1,address
37384The pattern was found at @var{address}.
37385@item E @var{NN}
37386A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
37387@item @w{}
37388An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
37389@end table
37390
37391@item QStartNoAckMode
37392@cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
37393@anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
37394Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
37395protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
37396
37397Reply:
37398@table @samp
37399@item OK
37400The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
37401@value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
37402but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
37403@samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
37404@item @w{}
37405An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
37406@end table
37407
37408@item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
37409@cindex supported packets, remote query
37410@cindex features of the remote protocol
37411@cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
37412@anchor{qSupported}
37413Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
37414query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
37415@value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
37416features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
37417at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
37418packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
37419high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
37420be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
37421stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
37422automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
37423reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
37424unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
37425helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
37426versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
37427
37428Reply:
37429@table @samp
37430@item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
37431The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
37432depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
37433possible forms).
37434@item @w{}
37435An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
37436or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
37437@end table
37438
37439The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
37440@samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
37441are:
37442
37443@table @samp
37444@item @var{name}=@var{value}
37445The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
37446with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
37447on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
37448@item @var{name}+
37449The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
37450need an associated value.
37451@item @var{name}-
37452The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
37453@item @var{name}?
37454The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
37455@value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
37456needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
37457but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
37458@end table
37459
37460Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
37461supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
37462request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
37463state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
37464a different version of @value{GDBN}.
37465
37466The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
37467are defined:
37468
37469@table @samp
37470@item multiprocess
37471This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
37472extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
37473extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
37474including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
37475@xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
37476
37477@item xmlRegisters
37478This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
37479description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
37480specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
37481description.
37482
37483@item qRelocInsn
37484This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
37485@samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37486instruction reply packet}).
37487@end table
37488
37489Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
37490@var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
37491packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
37492versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
37493for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
37494advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
37495improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
37496an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
37497of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
37498describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
37499all the features it supports.
37500
37501Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
37502responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
37503
37504Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
37505should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
37506require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
37507form response.
37508
37509Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
37510@samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
37511in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
37512stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
37513
37514Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
37515mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
37516architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
37517about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
37518stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
37519
37520These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
37521
37522@multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
37523@c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
37524@c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
37525@item Feature Name
37526@tab Value Required
37527@tab Default
37528@tab Probe Allowed
37529
37530@item @samp{PacketSize}
37531@tab Yes
37532@tab @samp{-}
37533@tab No
37534
37535@item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
37536@tab No
37537@tab @samp{-}
37538@tab Yes
37539
37540@item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
37541@tab No
37542@tab @samp{-}
37543@tab Yes
37544
37545@item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
37546@tab No
37547@tab @samp{-}
37548@tab Yes
37549
37550@item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
37551@tab No
37552@tab @samp{-}
37553@tab Yes
37554
37555@item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
37556@tab No
37557@tab @samp{-}
37558@tab Yes
37559
37560@item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
37561@tab No
37562@tab @samp{-}
37563@tab Yes
37564
37565@item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
37566@tab No
37567@tab @samp{-}
37568@tab Yes
37569
37570@item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
37571@tab No
37572@tab @samp{-}
37573@tab Yes
37574
37575@item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
37576@tab No
37577@tab @samp{-}
37578@tab Yes
37579
37580@item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
37581@tab No
37582@tab @samp{-}
37583@tab Yes
37584
37585@item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
37586@tab No
37587@tab @samp{-}
37588@tab Yes
37589
37590@item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
37591@tab No
37592@tab @samp{-}
37593@tab Yes
37594
37595@item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
37596@tab No
37597@tab @samp{-}
37598@tab Yes
37599
37600@item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
37601@tab No
37602@tab @samp{-}
37603@tab Yes
37604
37605@item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
37606@tab Yes
37607@tab @samp{-}
37608@tab Yes
37609
37610@item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
37611@tab Yes
37612@tab @samp{-}
37613@tab Yes
37614
37615@item @samp{QNonStop}
37616@tab No
37617@tab @samp{-}
37618@tab Yes
37619
37620@item @samp{QPassSignals}
37621@tab No
37622@tab @samp{-}
37623@tab Yes
37624
37625@item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
37626@tab No
37627@tab @samp{-}
37628@tab Yes
37629
37630@item @samp{multiprocess}
37631@tab No
37632@tab @samp{-}
37633@tab No
37634
37635@item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
37636@tab No
37637@tab @samp{-}
37638@tab No
37639
37640@item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
37641@tab No
37642@tab @samp{-}
37643@tab No
37644
37645@item @samp{ReverseContinue}
37646@tab No
37647@tab @samp{-}
37648@tab No
37649
37650@item @samp{ReverseStep}
37651@tab No
37652@tab @samp{-}
37653@tab No
37654
37655@item @samp{TracepointSource}
37656@tab No
37657@tab @samp{-}
37658@tab No
37659
37660@item @samp{QAgent}
37661@tab No
37662@tab @samp{-}
37663@tab No
37664
37665@item @samp{QAllow}
37666@tab No
37667@tab @samp{-}
37668@tab No
37669
37670@item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
37671@tab No
37672@tab @samp{-}
37673@tab No
37674
37675@item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
37676@tab No
37677@tab @samp{-}
37678@tab No
37679
37680@item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
37681@tab No
37682@tab @samp{-}
37683@tab No
37684
37685@item @samp{tracenz}
37686@tab No
37687@tab @samp{-}
37688@tab No
37689
37690@item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
37691@tab No
37692@tab @samp{-}
37693@tab No
37694
37695@end multitable
37696
37697These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
37698
37699@table @samp
37700@cindex packet size, remote protocol
37701@item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
37702The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
37703length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
37704transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
37705data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
37706There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
37707stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
37708byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
37709@value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
37710
37711@item qXfer:auxv:read
37712The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
37713(@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
37714
37715@item qXfer:btrace:read
37716The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
37717packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
37718
37719@item qXfer:features:read
37720The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
37721(@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
37722
37723@item qXfer:libraries:read
37724The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
37725(@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
37726
37727@item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
37728The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
37729(@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
37730
37731@item qXfer:memory-map:read
37732The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
37733(@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
37734
37735@item qXfer:sdata:read
37736The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
37737(@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
37738
37739@item qXfer:spu:read
37740The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
37741(@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
37742
37743@item qXfer:spu:write
37744The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
37745(@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
37746
37747@item qXfer:siginfo:read
37748The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
37749(@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
37750
37751@item qXfer:siginfo:write
37752The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
37753(@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
37754
37755@item qXfer:threads:read
37756The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
37757(@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
37758
37759@item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
37760The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
37761packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
37762
37763@item qXfer:uib:read
37764The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
37765packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
37766
37767@item qXfer:fdpic:read
37768The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
37769packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
37770
37771@item QNonStop
37772The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
37773(@pxref{QNonStop}).
37774
37775@item QPassSignals
37776The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
37777(@pxref{QPassSignals}).
37778
37779@item QStartNoAckMode
37780The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
37781prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
37782
37783@item multiprocess
37784@anchor{multiprocess extensions}
37785@cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
37786The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
37787protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
37788thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
37789add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
37790replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
37791syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
37792debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
37793multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
37794indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
37795
37796@item qXfer:osdata:read
37797The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
37798((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
37799
37800@item ConditionalBreakpoints
37801The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
37802defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
37803when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
37804
37805@item ConditionalTracepoints
37806The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
37807for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
37808
37809@item ReverseContinue
37810The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
37811(@pxref{bc}).
37812
37813@item ReverseStep
37814The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
37815(@pxref{bs}).
37816
37817@item TracepointSource
37818The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
37819the source form of tracepoint definitions.
37820
37821@item QAgent
37822The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
37823
37824@item QAllow
37825The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
37826
37827@item QDisableRandomization
37828The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
37829
37830@item StaticTracepoint
37831@cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
37832The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
37833
37834@item InstallInTrace
37835@anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
37836The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
37837
37838@item EnableDisableTracepoints
37839The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
37840@samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
37841to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
37842
37843@item QTBuffer:size
37844The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
37845packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
37846
37847@item tracenz
37848@cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
37849The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
37850See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
37851
37852@item BreakpointCommands
37853@cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
37854The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
37855rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
37856
37857@item Qbtrace:off
37858The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
37859
37860@item Qbtrace:bts
37861The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
37862
37863@end table
37864
37865@item qSymbol::
37866@cindex symbol lookup, remote request
37867@cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
37868Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
37869requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
37870
37871Reply:
37872@table @samp
37873@item OK
37874The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
37875@item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
37876The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
37877@value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
37878@samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
37879below.
37880@end table
37881
37882@item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
37883Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
37884
37885@var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
37886target has previously requested.
37887
37888@var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
37889@value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
37890will be empty.
37891
37892Reply:
37893@table @samp
37894@item OK
37895The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
37896@item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
37897The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
37898encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
37899(if available), until the target ceases to request them.
37900@end table
37901
37902@item qTBuffer
37903@itemx QTBuffer
37904@itemx QTDisconnected
37905@itemx QTDP
37906@itemx QTDPsrc
37907@itemx QTDV
37908@itemx qTfP
37909@itemx qTfV
37910@itemx QTFrame
37911@itemx qTMinFTPILen
37912
37913@xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
37914
37915@item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
37916@cindex thread attributes info, remote request
37917@cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
37918Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
37919the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
37920see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
37921string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
37922for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
37923displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
37924examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
37925@samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
37926
37927Reply:
37928@table @samp
37929@item @var{XX}@dots{}
37930Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
37931comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
37932the thread's attributes.
37933@end table
37934
37935(Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
37936the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
37937conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
37938packets.)
37939
37940@item QTNotes
37941@itemx qTP
37942@itemx QTSave
37943@itemx qTsP
37944@itemx qTsV
37945@itemx QTStart
37946@itemx QTStop
37947@itemx QTEnable
37948@itemx QTDisable
37949@itemx QTinit
37950@itemx QTro
37951@itemx qTStatus
37952@itemx qTV
37953@itemx qTfSTM
37954@itemx qTsSTM
37955@itemx qTSTMat
37956@xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
37957
37958@item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37959@cindex read special object, remote request
37960@cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
37961@anchor{qXfer read}
37962Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
37963identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
37964starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
37965encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
37966additional details about what data to access.
37967
37968Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37969@samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37970formats, listed below.
37971
37972@table @samp
37973@item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37974@anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
37975Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
37976auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
37977
37978This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37979by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37980
37981@item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37982@anchor{qXfer btrace read}
37983
37984Return a description of the current branch trace.
37985@xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
37986packet may have one of the following values:
37987
37988@table @code
37989@item all
37990Returns all available branch trace.
37991
37992@item new
37993Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
37994the last read request.
37995@end table
37996
37997This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
37998by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37999
38000@item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38001@anchor{qXfer target description read}
38002Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
38003annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
38004always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
38005
38006This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38007by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38008
38009@item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38010@anchor{qXfer library list read}
38011Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
38012The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38013(@pxref{qXfer read}).
38014
38015Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
38016not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
38017the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
38018
38019This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38020by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38021
38022@item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38023@anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
38024Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
38025platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
38026of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38027
38028This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
38029@value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
38030
38031This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38032by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38033
38034@item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38035@anchor{qXfer memory map read}
38036Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
38037annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38038(@pxref{qXfer read}).
38039
38040This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38041by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38042
38043@item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38044@anchor{qXfer sdata read}
38045
38046Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
38047information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
38048be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
38049Action Lists}.
38050
38051This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38052by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38053(@pxref{qSupported}).
38054
38055@item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38056@anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
38057Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
38058system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
38059empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38060
38061This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38062by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38063(@pxref{qSupported}).
38064
38065@item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38066@anchor{qXfer spu read}
38067Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
38068annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
38069@file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
38070in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
38071in that context to be accessed.
38072
38073This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38074by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38075(@pxref{qSupported}).
38076
38077@item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38078@anchor{qXfer threads read}
38079Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
38080annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38081(@pxref{qXfer read}).
38082
38083This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38084by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38085
38086@item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38087@anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
38088
38089Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
38090@xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
38091@samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38092
38093This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38094by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38095
38096@item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38097@anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
38098
38099Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
38100on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
38101
38102This packet is not probed by default.
38103
38104@item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38105@anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
38106Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
38107annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
38108executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
38109
38110This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38111by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38112
38113@item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38114@anchor{qXfer osdata read}
38115Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
38116@xref{Operating System Information}.
38117
38118@end table
38119
38120Reply:
38121@table @samp
38122@item m @var{data}
38123Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
38124target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
38125it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
38126block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
38127@var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
38128request.
38129
38130@item l @var{data}
38131Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
38132There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
38133than the @var{length} in the request.
38134
38135@item l
38136The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
38137There is no more data to be read.
38138
38139@item E00
38140The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
38141
38142@item E @var{nn}
38143The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
38144@var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
38145
38146@item @w{}
38147An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
38148the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
38149@end table
38150
38151@item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38152@cindex write data into object, remote request
38153@anchor{qXfer write}
38154Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
38155identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
38156into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
38157(@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
38158is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
38159to access.
38160
38161Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
38162@samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
38163formats, listed below.
38164
38165@table @samp
38166@item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38167@anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
38168Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
38169The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
38170empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
38171
38172This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38173by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
38174(@pxref{qSupported}).
38175
38176@item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
38177@anchor{qXfer spu write}
38178Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
38179annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
38180@file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
38181in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
38182in that context to be accessed.
38183
38184This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38185by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38186@end table
38187
38188Reply:
38189@table @samp
38190@item @var{nn}
38191@var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
38192This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
38193
38194@item E00
38195The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
38196
38197@item E @var{nn}
38198The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
38199@var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
38200
38201@item @w{}
38202An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
38203recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
38204@end table
38205
38206@item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
38207Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
38208not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
38209@var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
38210must respond with an empty packet.
38211
38212@item qAttached:@var{pid}
38213@cindex query attached, remote request
38214@cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
38215Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
38216existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
38217protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
38218@var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
38219process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
38220the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
38221
38222This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
38223should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
38224the @code{quit} command.
38225
38226Reply:
38227@table @samp
38228@item 1
38229The remote server attached to an existing process.
38230@item 0
38231The remote server created a new process.
38232@item E @var{NN}
38233A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38234@end table
38235
38236@item Qbtrace:bts
38237Enable branch tracing for the current thread using bts tracing.
38238
38239Reply:
38240@table @samp
38241@item OK
38242Branch tracing has been enabled.
38243@item E.errtext
38244A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38245@end table
38246
38247@item Qbtrace:off
38248Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
38249
38250Reply:
38251@table @samp
38252@item OK
38253Branch tracing has been disabled.
38254@item E.errtext
38255A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
38256@end table
38257
38258@end table
38259
38260@node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
38261@section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
38262
38263This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
38264target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
38265details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
38266
38267@menu
38268* ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
38269* MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
38270@end menu
38271
38272@node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
38273@subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
38274
38275@menu
38276* ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
38277@end menu
38278
38279@node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
38280@subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
38281@cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
38282
38283These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
38284
38285@table @r
38286
38287@item 2
3828816-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
38289
38290@item 3
3829132-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
38292
38293@item 4
3829432-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
38295
38296@end table
38297
38298@node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
38299@subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
38300
38301@menu
38302* MIPS Register packet Format::
38303* MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
38304@end menu
38305
38306@node MIPS Register packet Format
38307@subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
38308@cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
38309
38310The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
38311In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
38312sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
38313to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
38314byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
38315most-significant -- least-significant.
38316
38317@table @r
38318
38319@item MIPS32
38320All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
3832132 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
38322registers; fsr; fir; fp.
38323
38324@item MIPS64
38325All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
38326thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
38327as @code{MIPS32}.
38328
38329@end table
38330
38331@node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
38332@subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
38333@cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
38334
38335These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
38336
38337@table @r
38338
38339@item 2
3834016-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
38341
38342@item 3
3834316-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
38344
38345@item 4
3834632-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
38347
38348@item 5
3834932-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
38350
38351@end table
38352
38353@node Tracepoint Packets
38354@section Tracepoint Packets
38355@cindex tracepoint packets
38356@cindex packets, tracepoint
38357
38358Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
38359tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
38360
38361@table @samp
38362
38363@item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
38364@cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
38365Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
38366is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
38367the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
38368count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
38369then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
38370the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
38371for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
38372tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
38373by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
38374encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
38375further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
38376actions.
38377
38378Replies:
38379@table @samp
38380@item OK
38381The packet was understood and carried out.
38382@item qRelocInsn
38383@xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
38384@item @w{}
38385The packet was not recognized.
38386@end table
38387
38388@item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
38389Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
38390@var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
38391this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
38392another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
38393trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
38394specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
38395
38396In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
38397can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
38398is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
38399actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
38400taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
38401@samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
38402tracepoint actions.
38403
38404The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
38405actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
38406following forms:
38407
38408@table @samp
38409
38410@item R @var{mask}
38411Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
38412a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
38413@var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
38414zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
38415not fit in a 32-bit word.
38416
38417@item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
38418Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
38419number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
38420@samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
38421address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
38422@var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
38423values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
38424
38425@item X @var{len},@var{expr}
38426Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
38427it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
38428@ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
38429two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
38430in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
38431packet).
38432
38433@end table
38434
38435Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
38436packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
38437length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
38438action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
38439actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
38440must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
38441``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
38442separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
38443
38444Replies:
38445@table @samp
38446@item OK
38447The packet was understood and carried out.
38448@item qRelocInsn
38449@xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
38450@item @w{}
38451The packet was not recognized.
38452@end table
38453
38454@item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
38455@cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
38456Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
38457This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
38458originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
38459is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
38460tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
38461@var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
38462
38463@var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
38464string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
38465This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
38466fit in a single packet.
38467@c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
38468@c tracepoint descriptions section.
38469
38470The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
38471@samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
38472@value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
38473list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
38474
38475The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
38476report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
38477query packets.
38478
38479Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
38480if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
38481Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
38482much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
38483tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
38484the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
38485could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
38486be found.
38487
38488@item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
38489@cindex define trace state variable, remote request
38490@cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
38491Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
38492value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
38493and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
38494the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
38495target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
38496mentioned in expressions.
38497
38498@item QTFrame:@var{n}
38499@cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
38500Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
38501register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
38502request packets from @value{GDBN}.
38503
38504A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
38505requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
38506without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
38507one of the following forms:
38508
38509@table @samp
38510@item F @var{f}
38511The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
38512@var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
38513was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
38514
38515@item T @var{t}
38516The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
38517@var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
38518
38519@end table
38520
38521@item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
38522Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38523currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
38524@var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
38525
38526@item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
38527Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38528currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
38529is a hexadecimal number.
38530
38531@item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
38532Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38533currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
38534and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
38535numbers.
38536
38537@item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
38538Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
38539frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
38540
38541@item qTMinFTPILen
38542@cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
38543This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
38544tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
38545the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
38546it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
38547the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
38548system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
38549arrange for that.
38550
38551Replies:
38552
38553@table @samp
38554@item 0
38555The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
38556@item @var{length}
38557The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
38558or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
38559that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
38560@item E
38561An error has occurred.
38562@item @w{}
38563An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
38564@end table
38565
38566@item QTStart
38567@cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
38568Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
38569tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
38570@samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
38571instruction reply packet}).
38572
38573@item QTStop
38574@cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
38575End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
38576
38577@item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
38578@anchor{QTEnable}
38579@cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
38580Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
38581experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
38582of data from it will resume.
38583
38584@item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
38585@anchor{QTDisable}
38586@cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
38587Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
38588experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
38589@samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
38590
38591@item QTinit
38592@cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
38593Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
38594
38595@item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
38596@cindex @samp{QTro} packet
38597Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
38598will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
38599if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
38600
38601@value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
38602containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
38603still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
38604there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
38605
38606@item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
38607@cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
38608Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
38609disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
38610continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
38611@value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
38612
38613@item qTStatus
38614@cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
38615Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
38616
38617The reply has the form:
38618
38619@table @samp
38620
38621@item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
38622@var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
38623running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
38624optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
38625
38626@end table
38627
38628If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
38629explanations as one of the optional fields:
38630
38631@table @samp
38632
38633@item tnotrun:0
38634No trace has been run yet.
38635
38636@item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
38637The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
38638@var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
38639stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
38640stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
38641
38642@item tfull:0
38643The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
38644
38645@item tdisconnected:0
38646The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
38647
38648@item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
38649The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
38650
38651@item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
38652The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
38653string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
38654(for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
38655@var{text} is hex encoded.
38656
38657@item tunknown:0
38658The trace stopped for some other reason.
38659
38660@end table
38661
38662Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
38663Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
38664the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
38665numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
38666trace.
38667
38668@table @samp
38669
38670@item tframes:@var{n}
38671The number of trace frames in the buffer.
38672
38673@item tcreated:@var{n}
38674The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
38675be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
38676
38677@item tsize:@var{n}
38678The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
38679
38680@item tfree:@var{n}
38681The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
38682
38683@item circular:@var{n}
38684The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
38685trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
38686necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
38687and may fill up.
38688
38689@item disconn:@var{n}
38690The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
38691tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
38692that the trace run will stop.
38693
38694@end table
38695
38696@item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
38697@cindex tracepoint status, remote request
38698@cindex @samp{qTP} packet
38699Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
38700address @var{addr}.
38701
38702Replies:
38703@table @samp
38704@item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
38705The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
38706run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
38707@code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
38708steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
38709
38710@end table
38711
38712@item qTV:@var{var}
38713@cindex trace state variable value, remote request
38714@cindex @samp{qTV} packet
38715Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
38716
38717Replies:
38718@table @samp
38719@item V@var{value}
38720The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
38721value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
38722saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
38723user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
38724different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
38725program is running.
38726
38727@item U
38728The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
38729if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
38730was not collected.
38731@end table
38732
38733@item qTfP
38734@cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
38735@itemx qTsP
38736@cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
38737These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
38738the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
38739of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
38740to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
38741that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
38742
38743@item qTfV
38744@cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
38745@itemx qTsV
38746@cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
38747These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
38748target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
38749and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
38750these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
38751trace state variables.
38752
38753@item qTfSTM
38754@itemx qTsSTM
38755@anchor{qTfSTM}
38756@anchor{qTsSTM}
38757@cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
38758@cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
38759These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
38760in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
38761first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
38762pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
38763
38764Reply:
38765@table @samp
38766@item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
38767A single marker
38768@item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
38769a comma-separated list of markers
38770@item l
38771(lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
38772@item E @var{nn}
38773An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38774@item @w{}
38775An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
38776stub.
38777@end table
38778
38779@var{address} is encoded in hex.
38780@var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
38781
38782In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
38783more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
38784reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
38785query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
38786@dfn{last}).
38787
38788@item qTSTMat:@var{address}
38789@anchor{qTSTMat}
38790@cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
38791This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
38792target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
38793syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
38794tracepoint markers.
38795
38796@item QTSave:@var{filename}
38797@cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
38798This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
38799@var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
38800as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
38801absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
38802
38803@item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
38804@cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
38805Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
38806starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
38807a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
38808The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
38809in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
38810A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
38811available.
38812
38813@item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
38814This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
38815@var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
38816
38817@item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
38818@anchor{QTBuffer-size}
38819@cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
38820This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
38821@var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
38822use whatever size it prefers.
38823
38824@item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
38825@cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
38826This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
38827types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
38828@var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
38829
38830@end table
38831
38832@subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
38833When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
38834relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
38835different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
38836enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
38837return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
38838PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
38839of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
38840it had executed in the original location.
38841
38842In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
38843respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
38844packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
38845this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
38846documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
38847descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
38848format of the request is:
38849
38850@table @samp
38851@item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
38852
38853This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
38854to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
38855instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
38856@var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
38857memory starting at @var{to}.
38858@end table
38859
38860Replies:
38861@table @samp
38862@item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
38863Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
38864the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
38865@item E @var{NN}
38866A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
38867relocating the instruction.
38868@end table
38869
38870@node Host I/O Packets
38871@section Host I/O Packets
38872@cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
38873@cindex file transfer, remote protocol
38874
38875The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
38876operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
38877used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
38878filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
38879layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
38880Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
38881protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
38882Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
38883target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
38884Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
38885
38886The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
38887its arguments. They have this format:
38888
38889@table @samp
38890
38891@item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
38892@var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
38893should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
38894for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
38895the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
38896numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
38897used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
38898hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
38899buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
38900
38901@end table
38902
38903The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
38904
38905@table @samp
38906
38907@item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
38908@var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
38909non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
38910@var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
38911value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
38912operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
38913binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
38914normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
38915documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
38916@var{attachment}.
38917
38918@item @w{}
38919An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
38920
38921@end table
38922
38923These are the supported Host I/O operations:
38924
38925@table @samp
38926@item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
38927Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
38928return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
38929@var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
38930(@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
38931of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
38932@xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
38933
38934@item vFile:close: @var{fd}
38935Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
38936-1 if an error occurs.
38937
38938@item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
38939Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
38940@var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
38941relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
38942common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
38943condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
38944returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
38945@var{count} was zero.
38946
38947The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
38948If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
38949attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
38950number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
38951some characters were escaped.
38952
38953@item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
38954Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
38955to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
38956file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
38957separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
38958packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
38959which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
38960error occurred.
38961
38962@item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
38963Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
38964or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
38965
38966@item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
38967Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
38968the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
38969
38970The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
38971If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
38972attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
38973number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
38974some characters were escaped.
38975
38976@end table
38977
38978@node Interrupts
38979@section Interrupts
38980@cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
38981
38982When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
38983attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
38984a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
38985control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
38986
38987The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
38988mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
38989currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
38990interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
38991@code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
38992
38993@samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
38994transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
38995@code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
38996the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
38997transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
38998and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
38999(@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
39000@code{0x03} as part of its packet.
39001
39002@code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
39003When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
39004it stops execution and connects to gdb.
39005
39006Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
39007precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
39008implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
39009threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
39010currently-executing threads and processes.
39011If the stub is successful at interrupting the
39012running program, it should send one of the stop
39013reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
39014of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
39015for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
39016Interrupts received while the
39017program is stopped are discarded.
39018
39019@node Notification Packets
39020@section Notification Packets
39021@cindex notification packets
39022@cindex packets, notification
39023
39024The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
39025packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
39026may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
39027present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
39028without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
39029are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
39030is not a problem.
39031
39032A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
39033@var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
39034and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
39035as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
39036never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
39037receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
39038to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
39039
39040Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
39041colon characters, followed by a colon character.
39042
39043Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
39044notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
39045timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
39046not they understand it.
39047
39048Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
39049protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
39050future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
39051new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
39052recipients.
39053
39054(Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
39055the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
39056transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
39057are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
39058assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
39059
39060Each notification is comprised of three parts:
39061@table @samp
39062@item @var{name}:@var{event}
39063The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
39064exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
39065carrying the specific information about the notification.
39066@var{name} is the name of the notification.
39067@item @var{ack}
39068The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
39069acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
39070@end table
39071
39072The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
39073@value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
39074
39075The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
39076at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
39077appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
39078acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
39079additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
39080previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
39081synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
39082@value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
39083the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
39084@value{GDBN} may not have received it.
39085
39086Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
39087otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
39088expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
39089@samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
39090Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
39091the stub so there is no ambiguity.
39092
39093After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
39094sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
39095stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
39096@value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
39097stub first, which the stub should process normally.
39098
39099Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
39100events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
39101normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
39102packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
39103other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
39104normally.
39105
39106If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
39107@var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
39108At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
39109and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
39110won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
39111received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
39112a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
39113the process shall be repeated.
39114
39115The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
39116following example:
39117@smallexample
39118<- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
39119@code{...}
39120-> @code{vStopped}
39121<- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
39122-> @code{vStopped}
39123<- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
39124-> @code{vStopped}
39125<- @code{OK}
39126@end smallexample
39127
39128The following notifications are defined:
39129@multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
39130
39131@item Notification
39132@tab Ack
39133@tab Event
39134@tab Description
39135
39136@item Stop
39137@tab vStopped
39138@tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
39139described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
39140for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
39141@value{GDBN}.
39142@tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
39143
39144@end multitable
39145
39146@node Remote Non-Stop
39147@section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
39148
39149@value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
39150multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
39151supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
39152@samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39153
39154@value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
39155establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
39156does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
39157must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
39158all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
39159probe the target state after a mode change.
39160
39161In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
39162would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
39163asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
39164inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
39165in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
39166mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
39167when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
39168of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
39169affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
39170to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
39171threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
39172
39173In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
39174follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
39175sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
39176sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
39177it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
39178stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
39179subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
39180using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
39181asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
39182If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
39183or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
39184@samp{OK}.
39185
39186@node Packet Acknowledgment
39187@section Packet Acknowledgment
39188
39189@cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
39190@cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
39191By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
39192the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
39193the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
39194This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
39195unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
39196
39197In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
39198TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
39199It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
39200overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
39201@samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
39202
39203When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
39204expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
39205and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
39206@ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
39207
39208If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
39209no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
39210by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
39211@pxref{qSupported}.
39212If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
39213disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
39214(@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
39215@value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
39216Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
39217@value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
39218response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
39219
39220Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
39221between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
39222it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
39223connection.
39224Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
39225new connection is established,
39226there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
39227for the current connection, once disabled.
39228
39229@node Examples
39230@section Examples
39231
39232Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
39233does not get any direct output:
39234
39235@smallexample
39236-> @code{R00}
39237<- @code{+}
39238@emph{target restarts}
39239-> @code{?}
39240<- @code{+}
39241<- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
39242-> @code{+}
39243@end smallexample
39244
39245Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
39246
39247@smallexample
39248-> @code{G1445@dots{}}
39249<- @code{+}
39250-> @code{s}
39251<- @code{+}
39252@emph{time passes}
39253<- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
39254-> @code{+}
39255-> @code{g}
39256<- @code{+}
39257<- @code{1455@dots{}}
39258-> @code{+}
39259@end smallexample
39260
39261@node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
39262@section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
39263@cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
39264
39265@menu
39266* File-I/O Overview::
39267* Protocol Basics::
39268* The F Request Packet::
39269* The F Reply Packet::
39270* The Ctrl-C Message::
39271* Console I/O::
39272* List of Supported Calls::
39273* Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
39274* Constants::
39275* File-I/O Examples::
39276@end menu
39277
39278@node File-I/O Overview
39279@subsection File-I/O Overview
39280@cindex file-i/o overview
39281
39282The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
39283target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
39284system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
39285remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
39286actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
39287This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
39288
39289The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
39290It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
39291@value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
39292translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
39293protocol representations when data is transmitted.
39294
39295The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
39296@value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
39297or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
39298the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
39299memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
39300the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
39301(@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
39302
39303The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
39304the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
39305after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
39306previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
39307request from @value{GDBN} is required.
39308
39309@smallexample
39310(@value{GDBP}) continue
39311 <- target requests 'system call X'
39312 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
39313 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
39314 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
39315 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
39316@end smallexample
39317
39318The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
39319the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
39320named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
39321system are not supported by this protocol.
39322
39323File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
39324
39325@node Protocol Basics
39326@subsection Protocol Basics
39327@cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
39328
39329The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
39330as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
39331@value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
39332the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
39333of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
39334This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
39335to call the appropriate host system call:
39336
39337@itemize @bullet
39338@item
39339A unique identifier for the requested system call.
39340
39341@item
39342All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
39343in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
39344pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
39345Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
39346
39347@end itemize
39348
39349At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
39350
39351@itemize @bullet
39352@item
39353If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
39354system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
39355standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
39356expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
39357packet.
39358
39359@item
39360@value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
39361representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
39362
39363@item
39364@value{GDBN} calls the system call.
39365
39366@item
39367It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
39368
39369@item
39370If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
39371by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
39372target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
39373by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
39374packet.
39375
39376@end itemize
39377
39378Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
39379necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
39380
39381@itemize @bullet
39382@item
39383Return value.
39384
39385@item
39386@code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
39387
39388@item
39389``Ctrl-C'' flag.
39390
39391@end itemize
39392
39393After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
39394the latest continue or step action.
39395
39396@node The F Request Packet
39397@subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
39398@cindex file-i/o request packet
39399@cindex @code{F} request packet
39400
39401The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
39402
39403@table @samp
39404@item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
39405
39406@var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
39407This is just the name of the function.
39408
39409@var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
39410Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
39411of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
39412datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
39413of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
39414comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
39415string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
39416
39417@end table
39418
39419
39420
39421@node The F Reply Packet
39422@subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
39423@cindex file-i/o reply packet
39424@cindex @code{F} reply packet
39425
39426The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
39427
39428@table @samp
39429
39430@item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
39431
39432@var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
39433
39434@var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
39435representation.
39436This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
39437
39438@var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
39439case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
39440The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
39441
39442@smallexample
39443F0,0,C
39444@end smallexample
39445
39446@noindent
39447or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
39448
39449@smallexample
39450F-1,4,C
39451@end smallexample
39452
39453@noindent
39454assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
39455
39456@end table
39457
39458
39459@node The Ctrl-C Message
39460@subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
39461@cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
39462
39463If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
39464reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
39465the target should behave as if it had
39466gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
39467interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
39468(as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
39469packet.
39470
39471It's important for the target to know in which
39472state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
39473
39474@itemize @bullet
39475@item
39476The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
39477
39478@item
39479The system call on the host has been finished.
39480
39481@end itemize
39482
39483These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
39484returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
39485call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
39486on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
39487system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
39488as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
39489
39490@value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
39491yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
39492@code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
39493before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
39494@value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
39495The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
39496or the full action has been completed.
39497
39498@node Console I/O
39499@subsection Console I/O
39500@cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
39501
39502By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
39503descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
39504on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
39505(@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
39506by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
395070 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
39508conditions is met:
39509
39510@itemize @bullet
39511@item
39512The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
39513@code{read}
39514system call is treated as finished.
39515
39516@item
39517The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
39518newline.
39519
39520@item
39521The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
39522character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
39523
39524@end itemize
39525
39526If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
39527the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
39528either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
39529is stopped at the user's request.
39530
39531
39532@node List of Supported Calls
39533@subsection List of Supported Calls
39534@cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
39535
39536@menu
39537* open::
39538* close::
39539* read::
39540* write::
39541* lseek::
39542* rename::
39543* unlink::
39544* stat/fstat::
39545* gettimeofday::
39546* isatty::
39547* system::
39548@end menu
39549
39550@node open
39551@unnumberedsubsubsec open
39552@cindex open, file-i/o system call
39553
39554@table @asis
39555@item Synopsis:
39556@smallexample
39557int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
39558int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
39559@end smallexample
39560
39561@item Request:
39562@samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
39563
39564@noindent
39565@var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
39566
39567@table @code
39568@item O_CREAT
39569If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
39570rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
39571are concerned.
39572
39573@item O_EXCL
39574When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
39575an error and open() fails.
39576
39577@item O_TRUNC
39578If the file already exists and the open mode allows
39579writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
39580truncated to zero length.
39581
39582@item O_APPEND
39583The file is opened in append mode.
39584
39585@item O_RDONLY
39586The file is opened for reading only.
39587
39588@item O_WRONLY
39589The file is opened for writing only.
39590
39591@item O_RDWR
39592The file is opened for reading and writing.
39593@end table
39594
39595@noindent
39596Other bits are silently ignored.
39597
39598
39599@noindent
39600@var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
39601
39602@table @code
39603@item S_IRUSR
39604User has read permission.
39605
39606@item S_IWUSR
39607User has write permission.
39608
39609@item S_IRGRP
39610Group has read permission.
39611
39612@item S_IWGRP
39613Group has write permission.
39614
39615@item S_IROTH
39616Others have read permission.
39617
39618@item S_IWOTH
39619Others have write permission.
39620@end table
39621
39622@noindent
39623Other bits are silently ignored.
39624
39625
39626@item Return value:
39627@code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
39628occurred.
39629
39630@item Errors:
39631
39632@table @code
39633@item EEXIST
39634@var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
39635
39636@item EISDIR
39637@var{pathname} refers to a directory.
39638
39639@item EACCES
39640The requested access is not allowed.
39641
39642@item ENAMETOOLONG
39643@var{pathname} was too long.
39644
39645@item ENOENT
39646A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
39647
39648@item ENODEV
39649@var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
39650
39651@item EROFS
39652@var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
39653write access was requested.
39654
39655@item EFAULT
39656@var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
39657
39658@item ENOSPC
39659No space on device to create the file.
39660
39661@item EMFILE
39662The process already has the maximum number of files open.
39663
39664@item ENFILE
39665The limit on the total number of files open on the system
39666has been reached.
39667
39668@item EINTR
39669The call was interrupted by the user.
39670@end table
39671
39672@end table
39673
39674@node close
39675@unnumberedsubsubsec close
39676@cindex close, file-i/o system call
39677
39678@table @asis
39679@item Synopsis:
39680@smallexample
39681int close(int fd);
39682@end smallexample
39683
39684@item Request:
39685@samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
39686
39687@item Return value:
39688@code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
39689
39690@item Errors:
39691
39692@table @code
39693@item EBADF
39694@var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
39695
39696@item EINTR
39697The call was interrupted by the user.
39698@end table
39699
39700@end table
39701
39702@node read
39703@unnumberedsubsubsec read
39704@cindex read, file-i/o system call
39705
39706@table @asis
39707@item Synopsis:
39708@smallexample
39709int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
39710@end smallexample
39711
39712@item Request:
39713@samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
39714
39715@item Return value:
39716On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
39717Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
39718returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
39719
39720@item Errors:
39721
39722@table @code
39723@item EBADF
39724@var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
39725reading.
39726
39727@item EFAULT
39728@var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39729
39730@item EINTR
39731The call was interrupted by the user.
39732@end table
39733
39734@end table
39735
39736@node write
39737@unnumberedsubsubsec write
39738@cindex write, file-i/o system call
39739
39740@table @asis
39741@item Synopsis:
39742@smallexample
39743int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
39744@end smallexample
39745
39746@item Request:
39747@samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
39748
39749@item Return value:
39750On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
39751Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
39752is returned.
39753
39754@item Errors:
39755
39756@table @code
39757@item EBADF
39758@var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
39759writing.
39760
39761@item EFAULT
39762@var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39763
39764@item EFBIG
39765An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
39766host-specific maximum file size allowed.
39767
39768@item ENOSPC
39769No space on device to write the data.
39770
39771@item EINTR
39772The call was interrupted by the user.
39773@end table
39774
39775@end table
39776
39777@node lseek
39778@unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
39779@cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
39780
39781@table @asis
39782@item Synopsis:
39783@smallexample
39784long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
39785@end smallexample
39786
39787@item Request:
39788@samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
39789
39790@var{flag} is one of:
39791
39792@table @code
39793@item SEEK_SET
39794The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
39795
39796@item SEEK_CUR
39797The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
39798bytes.
39799
39800@item SEEK_END
39801The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
39802bytes.
39803@end table
39804
39805@item Return value:
39806On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
39807the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
39808value of -1 is returned.
39809
39810@item Errors:
39811
39812@table @code
39813@item EBADF
39814@var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
39815
39816@item ESPIPE
39817@var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
39818
39819@item EINVAL
39820@var{flag} is not a proper value.
39821
39822@item EINTR
39823The call was interrupted by the user.
39824@end table
39825
39826@end table
39827
39828@node rename
39829@unnumberedsubsubsec rename
39830@cindex rename, file-i/o system call
39831
39832@table @asis
39833@item Synopsis:
39834@smallexample
39835int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
39836@end smallexample
39837
39838@item Request:
39839@samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
39840
39841@item Return value:
39842On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39843
39844@item Errors:
39845
39846@table @code
39847@item EISDIR
39848@var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
39849directory.
39850
39851@item EEXIST
39852@var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
39853
39854@item EBUSY
39855@var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
39856process.
39857
39858@item EINVAL
39859An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
39860of itself.
39861
39862@item ENOTDIR
39863A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
39864path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
39865and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
39866
39867@item EFAULT
39868@var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
39869
39870@item EACCES
39871No access to the file or the path of the file.
39872
39873@item ENAMETOOLONG
39874
39875@var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
39876
39877@item ENOENT
39878A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
39879
39880@item EROFS
39881The file is on a read-only filesystem.
39882
39883@item ENOSPC
39884The device containing the file has no room for the new
39885directory entry.
39886
39887@item EINTR
39888The call was interrupted by the user.
39889@end table
39890
39891@end table
39892
39893@node unlink
39894@unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
39895@cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
39896
39897@table @asis
39898@item Synopsis:
39899@smallexample
39900int unlink(const char *pathname);
39901@end smallexample
39902
39903@item Request:
39904@samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
39905
39906@item Return value:
39907On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39908
39909@item Errors:
39910
39911@table @code
39912@item EACCES
39913No access to the file or the path of the file.
39914
39915@item EPERM
39916The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
39917
39918@item EBUSY
39919The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
39920being used by another process.
39921
39922@item EFAULT
39923@var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39924
39925@item ENAMETOOLONG
39926@var{pathname} was too long.
39927
39928@item ENOENT
39929A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
39930
39931@item ENOTDIR
39932A component of the path is not a directory.
39933
39934@item EROFS
39935The file is on a read-only filesystem.
39936
39937@item EINTR
39938The call was interrupted by the user.
39939@end table
39940
39941@end table
39942
39943@node stat/fstat
39944@unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
39945@cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
39946@cindex stat, file-i/o system call
39947
39948@table @asis
39949@item Synopsis:
39950@smallexample
39951int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
39952int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
39953@end smallexample
39954
39955@item Request:
39956@samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
39957@samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
39958
39959@item Return value:
39960On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39961
39962@item Errors:
39963
39964@table @code
39965@item EBADF
39966@var{fd} is not a valid open file.
39967
39968@item ENOENT
39969A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
39970path is an empty string.
39971
39972@item ENOTDIR
39973A component of the path is not a directory.
39974
39975@item EFAULT
39976@var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39977
39978@item EACCES
39979No access to the file or the path of the file.
39980
39981@item ENAMETOOLONG
39982@var{pathname} was too long.
39983
39984@item EINTR
39985The call was interrupted by the user.
39986@end table
39987
39988@end table
39989
39990@node gettimeofday
39991@unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
39992@cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
39993
39994@table @asis
39995@item Synopsis:
39996@smallexample
39997int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
39998@end smallexample
39999
40000@item Request:
40001@samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
40002
40003@item Return value:
40004On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
40005
40006@item Errors:
40007
40008@table @code
40009@item EINVAL
40010@var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
40011
40012@item EFAULT
40013@var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40014@end table
40015
40016@end table
40017
40018@node isatty
40019@unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
40020@cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
40021
40022@table @asis
40023@item Synopsis:
40024@smallexample
40025int isatty(int fd);
40026@end smallexample
40027
40028@item Request:
40029@samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
40030
40031@item Return value:
40032Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
40033
40034@item Errors:
40035
40036@table @code
40037@item EINTR
40038The call was interrupted by the user.
40039@end table
40040
40041@end table
40042
40043Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
400441 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
40045to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
40046would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
40047needed.
40048
40049
40050@node system
40051@unnumberedsubsubsec system
40052@cindex system, file-i/o system call
40053
40054@table @asis
40055@item Synopsis:
40056@smallexample
40057int system(const char *command);
40058@end smallexample
40059
40060@item Request:
40061@samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
40062
40063@item Return value:
40064If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
40065available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
40066For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
40067return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
40068command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
40069return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
40070@file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
40071
40072@item Errors:
40073
40074@table @code
40075@item EINTR
40076The call was interrupted by the user.
40077@end table
40078
40079@end table
40080
40081@value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
40082to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
40083the host is simplified before it's returned
40084to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
40085is discarded, and the return value consists
40086entirely of the exit status of the called command.
40087
40088Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
40089by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
40090@code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
40091
40092@table @code
40093@item set remote system-call-allowed
40094@kindex set remote system-call-allowed
40095Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
40096protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
40097
40098@item show remote system-call-allowed
40099@kindex show remote system-call-allowed
40100Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
40101protocol.
40102@end table
40103
40104@node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
40105@subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
40106@cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
40107
40108@menu
40109* Integral Datatypes::
40110* Pointer Values::
40111* Memory Transfer::
40112* struct stat::
40113* struct timeval::
40114@end menu
40115
40116@node Integral Datatypes
40117@unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
40118@cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
40119
40120The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
40121@code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
40122@code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
40123
40124@code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
40125implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
40126
40127@code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
40128
40129@xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
40130in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
40131
40132@code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
40133
40134All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
40135structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
40136byte order.
40137
40138@node Pointer Values
40139@unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
40140@cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
40141
40142Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
40143is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
40144transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
40145are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
40146
40147@smallexample
40148@code{1aaf/12}
40149@end smallexample
40150
40151@noindent
40152which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
40153The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
40154the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
40155at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
40156
40157@smallexample
40158@code{123456/d}
40159@end smallexample
40160
40161@node Memory Transfer
40162@unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
40163@cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
40164
40165Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
40166example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
40167with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
40168this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
40169packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
40170it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
40171data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
40172
40173
40174@node struct stat
40175@unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
40176@cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
40177
40178The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
40179is defined as follows:
40180
40181@smallexample
40182struct stat @{
40183 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
40184 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
40185 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
40186 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
40187 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
40188 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
40189 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
40190 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
40191 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
40192 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
40193 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
40194 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
40195 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
40196@};
40197@end smallexample
40198
40199The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
40200appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
40201structure is of size 64 bytes.
40202
40203The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
40204range of values.
40205
40206@table @code
40207
40208@item st_dev
40209A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
40210
40211@item st_ino
40212No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
40213
40214@item st_mode
40215Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
40216bits have currently no meaning for the target.
40217
40218@item st_uid
40219@itemx st_gid
40220@itemx st_rdev
40221No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
40222
40223@item st_atime
40224@itemx st_mtime
40225@itemx st_ctime
40226These values have a host and file system dependent
40227accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
40228support exact timing values.
40229@end table
40230
40231The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
40232responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
40233continuing.
40234
40235Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
40236representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
40237get truncated on the target.
40238
40239@node struct timeval
40240@unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
40241@cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
40242
40243The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
40244is defined as follows:
40245
40246@smallexample
40247struct timeval @{
40248 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
40249 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
40250@};
40251@end smallexample
40252
40253The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
40254appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
40255structure is of size 8 bytes.
40256
40257@node Constants
40258@subsection Constants
40259@cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
40260
40261The following values are used for the constants inside of the
40262protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
40263values before and after the call as needed.
40264
40265@menu
40266* Open Flags::
40267* mode_t Values::
40268* Errno Values::
40269* Lseek Flags::
40270* Limits::
40271@end menu
40272
40273@node Open Flags
40274@unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
40275@cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
40276
40277All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
40278
40279@smallexample
40280 O_RDONLY 0x0
40281 O_WRONLY 0x1
40282 O_RDWR 0x2
40283 O_APPEND 0x8
40284 O_CREAT 0x200
40285 O_TRUNC 0x400
40286 O_EXCL 0x800
40287@end smallexample
40288
40289@node mode_t Values
40290@unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
40291@cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
40292
40293All values are given in octal representation.
40294
40295@smallexample
40296 S_IFREG 0100000
40297 S_IFDIR 040000
40298 S_IRUSR 0400
40299 S_IWUSR 0200
40300 S_IXUSR 0100
40301 S_IRGRP 040
40302 S_IWGRP 020
40303 S_IXGRP 010
40304 S_IROTH 04
40305 S_IWOTH 02
40306 S_IXOTH 01
40307@end smallexample
40308
40309@node Errno Values
40310@unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
40311@cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
40312
40313All values are given in decimal representation.
40314
40315@smallexample
40316 EPERM 1
40317 ENOENT 2
40318 EINTR 4
40319 EBADF 9
40320 EACCES 13
40321 EFAULT 14
40322 EBUSY 16
40323 EEXIST 17
40324 ENODEV 19
40325 ENOTDIR 20
40326 EISDIR 21
40327 EINVAL 22
40328 ENFILE 23
40329 EMFILE 24
40330 EFBIG 27
40331 ENOSPC 28
40332 ESPIPE 29
40333 EROFS 30
40334 ENAMETOOLONG 91
40335 EUNKNOWN 9999
40336@end smallexample
40337
40338 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
40339 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
40340
40341@node Lseek Flags
40342@unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
40343@cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
40344
40345@smallexample
40346 SEEK_SET 0
40347 SEEK_CUR 1
40348 SEEK_END 2
40349@end smallexample
40350
40351@node Limits
40352@unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
40353@cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
40354
40355All values are given in decimal representation.
40356
40357@smallexample
40358 INT_MIN -2147483648
40359 INT_MAX 2147483647
40360 UINT_MAX 4294967295
40361 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
40362 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
40363 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
40364@end smallexample
40365
40366@node File-I/O Examples
40367@subsection File-I/O Examples
40368@cindex file-i/o examples
40369
40370Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
40371address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
40372
40373@smallexample
40374<- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
40375@emph{request memory read from target}
40376-> @code{m1234,6}
40377<- XXXXXX
40378@emph{return "6 bytes written"}
40379-> @code{F6}
40380@end smallexample
40381
40382Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
40383address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
40384
40385@smallexample
40386<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40387@emph{request memory write to target}
40388-> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
40389@emph{return "6 bytes read"}
40390-> @code{F6}
40391@end smallexample
40392
40393Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
40394file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
40395
40396@smallexample
40397<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40398-> @code{F-1,9}
40399@end smallexample
40400
40401Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
40402host is called:
40403
40404@smallexample
40405<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40406-> @code{F-1,4,C}
40407<- @code{T02}
40408@end smallexample
40409
40410Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
40411host is called:
40412
40413@smallexample
40414<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40415-> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
40416<- @code{T02}
40417@end smallexample
40418
40419@node Library List Format
40420@section Library List Format
40421@cindex library list format, remote protocol
40422
40423On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
40424same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
40425@value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
40426operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
40427platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
40428@value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
40429through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
40430packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
40431queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
40432are loaded.
40433
40434The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
40435lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
40436associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
40437which report where the library was loaded in memory.
40438
40439For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
40440library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
40441dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
40442should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
40443section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
40444depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
40445
40446@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40447library lists. @xref{Expat}.
40448
40449A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
40450offset, looks like this:
40451
40452@smallexample
40453<library-list>
40454 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
40455 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
40456 </library>
40457</library-list>
40458@end smallexample
40459
40460Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
40461allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
40462
40463@smallexample
40464<library-list>
40465 <library name="sharedlib.o">
40466 <section address="0x10000000"/>
40467 <section address="0x20000000"/>
40468 <section address="0x30000000"/>
40469 </library>
40470</library-list>
40471@end smallexample
40472
40473The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
40474
40475@smallexample
40476<!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
40477<!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
40478<!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40479<!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
40480<!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40481<!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
40482<!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
40483<!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
40484<!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
40485@end smallexample
40486
40487In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
40488single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
40489section for each library.
40490
40491@node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
40492@section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
40493@cindex library list format, remote protocol
40494
40495On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
40496(e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
40497shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
40498more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
40499
40500The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
40501loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
40502target, the following parameters are reported:
40503
40504@itemize @minus
40505@item
40506@code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
40507@code{struct link_map}.
40508@item
40509@code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
40510(Thread Local Storage) access.
40511@item
40512@code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
40513@code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
40514memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
40515address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
40516@item
40517@code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
40518@end itemize
40519
40520Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
40521@code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
40522for TLS access and its presence is optional.
40523
40524@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40525SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
40526
40527A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
40528looks like this:
40529
40530@smallexample
40531<library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
40532 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
40533 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
40534 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
40535 l_ld="0x152350"/>
40536</library-list-svr>
40537@end smallexample
40538
40539The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
40540
40541@smallexample
40542<!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
40543<!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
40544<!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40545<!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
40546<!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
40547<!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40548<!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
40549<!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
40550<!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
40551@end smallexample
40552
40553@node Memory Map Format
40554@section Memory Map Format
40555@cindex memory map format
40556
40557To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
40558memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
40559memory map.
40560
40561The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
40562(@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
40563lists memory regions.
40564
40565@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40566memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
40567
40568The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40569
40570@smallexample
40571<?xml version="1.0"?>
40572<!DOCTYPE memory-map
40573 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
40574 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
40575<memory-map>
40576 region...
40577</memory-map>
40578@end smallexample
40579
40580Each region can be either:
40581
40582@itemize
40583
40584@item
40585A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
40586bytes from there:
40587
40588@smallexample
40589<memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40590@end smallexample
40591
40592
40593@item
40594A region of read-only memory:
40595
40596@smallexample
40597<memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40598@end smallexample
40599
40600
40601@item
40602A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
40603bytes in length:
40604
40605@smallexample
40606<memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
40607 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
40608</memory>
40609@end smallexample
40610
40611@end itemize
40612
40613Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
40614by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
40615packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
40616
40617The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
40618
40619@smallexample
40620<!-- ................................................... -->
40621<!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
40622<!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
40623<!-- .................................... .............. -->
40624<!-- memory-map.dtd -->
40625<!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
40626<!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
40627<!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
40628<!ELEMENT memory (property)>
40629<!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
40630 and its type, or device. -->
40631<!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
40632 start CDATA #REQUIRED
40633 length CDATA #REQUIRED
40634 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
40635<!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
40636<!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
40637<!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40638@end smallexample
40639
40640@node Thread List Format
40641@section Thread List Format
40642@cindex thread list format
40643
40644To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
40645@value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
40646(@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
40647the following structure:
40648
40649@smallexample
40650<?xml version="1.0"?>
40651<threads>
40652 <thread id="id" core="0">
40653 ... description ...
40654 </thread>
40655</threads>
40656@end smallexample
40657
40658Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
40659identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
40660@samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
40661the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
40662element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
40663
40664@node Traceframe Info Format
40665@section Traceframe Info Format
40666@cindex traceframe info format
40667
40668To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
40669inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
40670memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
40671collected in a traceframe.
40672
40673This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
40674(@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
40675
40676@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40677traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
40678
40679The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40680
40681@smallexample
40682<?xml version="1.0"?>
40683<!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
40684 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
40685 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
40686<traceframe-info>
40687 block...
40688</traceframe-info>
40689@end smallexample
40690
40691Each traceframe block can be either:
40692
40693@itemize
40694
40695@item
40696A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
40697@var{length} bytes from there:
40698
40699@smallexample
40700<memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40701@end smallexample
40702
40703@end itemize
40704
40705The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
40706
40707@smallexample
40708<!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
40709<!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40710
40711<!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
40712<!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
40713 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
40714@end smallexample
40715
40716@node Branch Trace Format
40717@section Branch Trace Format
40718@cindex branch trace format
40719
40720In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
40721@value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
40722represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
40723branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
40724
40725This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
40726(@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
40727
40728@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40729traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
40730
40731The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40732
40733@smallexample
40734<?xml version="1.0"?>
40735<!DOCTYPE btrace
40736 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
40737 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
40738<btrace>
40739 block...
40740</btrace>
40741@end smallexample
40742
40743@itemize
40744
40745@item
40746A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
40747and ending at @var{end}:
40748
40749@smallexample
40750<block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
40751@end smallexample
40752
40753@end itemize
40754
40755The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
40756
40757@smallexample
40758<!ELEMENT btrace (block)* >
40759<!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40760
40761<!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
40762<!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
40763 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
40764@end smallexample
40765
40766@include agentexpr.texi
40767
40768@node Target Descriptions
40769@appendix Target Descriptions
40770@cindex target descriptions
40771
40772One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
40773is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
40774architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
40775a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
40776and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
40777architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
40778vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
40779
40780@itemize @bullet
40781@item
40782With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
40783the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
40784@item
40785Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
40786audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
40787variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
40788@item
40789When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
40790at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
40791@command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
40792@end itemize
40793
40794To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
40795target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
40796actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
40797processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
40798descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
40799
40800@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40801target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
40802
40803@menu
40804* Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
40805* Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
40806* Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
40807 descriptions.
40808* Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
40809@end menu
40810
40811@node Retrieving Descriptions
40812@section Retrieving Descriptions
40813
40814Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
40815specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
40816description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
40817protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
40818qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
40819@samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
40820XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
40821Format}.
40822
40823Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
40824If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
40825specify a file are:
40826
40827@table @code
40828@cindex set tdesc filename
40829@item set tdesc filename @var{path}
40830Read the target description from @var{path}.
40831
40832@cindex unset tdesc filename
40833@item unset tdesc filename
40834Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
40835will use the description supplied by the current target.
40836
40837@cindex show tdesc filename
40838@item show tdesc filename
40839Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
40840@end table
40841
40842
40843@node Target Description Format
40844@section Target Description Format
40845@cindex target descriptions, XML format
40846
40847A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
40848document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
40849the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
40850means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
40851check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
40852However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
40853their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
40854
40855Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
40856and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
40857sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
40858@value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
40859target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
40860
40861Here is a simple target description:
40862
40863@smallexample
40864<target version="1.0">
40865 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
40866</target>
40867@end smallexample
40868
40869@noindent
40870This minimal description only says that the target uses
40871the x86-64 architecture.
40872
40873A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
40874optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
40875are explained further below.
40876
40877@smallexample
40878<?xml version="1.0"?>
40879<!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
40880<target version="1.0">
40881 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
40882 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
40883 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
40884 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
40885</target>
40886@end smallexample
40887
40888@noindent
40889The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
40890breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
40891declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
40892(@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
40893useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
40894@samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
40895including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
40896revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
40897the version mismatch.
40898
40899@subsection Inclusion
40900@cindex target descriptions, inclusion
40901@cindex XInclude
40902@ifnotinfo
40903@cindex <xi:include>
40904@end ifnotinfo
40905
40906It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
40907several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
40908share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
40909divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
40910the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
40911
40912@smallexample
40913<xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
40914@end smallexample
40915
40916@noindent
40917When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
40918the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
40919the contents of that document. If the current description was read
40920using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
40921@var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
40922current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
40923@var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
40924original description.
40925
40926@subsection Architecture
40927@cindex <architecture>
40928
40929An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
40930
40931@smallexample
40932 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
40933@end smallexample
40934
40935@var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40936@code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40937
40938@subsection OS ABI
40939@cindex @code{<osabi>}
40940
40941This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40942Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40943
40944An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
40945
40946@smallexample
40947 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
40948@end smallexample
40949
40950@var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
40951@w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
40952
40953@subsection Compatible Architecture
40954@cindex @code{<compatible>}
40955
40956This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40957Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40958
40959A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
40960
40961@smallexample
40962 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
40963@end smallexample
40964
40965@var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40966@code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40967
40968A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
40969is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
40970given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
40971Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
40972or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
40973in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
40974capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
40975
40976@smallexample
40977 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
40978 <compatible>spu</compatible>
40979@end smallexample
40980
40981@subsection Features
40982@cindex <feature>
40983
40984Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
40985system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
40986registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
40987has this form:
40988
40989@smallexample
40990<feature name="@var{name}">
40991 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
40992 @var{reg}@dots{}
40993</feature>
40994@end smallexample
40995
40996@noindent
40997Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
40998of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
40999knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
41000should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
41001
41002@subsection Types
41003
41004Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
41005interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
41006but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
41007Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
41008Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
41009
41010Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
41011a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
41012Types must be defined before they are used.
41013
41014@cindex <vector>
41015Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
41016of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
41017specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
41018@var{count}:
41019
41020@smallexample
41021<vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
41022@end smallexample
41023
41024@cindex <union>
41025If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
41026with a union type containing the useful representations. The
41027@samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
41028each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
41029
41030@smallexample
41031<union id="@var{id}">
41032 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
41033 @dots{}
41034</union>
41035@end smallexample
41036
41037@cindex <struct>
41038If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
41039it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
41040element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
41041or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
41042its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
41043explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
41044integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
41045equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
41046
41047@smallexample
41048<struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
41049 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
41050 @dots{}
41051</struct>
41052@end smallexample
41053
41054If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
41055explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
41056
41057@smallexample
41058<struct id="@var{id}">
41059 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
41060 @dots{}
41061</struct>
41062@end smallexample
41063
41064@cindex <flags>
41065If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
41066a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
41067and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
41068@var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
41069are supported.
41070
41071@smallexample
41072<flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
41073 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
41074 @dots{}
41075</flags>
41076@end smallexample
41077
41078@subsection Registers
41079@cindex <reg>
41080
41081Each register is represented as an element with this form:
41082
41083@smallexample
41084<reg name="@var{name}"
41085 bitsize="@var{size}"
41086 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
41087 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
41088 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
41089 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
41090@end smallexample
41091
41092@noindent
41093The components are as follows:
41094
41095@table @var
41096
41097@item name
41098The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
41099
41100@item bitsize
41101The register's size, in bits.
41102
41103@item regnum
41104The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
41105than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
41106a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
41107defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
41108the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
41109packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
41110in order of increasing register number.
41111
41112@item save-restore
41113Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
41114calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
41115@code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
41116some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
41117ABI.
41118
41119@item type
41120The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
41121defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
41122and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
41123for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
41124architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
41125@var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
41126
41127@item group
41128The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
41129be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
41130@var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
41131in @code{info registers}.
41132
41133@end table
41134
41135@node Predefined Target Types
41136@section Predefined Target Types
41137@cindex target descriptions, predefined types
41138
41139Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
41140from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
41141standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
41142types. The currently supported types are:
41143
41144@table @code
41145
41146@item int8
41147@itemx int16
41148@itemx int32
41149@itemx int64
41150@itemx int128
41151Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
41152
41153@item uint8
41154@itemx uint16
41155@itemx uint32
41156@itemx uint64
41157@itemx uint128
41158Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
41159
41160@item code_ptr
41161@itemx data_ptr
41162Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
41163any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
41164pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
41165address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
41166may be marked as data pointers.
41167
41168@item ieee_single
41169Single precision IEEE floating point.
41170
41171@item ieee_double
41172Double precision IEEE floating point.
41173
41174@item arm_fpa_ext
41175The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
41176
41177@item i387_ext
41178The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
41179
41180@item i386_eflags
4118132bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
41182
41183@item i386_mxcsr
4118432bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
41185
41186@end table
41187
41188@node Standard Target Features
41189@section Standard Target Features
41190@cindex target descriptions, standard features
41191
41192A target description must contain either no registers or all the
41193target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
41194@value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
41195the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
41196default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
41197described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
41198can recognize them.
41199
41200This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
41201which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
41202with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
41203if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
41204feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
41205description. You can add additional registers to any of the
41206standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
41207they were added to an unrecognized feature.
41208
41209This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
41210Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
41211@value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
41212
41213Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
41214company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
41215architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
41216containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
41217
41218The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
41219of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
41220registers using the capitalization used in the description.
41221
41222@menu
41223* AArch64 Features::
41224* ARM Features::
41225* i386 Features::
41226* MIPS Features::
41227* M68K Features::
41228* PowerPC Features::
41229* TIC6x Features::
41230@end menu
41231
41232
41233@node AArch64 Features
41234@subsection AArch64 Features
41235@cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
41236
41237The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
41238targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
41239@samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
41240
41241The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
41242it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
41243and @samp{fpcr}.
41244
41245@node ARM Features
41246@subsection ARM Features
41247@cindex target descriptions, ARM features
41248
41249The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
41250ARM targets.
41251It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
41252@samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
41253
41254For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
41255feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
41256registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
41257and @samp{xpsr}.
41258
41259The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
41260should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
41261
41262The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
41263it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
41264@samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
41265@samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
41266
41267The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
41268should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
41269they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
41270@value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
41271halves of the double-precision registers.
41272
41273The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
41274need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
41275VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
41276quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
41277If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
41278be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
41279
41280@node i386 Features
41281@subsection i386 Features
41282@cindex target descriptions, i386 features
41283
41284The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
41285targets. It should describe the following registers:
41286
41287@itemize @minus
41288@item
41289@samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
41290@item
41291@samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
41292@item
41293@samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
41294@samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
41295@item
41296@samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
41297@item
41298@samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
41299@samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
41300@end itemize
41301
41302The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
41303
41304The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
41305describe registers:
41306
41307@itemize @minus
41308@item
41309@samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
41310@item
41311@samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
41312@item
41313@samp{mxcsr}
41314@end itemize
41315
41316The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
41317@samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
41318describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
41319
41320@itemize @minus
41321@item
41322@samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
41323@item
41324@samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
41325@end itemize
41326
41327The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
41328describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
41329
41330@node MIPS Features
41331@subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
41332@cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
41333
41334The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
41335It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
41336@samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
41337on the target.
41338
41339The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
41340contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
41341registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41342
41343The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
41344it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
41345contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
41346@samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41347
41348The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
41349contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
41350@samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
41351be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41352
41353The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
41354contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
41355Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
41356
41357@node M68K Features
41358@subsection M68K Features
41359@cindex target descriptions, M68K features
41360
41361@table @code
41362@item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
41363@itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
41364@itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
41365One of those features must be always present.
41366The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
41367used. The feature that is present should contain registers
41368@samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
41369@samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
41370
41371@item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
41372This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
41373@samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
41374@samp{fpiaddr}.
41375@end table
41376
41377@node PowerPC Features
41378@subsection PowerPC Features
41379@cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
41380
41381The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
41382targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
41383@samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
41384@samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
41385
41386The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
41387contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
41388
41389The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
41390contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
41391and @samp{vrsave}.
41392
41393The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
41394contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
41395will combine these registers with the floating point registers
41396(@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
41397through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
41398through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
41399
41400The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
41401contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
41402@samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
41403@samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
41404@samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
41405these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
41406user.
41407
41408@node TIC6x Features
41409@subsection TMS320C6x Features
41410@cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
41411@cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
41412The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
41413targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
41414registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
41415
41416The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
41417contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
41418through @samp{B31}.
41419
41420The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
41421contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
41422
41423@node Operating System Information
41424@appendix Operating System Information
41425@cindex operating system information
41426
41427@menu
41428* Process list::
41429@end menu
41430
41431Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
41432the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
41433processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
41434mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
41435target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
41436on a different aspect of target.
41437
41438Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
41439remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
41440read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
41441the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
41442
41443@node Process list
41444@appendixsection Process list
41445@cindex operating system information, process list
41446
41447When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
41448@samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
41449an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
41450@file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
41451
41452An example document is:
41453
41454@smallexample
41455<?xml version="1.0"?>
41456<!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
41457<osdata type="processes">
41458 <item>
41459 <column name="pid">1</column>
41460 <column name="user">root</column>
41461 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
41462 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
41463 </item>
41464</osdata>
41465@end smallexample
41466
41467Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
41468of that column should identify the process on the target. The
41469@samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
41470displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
41471should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
41472is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
41473which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
41474
41475@node Trace File Format
41476@appendix Trace File Format
41477@cindex trace file format
41478
41479The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
41480section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
41481
41482The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
41483@code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
41484while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
41485in the future.
41486
41487The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
41488separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
41489variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
41490as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
41491ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
41492of this section.
41493
41494@c FIXME add some specific types of data
41495
41496The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
41497Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
41498four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
41499the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
41500character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
41501state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
41502hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
41503endianness.
41504
41505@c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
41506
41507@table @code
41508@item R @var{bytes}
41509Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
41510@code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
41511actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
41512hexadecimal encoding.
41513
41514@item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
41515Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
41516address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
41517@var{length} bytes.
41518
41519@item V @var{number} @var{value}
41520Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
41521@var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
41522
41523@end table
41524
41525Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
41526of blocks.
41527
41528@node Index Section Format
41529@appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
41530@cindex .gdb_index section format
41531@cindex index section format
41532
41533This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
41534gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
41535DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
41536description.
41537
41538The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
41539@code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
41540represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
41541@code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
41542before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
41543laid out such that alignment is always respected.
41544
41545A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
41546
41547@enumerate
41548@item
41549The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
41550unless otherwise noted:
41551
41552@enumerate
41553@item
41554The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
41555Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
41556Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
41557and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
41558symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
41559(@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
41560compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
41561
41562@value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
41563by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
41564GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
41565currently not flagged as deprecated.
41566
41567@item
41568The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
41569
41570@item
41571The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
41572that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
41573to the next offset.
41574
41575@item
41576The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
41577
41578@item
41579The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
41580
41581@item
41582The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
41583@end enumerate
41584
41585@item
41586The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
41587values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
41588the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
41589element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
41590elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
415910-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
41592conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
41593CU indices.
41594
41595@item
41596The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
41597little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
41598the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
41599the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
41600
41601@item
41602The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
41603entries. Each address entry has three elements:
41604
41605@enumerate
41606@item
41607The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
41608
41609@item
41610The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
41611@code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
41612
41613@item
41614The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
41615@end enumerate
41616
41617@item
41618The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
41619the hash table is always a power of 2.
41620
41621Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
41622values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
41623constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
41624constant pool.
41625
41626If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
41627is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
41628valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
41629
41630The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
41631iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
41632initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
41633the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
41634index version:
41635
41636@table @asis
41637@item Version 4
41638The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
41639
41640@item Versions 5 to 7
41641The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
41642@end table
41643
41644The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
41645
41646The step size used in the hash table is computed via
41647@code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
41648value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
41649is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
41650collision.
41651
41652The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
41653don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
41654algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
41655the code.
41656
41657@item
41658The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
41659so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
41660strings.
41661
41662A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
41663values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
41664Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
41665the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
41666CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
41667See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
41668
41669A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
41670@end enumerate
41671
41672Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
41673If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
41674CU index+attributes value for each use.
41675
41676The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
41677(bit 0 = LSB):
41678
41679@table @asis
41680
41681@item Bits 0-23
41682This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
41683@item Bits 24-27
41684These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
41685@item Bits 28-30
41686The kind of the symbol in the CU.
41687
41688@table @asis
41689@item 0
41690This value is reserved and should not be used.
41691By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
41692with previous versions of the index.
41693@item 1
41694The symbol is a type.
41695@item 2
41696The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
41697@item 3
41698The symbol is a function.
41699@item 4
41700Any other kind of symbol.
41701@item 5,6,7
41702These values are reserved.
41703@end table
41704
41705@item Bit 31
41706This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
41707
41708The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
41709The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
41710@value{GDBN} sources.
41711
41712@end table
41713
41714This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
41715global/static attributes in the index.
41716
41717@smallexample
41718is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
41719language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
41720switch (die->tag)
41721 @{
41722 case DW_TAG_typedef:
41723 case DW_TAG_base_type:
41724 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
41725 kind = TYPE;
41726 is_static = 1;
41727 break;
41728 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
41729 kind = VARIABLE;
41730 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
41731 break;
41732 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
41733 kind = FUNCTION;
41734 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
41735 break;
41736 case DW_TAG_constant:
41737 kind = VARIABLE;
41738 is_static = ! is_external;
41739 break;
41740 case DW_TAG_variable:
41741 kind = VARIABLE;
41742 is_static = ! is_external;
41743 break;
41744 case DW_TAG_namespace:
41745 kind = TYPE;
41746 is_static = 0;
41747 break;
41748 case DW_TAG_class_type:
41749 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
41750 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
41751 case DW_TAG_union_type:
41752 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
41753 kind = TYPE;
41754 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
41755 break;
41756 default:
41757 assert (0);
41758 @}
41759@end smallexample
41760
41761@node Man Pages
41762@appendix Manual pages
41763@cindex Man pages
41764
41765@menu
41766* gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
41767* gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
41768* gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
41769* gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
41770@end menu
41771
41772@node gdb man
41773@heading gdb man
41774
41775@c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
41776
41777@c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
41778gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
41779[@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
41780[@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
41781 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
41782[@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
41783[@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
41784 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
41785[@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
41786@c man end
41787
41788@c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
41789The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
41790going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
41791program was doing at the moment it crashed.
41792
41793@value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
41794these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
41795
41796@itemize @bullet
41797@item
41798Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
41799
41800@item
41801Make your program stop on specified conditions.
41802
41803@item
41804Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
41805
41806@item
41807Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
41808effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
41809@end itemize
41810
41811You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
41812Modula-2.
41813
41814@value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
41815commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
41816command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
41817by using the command @code{help}.
41818
41819You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
41820usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
41821executable program as the argument:
41822
41823@smallexample
41824gdb program
41825@end smallexample
41826
41827You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
41828
41829@smallexample
41830gdb program core
41831@end smallexample
41832
41833You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
41834to debug a running process:
41835
41836@smallexample
41837gdb program 1234
41838gdb -p 1234
41839@end smallexample
41840
41841@noindent
41842would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
41843named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
41844With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
41845
41846Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
41847
41848@c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
41849@table @env
41850@item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
41851Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
41852
41853@item run [@var{arglist}]
41854Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
41855
41856@item bt
41857Backtrace: display the program stack.
41858
41859@item print @var{expr}
41860Display the value of an expression.
41861
41862@item c
41863Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
41864
41865@item next
41866Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
41867function calls in the line.
41868
41869@item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
41870look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
41871
41872@item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
41873type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
41874
41875@item step
41876Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
41877function calls in the line.
41878
41879@item help [@var{name}]
41880Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
41881about using @value{GDBN}.
41882
41883@item quit
41884Exit from @value{GDBN}.
41885@end table
41886
41887@ifset man
41888For full details on @value{GDBN},
41889see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
41890by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
41891as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
41892@end ifset
41893@c man end
41894
41895@c man begin OPTIONS gdb
41896Any arguments other than options specify an executable
41897file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
41898encountered with no
41899associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
41900if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
41901Many options have
41902both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
41903recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
41904present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
41905arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
41906more usual convention.)
41907
41908All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
41909in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
41910option is used.
41911
41912@table @env
41913@item -help
41914@itemx -h
41915List all options, with brief explanations.
41916
41917@item -symbols=@var{file}
41918@itemx -s @var{file}
41919Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
41920
41921@item -write
41922Enable writing into executable and core files.
41923
41924@item -exec=@var{file}
41925@itemx -e @var{file}
41926Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
41927appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
41928dump.
41929
41930@item -se=@var{file}
41931Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
41932file.
41933
41934@item -core=@var{file}
41935@itemx -c @var{file}
41936Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
41937
41938@item -command=@var{file}
41939@itemx -x @var{file}
41940Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
41941
41942@item -ex @var{command}
41943Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
41944
41945@item -directory=@var{directory}
41946@itemx -d @var{directory}
41947Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
41948
41949@item -nh
41950Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
41951
41952@item -nx
41953@itemx -n
41954Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
41955
41956@item -quiet
41957@itemx -q
41958``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
41959messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
41960
41961@item -batch
41962Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
41963files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
41964Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
41965commands in the command files.
41966
41967Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
41968download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
41969more useful, the message
41970
41971@smallexample
41972Program exited normally.
41973@end smallexample
41974
41975@noindent
41976(which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
41977terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
41978
41979@item -cd=@var{directory}
41980Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
41981instead of the current directory.
41982
41983@item -fullname
41984@itemx -f
41985Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
41986@value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
41987recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
41988includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
41989like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
41990and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
41991Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
41992characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
41993
41994@item -b @var{bps}
41995Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
41996interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
41997
41998@item -tty=@var{device}
41999Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
42000@end table
42001@c man end
42002
42003@c man begin SEEALSO gdb
42004@ifset man
42005The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42006If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42007documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42008
42009@smallexample
42010info gdb
42011@end smallexample
42012
42013@noindent
42014should give you access to the complete manual.
42015
42016@cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42017Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42018@end ifset
42019@c man end
42020
42021@node gdbserver man
42022@heading gdbserver man
42023
42024@c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
42025@format
42026@c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
42027gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
42028
42029gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42030
42031gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42032@c man end
42033@end format
42034
42035@c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
42036@command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
42037than the one which is running the program being debugged.
42038
42039@ifclear man
42040@subheading Usage (server (target) side)
42041@end ifclear
42042@ifset man
42043Usage (server (target) side):
42044@end ifset
42045
42046First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
42047the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
42048@command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
42049the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
42050
42051To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
42052program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
42053your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
42054
42055@smallexample
42056target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
42057@end smallexample
42058
42059For example, using a serial port, you might say:
42060
42061@smallexample
42062@ifset man
42063@c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
42064target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
42065@end ifset
42066@ifclear man
42067target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
42068@end ifclear
42069@end smallexample
42070
42071This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
42072to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
42073waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
42074
42075To use a TCP connection, you could say:
42076
42077@smallexample
42078target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
42079@end smallexample
42080
42081This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
42082going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
42083that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
420842345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
42085want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
42086ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
42087@value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
42088you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
42089print an error message and exit.
42090
42091@command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
42092This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
42093
42094@smallexample
42095target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42096@end smallexample
42097
42098@var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
42099necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
42100
42101To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
42102or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
42103In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
42104the program you want to debug.
42105
42106@smallexample
42107target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42108@end smallexample
42109
42110@ifclear man
42111@subheading Usage (host side)
42112@end ifclear
42113@ifset man
42114Usage (host side):
42115@end ifset
42116
42117You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
42118@value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
42119would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
42120@option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
42121That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
42122new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
42123(or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
42124a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
42125descriptor. For example:
42126
42127@smallexample
42128@ifset man
42129@c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
42130(gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
42131@end ifset
42132@ifclear man
42133(gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
42134@end ifclear
42135@end smallexample
42136
42137@noindent
42138communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
42139
42140@smallexample
42141(gdb) target remote the-target:2345
42142@end smallexample
42143
42144@noindent
42145communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
42146you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
42147TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
42148command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
42149`Connection refused'.
42150
42151@command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
42152described in
42153@ifset man
42154the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
42155-- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
42156@end ifset
42157@ifclear man
42158@ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
42159@end ifclear
42160In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
42161
42162@smallexample
42163(gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
42164@end smallexample
42165
42166The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
42167case.
42168@c man end
42169
42170@c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
42171There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
42172
42173@itemize @bullet
42174
42175@item
42176Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
42177
42178@smallexample
42179gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
42180@end smallexample
42181
42182The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
42183with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
42184a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
42185stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
42186debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
42187program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
42188connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
42189
42190@item
42191Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
42192program:
42193
42194@smallexample
42195gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42196@end smallexample
42197
42198The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
42199of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
42200else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
42201@value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
42202
42203@item
42204Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
42205
42206@smallexample
42207gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42208@end smallexample
42209
42210In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
42211command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
42212close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
42213debug several processes in the same session.
42214@end itemize
42215
42216In each of the modes you may specify these options:
42217
42218@table @env
42219
42220@item --help
42221List all options, with brief explanations.
42222
42223@item --version
42224This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
42225
42226@item --attach
42227@command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
42228
42229@smallexample
42230target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42231@end smallexample
42232
42233@var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
42234necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
42235
42236@item --multi
42237To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
42238or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
42239Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
42240the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
42241
42242@smallexample
42243target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
42244@end smallexample
42245
42246@item --debug
42247Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
42248process.
42249This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
42250the developers.
42251
42252@item --remote-debug
42253Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
42254This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
42255the developers.
42256
42257@item --wrapper
42258Specify a wrapper to launch programs
42259for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
42260wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
42261@kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
42262
42263@item --once
42264By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
42265additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
42266with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
42267connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
42268
42269@c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
42270
42271@c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
42272@c QDisableRandomization.
42273
42274@end table
42275@c man end
42276
42277@c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
42278@ifset man
42279The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42280If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42281documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42282
42283@smallexample
42284info gdb
42285@end smallexample
42286
42287should give you access to the complete manual.
42288
42289@cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42290Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42291@end ifset
42292@c man end
42293
42294@node gcore man
42295@heading gcore
42296
42297@c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
42298
42299@format
42300@c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
42301gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
42302@c man end
42303@end format
42304
42305@c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
42306Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
42307Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
42308crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
42309limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
42310running without any change.
42311@c man end
42312
42313@c man begin OPTIONS gcore
42314@table @env
42315@item -o @var{filename}
42316The optional argument
42317@var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
42318If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
42319where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
42320@end table
42321@c man end
42322
42323@c man begin SEEALSO gcore
42324@ifset man
42325The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42326If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42327documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42328
42329@smallexample
42330info gdb
42331@end smallexample
42332
42333@noindent
42334should give you access to the complete manual.
42335
42336@cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42337Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42338@end ifset
42339@c man end
42340
42341@node gdbinit man
42342@heading gdbinit
42343
42344@c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
42345
42346@format
42347@c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
42348@ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
42349@value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
42350@end ifset
42351
42352~/.gdbinit
42353
42354./.gdbinit
42355@c man end
42356@end format
42357
42358@c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
42359These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
42360@value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
42361described in
42362@ifset man
42363the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
42364-- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
42365@end ifset
42366@ifclear man
42367@ref{Sequences}.
42368@end ifclear
42369
42370Please read more in
42371@ifset man
42372the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
42373-- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
42374@end ifset
42375@ifclear man
42376@ref{Startup}.
42377@end ifclear
42378
42379@table @env
42380@ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
42381@item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
42382@end ifset
42383@ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
42384@item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
42385@end ifclear
42386System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
42387@value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
42388See more in
42389@ifset man
42390the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
42391-- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
42392@end ifset
42393@ifclear man
42394@ref{System-wide configuration}.
42395@end ifclear
42396
42397@item ~/.gdbinit
42398User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
42399@value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
42400
42401@item ./.gdbinit
42402Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
42403@value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
42404See more in
42405@ifset man
42406the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
42407-- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
42408@end ifset
42409@ifclear man
42410@ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
42411@end ifclear
42412@end table
42413@c man end
42414
42415@c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
42416@ifset man
42417gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
42418
42419The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42420If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42421documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42422
42423@smallexample
42424info gdb
42425@end smallexample
42426
42427should give you access to the complete manual.
42428
42429@cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42430Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42431@end ifset
42432@c man end
42433
42434@include gpl.texi
42435
42436@node GNU Free Documentation License
42437@appendix GNU Free Documentation License
42438@include fdl.texi
42439
42440@node Concept Index
42441@unnumbered Concept Index
42442
42443@printindex cp
42444
42445@node Command and Variable Index
42446@unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
42447
42448@printindex fn
42449
42450@tex
42451% I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
42452% meantime:
42453\long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
42454\centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
42455\centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
42456\centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
42457\centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
42458\centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
42459\centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
42460\centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
42461\centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
42462\page\colophon
42463% Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
42464@end tex
42465
42466@bye
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